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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  • S
  • Shiny Dave
  • mpy
  • 30 Oct 2019

This ought to go down as the beginning of the end for the Pixel range. It makes so many mistakes for a flagship that it honestly feels like a historic blunder.

Even if you're scared to go with a Chinese phone - and if you're not, the OnePlus 7T is a superior Pixel 4 XL for two-thirds of the price - the Galaxy Note 10 offers more for the same, the S10+ offers about the same for less, even the Xperia 1 with its ridiculously shaky USP is a better option.

What a remarkable misstep.

    Nick Tagataka, 30 Oct 2019When Google announced Pixel 4 series I thought it was so me... moreYou recommend Pixel 4 over Mate 30 Pro? Are you on drugs or what? Btw, lack of Google spyware is blessing for a lot of people. And Mate 30 Pro is better than Pixel 4 XL in EVERY aspect but screen resolution.

      • D
      • DC
      • Mf{
      • 30 Oct 2019

      I have the PIXEL 3 xl currently and also had Pixel 2 xl. These phones were great by only if bought at a reasonable price.
      I am totally disappointed with Pixel 4 series due to the fact that the main characteristic Unlimited Google Photo Storage at original quality has been removed in Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL.
      I would just say that wait for a good deal on Pixel 3xl possibly on black Friday and get the same due to its google photo backup at original quality. Otherwise Pixel 4 is just another ordinary phone.
      No reason for me to continue with Pixel series from now on. I will continue to hold my Pixel 3 XL till 2021 till I have the unlimited photo backup at original quality.

      The fact is that currently Pixel 3 XL is a FAR FAR better value for money phone compared
      to Pixel 4 XL.

      I would not be buying a Pixel series anymore unless Google brings back the Original quality storage to future phones.

      Google - Totally Dissapointed with your Pixel 4/4XL.

        • M
        • Mata
        • mYW
        • 30 Oct 2019

        Thank you GSMArena for this review. Google Pixel 4 XL looks great to me, definitely a must have phone!

          These are my requirements with the phones I want to buy...

          - Small
          - Flagship SoC
          - Close to stock Android that's upgradeable to Pie
          - No software version higher than 9 out of the box

          That's only 4 requirements but I'm still having a hard time finding a smartphone that fits that mold or I might already own them. Pixel 4 disqualifies itself because it will come with Android 10 which I'm trying to avoid.

          Pixel 3
          Essential Phone
          Nokia 8 Sirocco
          Pixel 2
          Pixel

          Sony Xperia XZ1C & XZ2C don't have the gestures I prefer. So the only one from that list I would get is the Nokia 8 Sirocco. I believe the Snapdragon 835 was the most efficient flagship SoC they released since the 800/801. And the Sirocco also has 260 mAh than my Essential and slightly smaller display to make the battery life even last longer.

          I could easily get the Pixel 1 or 2 but I already owned the former and feel the 3 is better than either one except for maybe battery life and lacking the headphone jack of the 1. Buying a Pixel 1 or 2 would just feel redundant. There's really no phone out there I want to buy. The Nokia 8 is a little too tall similar to the size of an iPhone XR / 11 / 3a while its Sirocco sibling has similar dimensions to the Essential. Except I hate curved displays.

          If I want to retire my Pixel 3 and Essential in a few years, I will have a difficult time replacing them. I refuse to use any Android version that breaks my Call Blacklist Pro app. I could settle for a Razer Phone 1 or 2 but they're too big. I'm hoping the next Motorola RAZR comes with Pie out of the box. Tough out there to find a phone that can meet my 3 requirements. I know the Pixel 4 won't meet it thanks to Android 10.

            £829/962euro for this??
            Google had beaten Apple..I thought nobody could beat Apple in massively overpricing products,but Google surprised us all..Consumers should get Mate 30 Pro,if not for any other reason than as an act of defiance..

              jtrogr, 30 Oct 2019You can do so much more on a Note 10+ than on a OnePlus whe... moreYea note 10+ is also a good allrounder. But it is 300 euro more than the OnePlus 7Tpro...

                • A
                • Andrewtst
                • tZ4
                • 30 Oct 2019

                Is time Google pick others manufacture to design the phone and whoever decide and approval should be change.

                This Google Pixel 4 XL don't have anything impressive this time round.

                - Great camera - no longer is and the missing of wide angle lens is big mistake.
                - Design, still not the best looking phone and the front still not balance and ugly.
                - Premium Feel - the side and front look not premium.
                - Price - over pricey where many better options in market, the alone stock android and 90hz don't go with it.

                  123, 30 Oct 2019Because oneplus has 90hz Iphone does not. Also because onep... moreDisplay refresh rate can't alone be a reason to compare two phones. iPhone 11 is Apple's flagship and P4 is Google's, so that's a much fairer comparison. OnePlus is not even in the same ballpark.

                  PS- I won't ever purchase the Pixel 4 by the way, as the battery is terrible and a few other choices made here was downright unethical by Google.

                    • i
                    • ifthar
                    • 6Qc
                    • 30 Oct 2019

                    Quame, 30 Oct 2019This phone is making the iPhone 11 pro max look like a barg... moreI am very nervous to buy phone a lot of phones available in market but processer ver bad can u suggest me which phone i will buy under 40k

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 39x
                      • 30 Oct 2019

                      Julian M, 30 Oct 20194/5 seems awfully generous given the phone's shortcomings (... moreIt gets a 4.5 because as an experience it is the best on Android for smoothness, stability and bug fixing (without droning on about updates). They genuinely get better each update and is one of the only brands that trickles down features to older phones.

                      Also the hardware is amazing, the vibration motor the best on android, the speakers are loud and clear.

                      Most people just use a phone, not nit pick that there is no wide angle, or that the forehead is too large. They pick up the phone, unlock it, do what they want, lock it then put it away.

                        • E
                        • Essen
                        • P%h
                        • 30 Oct 2019

                        It's as if Google has to release a phone, but also needs to keep other OEMs not feel very threatened. It's like providing an ad for a tender in newspaper that nobody reads in a spot nobody will see, just to fulfill the obligation of an ad.

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                          • 123
                          • Fmx
                          • 30 Oct 2019

                          ithehappy, 30 Oct 2019Why the constant reference with OnePlus? This should have b... moreBecause oneplus has 90hz Iphone does not. Also because oneplus is lower priced yet got the bar so high with latest 7t pro and 7t. after all, if phone is better, it is better, no matter it is cheaper price bracket

                            Why the constant reference with OnePlus? This should have been compared with the iPhone 11 for the camera department especially for a more practical comparison!

                              Disastrous battery

                                123, 30 Oct 2019i tested myself iphone 11 pro max, I must add it to the bes... morePro & Pro Max also impractical pricing for what it offers. I have the fastest mobile on paper iPhone 11 but when compared with my M20P it struggles bit on many instances may be due to weak WiFi. Apps freezing etc...hence pricing vs value for expensive mobiles are being challenged by the buyers. Google is just keep pushing higher pricing through Pixel thinking that it will stick in the market with average specs on few areas.

                                  • 1
                                  • 123
                                  • Fmx
                                  • 30 Oct 2019

                                  jtrogr, 30 Oct 2019You can do so much more on a Note 10+ than on a OnePlus whe... moreworse camera performance!

                                    • A
                                    • Aloft
                                    • dMW
                                    • 30 Oct 2019

                                    Anonymous, 30 Oct 2019camera is not even great upgrade other than few software tr... moreAfter the Mate 30 Pro's samples, any other phone seems like a few tiers behind.

                                      The battery test seems off with what i have seen on a youtube video where it is compared with 11 pro max, note 10 plus and 7t pro. It holds on quiet well against the other 3 (comes in very close to note 10 plus). It scored 8hr and 30min screen on time with social media, gaming, bench marking and youtube mixed.

                                        Wow iphone is a beast.. only phone from 2019, that will last 5-6 years of update...

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