Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A • Hacker News Board

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

#371

Post by AdrianB1 » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:34 PM UTC

jakub_g wrote: post #271

mehrdadn wrote: post #244

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

(Not using wireless charging either) One advantage is that it does not destroy the USB port. Constant plugging and unplugging can really wear some ports after 1-2 years, depending on manufacturing quality. To the point that it won't charge anymore. (Hopefully will be less of an issue with USB-C which seems better designed than microUSB). Plus the convenience.

A cheap workaround for me is to use magnetic USB connectors & cables. They are small enough to have a connector permanently attached to most my devices and I have several matching cables on my desk, in the car etc.

I found about this option on a motorcycle forum where a specific helmet headset was quite sensible to breaking the micro USB charging port. I bought a couple of cables and several micro-SUB connectors, then I bought a handful of USB-C ones and a few more cables and now everything is by default using magnetic connections.

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

#372

Post by d0gbread » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:36 PM UTC

robohoe wrote: post #351

thebean11 wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know lots of people will be really happy with this, but I probably would have traded the jack for water resistance

Yeah do people really use their headphone jack? Most everyone that I know in my circle uses bluetooth headphones now. Some of them are quite good...maybe not audiophile level, but if I wanted to be an audiophile, I would listen on a proper AV receiver with an amp.

Travel is another reason. I use my bluetooth noise cancelling Sony headphones but being able to just plug in with zero battery use feels like magic.

13 hour flight, airports, etc... fewer dongles, fewer things to charge, etc.

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

#373

Post by FeepingCreature » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:37 PM UTC

freeqaz wrote: post #363

mschuetz wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was briefly considering buying an iphone for the first time ever, since I wanted a good camera phone. Scratched that idea when I learned that it didn't have an audio jack.

I ended up making this jump. What I've found works best for me: - In the car I have a Bluetooth audio adapter for the aux in my older car. Works great. - In my backpack I have a pocket where I always leave a headphone adapter. I always put it back if I use it. - Bluetooth to Aux adapter with a small battery. Costs like $20 on Amazon and also lives in my backpack. Has saved my ass many times. Beyond that, I just own m…

I mean, I have a phone with an audio jack, and I plug my headphones into the audio jack and I am happy.

How would you sell "no audio jack" to me? What's my gain here?

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

#374

Post by pixelmonkey » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:38 PM UTC

malkia wrote: post #27

Has Audio Jack! (Comparison with other Pixel 4's) - https://store.google.com/magazine/compare_pixel?toggler0=Pix...

One of the biggest differences between the 4a and the older 4 and 4 XL is that the 4a has a rear fingerprint reader, whereas the 4 and 4 XL want you to use face unlock. So strange that this isn't emphasized (or even mentioned) on the comparison page.

This was actually the primary thing that kept me on a Pixel 2 for so long, since it also has a similar rear fingerprint sensor design (and I just pre-ordered the Pixel 4a today).

I can't be the only one who greatly prefers a rear fingerprint sensor to face unlock, especially in our new world order with widespread mask wearing -- but, even before! It's so much faster and less finicky.

(The new model's fingerprint sensor is also so subtle on the chassis on the phone that you can just barely make it out in the photograph of the phone's back shown on the comparison page. But if you squint, you'll see it. It's also discussed in many of the reviews.)

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

#375

Post by rurp » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:39 PM UTC

schoolornot wrote: post #222

droidno9 wrote: post #68

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it. 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 constan…

I don't get why Google creates problems for themselves by relying on unproven tech or working backwards. Case in point: adaptive battery. Androids have historically had poor battery efficiency (mah vs. screen on time) against iPhones. Rather than optimize the OS and the apps and provide a larger capacity battery, they size down the battery and introduce software-based battery management with AI. Common responses to c…

> Common responses to complaints on /r/GooglePixel about piss poor battery life are that the user hasn't waiting long enough for the system to develop a proper AI/ML model.

Oof, this sounds like the sort of thing that could go really frustratingly wrong in some cases. Do you happen to know if this results in apps being erroneously killed when switching to the background? My phone killing whatever is playing on Spotify or Podcast Addict when I switch to another app has been a recurring annoyance for me on Android. I've always been able to find a fix but, bewilderingly, the fix has been different on almost every phone I've had.

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

#376

Post by AdrianB1 » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:42 PM UTC

detaro wrote: post #298

hocuspocus wrote: post #282

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Except for Nexus 5X that was a great, but defective phone. I had 3, the first died of the famous 5x death a month after the warranty expired, the second died in warranty and it was replaced with a third that is in use even these days. Not too solid in 2 cases of of 3.

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

#377

Post by ShamelessC » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:43 PM UTC

intsunny wrote: post #116

Its a shame the Pixal 4A does not have an ultrawide camera. Of all the newfangled phone features, an ultrawide camera (with the software to back it) seems to be one of the new truly worth while features. I never understood nor cared for the feature until my job gave me a new phone with that had one. It would be quite the bummer to go back to having a phone without this feature. So many phone reviews drone on and on a…

The vast majority of us don't care for an ultrawide camera. Especially people shopping at a $350 price point.

Unrelated, but what the hell is the obsession with cameras? Are you all constantly on vacation, bumping into celebrities and taking Instagram pictures of your food or whatever?

I almost exclusively use my camera to take pictures of notes and other text that I need to reference later. Occasionally I need to share something noteworthy that's happening in real time with a friend but I don't need professional level photos for that.

Besides, even if you have low quality photos you can "easily" upconvert them using one of the many available open source super resolution neural nets.

I realize average people aren't going to know how to do that, and there's a convenience factor either way, but this community consists of fairly intelligent folks

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

#378

Post by DebtDeflation » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:43 PM UTC

Lutzb wrote: post #350

flavor8 wrote: post #322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the Pixel line of phones isn't known for having long lasting battery Anecdote: I still have a 2XL and it can get me through 24 hours. It's gotten a _little_ worse recently which I attribute to hardware age. The camera is fantastic, so I have no need to upgrade (although having stereo speakers would be nice.)

I also own a 2XL and really enjoy it. Sadly google will stop supplying updates this fall.

In theory, should be less of an issue with Project Mainline now. Of course, we said the same thing with Project Treble. Though it is starting to feel like the idea of an Android Version Upgrade is becoming less and less meaningful with so much of the OS modular and upgradable with Google Play now.

<---Pixel 2 XL owner who really sees little reason to upgrade.

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

#379

Post by zouhair » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:44 PM UTC

droidno9 wrote: post #68

This is an awesome phone at $350. I currently have the Pixel 4, but if this was available when I was making my purchase decision, I'd probably have gone with it. 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 constan…

In Canada, with tax it goes up to CA$550.73. Not worth it.

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

#380

Post by ShamelessC » Mon, Aug 03, 2020, 11:44 PM UTC

nfriedly wrote: post #181

rllin wrote: post #21

anybody know if 5g is worth waiting for?

It's too late to edit my previous comment, but I did think of one thing to add: 5G allows for more efficient use of spectrum, which benefits everyone. (Although, it benefits the carriers the most.) So, while I don't think it's worth waiting for, I do think it is a good thing overall.

I don't think anyone was disputing that.