Google Pixel 4: Everything you need to know!

Starting in 2016, the Fall season has become one of the most exciting times in the Android space. Sure, Samsung, OnePlus, and other companies are usually down with their announcements at this point in the year, but come mid-October, that's when Google gets to show off its latest and greatest flagships.

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL were the big stars for 2019, and they're both packing a serious punch.

Google's offering a lot of new tech with the Pixel 4 series, including things like dual rear cameras, 90Hz displays, and its Soli radar system for the first time. These are some of the biggest upgrades we've ever seen for the Pixel lineup, and as such, we have a lot to talk about.

• Check out our full review
• There are two models —4 and 4 XL
• Get familiar with the specs
• Pitting the Pixel 4 against the competition
• The 90Hz display is a big deal
• Google joined the dual camera club
• Let's talk about Soli
• There are three colors
• We should mention the Pixel 4a
• And also the Pixel 5
• Make sure to get some accessories
• You can buy the phone now!

First, read and watch our full review

Before you do anything else, we recommend reading and watching our review of the Pixel 4 and 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 at the end of the day, it ultimately comes down to your willingness to put up with the battery woes.

• Google Pixel 4 review: Early to bed, early demise
• Google Pixel 4 XL review: A night vision camera that's dead by sunset
• Pixel 4 XL second opinion review: The Android phone I can't stop using
• Google Pixel 4 XL review, 6 months on: A love-hate relationship

Google's selling two versions of the phone — Pixel 4 and 4 XL

Similar to the Pixel, Pixel 2, and Pixel 3 series, the Pixel 4 comes in two variants — the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.

Both phones look identical to one another, save for the Pixel 4 XL having a larger display and overall form factor. That also allows for a bigger battery, but other than that, these are basically the same.

That's reassuring to see, as 2018's Pixel 3 and 3 XL were a bit polarizing. Where the Pixel 3 had a pretty generic design with medium-sized bezels below and above its screen, the 3 XL opted for one of the worst notches we've ever seen on a smartphone.

Google's decision to have the 4 and 4 XL share the same design is a change we're happy to see, and it should make it easier for shoppers to identify that the two phones are part of the same family.

Google Pixel 4 vs. Pixel 4 XL: Which should you buy?

Here are the 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. We do have some concerns about the batteries being used, but at the end of the day, this is a well-fleshed-out offering.

Here's a miniature version of the specs, with the full sheet with every single detailed found via the below link.

Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL Specs: 90Hz display, Motion Sense, and questionable batteries

Stacking the Pixel 4 up against the competition

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 likes of Samsung, OnePlus, and others.

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL are the best phones Google can make right now, but as you'll see in some of these comparisons, Google's best still isn't enough.

• Pixel 4 vs. Pixel 3a: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 vs. iPhone 11: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 XL vs. OnePlus 7T: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 XL vs. OnePlus 7 Pro: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S20+: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 XL vs. Galaxy S10+: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 XL vs. Galaxy Note 10+: Which should you buy?
• Pixel 4 XL vs. iPhone 11 Pro: Which should you buy?

The 90Hz display makes everything better 😍

One of the most unique features that the Pixel 4 comes equipped with is its 90Hz display. This is something you'll find on both the regular Pixel 4 and the 4 XL, and it's something we've come to love on phones like the OnePlus 7 Pro and Razer Phone 2.

For those that may not be familiar, most smartphones have a display with a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning that 60 frames of the display are refreshing every second. On a 90Hz screen, it's refreshing 90 frames every second.

In the real world, this results in everything on a 90Hz display to look and feel considerably faster/smooth. This ranges from scrolling through Twitter, navigating your phone's settings menu, playing games that support the fast refresh rate, and more.

It's one of those things you have to see in person to really understand what we're talking about, but once you do, you'll never want to go back to a traditional 60Hz setup ever again.

This is the first Pixel phone with two rear cameras

Another big change with the Pixel 4 has to do with its camera package. Up until the Pixel 4, every Pixel phone has shipped with just one rear camera. This time, however, Google's finally joining the dual-camera bandwagon.

Along with the 12MP primary camera that's pretty much unchanged from the Pixel 3, you'll also find a 16MP telephoto camera.

This allows you to zoom in on your subjects without having to physically move closer, and while this is something that's been offered in countless other phones over the last couple of years, it's still exciting to see Google finally implement this.

What is Soli and what does it do?

While the 90Hz display and dual rear cameras are certainly cool, the Pixel 4 feature that will likely get the most people talking is its use of Google's Soli radar sensor.

Google's been developing Soli for a number of years at this point, but the Pixel 4 is the first consumer product to implement it. On the Pixel 4, Soli allows for two things — face unlock and Motion Sense.

Starting first with face unlock, this is exactly what it sounds like. After registering your face with the Pixel 4, you can unlock it just by looking at the phone. This is something numerous Android phones have also done, but the Pixel 4 goes a step further.

The Soli-powered face unlock is extremely fast and secure. In fact, it's so secure that its function goes beyond the lock screen. Just like you would with a fingerprint sensor, you can use face unlock on the Pixel 4 to log in to secure apps and authorizing purchases.

In addition to face unlock, Soli also enables Motion Sense gestures. These gestures allow you to perform specific functions of the Pixel 4 by waving your hand over the screen, such as silencing alarms, dismissing phone calls, and controlling media playback in supported apps.

• Motion Sense on the Pixel 4: How it works and what it can do
• How to use Motion Sense on the Pixel 4
• These apps support the Pixel 4's face unlock feature

There's a clear winner for the color options

Similar to years past, Google's offering the Pixel 4 in three colors — Just Black, Clearly White, and Oh so Orange.

Just Black and Clearly White both look good, with the latter reminding us of the panda/stormtrooper Pixel 2 XL from 2017. However, if we had to choose just one, there's no getting around just how good Oh So Orange is.

It may not be the color for everyone, but its bright, vibrant nature definitely allows it to stand out the most from the other colors being offered. For a closer look and more hands-on pictures, be sure to check out the link below.

What color Pixel 4 should I buy?

It's worth keeping an eye on the Pixel 4a

Where the Pixel 4 is Google's current flagship smartphone, we're expecting the company to unveil the budget-focused Pixel 4a either in either May or June of this year. The 4a looks to have a similar design compared to the regular Pixel 4, but there are some big changes, too — such as a single rear camera and hole-punch cutout in the display. Oh, and there's a 3.5mm headphone jack.

We're anticipating a price of around $400 or so, making it a compelling option if you want that Pixel experience without spending too much cash.

Google Pixel 4a: News, Leaks, Release Date, Specs, and Rumors!

And we should mention the Pixel 5, too

In addition to the Pixel 4a, there's another upcoming phone you should keep your eyes out for — the Pixel 5. This is the direct successor to the Pixel 4, and it's shaping up to be a pretty interesting device. We're expecting three rear cameras, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 processor, 5G connectivity, and no Motion Sense features.

We're rounding up all of the latest rumors and reports in the article below, so be sure to check it often to see what's going on with the phone.

Google Pixel 5: News, Leaks, Release Date, Specs, and Rumors!

You'll definitely want some accessories

While the Pixel 4 and 4 XL are great devices on their own, thee'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. The display is also wildly impressive, but some of the wow factor is bound to go away once it becomes littered with scratches.

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to things like cases, screen protectors, etc., so we've rounded up our favorite picks to make your shopping experience as easy as possible.

Pixel 4

• Best Pixel 4 Accessories in 2020
• Best Pixel 4 Screen Protectors in 2020
• Best Pixel 4 Cases in 2020
• Best Leather Cases for Pixel 4 in 2020
• Best Wallet Cases for Google Pixel 4 in 2020
• Best Clear Cases for Pixel 4 in 2020
• Best Heavy Duty Cases for Pixel 4 in 2020

Pixel 4 XL

• Best Pixel 4 XL Screen Protectors in 2020
• Best Pixel 4 XL Cases in 2020
• Best Leather Cases for Pixel 4 XL in 2020
• Best Wallet Cases for Google Pixel 4 XL in 2020
• Best Clear Cases for Pixel 4 XL in 2020
• Best Heavy Duty Cases for Pixel 4 XL in 2020

You can buy the Pixel 4 right now

With all of that out of the way, let's end this guide with the important stuff — pricing and availability.

You can buy the Pixel 4 and 4 XL right now, with the former starting at $799 and the latter going for at least $899.

Along with being able to buy the phones unlocked, you can also get them on all major U.S. carriers — including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. That's the widest availability we've ever seen for a Pixel phone, meaning more people have access to it than ever.

On the note of availability, it's not uncommon to find generous discounts being offered for the Pixel 4. If you keep an eye on its sale price from time to time, it's quite easy to save $300 or so on the phone.

Where to buy the Pixel 4