Google Pixel 4 review

Competition

We've been less than excited about the Pixel 4 duo since day one (or day minus 120, if you count the early leaks), but after spending a few days with the small version and devoting a bit of time to deliberation, a case could be made for its existence. Okay, maybe not strictly at its launch price of $800/€750/£670, but Pixel discounts do pop up often, and they're often better than most other discounts.

Apple, on the other hand, doesn't do discounts and whether it's launch day, Black Friday, or Christmas, the iPhone 11 runs for $700/€800/£730 - so the 'budget' Pixel is cheaper than the 'budget' iPhone even at list price unless you're in the US. The Google phone scores some points for its higher-res, higher refresh rate OLED display next to the iPhone's notched LCD, but the 11 does have the upper hand in battery endurance. And just as the OSes will have buyers divided, so too will the cameras - do you want a tele (Pixel), or do you want an ultra-wide (iPhone)?

It's the same dilemma if you pit the Pixel 4 against the 'budget' Galaxy. Admittedly, the S10e is much more competitively priced, being some 8 months old now, and things aren't looking good for the Pixel 4 at its MSRP. Aside from the camera conundrum, the Galaxy has battery life going for it, and a display which, while not 90Hz, is generally superior to the Pixel's. The S10e is also available across the globe, but every Pixel across the globe will get Android 11 and 12 the moment these are out, which isn't quite guaranteed on the Galaxy.

Mind you, for the Pixel 4's list price you could grab a galaxy S10 proper, and then you'll get all the cameras and a higher-res display.

The OnePlus 7T retails comfortably below Pixel money ($600/€600/£550), yet it offers most of the Google phone's advantages, and then some. A no-compromise 90Hz display, battery life to spare, superior performance, twice the storage at base price, and best of all - a trio of cameras. It's missing an official IP rating and, recognizable as OnePlus may have become across the world, the brand is no Apple or Samsung.

Apple iPhone 11 • Samsung Galaxy S10e • Samsung Galaxy S10 • OnePlus 7T

Verdict

We know that deep down you feel disappointed by the Pixel 4 - it's the prevalent sentiment around the office too. There's little excuse for the poor battery life, the one-camera-short attitude that Google is sticking with, the only-sometimes-90Hz display, things like that. Plus, the Pixel 4 isn't exactly priced to sell, and much better deals are available, even from the big names.

Having said that, Pixels get discounted, heavily so. At the right price (say $200 below MSRP), Pixel 4 makes a lot of sense - the 90Hz display is great, whether it's at 90Hz or 60, and no iPhones or Galaxies offer a high refresh rate yet anyway. Their most affordable high-end offers don't have telephotos either, so that's another one in favor of the Pixel 4, plus the specific way Google does image processing might be just your thing - we do have a few loyalists here at GSMArena.

To sum it all up, if you happen to see the Pixel 4's price slashed at a time when you're looking for a phone, by all means, get one. But pursue it at all costs, at full retail? We don't think so.

Pros

• Google's showcase of how Android should look and feel.
• 90Hz display among 60Hz competitors.
• Telephoto camera while others have ultra wides and no telephoto.
• Overall great picture quality, superb portraits, okay selfies.
• Spectacular video stabilization.

Cons

• No fingerprint, thus biometric authorization not available in some apps, gimmicky radar-based gestures.
• Odd limitations in the 90Hz display behaviour.
• Battery life is at the bottom of the charts in the class.
• Benchmark performance on the low end of the spectrum for the hardware.
• Well, no ultra wide angle camera while others have them.
• No bundled cable earbuds or an adapter.
• Limited market availability (even more so due to the Motion Sense radar).