Google Pixel 4 XL review

29 Oct 2019
The Google Pixel 4 duo was not Google's best-kept secret. We saw pictures of the phone weeks before the event, and we even learned about Face unlock while Google teased the Motion Sense features ahead of its event. The Google Pixel 4 XL represents everything that Google has learned in the first four iterations of the Google Pixel, including a mid-cycle and mid-range Pixel 3a which was very well received.

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My 4xl is a decent phone. But the sound is terrible, tinny, and low volume. I can barely hear it ringing outdoors in my pocket summertime. I can't hear on speaker phone outside unless I hold it to my ear. I think I have read every suggestion. I'm sure there is something wrong. Would welcome ideas.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 0{1
    • 28 Jan 2023

    I've had a pixel 4xl for a year or so (bought used). It's a fabulous device, I love it. I'm upgrading to the Pixel 7 Pro, however, for the improved camera. Otherwise, I'd be happy with this for several years more. It's brilliant.

      • S
      • Stagepoint
      • q2A
      • 03 Sep 2022

      I've owned Pixel 4XL for 2 years now and consider it one of the better phones I've bought. Good display, readable outside, quick processor, decent camera and fast updates. Battery life is just ok. Cons? Needs to be rebooted about once a week, would love a card slot, should have come with 128GB minimum. Big Pro? Moving away from Samsung's massive bloatware.

        • D
        • Dolly
        • R04
        • 29 Jul 2022

        I have been buying google phones for awhile. The pixel 4xl is the bottom of the barrel. Totally regret the purchase and customer service at Google is the worst.

          Nodec07, 29 Nov 2019I find it funny how everyone tries to roast the phone but t... moreIt's the underdog. 😋

            I just purchased this phone off eBay in December. A company on there sold me a refurb with a one year warranty. I bought the 128gb Oh So Orange 🍊 color. Since everyone screamed bloody murder about it's battery life, I never switched on the radar. Battery life for me has been better than my Pixel 2XL, 3a, & 4a. I'm running Android 12L on it perfectly as my "daily driver". So for me it's good.👍🏾

              • J
              • Just another guy
              • DkL
              • 14 Jun 2021

              Anonymous, 24 May 202170h and 80h is average, maybe 5hrs SOT, 6 at best 90h is... moreI am using a mid-range android device with 4000 mAh and get around 9-10 hours of SOT.

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                • Anonymous
                • TLP
                • 24 May 2021

                CRITICS, 21 May 2021Can you please start mentioning the SOT you got on there re... more70h and 80h is average, maybe 5hrs SOT, 6 at best

                90h is good
                100h+ is top tier (usually the 5000mah battery phones achieve this)

                  • C
                  • CRITICS
                  • NcA
                  • 21 May 2021

                  Hood676, 05 Feb 2021Don't buy this phone. This brick is a hot mess of sens... moreCan you please start mentioning the SOT you got on there reviews, your test doesn't make sense to me, 75 h or whatever doesn't tell me nothing,

                    Don't buy this phone. This brick is a hot mess of sensory overload it's hard to text with hard to make calls with hard to even put it in your pocket without it going sideways and launching several apps including Google Assistant

                    I'm never buying another Google phone

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                      • Anonymous
                      • PWa
                      • 16 Dec 2020

                      I use pixel 2 xl it is good both camera+speed

                        Whoever wrote this review might as well need an eye upgrade, at least when it comes to low light picture comparison. Why on earth you're saying 7T "is more sharp and has better details", when it's absolutely terrible compared to pixel? Just look at that underground parking lot photo. God damn, 7T is just a noisy mess with smeared details. Can't even read what's written on those plates. As some comment below said, comparing 7t and pixel was insulting.

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                          • Mark
                          • tRr
                          • 10 May 2020

                          Gsmarena used oneplus for comparison? Thats a big insult to this phone.

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                            • Handyfan
                            • HL7
                            • 20 Apr 2020

                            I think that some people here never held the phone in their hands but make horrible comments. Maybe sponsored by some other manufacturers. The only negative points I can make is that here in Europe we only get the 64 GB version and the phone has no wide angle camera which may not be a deal for some people. In return, the Camera on this phone compensates you with phantastic pictures. Face unlock works fast and perfect and there was an update in March which corrected the issue with the eyes closed. With adaptive battery, my phone lasts me 2 days with moderate use. Also the brightness of the screen was improved. The audio is excellent. I ordered the Handsfree from google for 35 Euro. They have an excellent sound. All in all, the phone is very good and you get your regular updates for at least 3 years. The price has also come down. No need to shell out 1000 Euro when you can buy this for 700. Storage is overrated. Why do I need 256 GB on a phone. 128 GB should be standard. Please google consider this next time. And by the way, I have not had an issue with dropping signal.

                              • b
                              • billm
                              • c{6
                              • 12 Mar 2020

                              Don't buy this if you live in an area with weak T-Mobile or Sprint systems. my phone drops calls all the time even when I'm standing next to a router with a fiber optic connection. I have been reduced to using Skype for calls from home. This never happened with my Huawei phone on AT&t. I thought the Pixel would switch over to internet or Wi-Fi to make calls when they were stronger, but it's incapable of doing this. I have spent 5 30 minutes sessions factory resetting the phone, changing cell providers, filling with settings. No one at Google support can turn this phone into something useful. It was great to use in Europe and Africa, but using it in the US is for me out of the question in upstate New York

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                                • Anonymous
                                • IbI
                                • 25 Feb 2020

                                The display of this phone is dull comparing to note 10 plus and there is no way that is has
                                435 cdm2 brightness level. It’s noticeably lower brightness than on note 10 plus and note 10 plus has around 380 cdm2 brightness.
                                Performance of the phone is excellent but home screen icons and layout are horrible!
                                The settings menu is even worse and very complicated with some basic settings are hidden deep inside.

                                  • f
                                  • flagshipper
                                  • 8sS
                                  • 16 Feb 2020

                                  Omg this phone looks bad on paper. Face unlock with eyes close, apps dont support it so you will type passwords like crazy. Worst battery life in all classes. Huge bezel doesn't even accommodate led diod? Gtfo

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • m5H
                                    • 20 Dec 2019

                                    Nodec07, 29 Nov 2019I find it funny how everyone tries to roast the phone but t... moreNever heard of choice-supportive bias?

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • Hqa
                                      • 07 Dec 2019

                                      Love my 4xl no problem with battery life gets me through a day easily, the camera is amazing

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                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 3Jn
                                        • 30 Nov 2019

                                        I think this phone is great. Photo quality is actually so amazing, battery lasts ALL day and I am constantly on my phone.

                                        I am someone who has had Apple for a long time and made the switch this year from the iPhone 8. I am so glad that I did. I still can not get over how good quality photos this camera takes in all modes. My boyfriend is even jealous of how well it takes photos especially night mode and portrait! (He has a Samsung S10)

                                        I was terrified about the fact there is no finger print sensor at first but now now totally and utterly got used to it and kind of love it. My only gripe would be some banking apps have still not updated to allow face unlock but that is nothing to do with the phone itself.

                                        Highly recommended this phone to anyone who needs an upgrade and is looking to either swap sides and join android from Apple or who is currently android and does wanna upgrade - I would say it is an upgrade from any phone - my boyfriend would agree having seen my phone in comparison to his S10!

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