Pixel 5 vs. Pixel 4 vs. Pixel 4 XL: The biggest differences between Google phones
The Pixel 6 could be coming in the fall. But in the meantime, here's a spec-by-spec comparison of Google's latest flagship smartphones.
- More than a decade of journalism experience
Here's everything to know about how the Google Pixel 5, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL compare.
Google released five different Pixel phones in the US in 2020, but only three of those remain available for purchase in the Google Store. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, launched last summer, were discontinued less than a year later, though you can buy them from other retailers till supplies last or bring home a refurbished device. Later in the fall, Google went on to drop a duo of budget phones, the Pixel 4A and 4A 5G, as well as the midrange Pixel 5, and these three phones are still up for grabs from the Google Store as well as other retailers. The Google Pixel 6 could also be added to the mix in the coming months. We speculate it could make an appearance in October.
Read more: Google Pixel 6 rumors: Release date, price, camera specs and more
As you can tell by its name, the Pixel 5 is Google's newest phone available right now, but it's a midrange one that marks a departure from the pricey Pixel phones of years past. While the Pixel 5 has 5G connectivity along with the fantastic cameras that have become the line's main selling point, Google made sure to drop its price to $699 (£599, AU$999) and scale back on some features (like the processor, for instance) perhaps in light of the realization that pricey smartphones can be a tough sell in this pandemic-ravaged economy, especially if those devices don't carry a Samsung or Apple label.
Meanwhile, the last-gen Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL start at $799 (£699, AU$1,049) and $899 (£829, AU$1,279) respectively, and offer a more advanced processor than the Pixel 5 and also boast a coveted telephoto lens as part of their dual-rear-camera setups. On the other end of the spectrum lie the entry-level Pixel 4A and 4A 5G, both of which retain a popular feature that none of the other Pixels mentioned in this article have: the humble headphone jack.
Read more: Google Pixel 5A with 5G review: Snappy performance for $449
For a more side-by-side comparison of these newest Pixel phones and their budget counterparts, take a look at our specs chart below.
Pixel 5 vs. Pixel 4 vs. Pixel 4 XL
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 4A | Google Pixel 4A 5G | Google Pixel 4 | Google Pixel 4 XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6-inch FHD+ OLED; (2,340x1,080 pixels) | 5.81-inch OLED; (2,340x1,080 pixels) | 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED; (2,340 x 1,080 pixels) | 5.7-inch OLED; (1,080x2,280 pixels) | 6.3-inch OLED; (1,440x3,040 pixels) |
| Pixel density | 432ppi | 443ppi | 413ppi | 444ppi | 537ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.7x2.8x0.3 in | 5.7x2.7x0.3 in | 6.1x2.9x0.3 in | 2.7x5.7x0.3 in | 2.9x6.3x0.3 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 144.7x70.4x8mm | 144x69.4x8.2mm | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6 only) 153.9 x 74 x 8.5 mm (mmWave + Sub-6) | 68.8x147.1x8.2mm | 75.1x160.4x8.2mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 5.33 oz; 151g | 5.04 oz; 143g | 5.93 oz; 168g (Sub-6 only) 6.03 oz; 171g (mmWave + Sub-6) | 5.7 oz; 162g | 6.8 oz; 193g |
| Mobile software (at launch) | Android 11 | Android 10 | Android 11 | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Camera | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12.2-megapixel (standard) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | 2.84GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | 2.84GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB, 128GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 6GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No | No | No | No |
| Battery | 4,000mAh | 3,140mAh | 3,800mAh | 2,800mAh | 3,700mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Rear | Rear | Rear | Rear | Rear |
| Headphone jack | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Special features | 5G-enabled; water-resistant (IP68); 90Hz refresh rate display; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); reverse wireless charging; fast-charging | Dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) | 5G-enabled; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); fast charging | Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water-resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water-resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $699 | $349 | $499 | $799 (64GB), $899 (128GB) | $899 (64GB), $999 (128GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £599 | £349 | £499 | £669 (64GB), £769 (128GB) | £829 (64GB), £929 (128GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$999 | AU$599 | AU$799 | AU$1,049 (64GB), AU$1,199 (128GB) | AU$1,279 (64GB), AU$1,429 (128GB) |