Google Pixel 4/Pixel 4 XL

[Awesomesince86]

Sounds like reviews are saying what everyone with any smartphone knowledge already knew...battery life on both devices are bad. Shocker.

Other than that the main points I’ve seen are:
- Co best camera along with new iPhones.
- Video still sucks.
- Too expensive for what they offer.
- Best android software experience

One important thing I saw mentioned was that if you use a Gsuite google account, even if it’s not your primary account, than you don’t get the new Google assistant. That’s a dealbreaker for me and if that’s not changed then I’m out even when the price drops. That’s inexcusable from Google to alienate the business users.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I haven't had time to watch the all reviews yet, but is the 4 XL battery life at least on par with the 3 XL's, or please don't tell me it's actually worse?

My Pixel 3 XL battery life is mediocre, not great, not horrible, I would like better, but certainly not worse, but could makedo with the same battery life. If the 4 XL has worse and less battery life than the Pixel 3 XL, then I need to cancel my preorder.

 

[slitherjef]

Stuck at work so going to try to catch what I can when I can.

Ugh I have actually thought a little on the note 10 and even the fold but yikes the bloat ware and the fragility of the fold!

What a lackluster year for tech

 

[AustinIllini]

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.

Well Bad battery for a phone the size of an XL is still a day long. Ultimately, phone batteries are measured in days. A less than one day phone is insufficient in my book. I should not have to charge in the middle of the day to get full usage of my device.
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I haven't had time to watch the all reviews yet, but is the 4 XL battery life at least on par with the 3 XL's, or please don't tell me it's actually worse?

My Pixel 3 XL battery life is mediocre, not great, not horrible, I would like better, but certainly not worse, but could makedo with the same battery life. If the 4 XL has worse and less battery life than the Pixel 3 XL, then I need to cancel my preorder.

No one seems to have any qualms with the battery life on the XL
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What a lackluster year for tech

Honestly, the iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max are fantastic devices this year. They're definitely the ultimate expression on the iPhone X paradigm. It's not super exciting, but they're a home run.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Frigging Google They make a pretty bad ass phone, but always gimped one way or the other.

Early rumors were the Pixel 4 was gonna match the Samsung Galaxy S10 a lot, the same display, with the S10's whole punch, and similar batteries, etc...but that was six months ago. Then the rumors of smaller battery, of 3,700mAh for the XL, came out, and I was immediately worried, thinking that's not gonna cut it. And YEP, it doesn't cut it, big surprise NOT.

****, why couldn't Google pull an Apple, they increased the iPhone XS Max battery by like 27% in the iPhone 11 Pro Max, so if Google did the same, the Pixel 3 XL's 3,450mAh battery, would then be approx. 4,300mAh for the Pixel 4 XL, just like the Note 10+ battery.

How much do larger batteries cost overall in the build parts for a smartphone? I can't imagine going from 3,700mAh to 4,300mAh, would actually increase the cost much at all.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

The first red flag I've seen in reviews is from Android Central. This has me thinking I'm going to have to cancel my preorder, unfortunately. Apps have to use a specific API in order to be compatible with face unlock, and the API has been around for over a year and no apps have updated yet.

In order for an app to be unlocked with the Pixel 4's face unlock, it has to be using the latest "BiometricPrompt" API — any app that uses the old API for just fingerprint sensors will not be aware of face unlock, meaning it falls back to prompting you to log in manually with a username and password.

None of the apps I use that typically require a fingerprint have been updated with the BiometricPrompt API. Not Bank of America, American Express, Enpass, PayPal, and on down the list ... not a single one. This API has been available since the Android 9 release was finalized, and yet only a handful of apps are using it.

Source: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-xl-review

 

[Aneres11]

Reviews are to be expected really.
No one is saying they’re bad phones, which we know they’re not anyway.
But me personally, if I did pick one up it would be the smaller one. That small battery is a bit of a deal breaker because when I had my Pixel 3, it was always needing to be charged.

If idle drain doesn’t happen like it did on the Pixel 3 for me, then it might get me through a working day. But I’d have to buy one to test that.

With the iPhone 11 being such good value though, it’s hard to think of the Pixel 4 as a good buy right now.

 

[AustinIllini]

The first red flag I've seen in reviews is from Android Central. This has me thinking I'm going to have to cancel my preorder, unfortunately. Apps have to use a specific API in order to be compatible with face unlock, and the API has been around for over a year and no apps have updated yet.



Source: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-xl-review

What is Google doing?

The software should go access a biometric API and be like "Hey, do I have permission?" and then whatever biometric tool shoud return a boolean true for yes, false for no. Face Unlock and Fingerprint unlock should be interchangeable.

 

[noobinator]

What is Google doing?

The software should go access a biometric API and be like "Hey, do I have permission?" and then whatever biometric tool shoud return a boolean true for yes, false for no. Face Unlock and Fingerprint unlock should be interchangeable.

And I believe that's how Apple did it. All my fingerprint log in apps worked day one with FaceID.

I really do agree that the pixels are a side project for some people and no one is 100% committed to actually making them as good as possible.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

What is Google doing?

The software should go access a biometric API and be like "Hey, do I have permission?" and then whatever biometric tool shoud return a boolean true for yes, false for no. Face Unlock and Fingerprint unlock should be interchangeable.

It sounds like that's the goal, but the older API didn't work that way. Now Google is going to have to convince companies to switch to the new API, and that will take time. So, maybe given 6 months time things will be different, but there is no way I'm typing my password in every time I want to access banking apps in the meantime.

When Will Banks Support Google Pixel 4's Face Unlock Tech? We Asked | Digital Trends

Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL come with new Face Unlock technology that makes unlocking the phone fast. But if you want to use it to access bank apps or authenticate purchases in third-party apps, it's looking like you'll have to wait a while. I asked a handful of banks when they expect to add...

www.digitaltrends.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1184394216824283136

 

[AustinIllini]

And I believe that's how Apple did it. All my fingerprint log in apps worked day one with FaceID.

I really do agree that the pixels are a side project for some people and no one is 100% committed to actually making them as good as possible.

That's exactly what Apple did. FaceID and TouchID provide no meaningful data to the device other than "Yes" or "No"

 

[Lobwedgephil]

The first red flag I've seen in reviews is from Android Central. This has me thinking I'm going to have to cancel my preorder, unfortunately. Apps have to use a specific API in order to be compatible with face unlock, and the API has been around for over a year and no apps have updated yet.



Source: https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-xl-review

Yeah that is a pretty big miss there, was expecting some sort of implementation like Apple did with Face ID to make apps that use Face ID work like they did with Touch ID, guess not. Either way, mine has shipped and will be here tomorrow, so I will give it the 14 day test run either way.

 

[AustinIllini]

Yeah that is a pretty big miss there, was expecting some sort of implementation like Apple did with Face ID to make apps that use Face ID work like they did with Touch ID, guess not. Either way, mine has shipped and will be here tomorrow, so I will give it the 14 day test run either way.

4 or 4XL?

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

Yeah that is a pretty big miss there, was expecting some sort of implementation like Apple did with Face ID to make apps that use Face ID work like they did with Touch ID, guess not. Either way, mine has shipped and will be here tomorrow, so I will give it the 14 day test run either way.

I went ahead and canceled mine. I've still got my case, so I'll wait until confirmation that my banking apps have updated before I consider reordering.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

4 or 4XL?

4 XL

I went ahead and canceled mine. I've still got my case, so I'll wait until confirmation that my banking apps have updated before I considering reordering.

Yeah, I don't blame you, I woke up to a shipping notice so may as well give it a shot. Seems wise to at least wait until Black Friday deals to see if they can iron out all of these issues, well besides bad battery life.

 

[pika2000]

So let me get this straight, an old $400 Redmi K20 pro can do 4K60 recording, while a brand new $800 Pixel 4 cannot.
It’s amazing how all the reviewers are still praising the phone, being the “best” Android experience. Seriously? No twin dual apps, no seamless transition to new biometric, dated design. But hey, they have radar, I guess, which makes it non-sellable in many countries due to restriction on radar technology.
I guess sending nice boxes to youtubers and holding them by the balls on your own platform is great.

 

[JPNFRK7]

Kind of glad I cancelled and ordered the S10. I love smaller phones and had a feeling that battery was going to be an issue. I just dont want to have to continuosly worry about charging my phone like my Pixel 2. Maybe Pixel 6 if we get there.

 

[AustinIllini]

So let me get this straight, an old $400 Redmi K20 pro can do 4K60 recording, while a brand new $800 Pixel 4 cannot.
It’s amazing how all the reviewers are still praising the phone, being the “best” Android experience. Seriously? No twin dual apps, no seamless transition to new biometric, dated design. But hey, they have radar, I guess, which makes it non-sellable in many countries due to restriction on radar technology.
I guess sending nice boxes to youtubers and holding them by the balls on your own platform is great.

I have been frequently critical of Pixel 4 on this thread. You don't need to scroll far. However, keep in mind the best experience is not based on the number of features.

A Honda Accord comes with far more standard features than a BMW 3 Series. The 3 series is a much better car. The experience is better. Same with the Pixel.

 

[Aneres11]

I have been frequently critical of Pixel 4 on this thread. You don't need to scroll far. However, keep in mind the best experience is not based on the number of features.

A Honda Accord comes with far more standard features than a BMW 3 Series. The 3 series is a much better car. The experience is better. Same with the Pixel.

Don’t feed the troll.

 

[AustinIllini]

Don’t feed the troll.

Some people honestly mistake features for quality. The Pixel 2 could do a lot the iPhone X couldn't do, but the build quality and experience on iPhone was so far superior.

 

[Aneres11]

Some people honestly mistake features for quality. The Pixel 2 could do a lot the iPhone X couldn't do, but the build quality and experience on iPhone was so far superior.

Yeah I get you. Some people do just mistake. Others just come here to troll.

I just watched a review (can’t remember which one) who said that face unlock didn’t work for a lady colleague as she set it up with make up on and then when she took it off it couldn’t recognise her. Not sure if that’s more a Pixel thing or whether she’s just plastering that slap on.

 

[AustinIllini]

Yeah I get you. Some people do just mistake. Others just come here to troll.

I just watched a review (can’t remember which one) who said that face unlock didn’t work for a lady colleague as she set it up with make up on and then when she took it off it couldn’t recognise her. Not sure if that’s more a Pixel thing or whether she’s just plastering that slap on.

pika is fine with me overall

 

[tbayrgs]

It sounds like that's the goal, but the older API didn't work that way. Now Google is going to have to convince companies to switch to the new API, and that will take time. So, maybe given 6 months time things will be different, but there is no way I'm typing my password in every time I want to access banking apps in the meantime.

When Will Banks Support Google Pixel 4's Face Unlock Tech? We Asked | Digital Trends

Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL come with new Face Unlock technology that makes unlocking the phone fast. But if you want to use it to access bank apps or authenticate purchases in third-party apps, it's looking like you'll have to wait a while. I asked a handful of banks when they expect to add...

www.digitaltrends.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1184394216824283136

Wow. I haven’t preordered but that would be a sure fire dealbreaker for me. I use biometrics for my password manager dozens of times a day alone. And historically, devs always seem to take longer to update this type of functionality on Android vs. iOS. Some of my banking apps took a year or two longer to add FP scanning authentication on their Android apps.

I think I’m just going to hold onto my Pixel 3XL for the foreseeable future.

 

[AustinIllini]

Maybe some day we'll get a Pixel phone with Samsung quality hardware without all the silly compromises and nonsense.

I feel like the 3, despite being a year old, was closer to what we wanted than the 4.

 

[co.ag.2005]

Yeah I get you. Some people do just mistake. Others just come here to troll.

I just watched a review (can’t remember which one) who said that face unlock didn’t work for a lady colleague as she set it up with make up on and then when she took it off it couldn’t recognise her. Not sure if that’s more a Pixel thing or whether she’s just plastering that slap on.

sounds like an indictment to how much makeup she uses