A premium design in a compact package

Some say that the Google Pixel line of smartphones is the “iPhone of the Android world,” and I can see why. It’s made by Google and is praised by enthusiasts for its near-stock Android feel, which isn’t surprising because Google is the one developing Android! The Google Pixel 5 was announced last week and we can finally show you some photos of the device in its Just Black color. There isn’t much else we can go into at this point beyond what it looks like, but we’ll have a full review available to you when the embargo is lifted!

About this practice: Google Ireland sent us the Google Pixel 5 for review on October 8, 2020 in Just Black. This is a practice to show some pictures of the device and talk about the specifications. We will have a full review soon!

Google Pixel 4a 5G forums ||| Google Pixel 5 forums

Google Pixel 5 design

The Google Pixel 5 doesn’t stray too far from previous Pixel smartphones, and in fact it looks almost identical to the Google Pixel 4a, which was also recently launched. Its most unique design feature is the 100% recycled aluminum backing, and I must emphasize only. It’s like no other phone I’ve ever felt before, as it almost feels like a mix of hard rubber and cardboard while still being tough. However, that’s not a problem and makes it feel more premium if anything.

Also on the back is the slightly indented fingerprint sensor, along with the square camera module at the top left. The fingerprint sensor has exactly the same level of indentation as on the Pixel 4a, so it’s easy to accidentally slide it out. That hasn’t been a big problem for me in my short time with the device, and I suspect it won’t be for others unless you’ve enabled the swipe gesture to lower your notifications.

This time there is no brightly colored power button; it’s just a metal power button, although it may shine a bit in the right lighting. The button doesn’t click like it does on the Google Pixel 4a either, which is a bit of a disappointment if I’m honest. Not that it is weak, is that it now feels as easy as any other smartphone on the market.

The Google Pixel 5’s 6-inch display is interrupted only by a perforated camera cutout at the top left. It’s not too big and you won’t notice it in general use, but it’s a first in the flagship Pixel smartphone lineup.

Using the Google Pixel 5

I can’t talk about much else when it comes to the Google Pixel 5 at the moment, but I can mention basic usage right out of the box. There are some surprising features to point out, like the powerful haptics (as seen on previous Google smartphones) that feel as good as ever. The 90Hz display makes the setup feel smooth and fast, and the overall scrolling up and down is an experience that matches all my previous experiences with 90Hz displays.

The Google Pixel 5 is easy to use with one hand, something I really appreciate in a sea of ​​monster-sized smartphones, and it’s not too heavy either. It can charge on a wireless charging pad, and it can charge other devices via “Battery Share,” and it contains a host of other Google-exclusive features that we’ll look at in our full review. I’m loving it so far, but you’ll have to wait a bit to find out all the reasons!

The official Google Pixel 5 cloth case

We also got the official Google Pixel 5 fabric case along with our device, and I also took a couple of photos to show it off. It is soft to the touch, but I would certainly call it protective. I’m quite impressed with it, and while it looks a bit strange, I’ll certainly keep it on my Pixel 5. Personally, I quite like the way it looks, but I can understand that it’s probably a polarizing design.

If you plan to buy a Pixel 5 for yourself, act fast, it’s already sold out in some countries! However, if you can wait, keep an eye out for our full review to see if Google’s latest Pixel phone is worth its price.