Google Pixel 4: Everything you need to know!

Google's Pixel lineup has changed and evolved a lot since its inception in 2016, with 2019 giving us the Pixel 4 series. In some ways, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL stood out as two of the most interesting Pixels ever — introducing 90Hz displays, dual cameras, and more. As we all know by now, however, battery life troubles held the phones back from greatness.

It's now 2020, and the Pixel 5 has officially been released. With Google's next big Pixel here, what do you still need to know about the Pixel 4? Let's take a look.

Google Pixel 4 Price & availability

As of August 6, 2020, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL have both been discontinued by Google. While some retailers like Amazon are still selling the phone, the official Google Store is not, and no additional inventory is being made.

Buying a Pixel 4 is a bit more affordable these days compared to when it first came out, but you're better off just getting the new Pixel 5 if you're in the market for a flagship Pixel experience.

Google Pixel 4 Review

Before you do anything else, we recommend reading and watching our reviews of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.

Right out of the gate, we need to warn you about the phones' battery life. It's not good. The larger Pixel 4 XL can barely make it through a full day of use, but if you opt for the baby Pixel 4, it'll become a regular occurrence to seek out a charger before you go to bed.

That's a big issue, and things aren't made better by the gimmicky Motion Sense gestures and small RAM/storage configurations considering how expensive the phones are. You will find saving graces with the camera performance, display, and design, but it ultimately comes down to your willingness to put up with the battery woes at the end of the day.

In addition to our initial reviews, we also went back to revist the 4 XL about six months after its release. It offers a more timely look at where the phone currently stands, so be sure to give it a read.

Google Pixel 4 Specs

While the spec sheet for a device doesn't tell the whole story, it's still fun to look at to see all of the various technical aspects of a new phone.

Google's offering a lot of impressive stuff with the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, with some of the highlights being the 90Hz display, dual rear cameras, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 processor.

Here's a quick look at what the phones are packing:

Google Pixel 4 Software updates

Being a discontinued smartphone, we understand if you have concerns about what that means for the future of the Pixel 4. Thankfully, owners still have a couple of years of update support to look forward to.

Google promises three years of OS updates and monthly security patches for its devices, meaning the Pixel 4/4XL will keep getting updates through October 2022. In other words, you can still look forward to Android 12 and Android 13 heading your way in the future. The company also releases quarterly Feature Drops that bring new features to Pixel devices — the most recent one dropped on December 7, 2020.

This is one of the biggest benefits of buying a Pixel, so rest assured you'll still get all of Android's latest features and security add-ons for a while longer.

Google Pixel 4 Comparisons

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL can look like incredible phones in a bubble, but how do they stack up when you start comparing them to the virtually endless competition that exists? We've compared both models with some of the best handsets the market has to offer, allowing you to see how Google holds up to the other options that are out there.

On the Samsung front, the Galaxy S20+ is a striking alternative to the Pixel 4 XL. It is more expensive, but it also offers a more impressive display, performance and has battery life that isn't absolute trash. Plus, with Samsung's recent commitment to three years of software updates, it's a better Pixel competitor than ever before.

There's also the iPhone 11, which somehow manages to be cheaper than the Pixel 4 and offer just as high-end of an experience. You don't get a 90Hz display or Android, but it's an interesting phone to consider if you're open to the Apple ecosystem.

Google Pixel 4 Accessories

While the Pixel 4 and 4 XL are solid devices on their own, there's no denying that they can be made better with the right accessories.

Sure, the back glass looks good, but it takes just one good drop for it to become a shattered mess. As such, getting a case is a must. The display is also wildly impressive, but some of the wow factor is bound to go away once it becomes littered with scratches. To prevent that from happening, get yourself a screen protector.

The Google Pixel 5 is now available

The Pixel 5 was first unveiled on September 30, 2020, and then went on sale about a month later on October 29. It's the latest and highest-end Pixel in Google's lineup right now, and it's a much different phone compared to the Pixel 4. Where Google used the Pixel 4 to try all-new features like Motion Sense and face unlock, the Pixel 5 abandoned those ideas in favor of a phone that's much more reserved.

Motion Sense is gone, biometric authentication is handled with a traditional fingerprint sensor, and there's the same 90Hz OLED display. That said, the Pixel 5 does pick up things like an ultra-wide rear camera, a new aluminum design with a soft-touch finish, and 128GB of base storage.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Pixel 5 is its Snapdragon 765G processor, which is technically less capable than the 855 found in the Pixel 4. Google did this in an attempt to offer fast performance across the board while cutting down on costs, and it's a move that paid off incredibly well. The Pixel 5 is fluid and responsive for just about any task, and with a price of $700, it's a lot more affordable than previous Pixel flagships. Add all of that together, and it becomes one of the best Android phones you can buy right now.