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Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 5 XL
- Thread starter jamezr
- Start date
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Considering this is the 5th iteration, if Google still deciding where they want to go with the Pixel, it’s a telltale sign that it’s not a real focus for them.
Every Pixel iteration is like a twitch reaction to what the market wanted the previous year.
When Pixel 2 was released, people were asking where’s the edge to edge screen. Google then released the (ugly) notched Pixel 3.
With the Pixel 3, people were asking where’s the dual lens camera. Google then released the dual camera Pixel 4 with telephoto lens.
With the Pixel 4, people were asking where’s the ultra wide camera. Google then released the Pixel 5 with one, despite them saying that telephoto is more important the previous year.
Basically Google doesn’t seem to have a clear vision themselves on what they want the Pixel to be. They’re just responding to the market, but it ends up them simply following on the trend late. This is in contrast to other Android OEMs who are brave enough to throw out new things, to pioneer things, to... gasp.... innovate. This year’s Pixel always end up to be what Google should’ve done last year instead of what Android phone should be.
At this moment in time, I'm comfortable (and have accepted) that I'm not really looking for Google to push the boundaries on smart phone design. Leave it to Samsung I say.
The Pixel discussions over the years have always been the same. Hardware is leaked and is disappointing. Hardware is then announced and is disappointing or some of Google's choices are deemed a bit... Strange.
But I think most of us do forget a lot of that when we use the phone.
I do still think the simplicity of pure stock Android, and the fact that you know you're getting an amazing camera and pretty solid build quality makes up for it.
My biggest Pixel complaint has always been battery life. And finally that is resolved.
I think you could give a Pixel to any Android user for a week and they would enjoy using it. Unless they're spec sheet chasers who care more about how impressed someone will be that they have the latest and greatest releaae. When in reality no one will give a toss.
The Pixel discussions over the years have always been the same. Hardware is leaked and is disappointing. Hardware is then announced and is disappointing or some of Google's choices are deemed a bit... Strange.
But I think most of us do forget a lot of that when we use the phone.
I do still think the simplicity of pure stock Android, and the fact that you know you're getting an amazing camera and pretty solid build quality makes up for it.
My biggest Pixel complaint has always been battery life. And finally that is resolved.
I think you could give a Pixel to any Android user for a week and they would enjoy using it. Unless they're spec sheet chasers who care more about how impressed someone will be that they have the latest and greatest releaae. When in reality no one will give a toss.
Well, at the least, the Pixel a models seem to find their identity and place, definitely more consistent (3a, 4a) than their higher models.
Because it was a basically stock UI. It also doesn't include many of the features that Samsung phones include. Whether those features are useful or not depend on the user. Oh and the OP also has inferior cameras and horrible curved screen.
I have my 5 ordered from Amazon and shows a delivery date of 11/2.
Does anyone else feel a bit crazy and thinking about joining some support group? I got a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE recently because it ended up only costing me a Pixel 3a trade in plus tax, I have my Pixel 5 on order, and also an iPhone 12 Pro on order. It will be nice having 3 nice phones but I feel a bit insane as I only can use one at a time.
But it's awesome having the option of switching whenever I want.
I must say after using the FE for awhile now, I'm looking forward to the Pixel 5 much more. Samsung is much improved over previous years but nothing beats the Nexus/Pixel experience in my eyes. Once I get the Pixel 5, the FE probably won't be touched as I'll go back and forth between the 5 and the 12 Pro. All of my phones are going to be similarly colored too: FE is mint green, 5 is sage green, and 12 Pro is Pacific Blue.
Does anyone else feel a bit crazy and thinking about joining some support group? I got a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE recently because it ended up only costing me a Pixel 3a trade in plus tax, I have my Pixel 5 on order, and also an iPhone 12 Pro on order. It will be nice having 3 nice phones but I feel a bit insane as I only can use one at a time.
But it's awesome having the option of switching whenever I want.I must say after using the FE for awhile now, I'm looking forward to the Pixel 5 much more. Samsung is much improved over previous years but nothing beats the Nexus/Pixel experience in my eyes. Once I get the Pixel 5, the FE probably won't be touched as I'll go back and forth between the 5 and the 12 Pro. All of my phones are going to be similarly colored too: FE is mint green, 5 is sage green, and 12 Pro is Pacific Blue.
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I can't remember what iPhone portrait shots are like, because it's been 19 months since I've owned one. But I never bothered with the Note or P30 Pro, because I just don't rate them for portraits, especially of pets. But Pixels just make it so easy.
I still wish Google would also improve the hardware of their cameras and let the others play catch up again.
I still wish Google would also improve the hardware of their cameras and let the others play catch up again.
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I'll just chalk it up to Google inconsistentcy. lol
Too true.
I'd rather it didn't save both. In all the times I've taken a portrait photo I don't think I've ever used the non-portrait shot.
I said I was disappointed it didn't save both but thinking about it, I never use the non portrait shot. Maybe I just thought it was cool you got 2 pics. lol
My Pixel 4 XL saves both. Any chance it handles it the same way the iPhone does and lets you toggle the 'portrait' mode on and off within the single photo?
It’s great to see Google finally bringing the Pixel to among the best in class in the battery department while retaining a high refresh rate screen (looking at you, Apple).
At the same time I’m concerned that the image quality on Pixels has remained stale for the last 2-3 years while the competition has pretty much caught up. HDR+ and purely computational Portrait Mode were revolutionary at the time, Night Sight was so much ahead of its time in 2018, and even Astrophotography from last year was impressive.
This year I’m not seeing anything of the sort and together with Marc Levoy departure and basic image quality pretty much identical to Pixel 2 that makes me wonder if Google computational photography team still has it in them to innovate further. Reviews for iPhone 12 aren’t here yet, but with all their hardware and software improvements and Google stale on both fronts I wouldn’t be surprised if this will be the year when Apple takes back the camera crown.
Pixels a-line still has a huge edge at sub-$500 category though, but if they don’t up their flagship camera game next year that would be the only price range they could possibly compete in going forward.
At the same time I’m concerned that the image quality on Pixels has remained stale for the last 2-3 years while the competition has pretty much caught up. HDR+ and purely computational Portrait Mode were revolutionary at the time, Night Sight was so much ahead of its time in 2018, and even Astrophotography from last year was impressive.
This year I’m not seeing anything of the sort and together with Marc Levoy departure and basic image quality pretty much identical to Pixel 2 that makes me wonder if Google computational photography team still has it in them to innovate further. Reviews for iPhone 12 aren’t here yet, but with all their hardware and software improvements and Google stale on both fronts I wouldn’t be surprised if this will be the year when Apple takes back the camera crown.
Pixels a-line still has a huge edge at sub-$500 category though, but if they don’t up their flagship camera game next year that would be the only price range they could possibly compete in going forward.
assembly problem: gap between screen and case
forum.xda-developers.com
assembly problem: gap between screen and case
Hi, I just bought a Pixel 5, but I didn't even have time to start it that I saw a trouble related to assembly: there is a gap between the screen and the body, in the top left corner of the phone. It is not as visible in the image as in the real...
forum.xda-developers.com
Mine appears to be flawless.assembly problem: gap between screen and case
assembly problem: gap between screen and case
Hi, I just bought a Pixel 5, but I didn't even have time to start it that I saw a trouble related to assembly: there is a gap between the screen and the body, in the top left corner of the phone. It is not as visible in the image as in the real...
Good to hear. I'm very tempted to buy the Pixel 5, and then give my Pixel 4 XL to my Wife. She currently has the Pixel 2 XL.
It's a great phone and scratches my new tech itch but it doesn't blow me away.
Can I tell y'all why this is my favorite thread here!
This one down here
This one down here
After reading and watching so many reviews on the Pixel 5, I have come to this conclusion. What the old saying iPhone users used to say "It just works"
What I mean is, the Pixel 5 has mediocre specs, yes we know that, the Galaxy FE and 8T are similar priced with much better hardware. But the Pixel 5 has the magical sprinkling of stock vanilla Android, designed specifically for this phone, which makes it run smooth and fluid. Yeah this phone doesn't have super cool features, and stuff a high end Galaxy or iPhone will have, but the overall package is just a fast competent phone you can trust that works all the time, with guaranteed updates direct from Google for 3 years, and monthly security updates like clockwork, month after month, which is worth a lot I think.
The Pixel 5 is a phone you pull out of your pocket, reply to a quick text, and put it back and move on with your day. And it easily fits in pockets with the new minimal size. It's a simple phone, for the every day typical tasks you do with a smartphone. Yeah it's not the gaming powerhouse phone, or the best for watching movies on, but besides that, it's just a nice smartphone that easily gets the job done, without al the bells and whistles.
But what it does well, is important;
- Great battery life
- Excellent point and shoot camera
- 3 years guaranteed OS updates, plus monthly security updates for 36 months.
- Comfortable size, not a phablet
- Smooth fluid OS
- Wireless charging and IP68 are nice features, not must haves, but good to have
If your a gamer or big movie watcher on your phone, the Pixel 5 isn't for you, but for everything else, it's probably one of the best Android phones this year.
What I mean is, the Pixel 5 has mediocre specs, yes we know that, the Galaxy FE and 8T are similar priced with much better hardware. But the Pixel 5 has the magical sprinkling of stock vanilla Android, designed specifically for this phone, which makes it run smooth and fluid. Yeah this phone doesn't have super cool features, and stuff a high end Galaxy or iPhone will have, but the overall package is just a fast competent phone you can trust that works all the time, with guaranteed updates direct from Google for 3 years, and monthly security updates like clockwork, month after month, which is worth a lot I think.
The Pixel 5 is a phone you pull out of your pocket, reply to a quick text, and put it back and move on with your day. And it easily fits in pockets with the new minimal size. It's a simple phone, for the every day typical tasks you do with a smartphone. Yeah it's not the gaming powerhouse phone, or the best for watching movies on, but besides that, it's just a nice smartphone that easily gets the job done, without al the bells and whistles.
But what it does well, is important;
- Great battery life
- Excellent point and shoot camera
- 3 years guaranteed OS updates, plus monthly security updates for 36 months.
- Comfortable size, not a phablet
- Smooth fluid OS
- Wireless charging and IP68 are nice features, not must haves, but good to have
If your a gamer or big movie watcher on your phone, the Pixel 5 isn't for you, but for everything else, it's probably one of the best Android phones this year.
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I'm starting to lean towards keeping the Pixel and selling my Note. I'm adjusting to the size difference & it will be nice to have a change of phone and have the smartphone camera I like the most.
I do think I'd be happier with the 4a 5G and it's slightly bigger size. But if I try to sell the 5 when that's released, I'll surely lose out on money because it will probably see a BF reduction.
Can either sell the 5 now (instead of returning so I can get the headphones) or keep it and see what I get for it on the release of the 4a 5G. First world problems....
I do think I'd be happier with the 4a 5G and it's slightly bigger size. But if I try to sell the 5 when that's released, I'll surely lose out on money because it will probably see a BF reduction.
Can either sell the 5 now (instead of returning so I can get the headphones) or keep it and see what I get for it on the release of the 4a 5G. First world problems....
I would think it will sell fast now if you are willing to lose a little bit. Maybe sell it for $650-675.
Id be fine with the 4a 5G but i would like to have the wireless charging w/ the P5 but only if it is on sale during the hollidays.
Size wont matter in either case. 6.0....or 6.2",..... the way they are built the 6.2" 4a 5G wont be much bigger than my GS9 was.