This article will be updated regularly with new information on the Google Pixel 4 & Pixel 4 XL - all of official teasers, credible leaks, rumors and insider claims - as it becomes available in the run-up to the upcoming Android smartphone release. The last update was on July 11.
Google is expected to announce two new flagship phones within two months, the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Despite the fact that the announcement of these two phones may be months away, we have already seen some rumors and leaks, not to mention that Google has already confirmed part of the design of the phone.
The Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are expected to launch sometime in October, with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL arriving in October last year. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL both had their fair share of software-related issues, not to mention that the Pixel 3 XL wasn't quite a pretty phone.
However, Google may want to correct the mistakes it made last year with its Pixel 4 series on these two fronts. Based on what we've seen so far, the Pixel 4 series might not be looking classy to some of us, but that would still be an improvement over the Pixel 3 series. In any case, we'll talk about that, and much more in this article, so let's get started.
Google has already confirmed part of the Pixel 4 design
Last June, Google already tweeted an image that appears on the back of the Pixel 4. The company used the "Pixel4" hashtag when it tweeting this, so Flat out confirmed the design of the back of the phone.
Given that Google did not use the "Pixel4XL" hashtag, the public phone may indicate that the two phones will look the same, at least from the back, which is not surprising at all, that was the case with the Pixel 3 series as well.
In any case, the Pixel 4 series will include three cameras on the back, apparently. If you take a look at the image shown above, you will notice that there are two cameras on the left and right side of the camera unit on the back, while a third camera is placed on the top. This third sensor is much smaller than regular camera sensors, and it can be 3D (flight time unit). At the bottom of the camera unit is the LED flash.
The back of the phone will be flat, but the edges, the frame of the phone, will be curved. The camera setup will appear slightly on the back, and the company logo will sit on the bottom of the back of the phone.
The Google Pixel 4 XL has already appeared in renders, in both video and photo formats. These renders showed the same design for a shared Google share, of course, but they also revealed the design of the front side of the phone, along with some other details.
If the leaked renders are accurate, Google's Pixel 4 XL will have a very thin "chin" at the bottom of the screen, but its "forehead" will be very thick. The upper frame of the phone will be noticeably thinner than the lower part, which is a somewhat strange choice on the part of Google, assuming that the leaked renders are accurate.
All physical keys will be located on the right side of the phone, while a USB Type-C port will be included on the bottom. A set of front speakers will return to this device, while a 3.5mm headphone jack will not be included on the device.
It is also worth noting that the Pixel 4 appeared in a real life photo. The device was on, at the time, but the camera setup on the back removed it.
Not much information has emerged regarding the specifications of the Pixel 4 series, but it is safe to assume that both Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will be equipped with Snapdragon 855 64-bit octa-core processor. Google uses Qualcomm's flagship processors every year for its flagship smartphone series, and this year will not be different from this year.
One of the people who participated in the Pixel 4 XL display noticed that the phone will have a 6.25-inch display, and it will be 160.4 x 75.2 x 8.2-9.3mm in width. The Pixel 4 screen will be significantly smaller than this, so it is possible that we will have a 5.5 inch or 5.6 inch screen, although no information about it has emerged.
Android Q will be preinstalled on both phones, of course, while both devices are expected to use OLED panels. The Pixel 4 may include a FullHD + panel, while the Pixel 4 XL will definitely ship with a QHD + display.
Google is expected to include a minimum of 6 GB of RAM in these two smartphones, as the flagship Pixel 3 series has encountered some serious issues with RAM management. The truth is, Google's software is to blame, at least in part, but if the company had included 6GB of RAM from the start, many of these problems could have been avoided.
Both devices are expected to feature an in-display fingerprint scanner, rated IP68 for water and dust resistance. Fast charging will be part of the package, and the same goes for wireless charging, although we're still not sure how quickly the two phones will be able to charge.
The flagship Pixel 4 is expected to feature five cameras
Every Pixel device that the company has launched is considered to be among the best camera phones on the market. The same will likely happen with the Pixel 4 series, because the Pixel 3 series is still at the top, and the Pixel 4 is expected to bring some noticeable improvements to the table.
The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are expected to ship, assuming they'll offer the same camera setup, with at least five cameras, based on rumors and leaks. Three of these cameras will be placed on its back, while the other two will sit on top of the phone screen.
Now, if you are wondering about the secondary cameras in the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, it looks like we will have a telephoto unit. Initial rumors indicated that it will be an ultra-high-angle camera, but the Google Camera 6.3 icon from Android Q Beta 5 indicates otherwise.
Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will have a fairly large front, if the leaked images are supposed to be. We already know that two cameras will be included there, and one speaker.
On top of that, you can expect to include your regular smartphone sensors, but do we get something else? Advanced face-scanning technology perhaps, or some kind of airy gesture? Well, it is possible, the Android Q code revealed that advanced face scanning support is in place, but it could be there for third-party OEMs, not Google.
If we had to guess, we'd say advanced face scanning won't be included, but some airy gestures might appear. A recent rumor hinted that Google may include a Project Soli radar chip, which was first introduced in 2015. If Google chooses to include this chip, the phone may allow you to skip the media playback and silence it using gestures, and this is just one example of what this could use to.
What is new in the software?
As most of you know, Google's Pixel devices usually get some good stuff on top of vanilla Android, and that will be the case with the Pixel 4 series as well. If you should believe the leaked code, the Pixel 4 devices might be able to capture a wider color gamut, and so could the Google Camera.
Moreover, Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL may ship with theme support. Pixel Themes app will come to Play Store according to the leaked code, and it will allow you to change highlight color, icon shapes, quick settings icons, fonts, and much more.
Dynamic system updates will also appear to be part of the package. DSU allows you to dual-boot a General System Image (GSI) without opening the bootloader or wiping your data.
Desktop mode may also come to Pixel 4 devices. Google is working on a competitor to Samsung DeX, and such a mode may appear on the desktop for the first time in its upcoming flagships, at least the leaked icon indicates this.
Some additional goodies may be included, such as "Screen Attention" for example, a competitor to "Smart Stay" from Samsung and so on.
Will the Pixel 4 series be too expensive?
Well, yes, it is very likely. The Pixel 4 starts at $ 749 or $ 799 in the US, and price tags will go up to at least $ 1,000, depending on the model. Hopefully, the base model of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will have at least 6 GB of RAM and at least 128 GB of storage, but it remains to be seen what happens.
The Google Pixel 4 series is expected to arrive in October, if the company plans to stick to its release cycle ... However, it can be said that Google may choose to launch both devices soon this time. Google might aim for its launch date in early September, due to the arrival of the iPhone 11, or whatever Apple picks to call. We'll see, more information about that will likely appear soon, and we'll keep you updated.
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