Google Pixel 5 Review
Google Pixel 5 is a stunning phone that you can’t help but buy
I find the Google Pixel 5 confusing because it is both a great phone and a strange phone. We are conditioned to believe that a newer version of something will be better than its predecessor. This is often the case.
The Pixel 5 is $100 cheaper than the Pixel 4 at $699. The new Pixel features a larger battery, wireless reverse charging, 128GB base storage, a new ultrawide lens, and 5G connectivity.
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The Pixel 5 isn’t necessarily better. Google has decided to use a lower-tier chipset to save costs and dropped some of its more unique and advanced features like 3D Face Unlock. It’s also hard to discuss Google’s newest range-topping phone without mentioning its $200-cheaper sibling, the Pixel 4a 5G. This phone has the same processor and camera as the Pixel 5, competing in most critical areas.
Best unlocked Android phones: Where the Pixel 5 ranks
Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: Biggest differences to expect
Google Pixel 5 Review: Price and availability
The Pixel 5 is priced at $699 and comes with 128GB storage. Google doesn’t offer a higher storage version, and the Pixel 5 does not support microSD cards. This gives you more space for your work. You can choose from two colors: Just Black or Sorta Sage.
Unlocked Pixel-5 can be taken to any carrier, AT&T, Verizon and Google Fi.
Google designed the Pixel 5 to connect to sub-6GHz, low- and middle-band 5G networks as well as millimeter-wave ones. This means that it will support all 5G services regardless of which carrier it is connected to. Despite being within range of AT&T 5G, I didn’t experience any impressive speeds while using the phone. The speeds I experienced were consistent in the single digits of megabits per second — your mileage may vary.
Google Pixel 5 Review: Design
You’ve probably seen the Pixel 5 on a Google-branded phone within the past year. Modern Mountain View handsets are extremely simple and minimalist in design. They have small holes punched front-facing cameras and very tiny bezels around the display. The back has a fingerprint sensor, a square module with dual optics and a camera module that packs dual optics. That’s it.
Image Credit : Amazon
The Pixel 5’s design is not perfect, but there are a few details that you should be aware of. The company’s less expensive devices use matte polycarbonate. However, the Pixel 5’s unibody is made from recycled aluminum. There’s a tiny hole in the back that allows wireless charging. The Pixel 5 is IP68 water-resistant, while the Pixel 4a isn’t.
Image Credit: Amazon
The reviewers have varying opinions about the Pixel 5’s finish. Some people dismiss the matte, almost caramelized coating that Google used on this phone’s finish as unprofessional. However, I am a big fan of unique materials, especially slightly gritty or soft to the touch. The Pixel 5’s finish is my favorite. Although I am unsure if the Pixel 5 is the most premium-feeling smartphone I have ever owned, such questions are subjective. It’s amazing what Google has done to give the Pixel 5 an earthy finish.
The Sage Green version that Google sent me is my favorite. This beautiful shade of green has some subtle speckles that give it an eggshell-like shine. The contrast between the chromed Google logo and the power button is stunning. It is possible for the coating to chip off in high-contact areas like the USB-C port. My Pixel 4 was unfortunately affected by this phenomenon. But only time and continued use will show how durable the Pixel 5’s exterior is.
Image Credit: Amazon
Another thing I love about the Pixel 5 is its pocketability. Everybody who knows me well knows that I love small premium phones. The Pixel 5 is no exception. To maximize screen real estate, Google has reduced the border around the device’s 6-inch display. This is the closest company has come to an all-screen phone. However, it comes at a price — the Soli radar chip and 3D Face Unlock stack, previously stored in the top bezel.
These components are missing from the Pixel 5, which is disappointing. The Pixel 4’s authentication system was phenomenal and much more responsive in our testing than Apple Face ID in the iPhone 11 or 12 series. It’s possible that it’s not as bad as you might think, given that most people still use face masks.
You’ll be stuck with the Pixel 5’s outdated rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. For an Android user of old, this is not a major deal breaker. However, I can imagine people trembling at the idea of entering a PIN code while their phone is flat on a desk. To pull down or remove the notification shade, you can swipe on the fingerprint sensor.
The Pixel 5’s design is very much a case of form over function. However, I don’t find it too bothersome as a result it is so attractive and compact. The Pixel 5’s weight is feather-light at 5.33 ounces. This makes it more lightweight than the Galaxy S20 Plus and iPhone 11 Pro. You can feel the difference the moment you take it out of your hand and compare it.
Google Pixel 5 Review: Display
The Pixel 5’s 6-inch OLED screen boasts full-HD resolution and a 90Hz peak refresh rate. You can also drop the refresh rate down to 60Hz by going into the settings. The refresh rate is not adjustable — unlike the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra screen, it cannot speed up or slow down dynamically to any pace. However, Google claims that the Pixel 5 can switch between 60Hz and 90Hz depending upon the content.
However, it is worth noting that the Pixel 4a 5G has an OLED panel with the exact resolution as its screen. The refresh rate of the 4a5G 5G is limited to 60Hz. This means that Google’s flagship fared better than the 5G option.
The Pixel 4’s panel had almost all these characteristics. However, this means that the display has not changed much. This is not a criticism at all, as the Pixel 4’s display was quite impressive. The Pixel 5 does a better job at keeping 90Hz at low brightness levels than the Pixel 4. This is an area that the older device had problems with.
The Pixel 5’s colors strike an outstanding balance between cartoonish oversaturation and muted realism. The trailer for Iron Mask was terrific. I was so impressed with the accuracy with which the Pixel 5 rendered Arnold Schwarzenegger’s stunning sideburns that I briefly forgot to laugh at the idea of Schwarzenegger sporting sideburns.
While the Pixel 5’s display is bright enough, it is not as bright as its competitors. It can reach 610 nits with adaptive brightness enabled. The Galaxy S20 FE achieved 679 nits, while the iPhone 11 ($599) managed 652 nits. Google’s phone managed to cover 128.8% sRGB, slightly more vibrant than the 122.8% for the Galaxy Note 20.
Google Pixel 5 Review: Camera
The Pixel 5 has a dual-lens camera that is both familiar and brand new for Google’s smartphones. The Pixel brand’s primary 12.2-megapixel lens has been around since the Pixel 2. Google mainly relies on software improvements to continuously improve its output.
However, the secondary camera is a 16MP ultrawide camera that replaces last year’s telephoto lens. Google was criticized for not offering an ultrawide optic but a telephoto lens that offers a slight optical zoom advantage in its Pixel 4. This was a wise decision. I think most Pixel 5 customers will find an ultrawide camera to be more beneficial than a Telephoto, especially since Google’s Super Res Zoom technology allows for lossless digital zoom.
Google Pixel 5 Review: Performance
Google’s decision not to use the Snapdragon 865 processor in its fastest Android flagships, but the Snapdragon 765G has left both critics and fans scratching their heads.
The 765G is not a poor silicon device. The 765 Series delivers a good enough performance in devices like the OnePlus Nord or LG Velvet. The skepticism comes from the position of the Pixel 5 within Google’s phone lineup.
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The 765G is also used in the Pixel 4a 5G. This model costs $200 more than the Pixel 5. To make things even more confusing, the new Pixel 5’s CPU is slower than last year’s Pixel 4 XL and Pixel 4 XL.
Google’s strategy in this area is beyond my comprehension, but that’s another discussion. What does all this mean for the Pixel 5? I am more concerned about how it affects its performance. I’m happy that this phone doesn’t feel as slow as some may fear.
Google is lauding that the company has increased the RAM on this device from 6GB to 8GB. This is more than what the Pixel 4 had. It also has more memory than the Pixel 4a 5G, which had 6GB. The 90Hz display promotes speed with every tap or scroll, even though the hardware underneath is more pedestrian.
The numbers aren’t encouraging, however. The Pixel 5 scored 1,617 points in the Geek-bench 5 system-wide test. This is a significant improvement over the 2,928 points scored by the Galaxy S20 FE. It’s also a reminder that the Galaxy S20 FE will cost the same as the Pixel 5. The Pixel 4 scored 2,329 points, which is an insult to the already-defunct Pixel 4.
Despite the 765G chip’s poor performance, you won’t find yourself using it for everyday tasks. Gaming is a more difficult task than that. The Pixel 5 exhibited 438 frames in GFXBench’s Vulkan Aztec Ruins graphics test for high-tier smartphones, averaging seven frames per sec. On the other hand, the Galaxy S20 FE? 1,325 frames at 21 frames/second. This is exactly three times more.
Our video encoding test is a better way to judge real-world performance. We ask devices to transcode a 4K video clip into 1080p using Adobe’s Premiere Rush. This was completed by the iPhone 11 in 46 seconds. The Pixel 5 took 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
You can still play Pixel 5 games, but they won’t look as good or run as smooth as on a more powerful device. I can play asphalt 9 on the Pixel 5, but I would rather play the arcade racer on the phone, such as the OnePlus 8T, which has the power to run the demanding title at 120Hz.
The Pixel 5 isn’t slow, and I doubt that most users will notice the lack of power. However, at $700, you get the best value for money. After two to three years, things can slow down. I prefer something more powerful than the one I had at the beginning.
Google Pixel 5 Review: Battery life and charging
The battery life of previous Pixel phones has been a problem. So the Pixel 5’s 4,080-mAh power packs will hopefully help to alleviate those worries. This is nearly 1300 mph more than the Pixel 4. It must have taken a lot of engineering to squeeze such a large battery into such small dimensions.
The custom battery test Guide used, in which devices load web pages endlessly over a data link until they run out, showed that the Pixel 5 lasts 9 hours and 29 mins at 90Hz. This improvement of 1 hour and 26 minutes on the Pixel 4 when it runs at 90Hz. Some might argue that this is a poor showing considering the significant increase in battery capacity. However, it is essential to note that the Pixel 5 has powerful 5G modems and radios that the Pixel 4 didn’t have to deal with.
It is also in line with if it not slightly better than the Pixel 5’s Android competitors. The Galaxy S20 FE managed 9 hours at 60 Hz, but it was still a good result. If you tried the same test at 120Hz, it would be even worse.
You can also choose 60Hz rather than 90Hz if you want to extend the battery life of your Pixel 5. This test showed a 30-minute improvement.
The Pixel 5’s battery tests are only one part of the story. Google has packed the Pixel 5 with a lot of battery-extending software, including the Adaptive Battery system. Intelligently regulates power draw to ensure that the most used apps consume the majority of the power. A new Extreme Battery Saver mode stops all activities except those you consider essential.
The Pixel 5 can also charge wirelessly, just like the Pixel 4. This time, the Pixel 5 can wirelessly charge other devices using Google’s Battery Share feature. For an extra boost, you can place a pair of Bluetooth headphones with a wireless charging case on the backside of the Pixel 5.
Google Pixel 5 Review: Software and Special Features
The Pixel 5 comes with Android 11 as standard and will receive three years of significant updates. Android 11 brings some great features to the Pixel 5, including screen recording, bubbles in messaging apps, and the ability to grant temporary permissions. You can read our complete Android 11 review to get a deeper dive into all that’s new.
The Pixel 5’s software story, being a Google smartphone, is more than just having the latest Android version. Google once again has gifted its phones with intelligent features that take advantage of its expertise in artificial intelligence, such as Hold For Me.
Hold for Me does exactly what it says on its tin. You can use your Google Assistant to remain on the line and wait for an operator if you are placed on hold. You will be notified and invited back to the phone when that happens.
Hold For Me is only available for 1–800 numbers. Because many companies, especially the more humane, have systems that allow them to call you back when your turn is up, Hold For Me doesn’t seem as helpful as Call Screen or Google Recorder, which can stop robocalls from your behalf. It is practical, however.
Although I could not use Hold For Me in any real-world scenario during my review period, my Pixel 5 assisted me when I called a 1–800 number. When the Google Assistant detected that an automated system was calling me, it vibrated to remind me to return to the line. It was pretty neat.
Google Pixel 5 Review: What about the Pixel 6
We are getting closer to October 2021, and we are gearing up for Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro look vastly improved over the Pixel 5 in power, design, displays, and other aspects. The Pixel 5 does an excellent job at all of these, but there is still room for improvement. This is where the Pixel 6 series steps in.
The Tensor system-on-chip, which Google designed, is undoubtedly the main feature of the new Pixel phones. This is the first time Google has used its silicon to make a Pixel phone. It could be the beginning of something unique. Along with AI and machine-learning power, Tensor could enable Google to support the Pixel 6/6 for five years.
The Pixel 6 Pro will also have three cameras, a wide-angle, ultrawide and a 4x Telephoto. We love the Pixel 5’s camera. But, the Pixel 6 Pro seems to be going up the ante. We are eager to see the Pixel 6 Pro.
Google Pixel 5 review: Verdict
The Pixel 5 is a great phone, but it isn’t easy to justify buying one at its total price.
Phone makers are now competing for the $700 mark to attract buyers with top-of-the-line specs without charging them a lot. These phones are all very compelling, including the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, OnePlus 8T, and most likely Apple’s newly-announced iPhone 12 miniature. In comparison to these alternatives, the Pixel 5 is an expensive phone.
There’s much to love here, though. It is encouraging to see Google finally taking battery life seriously after so many years of dismissing it. Google’s Pixel has a refreshingly modern, compact, and cute aesthetic that I love, despite the sea of garish, bulky slabs.
A phone is more than a fashion accessory or a camera. Can find the fantastic camera on pixel 5 in the $499 Pixel 5a 5G. Or, the 349 Pixel 4a. The Pixel 4a 5G has the same dual-camera array and processor as the Pixel 5 but costs $200 less. If you are looking for a 5G phone, the Pixel 5 is hard to beat.
The software is what makes Pixel phones so popular. Google has done a great job making it available in cheaper phones. Google’s ambition almost negated any reason to buy a Pixel 5, unfortunately.
