Regarding the whole Face Unlock issue: It was in the leaks previously, so it's likely something that is being worked on. Maybe they'll have an update ready for us by the time we power our devices on the first time.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Google Pixel 4/Pixel 4 XL
- Thread starter AustinIllini
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes, I was critical leading up to and during the Pixel 3 release. I ultimately didn’t pick one up until February this year, quite a while after release and only when was able to get it $150 or $200 off (can’t recall exact discount). And yes, I found the hardware to be better than expected, though far from exceptional. You can re-read my impressions after a couple weeks of use in this post if you you’d like (it’s admitted quite long and mostMy speaks to Android more than the Pixel itself
).That being said, I only used it as my primary device for a brief stretch last May/June and it’s been relegated to casual usage ever since. It’s a perfectly fine smartphone with many flaws. And I don’t see the Pixel 4 improving upon any of those that I mentioned (video, storage, battery). The video capabilities have remained static (and poor at that) while everyone else pulls further away. Storage options are meager compared to all competitors and with Google’s removal of the unlimited photo storage for native photo/video, that make the limited storage more precious. And battery life on my Pixel 3XL is pretty mediocre to poor and now the 4 has to power 90hrz screen refresh?
I’m just not finding any compelling reason to spend over $700 (net after trade) to upgrade from the 3XL to the 4XL. I genuinely hope reviews and real world usage by folks like yourself prove otherwise.
I’m glad that some here are preordering the Pixel 4 as I want to hear the pros and cons. With that said, and this is not meant to criticize anyone’s choices, but I see no reason to preorder a Pixel phone.
Google doesn’t offer good trade in deals or preorder gifts, they’re notorious for having hardware defects in the first few batches, software bugs that always accompany the Pixel devices take a few months of updates to fix, and there’s a track record of at least $100 off during Black Friday which is a month away. I just don’t see the incentive to get in early.
Google doesn’t offer good trade in deals or preorder gifts, they’re notorious for having hardware defects in the first few batches, software bugs that always accompany the Pixel devices take a few months of updates to fix, and there’s a track record of at least $100 off during Black Friday which is a month away. I just don’t see the incentive to get in early.
Google does need some QA help...it took me 3 Pixel 3 XLs before I got a good one.
But at least their return process was fast with no questions asked....
I think some people are hesitant to pre order because Google conditioned people to be like that, last year people who pre ordered paid full price and only a month later (was it that soon?) Cut the price and told early adopters sorry, no price cut for you! Then there seems to be a QC issue. Heck I had to send my first XL 2 back because the thing burned in in less then 2 weeks.
I don't need another pixel. But as I said before I do like new toys. It'd be an impulse buy if I do get one. I am still interested in what others say about it.
I’m fully in the camp that’s disappointed with the Pixel 4. But that’s not to say I won’t own one. I still love the overall package Pixel phones provide. But the current package at the current price doesn’t make sense to me. Still, I hope reviews are positive and especially battery is improved.
I agree with most here, the Pixel 4 XL could and should have been better;
- 8GB RAM
- 4,300mAh battery ( like the Note 10+ )
- Brighter display on par with the Galaxy S10 line
- Reduce the forehead bezel, to like half the size if possible, or actually do the Note 10 hole punch, and forget the faceID stuff, and keep the fingerprint scanner.
But it's funny, recent phones that I kept the longest last few years has been the Nexus or Pixel. Yeah I'd get bored with them, then I pick up the latest Samsung Galaxy whatever, and within in a few weeks already regret not having the Pixel. One time I went for the iPhone 7 Plus, when it was the hot new phone, and I was bored with my Nexus 6P, wow what a bad decision, not even a month later ran back to the Nexus, mainly because iOS is a Fischer Price kids OS, and totally blows, feels like a decade old operating system. Or I got the Note 5 at launch, was so happy to have that badass phone, but then I tried to turn it into a Nexus, deleting all the Samsung stuff, and downloading every Google app and setting defaults, and tried to make the Note 5 a Nexus Note LOL, where the phone I traded in for the Note 5 was the Motorola Nexus 6, and that thing was just so smooth, so cool, I regretted getting the Note
Point, the Nexus or Pixel phones, may be ugly, and not have the wham bam cool features, but using it day in day out, I just find them most comfortable and a joy. They are simple, they are minimalist, but they just work, and have a special thing about them.
- 8GB RAM
- 4,300mAh battery ( like the Note 10+ )
- Brighter display on par with the Galaxy S10 line
- Reduce the forehead bezel, to like half the size if possible, or actually do the Note 10 hole punch, and forget the faceID stuff, and keep the fingerprint scanner.
But it's funny, recent phones that I kept the longest last few years has been the Nexus or Pixel. Yeah I'd get bored with them, then I pick up the latest Samsung Galaxy whatever, and within in a few weeks already regret not having the Pixel. One time I went for the iPhone 7 Plus, when it was the hot new phone, and I was bored with my Nexus 6P, wow what a bad decision, not even a month later ran back to the Nexus, mainly because iOS is a Fischer Price kids OS, and totally blows, feels like a decade old operating system. Or I got the Note 5 at launch, was so happy to have that badass phone, but then I tried to turn it into a Nexus, deleting all the Samsung stuff, and downloading every Google app and setting defaults, and tried to make the Note 5 a Nexus Note LOL, where the phone I traded in for the Note 5 was the Motorola Nexus 6, and that thing was just so smooth, so cool, I regretted getting the Note
Point, the Nexus or Pixel phones, may be ugly, and not have the wham bam cool features, but using it day in day out, I just find them most comfortable and a joy. They are simple, they are minimalist, but they just work, and have a special thing about them.
By "official reviews" do you mean the paid ones? Which I'm starting to suspect most on YouTube are any more
I'm not sure about this phone, my on the fence level has been all over the place. I pulled up the pre order page a couple times and went meh. I've got one foot on the fence and the other off. Also recently my other two pixels have been a bit irritating lately, my 2 is pulling a windows 10 and trying to install an update and failing. Guess there is a switch in the developer options to prevent this, but not before it tried to install on my rooted system.
There was no "system update available, would you like to update?" Nope it just took it upon itself to do it. And this is a load. Even my s7e will prompt me or I have to go fishing.
Sometimes I just want to toss all my phones into the drawer and go back to alphanumeric pagers... But they'll find a way to slip ads into that too
I highly recommend Jon Rettinger. He has become pretty Apple biased but still keeps an open mind for other phones. Good videos, good production. Good guy too.
Jon from Techno Buffalo, seems like a nice guy and gentleman. But, he's Mr. Apple and it's gotten pretty sad lately.
I used to be a big fan, but he's been holding Tim Cook's sack for awhile now. I can't take anything Jon says serious because he's just such a [H]ardcore iPhone guy. Again, seems like a friendly dude, but I'll pass.
I used to be a big fan, but he's been holding Tim Cook's sack for awhile now. I can't take anything Jon says serious because he's just such a [H]ardcore iPhone guy. Again, seems like a friendly dude, but I'll pass.
There are several promotions for preordering, but the best one, at least in the US, is with Amazon. You get $100 off the device, and then a $100 gift card is added to the order. So I was charged $699 plus tax and then $100 for a gift card, which I've already used.
$100 off for a preorder is pretty weak all things considered. Especially when you take into account their weak trade in offers. Look at what Samsung offer for trade in and preorder gifts. It’s a much better value. Add that with the fact that you know a better price drop is only a month away going by past years offers.
i'm getting $100 for my S8 and $100 off the order, and that seemed like a sweet deal to me. I could have got the S10e months ago for like $400 after trade-in. I started the checkout process a few times but just couldn't talk myself into buying another Samsung phone. Pixel 4 for $599 after trade-in to me was a no-brainer. Everyone has their preferences, though.
Google confirmed that they will release an update for this 'in the coming months'.
Google to update Pixel 4 face unlock with eye detection ‘in the coming months`
In the meanwhile, learn how to use the lockdown feature
www.theverge.com
Just got my despatch email from google stating that delivery should be tomorrow
Ordered the XL 128GB in white
Ordered the XL 128GB in white
To each their own, but he kind of reminds me of a lot of us here that love their Apple products but like to venture out. He just gave the Note 10+ a really good review too.
You really haven’t watched him recently then because you’d have seen this video:
Spoiler alert:
He doesn’t pick the iPhone.
Andrew Martonik is one of the better phone reviewers, IMHO. He sums up what we all feared: Pixel 4 is the best Google Phone by a fair bit but the battery is horrible.
www.androidcentral.com
Google Pixel 4 XL review: A night vision camera that's dead by sunset
Google's best-ever phone fixes a lot of problems, and makes improvements, but still has inexplicably bad battery life and questionable value for the money considering its specs.
www.androidcentral.com
Thanks for the link, yeah I've always liked Android Central.
So it's what I feared, a really good phone, with **** battery life. Ugh. Why didn't they use like the Note 10+ 4,300mAh battery?
Other than the crap battery life, sounds like it's a killer phone, and best Android phone of 2019. Best camera of any Android phone out right now. Fast and smooth performance with no hiccups like older Pixel phones, and the Assistant now baked into the phone chip itself is way faster and a lot more useful. The display is A+ and gorgeous. The build quality is high end and feels good in hand. But has lousy battery life.
So it's what I feared, a really good phone, with **** battery life. Ugh. Why didn't they use like the Note 10+ 4,300mAh battery?
Other than the crap battery life, sounds like it's a killer phone, and best Android phone of 2019. Best camera of any Android phone out right now. Fast and smooth performance with no hiccups like older Pixel phones, and the Assistant now baked into the phone chip itself is way faster and a lot more useful. The display is A+ and gorgeous. The build quality is high end and feels good in hand. But has lousy battery life.
Last edited:
The camera reviews are interesting. I don't know that the Pixel and iPhone cameras have ever been this close.
Even the night modes are different but almost in parity.
Even the night modes are different but almost in parity.
The Verge review is nearly 18 minutes long!
The main points are as expected:
The main points are as expected:
- iPhone and Pixel are both the best smartphone cameras, and it's a matter of preference to pick between the two (similar to Nikon vs Canon preference in the camera world)
- Pixel video is still disappointing
- Battery life is roughly the same as Pixel 3, and it will be frustrating for heavy users
- Face unlock is better than any fingerprint unlock, and it is equal to Face ID
- It's the best software experience of any Android phone
"2800 MAH isn't enough"
That's the key here. I have a strict "don't mess with efficiency settings" policy. When I fresh install a phone I do not ever alter any settings. If the battery doesn't make it, that's not good enough. I shouldn't have to compromise my software experience to preserve battery.
The XL battery is apparently performant, though.
That's the key here. I have a strict "don't mess with efficiency settings" policy. When I fresh install a phone I do not ever alter any settings. If the battery doesn't make it, that's not good enough. I shouldn't have to compromise my software experience to preserve battery.
The XL battery is apparently performant, though.
Reviewers are reporting a terrible battery life for the XL as well. Yikes, Google. 🤦♀️
It sucks but we all knew the battery life was gonna be crap. The 3XL had bad battery but lots of people still managed to enjoy it. Once the deals start hitting and we get further away from launch, this phone will be better received.