The Google Pixel 4 XL is the new hero for mobile photography enthusiasts

While young and not so Instagram bloggers try their hand at singing, launch their own brand of clothing or perfume, large companies are not trifling. They make smartphones! Google launched the Pixel line of smartphones in 2016. The phones were included in the authoritative rating of quality devices DxOMark, being in the top three. The presentation of the new flagship Google Pixel 4 XL is scheduled for October 15, 2019. But Android developers can't keep secrets, so the specs and average price of smartphones were leaked to the network.

This time, the leak has reached its climax - there is even a video from a Vietnamese video blogger showing the Pixel 4 XL. Although it may turn out to be a tricky advertising move ?! So that people are already thinking about which Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL model is better to buy. The best advisor in this matter will be a review of the new product from Google!

Design

When the first rumors about the model surfaced back in the summer of 2019, Google posted a picture of the phone on Twitter. Probably for fans to mentally prepare themselves for the square platform for built-in cameras on the back. Given the speed with which Chinese manufacturers rushed to copy the new design, it can be argued that it will become the "default design".

Here are just aesthetes of innovation did not check out and gave the first position in the "league of ugly smartphones - 2019" Pixel 4 XL. But design still has its advantages! The main difference from previous models is the absence of "bangs". Apparently, a splash of negativity in the direction of Pixel 3 acted. Instead of cut-outs, the frame above the screen was slightly increased. Not everyone will like the innovations, but this is a more harmonious option than the various holes that are found on popular models. On the front panel there is a front camera, a face unlock sensor. It is also covered with Gorilla Glass 6 tempered glass.

The back panel is matte, which makes the device compare favorably with competitors like the Galaxy Note 10. Because it will leave much less fingerprints, which means that the smartphone will look neater and more presentable. But a glossy version with a metal frame is planned. Tempered glass was used as a material for the back panel.

The main camera was allocated a square area in the upper left corner. It protrudes slightly above the surface of the panel and is covered with protective glass.

The power button and volume control are located on the right side edge. At the bottom are two speakers and a Type-C connector. Bad news for those who like to listen to music through headphones - there is no 3.5 audio jack. To drive the sound through the wires, you have to connect the adapter to USB Type-C. There are fears that it will not be included in the package.

Display - features

The Pixel 4 XL's screen isn't too disappointing. The smartphone is equipped with a screen with a diagonal of 6.3 inches and a Quad HD + resolution of 3040 × 1440 pixels. The display received an OLED panel with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It supports Smooth Display technology, so the phone automatically adjusts the values ​​to suit games and applications.

Google hasn't added a fingerprint sensor under the display. Therefore, you do not need to look for it! To identify the owner and unlock the device, the Face Unlock function is provided. As shown by the first tests of the smartphone, the technology works great, like Apple's Face ID. No failures were identified.

The screen allows you to interact with different types of content.From it you can read, surf the Internet or watch videos. If that's the top pick, then the Pixel 4 XL is worth getting.

The display supports Always-on Display technology, has realistic color reproduction, large viewing angles and a margin of brightness. The screen occupies 97% of the entire front panel area. The pixel density is 534 ppi, which is considered the highest in the world of mobile phones. The interface in the smartphone is standard, like all flagships.

Cameras

The rear camera includes two lenses enclosed in a square module. This evokes strong associations with the new iPhones. And also raises questions - maybe this is a groundwork for the future? After all, 3-4 cameras will fit on the site. As the passions subside, the popularity of rectangle dual camera models will increase, Google will release a device with even more cameras.

One lens is 12-megapixel with autofocus and the other is 16-megapixel. The first is equipped with a Sony IMAX 363 sensor, and the second - a SONY IMAX 481. There is optical stabilization, night mode, HDR + function, which has become a classic, and a set of manual settings. Owners of other devices will bite their elbows from the way Pixel 4 XL photographs at night.

In the photo you can see two lenses, flashes and one more element. Its purpose is not yet clear. Whether focusing quickly and accurately, or measuring depth of field and improving portraits.

The selfie camera is rated at 8MP and the video expansion is 1080p @ 30fps.

What Google didn't skimp on was the cameras. It should have been! Since the main concept of the company is to create affordable devices with the best cameras. There is no doubt about how the smartphone from Google takes pictures, because the devices were in the lead in the ratings, overtaking the best manufacturers, including Apple.

Videography was the Achilles' fifth of the Pixel lineup, but the new items should outperform previous models. This is due to the presence of last year's Snapdragon 855 processor, which guarantees a high level of 4K footage. So the device is suitable for viewing high-quality video content. Good stabilization adds to the chances of gaining user approval and maybe surpassing new iPhones. An example photo will more clearly demonstrate the capabilities of the cameras.

Specifications

The smartphone is equipped with a classic flagship processor. RAM - 6 or 8 GB, and the constant varies from 128 to 256 GB. Pixel 4 XL is equipped with a 3700 mAh battery, so the autonomy of the device is significantly higher than that of previous models. The manufacturer claims that the device can be used for 2 days

Despite a slight disappointment in performance, the device's chipset is well balanced. It has such features as:

• 8 cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz to 2.844 GHz;
• GPU graphics accelerator Areno 640.

The processor supports Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and all necessary LTE frequencies. But there is no hint of 5G. The chipset is great for active games. It has already been tested on many gaming flagships, including Xiaomi Black Shark 2... A smart smartphone is suitable for adherents of modern games.

Google sticks to its good old tradition and provides unlimited access to its own cloud storage. But instead, the device does not have a memory card slot. The company uses a clean build of Android 10.0 and a proprietary shell. So for 10 years you will not have to puzzle over where to buy updates and how to get them in general. Timely updates are guaranteed.

The Pixel 4XL has a GPS that supports A-GPS, GlONASS, BDS, GALILEO. Smartphone Dual-sim, but designed for Nano-Sim card and eSim.

Pixel 4 XL strengths and weaknesses

In the new product, Google focused on cameras and performance. As for the controversial design, it doesn't have to be convenient for everyone. The main thing is that the functionality does not fail!

• Modified cameras;
• Android 10 with support for all updates;
• Powerful processor;
• Frosted glass on the back;
• Stereo sound (speakers);
• Waterproof IP68.

• High price;
• Lack of a headphone jack;
• There is no radio;
• No fingerprint scanner.

Controversial points include the design of the camera module, the controversial block above the screen, the lack of symmetry and a well-visible "chin".

Additional functionality

Motion Sense gesture control was announced in the review, but the app didn't work on the test sample! Maybe it was the trouble of the pre-sale sample? Feedback from smartphone buyers in the future will clarify the situation.

Google announced the development, codenamed Project Soli, back in 2015 at a conference. According to the idea of ​​the smart guys, it was supposed to be a built-in radar that recognizes finger gestures with high accuracy. It is used to simulate button presses, volume control, vertical and horizontal scrolling. There are many options for using the radar, but the most use of the new sensor is for games.

Other highlights include the Titan M safety module, new voice assistant functions. The phone has a built-in compass, barometer and Wi-Fi, fast charging function, and wireless. The length of the cord and dimensions, how it will "behave" in the sun can be found out after the presentation and purchase.

Conclusion

For those who do not doubt for a minute which company is better than a smartphone, and since 2016 they have chosen Pixel in Russia, bad luck awaits. There will be no official sales in the country. But there is always a loophole - to place an order directly in the USA or other countries where the smartphone will be in free implementation. It remains to clarify how much the delivery costs and the features of the functioning of modern services.

At the price of the Pixel 4 XL, it is difficult to attribute to a budget device. The approximate cost is $ 1000-1200. But there is information that the price in rubles will be about 68 thousand. Such a smartphone can be called inexpensive at a stretch!

The smartphone is reportedly available in white, black, coral and orange.