[UPDATE] Google Pixel 5 - Cheaper, bigger battery and 5G

Google Pixel 5 - All information

Every year, Google presents a new generation of its Pixel smartphone. In contrast to the Google Pixel 4a, the publication of which was postponed by a few months due to Corona, Google was able to meet the release cycle with the Pixel 5. However, Google has moved away from high-end, technical experiments and the magical 1000 euro limit. Instead, they want to win over the broad middle class.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

This is already noticeable in the processor. The Pixel 5 does not have Qualcomm's current flagship "Snapdragon 865", but rather a "Snapdragon 765G", which is in the upper middle class. Although the 765G is significantly inferior to the 865 in the benchmark, this difference shouldn't be significantly noticeable in everyday use. Google attaches great importance to a smooth “Google Experience”. This means that the Google Pixel 5 is a feature-rich smartphone with an optimized Android user interface and the latest updates.

Thanks to the integrated 5G modem, the Pixel 5 is prepared for the next generation of mobile communications. In addition to a physical SIM slot, the smartphone also has an eSIM installed. The Titan M security chip, which was already used in the older generation of pixels, ensures more security. The chip protects, among other things, the bootloader, the lock screen and the memory of the smartphone. And while we're on the subject of memory, there are 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and a 128GB UFS2.1 data memory installed. Google does not have the option of expanding the memory with the help of an SD memory card.

6 inch OLED with 90 Hz

The display has a diagonal of 6 inches with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The OLED display type ensures a particularly colorful display with almost infinite contrast. The high refresh rate of 90 Hz means content is displayed more smoothly. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, which is particularly scratch-resistant and shatterproof. Other special features include always-on and HDR capability. The ear cup and speakers are hidden under the display. The front camera is embedded in the display in a “punch-hole” style.

Goodbye radar sensor solos!

Google has said goodbye to the Soli radar sensor. The experimental feature obviously could not prevail, it was mostly decried as superfluous or not yet fully developed. This also means that face recognition is no longer necessary, which still unlocked the smartphone fairly reliably in the Pixel 4. Instead, a tried and tested fingerprint scanner adorns the back of the Pixel 5.

Wide angle instead of zoom camera

With the built-in cameras, too, the decision was made clearly against experiments. Instead of showing off with megapixels, the main sensor continues to release with only 12.2 megapixels, uses an f / 1.7 aperture and focuses with two-phase autofocus. Video can be recorded in high-resolution 4K with up to 60 frames per second and in 1080p with up to 240 frames per second. The combination of OIS + EIS (image stabilization) ensures particularly smooth video recordings. Google has deleted the zoom camera of the Pixel 4, which still enabled a lossless 2x zoom. Instead, they opted for a 16 megapixel wide-angle camera with a 107 degree field of view and f / 2.2 aperture.

Google is known for undermining the camera's recording quality, especially through software-based algorithms. This is shown very clearly by the night mode of the Google camera, which causes amazed faces even in total darkness. Presumably that has also led to relying purely on a digital zoom, which has been getting better and better in recent years thanks to AI support. Google has introduced portrait lighting, portrait night vision mode and cinema effects as new software features. The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, uses an f / 2.0 aperture and an 83 degree wide angle.

Lightweight despite the large battery

With dimensions of 144,7 x 70,4 x 8,0 mm and a weight of only 151g, the Pixel 5 is an extremely light smartphone. Amazing, because at least the battery capacity has grown to 4080 mAh. According to Google, the housing is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum, combined with a hardened Corning Gorilla Glass 6 cover glass. As a result, the Pixel 5 is not only particularly robust, but also protected against water and dust in accordance with IP68. Wired charging is possible with up to 18 watts. Despite the large amount of aluminum, wireless charging is also supported. Reverse charging is new, with which other devices can be charged in the opposite direction.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 5 comes in just one size and one storage configuration. The colors offered are currently limited to "Sorta Sage", a kind of green, and "Just Black".

From October 15, the smartphone will be available in the Google Store, MediaMarkt, Saturn, mobilcom-debitel, Vodafone, Telekom, o2, OTTO, DeinHandy, Sparhandy, Klarmobil and Blau. The sales price is now reduced to 613,15 euros due to the reduction in VAT. Anyone who pre-orders the smartphone by October 14th will receive a free Bose QC 35 IIs headset (worth around 200 euros).

Source: store.google.com/de/product/pixel_5