Google Pixel 4 release date, specs, features, news

September 23, 2019 UPDATE: With the Made by Google event scheduled to take place on Oct 15, more and more Google Pixel 4 rumors have emerged. The most recent rumor, leaked by the Irish retail shop website Elara, and spotted by 9to5Google, confirms that the new Google Pixel 4 will sport three colors, while also giving us a first look at what its price may be.

Google Pixel 4
Image source: YouTube Video Screenshot

This year’s Google Pixel 4 colors are available in three options – Just Black, Clearly White and “Oh So Orange.” According to the report, Google is also planning to bring back the annual lineup of Pixel cases, making them available in four colors – blue, chalk, black and orange.

This is not the first leak to hint at similar colors. Earlier this month, popular smartphone leaker on Twitter Ben Gaskin showed a photo shared from social media network Weibo where two Pixel 4 cases appear. One of them is white, while the other one is orange. These two cases perfectly match the one leaked earlier by the Irish retailer. Gadget Leaks YouTube channel also leaked the “Oh So Orange” version of the Pixel phones.

Price

It’s also worth noting that the upcoming Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL price has been unknown until now. The Irish retailer also listed the prices which are expected to be consistent with the smartphones that are about to be announced. The listing reveals that the Pixel 4 will cost 819€ while the Pixel 4XL is listed for $1126€. Given that the prices are listed in euros, it’d be too difficult to convert them accurately into USD. Nevertheless, as 9to5Google reports, if the price is accurate, this single retailer lists Google’s successor as more affordable compared to the Pixel 3.

Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are to be revealed at the Made by Google event which will take place on Oct 15. There, Google is expected to reveal a 5.7-inch OLED display boasting Full HD+ resolution on the smaller Pixel 4. However, Pixel 4 XL would come out with a 6.3-inch OLED screen panel with Quad HD+ resolution and super-fast 90Hz refresh rate. If you’re a fan of mobile gaming, this smooth refresh rate would contribute to better gaming and video streaming experiences.

Also the XL version should come equipped with a 3,700mAh battery, while the standard Pixel 4 will ship with a 2,800mAh battery. In terms of storage, both phones should sport 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage, while running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset.

If you’ve been wondering, the upcoming Pixel smartphones will launch with dual-camera systems on the rear. The rear camera system is equipped with a wide-angle lens of 12MP and f/1.7 camera aperture, while the other camera will sport a 16MP telephoto lens. The upcoming Pixel phones are also action-scene friendly, launching with an enhanced Motion Mode. Google is also working to bring an improved Night Sight feature so that scenery in the night is brighter.

Another feature of Google Pixel 4, confirmed by Google is the Soli-powered Motion Sense, which will help users swipe different options, change songs, volume, unlock the phone and answer calls without physically touching the phone. Instead Pixel 4 phones will be equipped with sensors that should predict the user’s motions. This feature, however, was leaked not to be available in all countries.

June 13, 2019 UPDATE: The Google Pixel 4 has become one of the hottest topics in the tech world over the last few weeks. We have heard rumors, seen leaked images of the phone. Now, thanks to an almost unprecedented move by Google, we have solid proof of at least one feature on the device.

Google Pixel 4
Image source: Google/Twitter Screenshot

Google Pixel 4 Camera

One of the most talked about rumors surrounding the Google Pixel 4 is the 4 lens camera unit that was believed to be integrated into the device. The iPhone 11 is also rumored to contain an almost identical camera setup. In a rare moment of transparency Google has now confirmed that this will indeed be the style of camera unit on their next flagship phone. Confirming such a feature, as well as dropping the device name nearly 4 months before the assumed launch date is not normal practice for a tech company. An image of the phone was posted on Twitter by Google, along with a tweet regarding how much interest the public has shown. The tweet contained the hashtag #Pixel4.

Why The Reveal?

This move has rocked the public, as the habit of confirming devices early is not in Google’s normal playbook. So, why make the announcement now? It is possible that Google is worried about being accused of copying the design of the iPhone 11, and this is meant to stave off those accusations. Patent lawsuits from competitors are nothing new to Google, as they have been in battles with Samsung that cost millions to both companies. There is also the possibility that the Google Pixel 4 may launch sooner than we think. While October has been the presumed launch period, Google may be planning to jump ahead of Apple’s well established September launch for the next gen iPhone. It is possible that Google knows there is no way to keep a lid on their design until the launch, and has decided to help build the public’s interest in it. No matter what the reason, the Google Pixel 4 is now one of the most talked about devices on the web today.

Google pixel 4
Image source: Front Page Tech / YouTube video (screenshot)

May 16, 2019 UPDATE: Google has just launched the budget-friendly Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL devices. These phones have been praised by critics, but Pixel fans are looking forward to the next-gen Pixel 4 flagship. Until now, one of the biggest problems with Google devices has been their outdated design. Even the most expensive Pixel phones don’t look and feel premium. But things are going to change with the upcoming Google Pixel 4 series, hints a new leak.

No physical buttons?

The Google Pixel 4 series is still a few months away. The search engine giant is expected to unveil its new flagship in October, just in time for the holiday shopping season. YouTuber Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech has obtained fresh details about the Pixel 4 devices, suggesting the new phones will get a much-needed design overhaul.

Front Page Tech has a reliable track record when it comes to Pixel-related leaks. Last year, they leaked tons of accurate details about the Pixel 3 more than a month before its launch. They were also among the first to confirm the existence of the mid-range Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. The YouTuber claims the upcoming flagship is going to get a number of changes.

To begin with, Google could ditch the physical buttons with the new handsets, which will result in an uninterrupted aluminum frame. The phones will rely on capacitive touch buttons on the right side instead. The search engine giant might be doing it to enhance the Active Edge feature, which allows you to activate Google Assistant or perform other functions by squeezing the frame.

On the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the Active Edge feature works only on a limited portion of the aluminum frame where there are no physical buttons. Removing the physical buttons will allow Google to expand the area for Active Edge. Apple has also patented a button-less smartphone design, but the 2019 iPhones might not get this design.

Google Pixel 4 to sport a hole-punch display

Another major change coming to the Pixel 4 series is the notch-less and bezel-less design. Last year’s Pixel 3 had thick bezels at the top and bottom. The Pixel 3 XL had a notch at the top and a chin at the bottom of the screen. The YouTuber claims the Pixel 4 handsets will offer a notch-less and bezel-less design by opting for a hole-punch display similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S10 series.

The Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus have cutouts in the top-right corner of the screen to accommodate the selfie camera. The rumor mill claims the Pixel 4 would feature only a single camera on the front and a single lens on the back. Its larger sibling is said to have dual cameras on the back and dual lenses on the front. So, the Pixel 4 would have a single camera cutout on the display while the larger model would have a larger hole to house two lenses.

Google to finally add in-display fingerprint sensor

Despite sporting a nearly bezel-less design, the upcoming phones will retain the dual front-facing stereo speakers. YouTuber Jon Prosser added that the Pixel 4 series would offer an in-display fingerprint sensor. Google’s current flagship phones have a capacitive fingerprint reader on the back, which is fast and secure but not as convenient as in-display fingerprint sensors.

The YouTuber did not specify whether Google would use the optical fingerprint sensor like OnePlus 7 Pro or opt for the Galaxy S10-like ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which is more secure.

While the Pixel 4 XL is said to have dual cameras on the front, it’s not yet known whether the second lens will be a super wide-angle camera or a telephoto lens. The cameras will be arranged horizontally on the rear panel. Other Android vendors have crammed three or four lenses on their smartphones. But Google’s strength lies in using software and AI to take excellent photos. The current Pixel 3 with only a single lens on the back is still among the best smartphone cameras out there.

Other rumored Pixel 4 details

Last month, developers revealed the code-names of the upcoming Pixel phones. Google’s hardware products are internally named after marine creatures, and the Pixel 4 series is no different. The Pixel 4 has been code-named “Coral” while its bigger sibling is named “Flame.” The code-name “Flame” might refer to the brightly colored Flame Angelfish.

In terms of specs, the Pixel 4 series is expected to run the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, which we have seen on the Galaxy S10, OnePlus 7 Pro, and LG G8 ThinQ. It would pack a bigger 6GB RAM with 128GB of internal storage. It is expected to offer an IP68 rating for water- and dust-resistance. It’s unclear whether Google would launch a 5G version of the Pixel 4 or stick to 4G LTE this year.

It is rumored to offer the dual-SIM, dual-standby feature. The existing models feature a standard SIM slot and an eSIM. But customers can activate only one SIM at a time. The upcoming flagship would allow users to have two active SIMs at the same time.

Finally, the Pixel 4 series would run Google’s upcoming Android Q software out of the box, which is currently in beta testing. The new version of Android will bring better privacy controls, enhanced security, permission features, improved facial recognition and a system-wide Dark Mode. It would also bring the next-gen Google Assistant that would answer your queries even when you are offline.

Pixel 4 Patent
Image Courtesy of SlashLeaks

May 14, 2019 UPDATE: The Google Pixel 4 has been a hot topic for Android fans and new reports have surfaced regarding the possibility of some new features. While the Google Pixel 3 series has been a hot seller for the tech giant, if these reports are true, then the next gen Pixel phone could be a best seller.

Google Pixel 4 Patent Filed

According to Mobile Syrup a Google Pixel 4 patent has been filed. They quote SlashLeaks as having information regarding the patent, which seems to indicate some exciting new features. While the filing of the patent is exciting news, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product will be exactly as described. Tech companies often file patents in order to protect features they may decide to include in the device, but those features do not always make it to the final product for one reason or another.

What’s In The Patent?

The details are a little sketchy, but the information indicates that the Google Pixel 4 will have a full screen display, as well as a dual hole punch camera system. This would be very similar to the Galaxy S10. Since Google actually had Samsung make its displays for the Pixel 3XL model, it isn’t unbelievable that the next gen device would have this feature. It also appears that the Google Pixel 4 patent includes keeping its dual front fired speaker system.

Patent May Not Be Legit

The patent mentioned may not legitimately be for the Google Pixel 4, as the source of the leak only has a trust rating of 33% on SlashLeaks. Therefore, the report should be taken with a grain of salt and not considered as 100% fact as of yet. However, if this proves to be an actual patent for Google’s next phone, then we have an inside view on some of the features to expect in the device. We will have to wait and see what Google actually reveals at the device launch in order to find out what they really have planned for consumers.

google pixel 3a xl google pixel 4
Image Source: Google (screen shot via YouTube)

May 7, 2019 UPDATE: Google’s annual I/O developer conference is underway, and we’re received several major announcements so far. The Google Pixel 3a and XL have been officially revealed after long-running rumors, and we just learned about some significant improvements to Google Assistant which will debut on the Google Pixel 4.

Google Pixel 3a XL and 3a revealed

The Google Pixel 3a XL and its smaller counterpart are available to purchase today, and they’re basically less expensive variants of last year’s Pixel 3 and 3 XL. The cheaper variants have the same camera which has attracted many consumers to the company’s in-house phones. The camera has the same Night Sight functionality as the camera on the original variants, and it still takes the same high-quality portraits as its predecessors.

However, the devices’ other specs are not quite as premium. For example, the back is plastic instead of glass, and the processor is more basic. The Pixel 3a XL and its smaller counterpart also lack wireless charging support and water resistance, although they do still have headphone jacks.

The Pixel 3a XL sports a 6-inch Full HD+ OLED panel, while its smaller counterpart features a slightly smaller 5.6-inch screen. Both feature stereo speakers, support for Bluetooth 5.0 and free storage space via Google Photos.

The Google Pixel 3a XL will sell for $479 / £469, while its smaller counterpart is priced at $399 / £399.

New Assistant to debut with Google Pixel 4

I/O also brought an announcement related to the Google Pixel 4. The device will get a much-improved Assistant when it launches. The demo revealed at I/O indicates that the next version of Assistant will work faster and be even more reliable.

A video revealed at the conference today demonstrated the new Assistant in action. The digital assistant effortlessly responded to queries with almost no latency. The user gives partial sentences to request very specific tasks, and Assistant responds. The digital assistant can also do things like make reservations online without the user having to place a call.

We expect the Pixel 4 and 4 XL to be released in October, which is in line with the release timeframes of previous models.

Google Logo
ElisaRiva / Pixabay

Google is said to be working on a Pixel 3 Lite with watered-down specs. It will reportedly arrive in the next few months at a mid-range price tag. However, fans are more excited about Google’s next-gen flagship dubbed the Pixel 4. Even though the Google Pixel 4 is several months away, early leaks and rumors have already started surfacing online. Let’s take a look at the rumored features, specs, price, and release date of Google Pixel 4.

Pixel 4 design and display

Smartphone design is not Google’s biggest strength. But the search engine giant has done a decent job with the previous generation Pixel phones. Just like its predecessors, the Google Pixel 4 is expected to have a two-tone rear panel. Last month, Google filed a patent for a notch-less, all-glass smartphone. It retains the two-tone design. The top quarter of the back panel features a single camera lens and an LED flash. The bottom three quarters feature a circular fingerprint sensor.

The same patent suggests the device would see significant changes on the front. The current Pixel 3 has thick bezels at the top and bottom. The larger Pixel 3 XL has a display notch at the top but retains a chin at the bottom. The patent suggests the Pixel 4 would have a fully bezel-less and notch-less display. The patent also hints at a USB Type-C port.

If Google indeed opts for a fully bezel-less and notch-less design, it will be interesting to see where the front-facing cameras will be placed. The search engine giant could go with a circular punch-hole display similar to Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S10. Or it could use a sliding camera system where the cameras slide up when you launch the camera app. Oppo has implemented similar technology in its Find X smartphone.

A bezel-less design would allow Google to pack a bigger display without increasing the form factor of its upcoming phones. The Pixel 4 screen size could go up to 6 inches from 5.5 inches on Pixel 3. The Pixel 4 XL could get a 6.5-inch display compared to 6.3-inch on the Pixel 3 XL.

Google Pixel 4 hardware specs

The last year’s Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL had just 4GB RAM with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage options. But most other flagship Android phones have moved to 8GB RAM. We expect the Google Pixel 4 to offer at least 6GB RAM. The storage options might stay the same because Google offers free Google Drive storage to Pixel users. The device would run Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 855 processor.

A few days ago, a device named Google Coral appeared on Geekbench with 6GB RAM, Android Q software, and Snapdragon 855. Industry experts believe it’s the upcoming Google Pixel 4. The device scored 3296 points in single-core and 9235 points in multi-core tests, which is in line with other devices running the Snapdragon 855 processor. The performance of the final version could be even better due to software optimization.

Google Coral Geekbench Pixel 4
Image Source: Geekbench (screenshot)

It’s too early to say whether the Pixel 4 would offer 5G support, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X50 modem would power many 5G smartphones this year from Samsung, OnePlus, and other vendors. Google could use the same modem in the Pixel 4 if it chooses to offer 5G compatibility.

Google Pixel 4 camera

Google’s rivals have been offering dual, triple, and even four cameras on their phones. But the search engine giant has so far resisted the temptation to join the race. Instead, it has focused on AI and machine learning to enhance the photography experience. Last year’s Pixel 3 had only a single 12.2-megapixel camera on the back but dual cameras on the front for selfies.

According to Google’s patent filing, the Pixel 4 would stick to the single lens on the back. It could bring some under the hood changes to take better pictures. The 2018 Pixel 3 is still one of the best smartphone cameras out there.

System-wide Dark Mode

Last month, folks at XDA Developers got their hands on the early Android 10 Q leaked build. The Pixel 4 would be the first smartphone to run the Android Q software. XDA Developers found that the software would bring system-wide Dark Mode. Users will be able to enable the Dark Mode from Display settings. You can choose to keep it enabled all the time or you can set it to turn on automatically depending on the time of the day. Once it’s enabled, the Launcher, Settings, Files, apps, and all other aspects of the interface gain a dark theme. The Dark Mode will also save battery on phones with OLED screens.

The Android Q software will also bring better privacy controls. For instance, apps will be able to access your location only when they are in use. XDA Developers noted that the Android Q would offer an external display mode similar to Samsung’s DeX feature. It indicates that Google could launch its own dock hardware along with the Pixel 4.

Price and release date

The search engine giant has traditionally launched its Pixel phones in October. The original Pixel arrived on October 4th, 2016 while the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were unveiled on October 4th, 2017. Last year, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were announced on October 9th. If Google follows the same release cycle, we should expect the Google Pixel 4 to launch in the first half of October.

The original Pixel and Pixel XL had the starting prices of $649 and $769, respectively. But the company has been increasing the prices of its flagship phones with each new model. The Pixel 2 had the same $649 price tag as its predecessor, but the Pixel 2 XL was priced at $849. The Pixel 3 was even more expensive at $799. So was the Pixel 3 XL at $899. We expect the Pixel 4 to start at above $800 while the Pixel 4 XL could have a price closer to $1,000.

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