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Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

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Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#291

Post by Exmoor »

droidno9 wrote: post #278
JeremyNT wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> That said, the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery. A feature that I've found to be indispensable is wireless charging. I just rest my Pixel 4 on a vertical charging base throughout the day. Otherwise, I'd have to have to constantly plug/unplug the phone throughout the day to charge, and that'd be a huge regression in the user experience. Note that the 4a actually has a larger battery t…

About 12% larger capacity. Not enough of an improvement to eliminate this problem.

The 4a also uses a lower power SOC and a 60hz screen, which is likely to make a more substantial difference.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#292

Post by OnACoffeeBreak »

golem14 wrote: post #144
partiallypro wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 3A also has an audio jack. I frankly never use it, and sort of wish it weren't there. I wish they would maybe ship it with a thing you can put in the hole that closes it up to make it seamless, but can be removed.

You mean, like those things ? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0832JRZZK

Be careful with these things. They can trap moisture that would otherwise evaporate and cause corrosion.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#293

Post by detaro »

paxys wrote: post #246
murermader wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even in countries were Pixel phones are distributed, they are "hard" to get. Google is doing something wrong. I don't know anybody who owns a Pixel phone, despite Android market share being something like 70% here in Germany. It's all Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, Oppo

It's crazy to me that despite working on it for more than a decade, devoting entire company divisions, buying multiple companies and more, Google just hasn't been able to crack the smartphone hardware game. Microsoft has been so much more successful with its Surface line in a fraction of the time.

In some European markets Microsoft even had a decent shot at the smartphone game with the Lumnias, but it didn't work out globally and they didn't double down on it in the key moments.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#294

Post by ehsankia »

noelsusman wrote: post #236
tyingq wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps I don't know what I'm missing, but I've just bought low end Androids thus far. Like the Motorola G series. I typically buy one that's about $150, and they tend to last 2-3 years before I crack the screen, etc. I've never felt like they were slow or missing anything I needed.

The Pixel is all about the camera. There are a few other niceties compared to other budget/mid-range phones, but if a good camera isn't important to you then there's no reason to buy the Pixel.

I find that Pixel experience is also very enjoyable. You get almost iPhone level attention to detail and UX design, which is rare on low-end android phones. It sounds trivial, but it's just delightful to use the phone.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#295

Post by CarVac »

dnr wrote: post #289

I'm somewhat happy with my Pixel 3a, but the aspect ratio is pretty annoying: it's too tall and too narrow, making it really hard to use one-handed (my thumb can't reach that high while I'm gripping it in my palm). It looks like the 4a is similar. I wish they'd go back to the Pixel 1 dimensions, which were pretty perfect.

Unfortunately, bezels and 16:9 screens aren't in fashion anymore.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#296

Post by ric2b »

sf_rob wrote: post #283

>The camera and its clean version of Android are the main ways that Google is aiming to differentiate the Pixel 4A from the likes of the OnePlus Nord, Samsung Galaxy S71, and iPhone SE. I think it's weird to include the SE on that list. iOS seems like a great choice for a "clean" OS and the SE's camera, while not the highest end or with several sensors, is pretty great. A better emphasis would be storage and RAM whic…

But the pixel still differentiates itself by the camera, things like night shots are on another level.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#297

Post by oezi »

tyingq wrote: post #69
trulyrandom wrote: post #50

Can vouch for the Pixel line. I've had a Pixel 3a XL for a little over a year and it's been great. Stock Android, good display, great battery life, great camera, great security, reasonably fast and 3 years of updates. That's all I need from a phone. The Pixel 4a seems like a logical upgrade from the previous generation, sticking to the same principles.

Perhaps I don't know what I'm missing, but I've just bought low end Androids thus far. Like the Motorola G series. I typically buy one that's about $150, and they tend to last 2-3 years before I crack the screen, etc. I've never felt like they were slow or missing anything I needed.

Except that nobody except Samsung and Google bothers to provide security updates post launch.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#298

Post by detaro »

hocuspocus wrote: post #282
murermader wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even in countries were Pixel phones are distributed, they are "hard" to get. Google is doing something wrong. I don't know anybody who owns a Pixel phone, despite Android market share being something like 70% here in Germany. It's all Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, Oppo

I think there are several reasons: - The pricing for their flagship models made absolutely no sense given the specs, poor battery life and questionable QA. - Samsung and the big Chinese manufacturers advertise everywhere, you can get their phones at the shop around the corner. At least now in Germany you can find the Pixels at Saturn and Mediamarkt (and often at a discount). - Most people don't care about software up…

Always seemed weird that they didn't continue a Nexus series below the Pixel. Those had a good reputation as solid phones, whereas the Pixels didn't seem worth the money - and probably got anchored as that in peoples mind, even when their prices fall.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#299

Post by droidno9 »

mehrdadn wrote: post #244
ss3000 wrote: post #240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not a huge Apple fanboy by any measure, but one thing I do appreciate is that they consider wireless charging to be a table stakes feature, and include it even in their "budget" phones. They clearly understand how dramatically it elevates the user experience. Compare that to every Android manufacturer who either don't offer wireless charging at all or gate it to flagships, it's a really sad state of affairs for s…

Never used wireless charging but also never really understood what is so dramatically elevating about it. Is it just the requirement for 1 hand vs. 2 hands that people find so life-changing? Doesn't it waste a ton of power in the process?

It's one of those things that you don't think you'd need until you have had it, and then wonder why you've gone so far in life without it.

As someone who constantly has to step away from my desk during the day, I don't have to think about charging the phone anymore. It automatically goes on the wireless stand (directly in front of me) when I'm back at my desk. I can be certain that if I choose to go out for the evening after work, I wouldn't have to worry about being stranded somewhere far from home because my phone died. (Side note: Uber and Lyft have really decimated the taxi industry, even for a downtown area in a medium-size city.)

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