What is the Google Pixel 4 XL?
The Google Pixel 4 XL is the follow-up to last year’s Google Pixel 3 XL, which used the Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM. While the original Pixel 3 had a significantly smaller screen, the Pixel 4 XL got bigger, filling the 6.3-inch display with a notched display. The display is covered in Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection against face detection. As for the weight, the Pixel 4 XL tips the scales at 185 grams, while the Pixel 3 XL weighed 173 grams. The new phone is largely the same as the Pixel 3 XL, with a few key differences. For example, it gets a bigger display by introducing a notch on top and losing the headphone jack. Like most of its Android competitors, it supports Qi wireless charging.
Google Pixel 4XL Design and Display
With the bigger Pixel 4 XL, Google’s been able to squeeze a larger screen into the phone, while also including the same glass and metal design elements as the Pixel 3 XL, the smaller model that debuted a little over a year ago. So there’s no question, Google has learned from its previous mistakes. The front is definitely a whole lot bigger, though, coming in at 6.3 inches compared to 6.0 inches on the Pixel 3 XL. But you’re not going to notice much of a difference when you’re using the phone, as both displays are equally bright and vibrant. We also liked the compactness of the phone, thanks to its thin bezels, and the fact that it doesn’t feel quite as chunky as some other phablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and iPhone XS Max.
Google Pixel 4XL Hardware
The most noteworthy addition to the Pixel line, apart from the notch, is the super-high-res screen – it’s called the P-OLED display, and Google says it’s the biggest and brightest panel on any phone (it’s 15 percent larger than the Pixel 3 XL’s screen). Google has avoided moving to the notched screen design that’s so popular on this year’s phones, so there’s still a sizable bezel around the screen to ensure the phone’s still one of the slimmest and lightest ones around. The edges are curved, and there’s a glass back that reflects light, but I’ve never minded this. The display, measuring 6 inches with a 19:9 aspect ratio, is one of the best and sharpest on a phone, and no smartphone, especially not the Pixel 3 XL, has been able to top it.
Google Pixel 4XL Camera
You don’t need to go as far as Google and spend $1,000 on the iPhone XS to get an exceptional smartphone. But what you will get is a camera that’s on par, if not a bit better than what the iPhone XS has to offer. We’ve been using the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL extensively for about six months now, shooting a number of photos, from macro to food, under a variety of lighting conditions. While the devices themselves aren’t perfect — a fingerprint sensor that has been unreliable and image quality that’s not always what it should be — the camera remains one of the best out there and is still just as impressive as its predecessor. The Pixel 3’s camera is a joy to use and a joy to look at. Here are some of the camera’s strengths. (Click on any image to enlarge.
Google Pixel 4XL Software Features
The Pixel 3 phones received excellent reviews for their excellent battery life and performance, but the slightly outdated Android 9 Pie release was largely to blame for the lack of software features. As much as Android fans may have wanted a Pie-based Pixel 4, it would’ve meant getting an earlier release (a waiting period between updates is often the norm in the Android community) and we’d have had to wait longer for Android’s latest security patch. Fortunately, Google is back in business with the release of Android 9.0 Pie for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, and it’s the best Android Pie update to date. It fixes everything we didn’t like about the release version, and the new Pixel-exclusive features make it even more exciting.
Google Pixel 4XL Google Photos
Pixel 4 vs Pixel 4XL: What’s the Difference? While the iPhone XR and XS have slight edge over the iPhone XS and XS Max when it comes to design, it’s not going to make much of a difference in your daily usage. Yes, there’s one cool colour option each phone comes in, and yes, there are differences when it comes to weight, but there’s not much else to distinguish the two. However, when you start comparing specs and features, the differences are clear. The Pixel 4 XL has the following specs, while the Pixel 4 has the following: Pixel 4 XL: Weight – 177g Dimensions – 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm Pixel 4: Weight – 143g Dimensions – 147.3 x 68.2 x 7.9mm Pixel 3 XL: Weight – 184g Dimensions – 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm Pixel 3: Weight – 143g Dimensions – 157.7 x 73.7 x 7.
Google Pixel 4XL Google Assistant
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor (in the U.S. only), the Pixel 4 comes in two models. The standard Pixel 4 has a 5.5-inch screen and an aluminum and glass build (like the Pixel 3 and 3 XL), and starts at $799 and is available with 64GB of storage. The larger Pixel 4 XL has a 6.3-inch display, and starts at $899 for 64GB of storage. It is, by far, the largest phone we’ve reviewed in 2019. But it doesn’t feel unwieldy, and if you think it is, it’s your own fault. Google added a notch to the top of the phone to accommodate an elongated 8-megapixel front-facing camera. But, unlike some competitors, it didn’t make the notch any bigger than the one you’ll find on most phones.
Conclusion
Until we have the new Galaxy S10 and Pixel 4 flagships, I’ve concluded that the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL will remain the two best phones you can buy in the US right now. It’s hard to argue with their current prices, especially since there’s no “bezel-less” OLED on the horizon. Even if you don’t go with the bigger Pixel XL you still have the smaller Pixel for a great value. No matter what phone you choose, you’ll be getting a phone with a stock Android interface, timely Android updates, strong security software, the latest Android security patch, and all that Google Assistant has to offer. It’s a deal that’s hard to beat.