Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL rumor review: Design, specs, camera, price and release date - Phone Arena

Google Pixel 4 mock-up based on leaked information

We're well into 2019, and the fourth generation of Pixel phones is knocking at the door. There might be a few months until Google's upcoming flagships hit the shelves, but the first wave of rumors about them have already started vying for our attention and spiking our interest.

The tiny droplets of hearsay found here and there will surely expand into a deluge of leaks as the year progresses. So much so that it will be hard to keep track of everything at one point.

We created this Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL rumor review to keep you in the loop about the latest hot gossip. It contains every interesting bit of speculation about the future models, and we will be updating it with more juicy info as time goes on. So feel free to bookmark and check it every once in a while to stay informed!

Table of contents

How many new models this time around? Will we see a 5G Pixel 4 or a Pixel 4 Lite?

Good things come in threes, or at least that's what some people say. Rumors of Google releasing a trio of flagship phones have been abundant in the last couple of years. Supposed leaks started circulating prior to the announcement of the second-gen Pixels and also preceded the release of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. However, this year, it's not a far stretch to assume that the tech giant could release a greater number of handsets in a bid to take a bigger bite out of the market.

A mid-range Pixel 3 Lite and even a 3 Lite XL look set to break cover in the next few months. Thus, it's already extremely likely that we'll see the release of 3+ new Pixel handsets in 2019. A Pixel 4 Lite duo could also accompany the Pixel 4 and 4 XL at some point, even if they don't get announced at the same time. Moreover, the advent of the Samsung Galaxy S10e and iPhone XR could leave Google with no choice but to release a device that can compete at that price point.

Lastly, let's talk about 5G. In 2019, many carriers in the US and around the globe are expected to release the first 5G networks. This fact has been known for quite some time. It even prompted some phone makers to release models that support the frequency before such a network was even available. Since Google is expected to release its Pixel phones a couple of months before the year ends, the company has time to develop and introduce a 5G Pixel 4, at least in theory.

Design – An area where Google needs to step up

Alleged leaked image of the Pixel 4

When it comes to smartphone design innovation, there are two types of manufacturers – trend-setters and trend followers. So far, Google falls in the second category, and unfortunately, the company hasn't always impressed. No one can deny that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL are zippy performers with outstanding cameras, but they haven't wowed us in terms of design. The sizable notch and bottom bezel of the Pixel 3 XL seem almost grotesque when compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the newer S10, OnePlus 6T, or the iPhone XS. While the smaller Pixel 3 is more pleasing to the eye, it looks almost ancient in the age of all-screen phones.

Google Pixel phone with bezel-less display and stereo speakers. Image from patent

Fortunately, there are strong indications that Google will step up its game in 2019. A couple of patent applications from January hint that the tech giant is working on an all-screen phone. Another leak from just a few days ago indicates that the next Pixel devices might take inspiration from the "punch-hole" design of the Galaxy S10 series. Nothing trend-setting, but undoubtedly a better execution than Google's previous attempts. Let's just hope that this turns out to be true.

The latest alleged schematic also suggests that we'll see dual-camera setups at the front and back on at least one of the devices. This is quite a major change, so we'll cover this in more detail in the section below.

Now, let's turn our attention to the last interesting bit of information. The fingerprint scanner–traditionally placed at the back of a Pixel phone–is nowhere to be found on the leaked image. If this is truly the real deal, it could mean one of three things. We will see the digits reader either built into the power button of the next Pixel, or we'll be treated to a more modern under-display solution. The third option involves removing this form of biometric authentication entirely and substituting it with an advanced Face ID-like system, much like what Apple did with the iPhone X and later models.

All-screen Google Pixel patent

Camera: More sensors = more fun?

Pixel handsets have a reputation for being some of the top devices for mobile photography. Thus, we have no reason to believe that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will be an exception. The current-gen models were the first to boast dual front-facing cameras, and this time around, we could see two main sensors at the back as well!

Many manufacturers frivolously jumped on the dual-camera bandwagon to seem trendy and appealing, but Google took a different approach. The company stuck with a single main camera and still managed to best most of its competitors. This was done through advanced hardware and software that allowed Pixel models to boast an exceptional image-processing prowess.

However, the latest rumors indicate that the company might have decided to use two sensors at the back. The elongated oval shape of the camera module in the latest leaked image suggests so. If Google has been best in show with just a single snapper, imagine what two could do.

At this point in time, we don't have more specifics, but we'll make sure to update you as new information arrives.

Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL specs and new features

The Snapdragon 855 is expected to power Google's new Pixel phones

As any respectable Android flagship, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL are expected to rock Qualcomm's latest SoC – the Snapdragon 855. So far, information about RAM and internal storage is scant, but compared to what we have now, this area could see an improvement in 2019.

The current lineup features 4GB of RAM with a starting storage capacity of 64GB. To compete with other Android heavyweights, Google will need to bump the RAM to 6GB, at the least. The base model having 64GB of internal memory might be still acceptable if there was an SD card slot, but since these components are omitted on Pixel phones, we hope that storage options will start from 128GB.

So far, the only special feature spewed out by the rumor mill concerns an improved Dual SIM functionality for the upcoming models. The current and last-gen lineups carry both an eSIM and SIM card slots. But, these Dual SIM slots are Single Standby. This means that the eSIM and SIM card slots can't be both active at the same time. However, the new Pixel phones will be Dual SIM, Dual Standby, which removes this problem. Essentially, this will allow you to do things like receiving a call on one number and a text on the other. Dual Standby won't let you to be on two calls or have two text messages going on at the same time; however. For that, a third option is needed – Dual SIM, Dual Active.

Pixel 4 & 4 XL price and release date expectations

Announcement	Estimated release window	Google Pixel 4 possible price	Google Pixel 4 XL possible price
Early October, 2019	End of October, early November, 2019	$799-$850	$899-$950

Google has been hiking the prices of its handsets in small increments over the years. The base models of the original Pixel and Pixel XL had an initial MSRP of around $650 and $769, respectively. Their third-gen successors were priced at $799 and $899 upon release. This amounts to an average price increase of around $50 per year.

It's logical to assume that Google will add a further $50 to the MSRP of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL. However, we mustn't forget that the tech giant will also have to take its rivals into consideration. Both Apple and Samsung have included a more affordable handset in their flagship portfolio. The iPhone XR and Samsung Galaxy S10e start at $750 and will get cheaper as time passes. This could put the smaller Pixel at a disadvantage, especially if it costs $850 off the blocks. As such, Google could either stick to its 2018 price points or, as we speculated earlier, introduce a third, cheaper model to compete in that space.

Now, let's talk about the announcement and release dates. When will the Pixel 4 and 4 XL come out? It's very likely that the upcoming handsets will break cover in the first 10 days of October, as this is what happened for the last three years. Google also has a trend of releasing its phones a little less than a month from announcement, so we should expect them to hit the shelves in early November, at the latest.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, as more information about the upcoming flagships becomes available!

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