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By most metrics, people have been pretty tough on Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL, especially when you consider that neither phone is really “bad”.
Now I’m not trying to rule out some substantial shortcomings, but the Pixel 4 XL, in particular, is a great phone. It’s amazing how fast the market is changing, especially when you consider what everyone else is doing compared to Google.
Leaking and shooting from the side is one thing, but actually using a device for an extended period gives you an idea of the inherent strengths and weaknesses, and like any smartphone, the Pixel 4 XL certainly has some of them. .
From the beginning, the biggest problem is that ever since the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL were introduced, a constant stream of top-notch genuine phones have managed to offer exceptional hardware, software, cameras and internal components in a similar way and in many cases , even lower price points.
Having used the Pixel 4, more specifically the XL model, as my daily smartphone for the past six months, I feel like I know the device better than ever. Now I feel like I have enough experience to express my thoughts after living with this fantastic but still somewhat flawed smartphone.
Hardware design
The Pixel 4 XL’s design is clean and simple. Simple in a way that I think really sets it apart from the multitude of shiny slabs with endless displays and small bezels. Now I’m still a huge fan of an expansive display to interact with, but in all honesty, they don’t tend to match the comfort and accessibility of the Pixel 4.
Having matte black side bezels is certainly amazing and I’ve found that they actually help grip, which is really lacking on some similar flagships. Matte glass, I like this. We need more matte colors in the entire smartphone industry. If Google had made a matte black Pixel 4 XL, it would have been the first in the line of more “sneaky” colors.
I still don’t think a Pixel is a “Pixel” due to the internal.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the overall durability of my Pixel 4 XL, it has suffered some minor droplet bumps, but it has held up well, which is anecdotal since no two drops are alike. A few scratches on the bezels haven’t done much to “destroy” the appearance of the phone, either.
With a 6.3-inch body, I personally wouldn’t call the small XL. However, it feels smaller than some comparable flagships. The smaller Pixel 4 is a tough sell due to the miserable battery, but it’s a much nicer 5.79-inch if you want a smaller smartphone. That said, we don’t recommend the standard Pixel 4 model unless you simply need to have a smaller phone.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset and 6GB of RAM seem particularly modest given the price, but I still don’t think a Pixel is a “Pixel” due to the internal parts. The Pixel 3a is an excellent example of that. I regret having opted for the 64GB model, although I have not used more than 50GB thanks to a 100GB Google One subscription plan. A plan that allows me to deliver larger files without worrying about space, and something I wholeheartedly recommend if you’re concerned about storage space.
Monitor
The Pixel 4 XL’s display is excellent, but it doesn’t light up enough in direct sunlight. Fortunately, that is not something to complain about in my case, since I live in sad England, but it is something to consider. Inside, it has been absolutely fine in my use.
It still has fantastic colors, and the natural mode is particularly pleasing to the eye. The 90Hz refresh rate when forced everywhere is a big plus, too, but I wouldn’t call it a primary selling point. It just happens that things are a little bit smoother. Increasing from 60 to 120Hz will undoubtedly make more difference, should that happen in a future Pixel.
I have not personally encountered oleophobic screen coating issues that some have complained about. I put on a screen protector as soon as I heard it might be a problem. It would be wise to do the same unless you are happy to clean the smudges and grime off your screen quite often.
The big forehead really hasn’t detracted from the experience, and I have to admit that I’m more of a fan of this than just a cut from a uniformity perspective. That said, it would have been nice to get an edge-to-edge experience or more consistent bezels on all sides of the Pixel 4 XL display.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Pixel 4 XL display is completely flat. Not having curves makes it easier to interact with them. You won’t have a problem with phantom touches around the edges or curves because Google did the right thing and made it completely flat.
Software and performance
Arguably the Pixel 4 XL’s greatest strength alongside the camera is the “pure” Android software experience. It’s still fantastic now 6 months later thanks to a series of updates that fix some of the annoying issues.
One of the biggest additional additions to the entire Pixel series this year has been the introduction of Pixel Feature Drop. Quarterly feature additions enhance the experience by providing additional compatible hardware functionality and enhancing the original ready-to-use experience in the process.
Running Android 10, I had no issues with app delays or crashes. Now that I’m running the notoriously flawed Android 11 developer previews, I’ve seen issues, but being able to run the latest unreleased versions before a full OS update later this year is fantastic. If you simply need to have the latest updates on your phone, beyond Apple, the Google Pixel series is still the only way to use Android.
If you stick with the stable versions of Android 10, the aforementioned Pixel Feature Drops bring you many Android 11 Developer Preview features for a complete experience. This is a phone that works just as well after 6 months of daily use as it did as a new device on launch day, something not many other devices can claim.
Drums
I’m sorry to have to tell you again about battery issues with the Pixel 4 XL. On average, I will see around three to four hours of screen time with “normal” usage: lots of WhatsApp and Slack messages, emails, and Pocket Casts abuse. That’s probably fine for most people, but it’s not consistent enough on a daily basis to be an “exact” number, though Screen on Time is a poor metric in that regard.
As soon as I deviate from this regular use, battery anxiety becomes almost too difficult to bear.
As soon as I deviate from this regular use, battery anxiety becomes almost too difficult to bear. Watching the battery percentage drop almost in real time when doing something that is considered “energy intensive” is not something I miss when switching to a device with a considerable battery.
What’s more confusing is that some smartphones with only slightly larger batteries do much better. The OnePlus 7T is a prime example as it has a 3,800 mAh battery compared to the 3,700 mAh cell in the Pixel 4 XL. A day can still go by, while the Pixel 4 XL sometimes struggles.
Does this have something to do with the Pixel 4’s battery optimization? We’re not entirely sure, but even with additional features like Motion Sense disabled, it still performs poorly. Plus, you shouldn’t have to disable core sales features just to get through an average day. On top of that hassle, the wait time is by far the worst of any modern phone I’ve ever used. If you go overnight, you can lose up to 20% with Do Not Disturb mode on, which is really terrible.
Anecdotally, the software updates seem to have made a little difference, but if I go out for a long day (not common right now due to COVID-19), I always make sure I have a power bank available to give me a little of extra juice Feeling tied to a charger isn’t something I’ve had with the Pixel 3a or 3a XL, so let’s hope the Pixel 5 can solve this next release.
Camera
When I wear the Pixel 4, I am excited to take photos.
The beauty of Pixel 4 XL is that you can take it out of your pocket, press the shutter button and 9 times out of 10 you are guaranteed a great photo. It is simply the most enjoyable smartphone camera experience on the market. Sure, many smartphones have better hardware, but there is a reason why we see people rushing to download Google’s camera ports on their devices.
Google’s “special sauce” is processing, and there’s no denying that this is simply the best of the bunch. Some of the initial images that I took during the first weeks of the Pixel 4 XL purchase are among my favorites that I have taken. I always feel like I’m going to “nail” a shot before I even think about taking it, it’s quite difficult to fully describe.
Consistency is simply unmatched for simple point-and-shoot photography from a smartphone. When I carry the Pixel 4 XL, I am excited to take photos, something that no other smartphone seems to offer is the same desire and excitement.
I’ve missed the ultra wide-angle lens, but it’s not a lens that I use often or even care too much about. Although I’m not defending the omission, Google should really make sure we have an ultra-wide option on the Pixel 5. Being able to get that panoramic picture is something I’ve missed most when doing touristy things. However, the telephoto zoom lens is great, although it is primarily software driven.
Super Res Zoom enhances the images exceptionally, but the image quality begins to crumble at 8x zoom. It is definitely outmatched by the growing list of optical zoom smartphones, but the Pixel 4 XL hangs with them to some degree.
When it gets dark, Night Sight does a sublime job. It’s no longer the class leader, as the Huawei P30 Pro and even the Oppo Find X2 Pro excel at single-shot night exposures, but they do a good job in low light. I also like that Basic Astrophotography is possible, but except for the first few weeks after launch, I’ve probably used it a total of 5 times. I still haven’t managed to get over the results on a cold Scottish night in late October – so I’ve essentially avoided using the mode since then.
Up front, I’m sorry to say I’m not a prolific selfie maker, but all the selfies I took with the Pixel 4 XL have been exceptional. Portrait mode works just as well as in the rear-facing dual camera setup. Prolific selfie takers may miss the ultra wide Pixel 3 series, but the undoubted quality of the front lens alone won’t disappoint.
Sense of movement
It’s a good idea in principle, but Motion Sense is a bit of a hack. Additional features make it more useful, but turning it off saves a lot of battery.
Haptics
In my opinion, the haptics of the Pixel 4 XL have only been replaced by the haptics of the OnePlus 8 Pro. You get that nice nice “jingle” when you touch and slide. It has a lot of body and is by no means “buzzing” like the cheapest smartphones. It’s still a few steps behind the iPhone, but I still love Pixel 4 haptics.
Face unlock
I wasn’t expecting to miss the fingerprint unlocks on the Pixel 4 XL, but the Face Unlock is a joy. It’s still a bit fast for my liking, though I think I’d rather it be too fast than too slow. Remember the outrage at the closed eyes when unlocking? Well, the recent crash of the Pixel feature in March also fixed it.
However, we need to see a lot more apps supporting biometric access, as there are really only about 15 apps that have added the enabled option since launch.
Final thoughts
The Google Pixel 4 XL is a fantastic smartphone but, as it was at launch. However, $ 899 is still too high an asking price to ask after 6 months. Fortunately, it has had quite a few discounts and is almost constantly on sale. You still have probably the best smartphone camera, best Android software, and best update history.
If you need a smartphone that needs to last all day, it’s still hard to suggest the Pixel 4 XL. Although every time I go back to this smartphone, it is with a smile on my face and love for the real experience. The shortcomings make it difficult to recommend for almost everyone, but now with a lower price, the Pixel 4 XL just for the experience becomes a really attractive prospect.
Where to get the best price on Google Pixel 4 XL
The Google Pixel 4 XL is now available for as low as $ 599 directly from Amazon, which is a much better selling price for the 2019 flagship. You can get it from other retailers like B&H Photo, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target for prices. Similar.
How has your experience been with the Pixel 4 or 4 XL?
Did you pick up the Google Pixel 4 series at launch? If so, how is your device working? Will it upgrade to the Pixel 5 if it offers a more “mid-range” experience? Let us know in the comment section below.
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