Google finally unveils the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G
UPDATE: Oct. 1, 2020, 5:57 p.m. EDT An earlier version of this article listed the Pixel 5's release date as Oct. 15 based on information provided by Google. Google has since clarified that the device’s U.S. release will be on Oct. 29. We’ve updated this article to reflect that change.
After teasing everyone with news of the Pixel 5 last month, Google unveiled its latest flagship phone at its virtual hardware event on Wednesday. The company also announced the Pixel 4a 5G.
The Pixel 4a 5G starts at $499 and the Pixel 5 starts at $699.
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The Pixel 5's build is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum and comes in two color options: sorta sage and just black. It features a 1080p 6-inch OLED screen with an 8-megapixel hole-punch selfie camera.
The Pixel 4a 5G isn't all that much different from its original model other than the addition of a larger display. The device now features a 6.2-inch OLED screen — an upgrade from its non-5G counterpart's 5.8-inch display — with an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The Pixel 4a 5G will be available in just black and clearly white. It's also worth noting that the 4a 5G incorporates a 3.5mm headphone jack while the Pixel 5 doesn't.
As for configurations, the Pixel 5 comes with 128GB of storage paired with 8GB of memory, while the Pixel 4a 5G also offers that same amount of storage but with 6GB RAM.
Both phones have the same dual-rear cameras on back — a 12-megapixel main sensor and 16-megapixel ultra wide-angle lens — as well as a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Google also introduced new camera features including Night Sight with Portrait Mode (for portrait mode photos in low-light), HDR with Bracketing (which will help brighten your shots), Portrait Light (to illuminate your subjects when taking portrait photos), and Cinematic Pan (for smoother panning in video).
Both Pixels pack the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset which makes 5G connectivity possible should you have coverage for it. That's an upgrade for this new iteration of the 4a, but the midrange chip is a downgrade for Google's Pixel 5 flagship — its predecessor has a Snapdragon 855.
While the Pixel 4a 5G has a 3,885mAh battery and the Pixel 5 has a slightly larger 4,080mAh (the largest on a Pixel phone, yet), both phones offer Extreme Battery Saver mode (which only powers essential apps) to increase battery life up to 48 hours. The Pixel 5 also has support for wireless charging, but the 4a 5G doesn't come with that capability.
Google also threw in a few additional features including screen sharing with Google Duo. Now, you can watch the same content simultaneously with friends and family on both devices. There's also a new "Hold For Me" feature — when you're placed on hold, the phone will alert you when someone is back on the line so you don't have to wait around.
The Pixel 5 will be on October 29. But you'll have to wait a bit longer for the Pixel 4a 5G — that's launching on November 19.
Topics Google
