When Google unveiled the Pixel 5 alongside the Pixel 4a 5G at its Launch Night In occasion on September 30, I was perplexed. On paper and in footage, the $699 Pixel 5 made little sense in comparison with the $499 Pixel 4a 5G, to not point out the Pixel 4 XL. I struggled to grasp why Google made a smaller cellphone with very related specs for extra money.
I might need been a bit hasty. After spending just a few days testing the Pixel 5 alongside the Pixel 4a 5G, Google’s recreation plan is a complete lot clearer. I’m nonetheless not satisfied Google wants two 5G telephones in its lineup—and I’d just like the Pixel 5 a complete lot extra if it had been $100 cheaper—however I’m not certain the Pixel 5 is the superfluous mannequin. The Pixel 4a 5G might seem to be a no brainer buy for $200 lower than the Pixel 5, however the distinction between the 2 telephones is lots greater than a few gigs of RAM and a few aluminum.
A hole-punch digicam helps Google maintain the bezels good and uniform on the Pixel 5.
I additionally get what Google is attempting to do. Google is looking it “the ultimate 5G Google phone,” however its focus isn’t on gimmicky options like Motion Sense or Active Edge, and even area of interest digicam methods that exhibit Google’s AI prowess. Rather, the Pixel 5 is about taking the high-end Pixel expertise and distilling it in a wise and classy bundle that challenges the very definition of a flagship.
A design with out compromises
Much just like the Galaxy S20 and S20 FE, the Pixel 5 and 4a are extraordinarily related telephones. Both have a small hole-punch digicam within the higher left nook that appears lots higher than the Pixel 4’s large brow or the 3 XL’s notch.
The Pixel 5 has refined enhancements that give it an virtually luxurious really feel. The aluminum again, Simply Sage coloration, and chrome energy button all add a contact of luxurious in comparison with the plastic 4a. It doesn’t fairly really feel as metallic as the unique Pixel duo to the paint over the wireless-charging-friendly plastic, but it surely has a really good texture. It’s downright Apple-like, a comparability I by no means thought I’d make for a Pixel cellphone. It’s just like the iPhone 11 versus the Pro, or the XR versus the XS.
Michael Simon/IDGThe digicam bump is lots much less bumpy on the Pixel 5.
The Pixel 5 can be the primary Android cellphone I’ve used that truly has uniform bezels across the display screen. Google is utilizing a versatile OLED to bend the show below itself and cut back the chin, a shocking and spectacular little bit of engineering for a cellphone that doesn’t value a thousand bucks. While it looks as if a small factor, when you flip it on for the primary time, you received’t have a look at one other Android cellphone the identical manner. Even the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra doesn’t have fairly the identical visible attraction after switching over from the Pixel 5.
Altogether, the $699 Pixel 5 is the primary cellphone Google has made that truly looks like a premium system. At simply $200 greater than the Pixel 4a 5G, it’s a wise addition to the lineup.
My solely criticism is that it is perhaps a bit too small for some consumers. The Pixel 5 has a 6-inch show, which is definitely two-tenths-of an inch smaller than the 4a 5G’s, and extra according to the iPhone 12’s 6.1-inch show. It doesn’t really feel overly small, however Android cellphone makers have conditioned us to equate greater with premium, and Google is bucking the development with the Pixel 5.
The similar however completely different
The Pixel 5 has the identical Snapdragon 765G processor because the Pixel 4a 5G, however total, the Pixel 5 feels just like the sooner cellphone. That’s as a result of it has a bit extra RAM (8GB vs 6GB) and a sooner show (90Hz vs 60Hz), extra seemingly small modifications that make an enormous distinction.
Michael Simon/IDGThe chrome energy button brings a contact of sophistication to the Pixel 5.
In benchmarks, the 5 and 4a 5G have very related single-core and multi-core scores, round 580 and 1600, respectively, however the Pixel 5’s further RAM pushes it barely forward. I’ve used it for only some days, however out of the field, the Pixel 5 feels as quick as my Pixel 4 XL, and never a lot slower than the Galaxy S20.
But what actually provides the Pixel 5 its edge over different telephones in its class (and better, to be trustworthy), as all the time, is its digicam. The Pixel 5 has the identical basic dual-camera array because the Pixel 4 XL, although the secondary telephoto lens has been swapped out for an ultra-wide one. It’s one thing of a matter of choice, although I’d personally like each of them within the Pixel 6. But even with a special lens, the outcomes aren’t categorically completely different from these of the Pixel 5 versus the 4XL. Photos take a contact longer to course of because of the slower CPU, however for essentially the most half, the expertise is similar to that of the earlier Pixels.
Michael Simon/IDGThe again of the Pixel 5 isn’t fairly metallic, but it surely has a pleasant texture.
That’s factor. Pixel followers will lament the dearth of a year-over-year leap, however with the 4a and Pixels 5, Google continues to point out that it could actually ship a top-notch digicam expertise with lesser {hardware}, and now a lesser chip, than its rivals. I’ll get into the particulars of every in my full assessment, however assuming that is the brand new Pixel philosophy, Google might need lastly hit on a successful method that performs to its personal strengths, relatively than taking part in catch-up with the premium juggernauts.
The characteristic is Android
As anticipated, the Pixel 5 ships with Android 11 on board, and it feels very very similar to Google designed it strictly for the brand new Pixels. The gesture navigation feels higher than ever with much less backside bezel, and the optimizations make the Pixel 5 really feel like a cellphone with a a lot sooner chip and far greater battery. A brand new Extreme Battery Saver mode will assist your Pixel final for as much as two days by disabling options, throttling the processor, and limiting notifcations by prioritizing apps.
Michael Simon/IDGThe Pixel 5 dispenses of the ugly chin that earlier Pixel telephones had.
With the Pixel 5, Android is the premium characteristic. It jogs my memory of the final nice Nexus cellphone, the Nexus 5. At the time it was the launch system for Android 4.4 KitKat, and it showcased the brand new design, improved efficiency, and Google now Launcher. It wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but it surely received the job accomplished.
And so it’s with the Pixel 5. I’ll get into the digicam and efficiency in my full assessment, however on a excessive degree, Google disbursed with the gimmicks and targeted on the issues that matter. We lastly have a real various to the Galaxy S20 and iPhone 12 that leans on the issues Google does finest. It might result in some actually spectacular telephones to come back.