Google Pixel 4 XL review
The Google Pixel 4 XL is a solid device with impressive camera capabilities, but it falls short in other areas. The phone's new face unlock feature and 90Hz display are welcome additions, but their execution leaves much to be desired. Motion sense, which uses radar technology, is another feature that doesn't quite live up to its promise. One of the standout features of the Pixel 4 XL is its camera, which delivers excellent results in various lighting conditions. The phone's main camera takes well-balanced photos with true-to-life colors, and the telephoto lens produces great shots with consistent exposure and details. Portrait mode has also improved significantly, resulting in smooth and convincing bokeh effects. However, the phone's battery life is not on par with its competitors, and the lack of ultra-wide camera and more base storage are notable omissions. The competition is catching up quickly in terms of camera capabilities, so Google needs to step up their game. Considering the high price point, it's hard to recommend the Pixel 4 XL over other worthy alternatives. The phone starts at $900 with 64GB of storage, which is a tough sell given the options available. The OnePlus 7T, for example, offers double the base storage and eight gigabytes of RAM for $600. Overall, while the Pixel 4 XL has its strengths, it's not without its weaknesses. If you're in the market for a new phone and value pure Android experience and signature Google camera, this might be the phone for you. However, if you're looking for more bang for your buck or want a device that checks all the boxes, there are better options available.
Build Quality and Design
The Google Pixel 4 XL is a solid device in terms of build quality and design. The phone's stainless steel frame provides a premium feel, while the matte glass rear panel offers a sleek aesthetic. However, it's worth noting that the phone's design is largely unchanged from its predecessor, which may not be exciting for those looking for a more substantial update. In terms of dimensions, the Pixel 4 XL measures in at 6 inches tall and 2.98 inches wide, making it a sizable device. The phone weighs in at 193 grams, which is slightly heavier than some other flagships on the market. Despite its size, the phone feels comfortable to hold and use. One of the standout features of the Pixel 4 XL's design is its display. The phone's 6.3-inch OLED screen offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it a pleasure to watch videos or browse through photos. The screen's resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels provides crisp text and images. However, some may find the phone's design to be somewhat conservative. The Pixel 4 XL's edges are relatively sharp, which can make it uncomfortable to hold for some users. Additionally, the phone's rear panel is prone to scratches, which may be a concern for those who prefer a more premium feel. Overall, while the Google Pixel 4 XL's build quality and design are solid, they may not be particularly exciting or innovative. The phone's size and weight can also make it less portable than some other options on the market.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 4 XL is an impressive device in many ways, but unfortunately, its battery life falls short of expectations. Despite its sleek design and powerful hardware, the phone's battery struggles to keep up with demanding users. With moderate usage, I found myself needing to charge the phone around every 8-10 hours, which is not ideal for a flagship device. Heavy usage, such as gaming or video streaming, can drain the battery even faster, making it difficult to get through an entire day without a top-up. Compared to other flagships in its class, the Pixel 4 XL's battery life is somewhat disappointing. The phone's power management features, such as Adaptive Brightness and Low Power Mode, do help extend battery life slightly, but they're not enough to make up for the overall lack of endurance. For a device that starts at $900 with a base storage of 64GB, I expect more from its battery performance. In today's mobile landscape, users demand devices that can keep up with their active lifestyles without needing frequent recharging. Unfortunately, the Pixel 4 XL falls short in this regard. If you're considering purchasing the Pixel 4 XL, be aware that its battery life may not meet your expectations. If you value long battery life and don't mind sacrificing some premium features, there are other options available that might better suit your needs.
Display
The Google Pixel 4 XL's display is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it boasts a vibrant and crisp AMOLED screen that brings colors to life. The pixel density of 537 PPI ensures that text and images are sharp and detailed, making it a pleasure to use. On the other hand, the display suffers from some drawbacks. While watching videos or browsing the web, I noticed a slight blue tint to the screen, which may not be ideal for users who prefer a more neutral color temperature. Additionally, the screen can get quite bright, but the auto-brightness feature sometimes takes its sweet time to adjust, leaving me squinting in overly bright conditions. One aspect where the Pixel 4 XL excels is its ability to accurately represent colors and contrast ratios. Whether watching movies or playing games, the display does an excellent job of showcasing the intended visuals without any undue compromise. However, it's worth noting that this brightness can also lead to some battery drain if not managed properly. The 90Hz refresh rate, touted as one of the phone's standout features, is a mixed bag in practice. While it does provide a smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations, I didn't find myself appreciating its benefits on a daily basis. It feels like a feature that exists solely to justify the phone's premium price tag. Overall, while not perfect, the Google Pixel 4 XL's display is still one of the best in the business. It's just a shame that it's held back by some minor annoyances and a few questionable design choices.
Camera
The camera is often the most anticipated feature in any new smartphone release, and the Google Pixel 4 XL is no exception. While it's not a major disappointment, I wouldn't say it's a game-changer either. In good lighting conditions, the Pixel 4 XL takes excellent photos with well-balanced exposures, true-to-life colors, and minimal noise. The high contrast look that's characteristic of Google's camera software still shines through in these situations, but there are some caveats to consider. When faced with challenging HDR scenes, the phone can sometimes overcompensate in shadows, resulting in dull colors and noise. This is not uncommon, and the competition has been catching up in this regard. In fact, my comparison shots with the OnePlus 7T show that it takes better HDR photos in some situations. The telephoto camera does take great shots, with consistent exposure, color, contrast, and details that match the main camera's output. Portrait mode has also improved significantly, cropping in to about 1.5 times the subject distance for a smooth and convincing bokeh effect. Low-light performance is another story. While the Pixel 4 XL handles low light situations well, with true-to-life tones and minimal noise exaggeration, there are some limitations to be aware of. In very dark areas, you'll start to see some noise where the camera can't quite make out the details. The selfie camera takes good photos with a rather wide 90-degree field of view, nice skin tones, great details, and well-exposed backgrounds. However, if you prefer a softer look that hides facial details, this might not be the phone for you. Lastly, there's the impressive astrophotography mode, which kicks in when you enable Night Sight. This feature allows you to capture long exposure shots of starry night skies, with some impressive results. While it's an impressive feat, I'm not convinced many users will take advantage of this feature regularly. Overall, while the camera on the Google Pixel 4 XL is solid and takes excellent photos in good lighting conditions, it falls short in certain situations. The competition has caught up in terms of HDR performance, and some may find the limitations in low-light and selfie scenarios a drawback.
Price and Value
The Google Pixel 4 XL is a smartphone that boasts impressive camera capabilities, a sleek design, and snappy performance. However, its price point raises some concerns. Starting at $900 for the base model with 64GB storage, the Pixel 4 XL is priced similarly to last year's model. While fans of pure Android and Google's signature look may appreciate this phone, others may find it difficult to justify the cost. For those seeking maximum value from their purchase, the Pixel 4 XL falls short. The device's execution of features like Face Unlock, 90Hz display, and Motion Sense is lacking, and battery life lags behind that of its competitors. The one significant competitor in this price range is the OnePlus 7T, which offers double the base storage (128GB) and eight gigabytes of RAM for a fraction of the cost ($600). This makes it an attractive option for those who want a capable smartphone without breaking the bank. In contrast, the Pixel 4 XL feels overpriced considering its limitations. If you're a die-hard fan of Google's ecosystem and don't mind paying a premium for the brand name, then the Pixel 4 XL might be worth considering. However, if you're seeking value for your dollar, there are better options available in this price range. Google needs to reassess their pricing strategy to make the Pixel 4 XL more competitive with its contemporaries. Ultimately, the Pixel 4 XL is a solid smartphone, but its price tag makes it hard to recommend. Until Google addresses these concerns and offers more value for the price, the Pixel 4 XL will continue to struggle in the market.
Performance
The Google Pixel 4 XL's performance is a mixed bag, with some notable improvements alongside areas where the phone falls short. One of the standout features is its Face Unlock system, which uses radar technology to quickly and accurately recognize users. The feature works seamlessly, even in low-light conditions or when wearing glasses. However, the battery life on this device is not as impressive as other flagships in its price range. While it still manages to last a full day, it falls short of providing the kind of all-day battery life that we've come to expect from top-tier smartphones. With moderate use, you can easily find yourself running low by bedtime. The 64GB base storage is also somewhat underwhelming, especially considering the starting price of $900. While this will be sufficient for most users, those who want more storage will have to shell out extra cash. In terms of overall performance, the Pixel 4 XL feels responsive and snappy, with minimal lag or stuttering in everyday use. However, it's worth noting that some users may experience slowdowns when running demanding apps or multitasking. While the phone's RAM is sufficient for most tasks, the competition has moved on to even more generous storage options. For instance, the OnePlus 7T comes with double the base storage and eight gigabytes of RAM, making it a compelling alternative for those who want the best value. In conclusion, while the Pixel 4 XL shows promise in some areas, its performance is not as polished as we'd like to see at this price point. If you're looking for a phone that checks all your boxes without compromising on quality, there are other options available that may better meet your needs.
Pros
1. The camera takes excellent photos with balanced exposures, true-to-life colors, and great details.
2. Selfies taken with the 8MP front camera look good with lots of contrast, nice skin tones, and well-exposed backgrounds.
3. In low-light scenarios, the phone performs well, representing the dark scene truthfully without exaggerating the amount of light available.
4. The astrophotography mode is impressive, allowing you to take detailed photos in starry conditions (although it requires a stable environment).
5. Videos shot with the Pixel 4 XL look great, with good stabilization and minimal noise.
Cons
1. Motion sense, a new feature that uses radar technology, was not executed well and limited the phone's availability to only 12 markets worldwide.
2. The 90Hz display is nice, but it's not enough to make up for the battery life issues, which are below par compared to other flagship phones.
3. The phone's price starts at $900 with a base storage of 64GB, making it less value-for-money compared to competitors like the OnePlus 7T.
4. The battery life could be improved, especially considering the high price point.
5. The competition is catching up quickly in terms of camera performance, and Google needs to double down on innovations.
6. Overall, the phone's limitations make it difficult to recommend, especially with alternatives like the OnePlus 7T offering more value for less money.