Google Pixel 4 XL review: the perfect symbiosis

Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL will be on sale starting Thursday 24 October. But are Big G's two new smartphones worth buying? To find out what they have to offer, we put them to the test. So here's our review.

Comparison of technical data sheets

Let's start from a due premise: the two devices are absolutely identical. In appearance, in technical features, in software and even in the camera. To differentiate Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL we think only the size - and consequently the size of the display -, the colors - on the more compact variant we also have the Oh So Orange one, and the battery capacity.

What changes from the Pixel 3 and 3 XL?

Pixel 4 and 4 XL are practically twins, but the differences with the previous generation are there and are quite evident. On the back we no longer find the double finish, glossy in the upper part and opaque in the lower part, but a unique finish that leaves room for fingerprints. In short, watch out for the glass of the back cover because you will have to clean it more frequently than expected.

It is also evident the new square module dedicated to dual cameras: Google therefore decided to open up to the use of more sensors - which it seemed to have categorically ruled out last year - but adopting a solution that makes it look a lot like the iPhone 11. A problem? actually no. Getting used to it will be a matter of minutes and the module is so thin that the smartphone is stable even when used on a plane.

We also find an obvious change on the front: the notch seen on the Pixel 3 XL, which had so annoyed users, has now completely disappeared.

The dimensions are rather unchanged: on the cards there are infinitesimal differences that disappear completely in everyday use.

The 90 Hz of Pixel 4

Let's go back to talking about the screen because the two displays - 5,7 and 6,3 inch OLEDs - they bring with them two tasty novelties. The first is called Smooth Display and port to Pixel 4 i 90 Hz, but the refresh rate is not constant. No, it is not a mistake or a lack, but a choice: it is in fact the brain of the smartphone that decides when you need more fluidity, and therefore 90 hz, and when instead 60 Hz can suffice. All this guarantees an absolutely satisfactory user experience without excessively affecting autonomy. The second novelty is called Ambient EQ, a technology derived from Nest Hub Max and capable of adjust the color temperature based on the surrounding environment, so as to offer a more natural viewing experience.

There is also space on the front of a flood of sensors, the 8 megapixel front camera and the ear capsule. On the right profile, on the other hand, we have the power button - colored - and the volume rocker, on the lower one the speaker and the USB-C input and on the left the SIM slot. Yes, unfortunately he is alone Single SIM and no, there is no 3,5mm jack nor a USB-C adapter or headphones like last year.

I didn't mention the fingerprint reader because it's not there. The American giant has decided to rely solely on face unlock via 3D recognition. A choice that I actually enjoyed very much. First of all it is very safe and secondly, it is very fast even in the dark. But be careful: it is very sensitive. So it takes very little to unlock the device.

Google Pixel 4 XL review: the difference is the software

The hardware didn't surprise me that much: Snapdragon 855, 6 GB of RAM and Adreno 640 GPU. In short, a real top of the range that allows you to do anything.

Two memory sizes: 64 or 128 GB. As usual, you can upload your shots to Google Photos by counting on the unlimited space that the Mountain View company makes available to you. Contrary to what happened last year, we will not be able to upload photos in original quality: space is unlimited only if you opt for High quality, as happens on all other Android smartphones. On the other hand, Big G gives a 3-month trial of Google One, the online storage service of the American giant, but not to everyone: the company seems to decide in an arbitrary way who can take advantage of the offer or not. For example, I was unable to join.

But let's go back to talking about performance and above all about software because, again this year, it is he who makes the difference. I'm not talking specifically about Android 10 but of all those precautions that allow the operating system to be in perfect symbiosis with the smartphone. Kind of like iOS on iPhone.

But I don't want to bore you with an endless list of news, goodies and optimizations so I decided to mention only the most relevant and interesting ones.

Motion Sense

All the sensors that we find on the upper frame - the one that has baffled the lovers of the full screen - are used by Motion Sense, a technology that allows you to interact with the device without touching it.

What do you need it for? At the moment there are not many integrations yet but you can perform a series of basic operations simply with the movement of one hand. These include the ability to change songs, postpone the alarm and silence calls. There is even a Pokémon animated wallpaper that uses Motion Sense to let you interact with Pikachu and companions. Finally, you can also add a game to the list, Headed South, available for free on the Play Store.

The new Google Assistant

Google's virtual assistant has also been updated. First of all now part of the technology used is installed on Pixel 4 and 4 XL. All this for reduce server calls and wait times for an answer, so Google Assistant becomes even faster.

The Californian giant has also worked for improve interaction with your smartphone, so as to perform most of the actions without touching the display.

Automatic subtitles

By pressing the volume rocker you will see a small button that allows you to turn on automatic subtitles.

What are they for? Simple: automatically they transcribe the dialogues of the multimedia contents like YouTube videos or Instagram Stories. The result is not bad at all, in fact, it comes in particularly useful when you want to watch something but don't want to disturb everyone else.

The only flaw? At the moment it works only for the english language. However, we hope to see it also available in Italian, which would make it suitable for all deaf people.

The recorder

A Google app dedicated to the voice recording but this is not the news. In fact, the software not only records but automatically transcribes all the contents of the audio file. A function currently limited to English only, which at the moment makes it useful only if you participate in international conferences or if, like us, you often find yourself conducting interviews in this language.

For everyone else, well, have patience: once in Italian it could be a godsend in many situations, starting with university lessons.

What about the battery?

Now let's talk about autonomy. On Google Pixel 4 XL we have a 3.700 mAh that exploits il machine learning to adapt to your use and understand how to give your best without affecting the activities you carry out most frequently. All this helps you to get to the end of the day without major problems.

I would like to do a different speech instead for Pixel 4 that yes, it uses the same system, but cith its 2.800 mAh it really struggles on the busiest days.

All is not lost though: in fact, we have been trying them for less than a week so, once we have learned our habits, something could change.

Google Pixel 4 XL review: a true cameraphone

One of the most interesting aspects of Google's new smartphones is certainly the camera. As I mentioned above, this time we have two rear sensors, uno da 12 and uno da 16 megapixel, accompanied by optical stabilization, electronic stabilization and technology Super Res Zoom which guarantees quality photos even using the zoom.

The biggest news is certainly the double exposure, which eliminates a little the classic “point and shoot” but which, with a few seconds of patience, will help you get even higher shots than in the past, balancing the image even in full backlight. Sure, there is some noise, but the result is still surprising.

Also on board Live HDR+, which focuses mainly on colors to give you even more vivid shades and a decidedly interesting color rendering.

The modalities, on the other hand, are quite unchanged: we find that again night, now optimized for astrophotography (but remember to use a tripod), the HD Portrait, the Video (up to 4K) and some treats work as Playground to play with augmented reality.

Just look at the photos above to understand that Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL are real camera phones. The shots are really beautiful in any light conditions and the front camera is perfect for selfies. At your disposal then you have the function social Share to share your photos on the fly by setting the 3 apps you use most.

Google Pixel 4 XL review: buy it or not?

It's hard to find a real flaw in Google's new smartphones. The build quality is excellent, the display is really beautiful and as usual the hardware and software reach the perfect symbiosis, which we do not find on other Android smartphones. To all this we add the camera which behaves excellently. In short, we loved them. 

The prices are not so exorbitant: Pixel 4 costs 759 € in the 64 GB version e 859 € in the 128 GB one. For the XL variant we come to 899 and 999 euro, thus remaining under the 1000 euro ceiling.

Have I convinced you but you don't know which one to choose? Well, simple: if you are looking for a compact device, focus on Pixel 4. If the priority is a large screen and, above all, a more satisfying autonomy, then Pixel 4 XL is for you.

Google Pixel 4 XL

Pro

• Excellent build quality
• Bel display
• Software / hardware symbiosis
• Camera

Cons

• And the wide angle?