Hey, Pixel owners — what's your next Android phone going to be?

By Joe Maring
published

Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 3a (Image credit: Daniel Bader / Android Central)

You may not see a lot of them out in the wild compared to Galaxy phones and iPhones, but there are people out there that use and love their Pixels. Despite all of the bumps in the road the Pixel series has gone through over the years, there's no denying that Google has crafted some seriously great hardware since the first Pixel made its debut back in 2016.

2020 is shaping up to be the oddest year yet for Pixel fans, with Google's release strategy seeming to change with a new report/rumor every single day. The latest word on the street is that we'll be getting a Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and a Pixel 5 — no XL models at all.

One AC forum member recently reached out to other fellow Pixel owners, inquiring as to what their next phone purchase would be. Here's what they had to say:

I will probably hold onto my 3 XL for another year. For me, one of the main issues is keeping the unlimited Original Quality backups in Google Photos. When the time comes, I will most likely get the latest Pixel, and probably start a Google One plan for more storage.

B. Diddy

Currently rock the 2XL and considering the 4A. "Considering"

Michael Detwiler

I'll be sticking with a Pixel. Which one depends on price, battery size, and fps. Pretty much drawing the line with fps. I like how easy it is to unlock the phone while picking it up from a pocket or desk. Also, biometric sign on to apps is easier without having to put the phone in front of your face using face id. Based on leaked info, looks like my only option will be P4a. I am concerned about...

swebb

I have been somewhat thinking about the entry level 4a. But I'm not sure. Still lots of time to consider. And it's not like my phone needs to be replaced now. Just more of an itch than a necessity.

Golfdriver97

Now, we want to hear from you — What's your next Android phone going to be?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

41 Comments
  • The pixel5 is going to have the mid-range processer the 765. I'm keeping my 4xl with the 855processer. If I was Google I would put the 865+ in the XL model. With the headphone jack & FPS on the back i would definitely 👍 purchase. I'm not really interested in a mid-range processer!
  • I hate when people suggest this. The regular and XL model should be exactly the same except for the size of the device because, as its name suggests, it's just an extra large version.
  • The only difference between the flagship 8 series and the "midrange" 7 series processor is in gaming, otherwise you should not see a big difference between the 2 SOC and if anything, the 7 series will be better for battery life.
  • Either a new Pixel (4a or 5) or I may try an iPhone as I am interested in giving IOS 14 a try. Waiting until everything is released in the fall (come on Google, you can do it) to look at all the options and play with some friends updated iPhones before making a decision.
  • I'm on a Pixel 2 XL waiting to see how the Pixel 5 XL turn outs to be if that model even is released. Otherwise, I may consider the iPhone 12 Pro.
  • 4a for me , can we finally get a release date tho ?
  • After the screwup with the 4a i'm not waiting anymore. Got a Xr and will be good for a few years while Google tries to figure out which way is up. Thing is I was all set last year to get a Pixel 4 then they priced it out of wack and haven't come down. For all the good Google does in the software. There's soo much bad that overtakes it. At this point i'm not sure they'll ever figure that out.
  • The wife and kids moved over to xrs. Totally happy. I still have three months left on my device payoff but I have to say I am disgusted with what is out there. Qualcomm really screwed the pooch on 5g and the result is outrageously priced phones or gimped ones for flagships. Quite a mess they have made. I'm really interested in a fingerprint scanner, an optical zoom, wireless charging, a battery that doesn't die, and a bonus would be a headphone jack. I'm not interested in 500 hz displays that suck battery. I'm not sure Google has such a beast but samsung does. So maybe I see what Apple has in store or buy a used Samsung. Not spending $1300 on a phone. Google has royally lost its way.
  • I have no idea what I am going to do. Current daily driver is the Pixel 3 I got Feb 2019. I'm not interested in what Sammy is doing, I like One Plus but their phones are too big for my taste. The iPhone 12 looks interesting but I don't want another iOS device. So, I have a couple of years for Google to figure themselves out. Hopefully, by the time I'm ready to upgrade Google will have something intriguing.
  • I have a Pixel 4, my husband a Pixel 3. We'll be keeping these for at least another year or more as we have no issues with them. They work great.
  • Staying with the Pixel 3 until next year. I have had it since launch in 2018 and still my favorite. Interested in iOS for fun but very much in love with the Pixel experience for Android.
  • I'm staying with the 3aXL until the next model has 5G
  • Exactly, 5G is key for me too. I'm coming from the 2XL, which is the best phone I've ever owned. I keep my phones for a long time, and I'd like to think something with 5G will be a little more future-proof.
  • Will be an LG or Asus phone unless Google gets a bigger battery AND micro SD slot.
    Also, if Google play music goes away, there is no reason to use the horrible YouTube music.
  • The Pixel 4 was the first Pixel I skipped, and I feel like my smaller Pixel 3 has held up extremely well. If I really like the 5, I'll get that. If not, I'll probably just get a $90 battery replacement for my 3
  • I got my Pixel 4XL last December 2019, switching from a Note 8, I'll keep my Pixel at least for another year, as it keep getting updates I don't see the point to replace it.
  • I've been buying Nexus/Pixel phones every year, but it looks like this will be the year I switch to iPhone.
  • I picked up a 4 xl on sale to replace a failing pixel 2. I had hoped to hold out for a 4a but my hand was forced. Hopefully Goole can figure out what they're doing because it doesn't exude confidence in the brand with the current moves.
  • I'm not up for an upgrade until mid-October 2021, so I won't know for sure until I see what Google and Apple do with their own custom chips. If Apple Silicon can leverage the flexibility of Android and give me all-day battery, I'll switch to the iPhone 13 Pro. If Google's chip can improve on the battery life and CPU hogging, I'll probably stay with the Pixel line, but move to the mainline Pixel series instead of the Pixel a XL series. If neither impress me, I'll likely find someone like OnePlus or something to give me that.
  • I'll be holding out for the Pixel 5 XL. Hears hoping that this year's gimmick is "industry leading battery life"!
  • Really gonna depend on a few things. If there's no XL version, and the size of the screen is under 5.5 inches, this may be the first upgrade since the nexus 6p that I will go outside of the Google garden. I've mostly enjoyed the 4xl but I'm not going to "upgrade" to a phone with a smaller screen and a mid tier processor that's at best performing equally or marginally better to my current phone.
  • I'll be keeping my 3XL until at least 2021 and see what's available at that time... I see no need to upgrade right now.
  • I love my Pixel 3a XL, so my next phone will be its successor if there ever is one. The speculation at 9to5Google is that there will be a "Pixel 4a 5G" which will be larger than the Pixel 4a. That will be my next phone if that theory is true.
  • I'll be keeping my 4 XL until it stops being supported. If not all apps by then properly integrate the navigation bar or support face unlock, I'll be switching to an iPhone. I don't want to feel neglected by developers just because I am not using an iPhone. And RCS better be universally used by then.
  • One Plus. Google is evil.
  • Lol. OnePlus is basically Google's BFF so...
  • Have a Pixel 2. Gonna do a battery swap (battery not up to snuff anymore) and hold on to it for maybe 2 more years if I can get that out of it. I'm holding on to my smartphones a lot longer now.
  • I have been loyal to Android since the original 5 . the pixel 3 just about lost me. I own a 4 xl one day Google may have a battery worthy of a phone. I may jump to Apple my next phone.
  • currently using Pixel 3a XL and loving it - its my first non-Blackberry device.
    Will look at Pixel4a XL and Pixel5a XL (if released) only if they are 5G capable.
  • My plan has been to skip ever other model. Started with OG pixel XL, that was a great phone for it's time in my opinion. I now have 3 Xl running 11 beta and never had any issues. I am thinking about the 5 but not at all committed to upgrade. I live in a very rural area and Verizon is the only reliable service. Their 5g is millimeter wave so I'm thinking it will be a few years before even considering paying extra for 5g compatibility. Probably going to stay with 3 until have to upgrade.
  • I'm really really frustrated with the lack of information surrounding the 4a and the 5. We have one phone in our family that needs replacing asap and we've been holding out for the 4a which should have been available by now. My 2XL is up for renewal this fall and I had my sights set on the 5XL which apparently may or may not exist. No Apple or Chinese phones for us so that leaves us with Samsung.
  • Daily driver is Pixel 3, which I've had since October 2018. TBH, I've not seen anything that would make me buy a new Google phone. So, no plans to buy a new phone at this time, although my battery life is horrible. I've gotten used to keeping my phone on a charger, I guess. I'd like to be able to hold onto my Pixel until I see what Google is going to do with Fitbit. If they ruin Fitbit (which is a definite possibility given their hardware acquisition track record) then I plan to switch to iPhone and get an Apple watch.
  • I will definitely be staying with the pixel line. I have a 3a and I will likely hold out for the pixel 6.
  • Really did enjoy the Nexus ecosystem but Pixel has really lost its way. It started with the greatest of intentions with the Pixel XL, which I had been happily using up until last month when it finally died. At it's time it was a proper flagship phone. Each year the Pixel 2, 3 & 4 would come out and there was always some flaw that held me back from buying it and make me wait another year. Well this year has come and I've run out of patience for a flagship phone that's called a Pixel. I made a big jump and went to Sony with the Xperia 1 ii. It runs the clean version of Android I'm used to and has all the flagship features I require. To me personally this feels like what a flagship Google phone should be. I absolutely love it. Yes it is (overly) expensive. It's also not a phone for everyone but to me that's a good thing because it feels more like a phone for me.
  • Have a 3xl and 3aXl but will probably jump on a 5XL if they make it.
  • I'm going to keep pixel 4xl I feel the pixel 6 is going to return to it's glory with Googles own flagship processor and a phone to match that will be my next purchase
  • I have the pixel 2xl and I definitely will not be getting the pixel 5. I'll either get the Asus Zenfone 7 or, if Nokia ever gets around to releasing it, the 9.3 Pureview.
  • I'll probably go with the best Pixel, Unless the trend of omitting important features continues. They can take the Soli, but I want the face unlock still and I'd like the wife angle over the telephoto. If they make a basic mid-range out of the Pixel 5 I'll probably Hop over to the then current OnePlus as it will most likely have most of those for less money.
  • I have had the Pixel, Pixel2 and Pixel3 but all the Unity ads make me wanna throw my phone. I may have to go back to Samsung. I am not happy about it but I can't enjoy this phone when inappropriate ads are always popping up. I have tried everything. Opting out, reporting the ad....and they are still there. Very disappointed.
  • I'm not sure. I'm currently using a Pixel 2 and was going to get the Pixel 4a but that's when I thought it was coming out a long time ago (months ago). It may not be out until October, however. I feel the 4a is basically outdated as far as specs so I may wait for the Pixel 5. I'm really not sure though because we have no idea when Google is going to release anything. If the Pixel 5 is pushed to 2021 I'll probably have to go with a different manufacturer.
  • I've owned the original Pixel XL, Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 4 XL, and they were all great phone. I feel now I feel they are going backwards with their phones when it comes to hardware, so most likely i'll be going with the next gen Galaxy phone. The Pixel 5 looks like a big disappointment and a step backwards and now I have no interest in their phone and moving on to Samsung