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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

#501

Post by jonny_eh »

SimeVidas wrote: post #473
paultopia wrote: post #446

Can someone explain to me what the user benefit of 5G is? Is there anything that people typically do on their phones/with tethering right now that LTE is insufficient bandwidth for? Or is this just a plan by the carriers to encourage more really expensive usage, like convincing people to stream on their phones/tether all the time?

Maybe streaming video games (Stadia)?

and Geforce Now, Xbox Streaming, Playstation Now, and Shadow. It's a fast growing area, and the main reason why I'd go for the 5G upgrade at some point.

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

#502

Post by Xixi »

emn13 wrote: post #231
trulyrandom wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Coming from iOS, I can imagine that being a disappointment. 3 years of updates is a relatively new trend in the Android world. I used to complain about this as well, but now that it's 3 years, that's about when I usually buy a new phone anyway. See: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/4457705 .

Only anecdotally, but old iphones (more than 3 years old, such as in my case the original iphone SE) have poor enough battery life expectancy that I'm not sure I'd call longevity a big win for iOS.

There is an easy fix for that: it costs 49 USD to change the battery of an iPhone SE in an Apple Store. Whether it's cheap or expensive is of course a matter of perspective. But an iPhone SE with a new battery is certainly better than most phones you could buy for 49 USD...

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

#503

Post by ggm »

el_nahual wrote: post #323
ggm wrote: post #313

Does eSIM and nano SIM work at the same time in Google phones android yet? According to web search, prior to this unit, no. It does on iPhone, so you effective dualSIM from the technology mix. Ubiquitous dualSIM would stop me needing to carry a second phone when work travel overseas resumes (we don't all get to buy FI worldwide). Motorola dualSIM has been a lifesaver for me

Pixel 4 already supports dual SIM (DSDS--dual SIM dual standby) that allows you to receive calls at either number, but only one at a time.

So inbound SMS works, and you can preference the nano SIM for out calls? just like the normal interface behaviours on non-google dual-physical-sim phones?

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

#504

Post by arvinsim »

switch007 wrote: post #209
foobarian wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And you can't charge the phone while it's plugged in.

iPhones have had wireless charging for a while though. Not as convenient of course.

For me, it’s more of a problem with my iPad Pro.

It’s not even about charging. It’s about having to buy a USB-C hub just to plug in my headphones and midi controller to my iPad Pro.

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

#505

Post by sullyj3 »

Pxtl wrote: post #494
pixelmonkey wrote: post #374

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 4…

I'm suspicious of fingerprint readers since they seem another point of failure. I'm on a moto z play that seems to have silently forgotten its fingerprint reader exists.

The fingerprint reader on my Pixel 2 XL is still going strong.

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

#506

Post by arvinsim »

waheoo wrote: post #475
jpeeler wrote: post #461

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Forgive me, but this sounds like the same perspective of the famous quote "640K is more memory than anyone will ever need on a computer" (no idea if Gates actually said it). People will always fill the bandwidth with something (just like memory), perhaps with something we don't even use today at all. Though note that the new usage pattern will only emerge after usage is ubiquitous, which is usually due to decent pric…

Its also an American centric view. Travelling around Korea and back home I noticed the distinct difference in consumption habbits. Korea data isn't capped, so everyone streams news/twitch/YouTube while on there commute. Back home, everyone reads articles and spam scrolls static images on instagram. So "do people need bandwidth" no. Will they use it if they have it? Absolutely.

Yeah, access to cheap fast bandwidth certainly changed my internet habits when I was in countries like Singapore and Taiwan.

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

#507

Post by arvinsim »

ss3000 wrote: post #240
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'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…

Dramatically evaluate the user experience? It removes inconveniences while adding downsides.

It has been understand that wireless charging causes the battery to heat more, which potentially can decrease the battery lifespan.

People are also constrained in what cases they buy lest it blocks wireless charging.

People cannot use it on the desk when battery is empty.

It is also less efficient when charging, taking more time compared to wired charging.

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

#508

Post by coin »

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.

Seems like an expensive way to workaround a weak port

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

#510

Post by slowmotiony »

d0gbread wrote: post #372
robohoe wrote: post #351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

That's a weird example since the model you mentioned still uses battery when you plug it in via cable. Otherwise noise canceling wouldn't work.
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