Google Pixel 4 XL review: Same pros as the Pixel 4… and same cons, too
As the most leaked cellular phone in phoneland, the Pixel four and four XL held couple of surprises when Google ultimately unveiled them on October 2019. We realized it would have a new facial recognition characteristic (this is how the Pixel 4’s facial area unlock in contrast to the Apple iphone 11’s Facial area ID when we analyzed both equally in 4 regular situations), a 90Hz display screen and an excellent camera. We also envisioned both equally phones to be just about similar, preserve for their sizes and a couple of other things that are outlined below. In contrast to Apple and Samsung, Google doesn’t insert any additional options, like one more rear camera for case in point, to its greater models. So if you want the complete rundown of the Pixel four XL, head to my review of the Pixel four, wherever you can study far more investigation and examine out far more images.
The Pixel four and four XL have superb cameras. But so do several other phones now. A few of them even have their have able very low-light-weight camera mode that can compete with the Pixel four, like the iPhone 11 ($699 at Apple) and OnePlus 7T ($599 at OnePlus). The Pixel four XL doesn’t present expandable storage, earbuds bundled in the box or cost-free limitless photo storage at unique top quality, which Pixel people received for the last couple of many years. Although the Pixel four XL is a fantastic cellular phone in and of alone and it has a superlative camera, it can be expensive at $900 (£829, AU$one,279) for 64GB and $one,000 (£929, AU$one,429) for 128GB. In a industry stuffed with players, most of them with far more economical price tags and similar specs, Google’s new flagship simply doesn’t present enough at the suitable price in contrast to its rivals.

The Pixel four XL (left) and the Pixel four.
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Pixel four vs. Pixel four XL: What is actually unique
- Value: The Pixel four XL is likely to established you back again $100 far more than the Pixel four. The Pixel four and four XL begin at $799 (£669, AU$one,049) and $899 (£829, AU$one,279), respectively, for the 64GB base model. Then it can be $899 for the Pixel four or $999 for the Pixel four XL if you update to the 128GB variation.
- Dimensions: The Pixel four XL is a bit greater and heavier than the Pixel four, measuring 6.3 by 2.9 inches to the Pixel 4’s five.7 by 2.7-inch body. The two phones have the similar .3-inch (eight.2mm) depth.
- Weight: The Pixel four XL’s greater measurement will make it a little bit heavier at 6.eighty one ounces (193 grams), whilst the Pixel four weighs only five.71 ounces (162 grams).
- Exhibit: The Pixel four options an FHD exhibit with 444 pixels-for each-inch density, and the Pixel four XL is bigger definition, with a QHD exhibit and a pixel density of 537 ppi. But both equally phones characteristic a 90Hz OLED Clean Exhibit.
- Battery: The last huge variance in between the two phones is the battery. The Pixel four uses a 2,800-mAh battery (which is an even lower ability than its predecessor, the Pixel 3 ($474 at Amazon)), whilst the Pixel four XL has a 3,700-mAh battery.
Apart from display screen measurement and battery, the phones are just about the similar.
Angela Lang/CNET
Pixel four XL camera
The moment all over again, the Pixel four XL impressed us all with its camera. Overall, photos are sharp, colorfully wealthy and experienced fantastic distinction. The camera’s digital zoom is exceptional, and I was in a position to take continuous pictures of objects that had been tremendous considerably absent. With the 2nd telephoto lens, the camera takes far better portrait pictures and it does a far better work at smoothing out difficult spots like hair and fur than just before. The camera’s handling white stability is also on the nose. Pictures I took underneath yellow, warm lighting would arrive out as if they had been taken in white light-weight. In addition, the two sliders to regulate shadows and highlights give me a practical additional layer of manage. In short, the Pixel four XL is a single of my most loved phones when it arrives to making use of the camera.
Pixel’s lowlight mode (regarded as Evening Sight) is even now amazing, brightening up and sharpening dark scenes. I didn’t get a probability to test the astrophotography mode because I was in New York and could not get to an location dark enough to take star pictures, but my colleague, Juan Garzon was in a position to capture some. Stay tuned while, because we are going to do a ton far more camera testing with the Pixel four XL in the coming times and months.
Pixel four XL design and style
Showcasing a distinguished camera bump and a new orange coloration known as Oh So Orange, the Pixel four XL has an expansive 6.3-inch display screen that lets you comfortably view videos or perform video games. In contrast to the Pixel 3 XL ($458 at Amazon), the Pixel four XL doesn’t have a notch. Even though this suggests its top rated bezel is now thicker, it also suggests you can delight in seeing information on a seamless, uninterrupted display screen.
The huge exhibit also will make use of the a lot quicker refresh price. The Pixel four and four XL’s shows refresh at a price of 90 times a 2nd, whilst most phones refresh 60 times a 2nd. This just isn’t completely new — the OnePlus 7T and the Razer Mobile phone 2 ($800 at Amazon) have respective 90Hz and 120Hz shows. But refreshing far more normally suggests playing video games and scrolling via webpages and applications feels far more fluid. Looking at this on a greater display screen will make the update that a lot far more visible.
Pixel four XL performance and battery
The Pixel four XL options the Snapdragon 855 chipset. Like the Pixel four, the cellular phone experienced no hassle with working day-to-working day jobs like launching the camera, opening applications and captioning audio. Benchmark scores of the Pixel four demonstrate that it can be equivalent to other Android phones of the similar class, but the Apple iphone 11 defeat out all the other folks with its proprietary A13 processor. (Take note: The S10 Additionally ($498 at Again Market) and S10E have the similar processor. We had been also unable to run 3DMark Ice Storm Endless on the OnePlus 7T.)