New Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A with 5G launched

11/10/2020

The Google Pixel 5 is here and it’s a huge shift in direction for the brand’s flagship phone. Pixel 5 being the flagship phone for the latest launch, while the mid-range Pixel 4a 5G has just been unveiled at Google’s Launch Night In event with 5G upgrade. The new phone goes further than simply adding 5G to the popular Pixel 4a – with some interesting new enhancements.

After months of leaks, the Pixel 5 is here and it might just shake up the phone landscape as we know it. This is a truly exciting device, but in a very different way to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or upcoming iPhone 12 Pro.

Google Pixel 5 specs and features
Before we take deep-dive into the Pixel 5, let’s quickly run through some of the highlights.

6-inch display
Snapdragon 765G chipset
Android 11 out-of-the-box
Physical fingerprint scanner
Dual camera array

Even though it’s been heavily rumoured, the switch from a high-end 8-series chipset to a more modest 765G might disappoint a few. But we think it’s a clever move and helps Google distinguish itself further from the competition as it’s able to offer its top-end phone at a far more affordable price. We’ve reviewed a lot of 765G phones this year and they’ve mostly been very capable. There’s also full support for sub-6 5G and strong gaming performance.

Google has paired that chipset with 8GB RAM and a base 128GB storage. There’s also the Titan M security module inside. Keeping the phone chugging along is a 4000mAh battery and there’s support for 18w wired charging, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

At launch, there’s not an XL version of the Pixel 5. This is a first for the series and will likely annoy those who prefer a larger device for gaming and media consumption. With the Pixel 5 you’ve got a 6-inch OLED panel with a FHD+ resolution. It’s nice to see Google keeping to 90hz refresh rate around, a feature that has become commonplace among Android phones this year.

The display stretches very much towards to edges of the phone and there’s barely any visible chin at the bottom. In the top corner, there’s a cutout for the front camera. Interestingly, there’s no in-display fingerprint scanner here and the Soli radar system used in the Pixel 4 has been ditched too. The replacement? A circular fingerprint scanner on the back.

Cameras have always been a key selling point for the Pixel series and we’re very excited about seeing what this model can do. The main camera remains at 12-megapixels, there’s OIS and an f/1.7 aperture. Next to this, you’ve got a 16MP ultra wide, which replaces the tele camera from the Pixel 4. Video can be captured in 4K and there’s a 8MP camera on the front.

Google Pixel 4a 5G specs and features
Google revealed way back at the start of August that we’d be getting a 5G version of Pixel 4 and, ever since then, there have been leaks aplenty regarding the new device. The full details have now been confirmed and we’ve gotten a Pixel 4a 5G that offers some impressive specs across the board, even if it may struggle against some strong cheaper competition. such as OnePlus Nord and Moto G 5G Plus.

However, Pixel 4a 5G certainly has the jump on specs compared to these devices:

Display: 6.2-inch 2340×1080 60Hz OLED
Processor: Snapdragon 765G
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Camera: 12-megapixel main sensor and a 16-megapixel wide-angle
Battery: 3885mAh
I/O: USB-C and headphone jack

While simply whacking 5G into Pixel 4a would’ve seemed like an obvious choice, the specs show Google has gone for something a tad more premium – giving the 5G version the same processor as the new Pixel 5.

Pixel 4a 5G also gets the same camera setup from Pixel 4 that is also carrying over to Pixel 5. The extra wide-angle sensor provides enhanced zoom capabilities, improved low light capabilities and, of course, a wider wide-angle option.

The new Pixel 4a 5G is only available in Black for now, going against rumours pointing towards a White model.

Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a price
The Google Pixel 4a 5G retails at US$499(~SGD $680) while the Pixel 5 goes at US$699(~SGD $953). However, the phones are getting a very limited first wave of launch, going to only eight countries on 15 October 2020. Out of all the listed countries for Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, Singapore won't be getting it by the first wave, and the next wave doesn't start until November 2020.