Google Pixel 4 (XL)
With an RRP of €749 (64GB), the new Pixel 4 smartphone will be available on the market from October 21st. The XL version with a larger display is available from €849. The surcharge for models with 128GB storage is €100. The smartphone will be released in the colors "Just Black" - a glossy black, the color "Cleary White" - a matt white and the limited color "Oh So Orange" - a matt orange. You can buy the new Pixel smartphone via the official website Google Store.
#madebygoogle event in Berlin
Glossy or Matt
When it comes to design, Google is breaking new ground. Instead of a matt back with a glossy cutout, the back of the Pixel 4 is completely matt or glossy. With dimensions of 147,1 x 68,8 x 8,2 mm or 160,4 x 75,1 x 8,2 mm, the Pixel 4 is still one of the most compact smartphones on the market and is positioned between the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a Models. The weight reaches a pleasant 162g or 193g.
Motion control with solos and face unlock
The Pixel 4 is the first smartphone with a “Soli” radar chip. The invisibly placed chip on the front allows you to control the smartphone using non-contact gestures. When the user reaches for the smartphone, the display becomes active as a result of the grasping movement. The integrated facial recognition then automatically unlocks the smartphone. This makes pressing a button unnecessary. By the way, the Pixel 4 completely does without a fingerprint scanner!
Soli is particularly useful, for example for skipping songs on Spotify with just one swipe. The morning wake-up call can also be “snoozed” with a quick swipe. The same applies to calls that can be rejected with a swipe. In the future, Soli will also be integrated into games and expand them with interesting control options.
Google Pixel 4 with Limited Color "Oh So Orange"
Titan M and offline Assistant
As part of the madebygoogle event, the company spoke extensively on the subject of data protection and security. In the Pixel 4 devices, as in the Pixel 3, there is a Titan M security chip that protects sensitive data on the hardware side.
Google promises more data protection with the new Assistant, which can now also be used offline. That doesn't just make the Assistant faster, it works so well that Google has integrated a new transcript function into the audio recorder. What is spoken is recognized immediately and output as text.
So far, the transcript function only works in English. Google also wants to support other languages with future updates. The older pixel models are also expected to benefit from the offline assistant soon.
Improved camera with Astro mode
The Pixel 4 is the first Google smartphone with a dual main camera. The sensors are divided into a 12.2 megapixel main sensor with f / 1.7 aperture, PDAF and a combination of OIS + EIS. The second sensor with a telephoto lens has a resolution of 16 megapixels and uses an f / 2.4 aperture. The spectral and flicker sensor prevents banding, which is caused, for example, by frequency differences in lamps.
The camera AI, which is constantly being developed by Google, plays an important role in ensuring the good recording quality of the Pixel smartphones. This year the company has revamped the night mode and given it an additional astro mode. The starry sky can also be captured by long exposure and adding several images together. Of course, the whole thing only works if the smartphone is placed quietly on a surface or a tripod.
Another innovation is the double exposure adjustment. Two sliders control the exposure of individual image areas. An overexposed background or a motif that is too dark are a thing of the past. The super-resolution zoom is infinitely variable and also captures distant subjects in top quality.
Google Pixel 4 vs. XL. Pixel 4
Fast Snapdragon 855
The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 processor works under the hood of the Pixel 855 (XL). This 8-core high-end chip makes the Pixel 4 one of the fastest smartphones on the market and offers enough performance for years to come. Incidentally, like the previously released Pixel smartphones, Google promises a 3-year update guarantee. The smartphone is delivered with the latest Android 10 (Q). The memory configuration amounts to a 6GB LPDDR4x main memory and a 64GB or 128GB UFS2.1 data memory. Google does not have a memory expansion option.
Extensive sensor technology, NFC and PD 2.0 charging function
The Pixel 4 comes with an extensive sensor system, which, in addition to the classic smartphone sensors, also includes Active Edge (pressure sensors), the already mentioned Motion Sense and several microphones. NFC for mobile payments is of course available. The battery can also be charged wirelessly. Despite the Snapdragon processor, Google does not use Qualcomm's quick charge function. Instead, the Pixel 4 is charged quickly via Power Delivery 2.0 (PD 2.0). Other features of the Pixel 4 include eSIM compatibility, 2x2-MIMO WLAN, Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy and extensive positioning via GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and Galileo.
New Nest Mini and Nest WiFi
In addition to the new Pixel 4 smartphones, Google has presented other hardware. Among other things, Google's Home Mini Speakers received an extensive update. The voice-controlled loudspeaker, which is now known as the Google Nest Mini, offers twice as powerful sound reproduction with a clear and natural sound. The recognizability of what is spoken has also been improved, and the Nest Mini automatically adjusts the playback volume to the ambient volume.
Nest WiFi, the 2nd generation of the Google WiFi system, is also new. Nest WiFi combines a Nest router with a Nest access point. Compared to Google WiFi, the new Nest WiFi offers up to twice the transmission speed and up to 25 percent better coverage. Access points can be easily added so that WLAN reception can be reached even in the last corner.
