Google’s latest smartphones are finally officially here Google announced the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL at its hardware event in New York City.
The Pixel 4 comes in three new colors: white, black, and a limited-edition orange option. It goes up for preorder today, and it will ship on October 24th. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will be sold by every major US carrier. The regular Pixel 4 starts at $799, and the Pixel 4 XL starts at $899.
Both devices have dual rear cameras, with a 12-megapixel primary lens and a 16-megapixel telephoto nestled in a square protrusion from the back. Of course, Google’s strength isn’t in lenses, but software, and we’re looking forward to seeing what its algorithms can come up with.
Inside, both devices have Snapdragon 855 SoCs paired with 6GB RAM, a bump from the Pixel 3’s underwhelming 4GB RAM which caused so many performance hiccups. One thing that is less welcome, however, is the reported 2,800mAh battery on the smaller of the two handsets. Because those devices are already not long-lasting enough for them to be in the top tier of hardy Android handsets.
The Pixel 4 XL’s OLED screen has already received an A+ rating from DisplayMate, and it has an automatically adjustable frame up that runs up to 90Hz.
In the top bezel area of the Pixel 4, Google has housed a number of sensors that enable two new features. One is Google’s own face unlock system, which is the company’s answer to Apple’s Face ID. The other is a new interaction method called Motion Sense. This allows the Pixel 4 to be controlled with hand gestures — no touching the phone required. Motion Sense utilizes Google’s Project Soli technology. With Motion Sense, you can do things like control music or dismiss an incoming call with a wave of your hand near the phone’s display. Motion Sense processing happens locally on device, and Google noted that the feature can be disabled at any time.
Google is also adding new software tricks and improving existing modes like Night Sight, which now has a long-exposure astrophotography feature. Live HDR+ offers a real-time look at the picture you’ll get after Google applies its image processing. There’s also a new shadows slider if you want more control over what HDR is doing, and Google says it has improved white balance in all photo modes.
Prices start at $799 for the Pixel 4, and will be available in three colors, black, white and orange.
