Google Pixel 5 review

25 October 2020
This year, Google has taken a drastically different approach with the Pixel lineup. Rather than pack a new Pixel phone with a high-end chipset and QHD screen, Google has instead gone the route of focusing on the overall experience. The Google Pixel 5 is this year’s Pixel flagship and there are some major changes for 2020.

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  • J
  • Jollygreen
  • ksA
  • 25 Oct 2020

Anonymous, 25 Oct 2020Where's the audio test and performance? Just saying in... moreWho gives a shit about speakers on a phone? Nobody. Google knows that. You either have headphones on or it's on vibrate at work

    • D
    • Dometalican
    • 7BB
    • 25 Oct 2020

    As others have said, nothing special. It's weird that it feels like the 4a 5G would tick more boxes for someone who wants the basics (stereo speakers, headphone jack, dual cam, and solid-enough battery).

    Google's going in the right direction. If they want to succeed next year, they should do:

    Pixel 5a with Snapdragon 690 (makes no sense to give it the same processor as the 'flagship')
    Pixel 6 with a 775 and 6.0" display
    Pixel 6 XL with the same as above but with a 6.7" display

    But the 'flagships' need to come with 3 cameras, some bezel to house dual selfie cams again, FRONT-FACING stereo speakers, and the return of unlimited cloud photos storage. Make them come with all that while pricing it well and I can see Pixel finally bringing in some solid devices.

      I would really like that staff from GSMarena take pictures from standard locations from where they take pictures with all other smartphones. This way we really can not compare them side by side with Pixel device. Otherwise good and objective review as always.

        • R
        • Really Annoyed Fello
        • 0VS
        • 25 Oct 2020

        Ok so.
        This particular phone is wanted for two things : Stock experience and Camera.
        So i have 2 questions for GSMarena crew:
        1) Why Pixel shots in general are in a Different location? Presumably outside Europe (Following the vivid atmosphere there)
        - Other devices like Xiaomi's or Onepluses/ Samsungs are i believe in Sofia (Bulgaria) so we can easily compare ourselves with our amateur or proficient knowledge of photography?
        2) Why there is always an underline or a biased text when reviewing a Pixel or a Google phone of the late era towards IN A NEGATIVE WAY?
        -The Subtle "Never settle" shirt, passively aggressive |not being impressed by anything that this device offers" which happened way to many times in recent years.

        Pixel 5 is a Great phone, i mean great.
        Form factor, Simplicity, Saves time and money and will be More consistent and More secure By A MILE then other android device.
        And You should emphasize that. That isn't a small feat.
        Improving software is important. Same or more then hardware.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • nxS
          • 25 Oct 2020

          I'd love to buy this but I only just got the 4a.

            Shriker, 25 Oct 2020"The level of resolved detail is generally good".... moreIf we are talking about detail, lets say that 8 years old Nokia 808 blows this 'computational photography' out of the window. Pretty poor pics, if you ask me. I'd rather hire a painter.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • Lj$
              • 25 Oct 2020

              JamoaSoe, 25 Oct 2020Again a half baked review. Where's the speaker test? C... moreI think review was done in USA, while their office is in Bulgaria.
              Probably the reason.

                • N
                • Nikojas
                • mtY
                • 25 Oct 2020

                Seems a bit passive aggressive for the reviewer to wear a OnePlus T shirt while taking Pixel review photos. Is it really an unbiased review that we love and expect from this site?

                  Again a half baked review. Where's the speaker test? Camera comparisons also not in line with the other smartphone reviews. You guys did the same with the OP8 Pro. Please publish the full review else don't do it at all.

                    • P
                    • Pax
                    • 4Yk
                    • 25 Oct 2020

                    Still too expensive for what you are getting. Google fails again with mediocre hardware to impress.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • myD
                      • 25 Oct 2020

                      Where's the audio test and performance? Just saying in summary "loud speakers" doesn't give much away. Come on GSMArena.
                      Under screen speaker doesn't fill me with confidence at all!

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • pQr
                        • 25 Oct 2020

                        What's strange is that the 16 megapixel ultra wide angle photos are saved as 12 megapixel jpgs. Would be interesting to know the resolution of the ultra wide dng files.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • pQr
                          • 25 Oct 2020

                          Google hasn't brought back the white balance presets, very poor decision. More than 240 support forum users voted for the white balance presets. They simply don't listen to feedback at all.
                          Google hasn't brought back HDR+ enhanced, more than 170 support forum users voted for bringing back HDR+ options. HDR+ enhanced is better than Night Sight. When you use it with exposure compensation, it is nothing else than a fast Night Sight mode. While Night Sight takes up to 7s in extreme low-light conditions, HDR+ enhanced takes up to 2.5s (or 4s if you zoom), which is more similar to Apple's night mode, which takes up to 3s by default. Night Sight also often leads to slightly blurry photos, if you don't stop breathing for 7 seconds, that's another reason why HDR+ enhanced is much better.

                          It's disappointing that there is still no periscope camera and that they even replaced tele with an ultra wide angle camera, which doesn't even have autofocus for macro photos.
                          Apparently you can still not edit HDR+ raw files with the Google Photos app. As far as I know Apple's photo app will support editing raw files.

                          And of course very disappointing that they still use the Imx 363, which suffers extremely from dead pixels (tested with multiple Pixel 3a) that can not be removed with 3rd party software as Google's image processing transforms the dead pixels.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 34r
                            • 25 Oct 2020

                            Good phone but where is the sound review ?

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • pQr
                              • 25 Oct 2020

                              "Since there's no longer a telephoto camera on the Pixel 5 and the ultra-wide doesn't feature an autofocus lens, the main camera no longer has this second eye to distinguish depth"
                              I doubt that the missing autofocus is relevant for non-macro photos. Such ultra wide angle cameras have a very high depth of field, so they don't need autofocus for sharp photos unless you want to take macro (portrait) photos.

                                • P
                                • PIXELisBOSS
                                • Iiy
                                • 25 Oct 2020

                                Google is doing fine with their phones. Some people may think Google is a bit behind in the cellphone game but this is the best 5th generation phone compared to all other companies previous release of their "5" model.

                                  • S
                                  • Steve
                                  • BiP
                                  • 25 Oct 2020

                                  No word on speakers?

                                    • D
                                    • Danny
                                    • xtS
                                    • 25 Oct 2020

                                    I think the Pixel 5 is a solid phone. The price is friendly coupled with the IP rated smaller form factor. I do wish it was available in more countries. I also agree that the hardware would need a major upgrade. Let's see the Pixel 5a/6 next year hopefully.

                                    With that all said, give me your Pixel 5 unit rn 🔫

                                      • g
                                      • gybrush
                                      • B}L
                                      • 25 Oct 2020

                                      guys, where are my favourite photo compare tool photos. IMO you should't really bother releasing a review without those. The tool is what makes this site different from the dozens of other phone review sites. The rest is just specs that you can read anywhere. So emphasize on what makes you really different and provide photo compare tool shots.

                                        Good review!

                                        I am coming from a pixel 2xl and struggling to decide which phone to get.

                                        I love Pixel phones, simplicity and all of the Google features. Yet I love to edit video on my phone, easier for me that way. I can do so on my pixel 2xl, but it is showing its age. Wondering how the 765 can handle that sort of stuff.

                                        I am tempted by the note 20 ultra, plenty of room to edit and shoot videos, but is the camera as good? And it's also so expensive.

                                        One plus 8 pro is a good compromise in price, but the camera is not as good? Or on par?

                                        Just wish there was an XL version of the Pixel 5 or a Pixel 5+ version with all the specs.