Google pixel 4 review in Spanish (complete analysis)

We already have with us the smallest of the family, the Google Pixel 4 in which the brand intends to assault or at least get closer to its most direct high-end rivals. And the bet as always is clear, to make a powerful terminal, with a differential design and above all to have the best camera on the market.

These new 4 and 4 XL reminds us a lot of the design of the iPhone 11, with the rear camera module similar but somewhat more stylized and that finally has more than one sensor. The fingerprint sensor has been permanently removed to make way for advanced facial recognition, with the Titan M security chip and no notch. Let's see what gives the small version of the Pixel 4 with top hardware and Android 10.

Before continuing, we thank Google for having trusted us for giving us this smartphone to be able to do its analysis.

Google Pixel 4 technical features

Unboxing

This Google Pixel 4 has come to us in a fairly small box made of hard cardboard of good thickness and sliding opening as is usual in terminal cases.

Inside we find the terminal placed in the upper area and in front of us, while the rest of the accessories will be at the bottom. The mobile, on the other hand, comes in a protective plastic bag, while the rest of the elements are placed in molds or boxes.

The bundle has the following elements:

• Smartphone Google Pixel 4 18W USB-C Power Adapter 1M USB-C to USB-C Cable Quick Switch Adapter (USB-C to USB Type-A) SIM tray pin Quick Start Guide

We have more or less the same as always, except LG, the other manufacturers do not tend to incorporate headphones in their bundle. In addition, in this case the charging cable is Type-C at both ends, and although it includes an adapter, it will be a little annoying the day that this cable breaks because it is more common to find the typical USB-C - USB-A.

Bold exterior design

Manufacturers increasingly seek to differentiate themselves from the competition, and it is a rule of thumb for smartphones due to the strong competition there is. The American manufacturer has made a very different bet with the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL, we may like it or not, but the new design is very far from the conservative style of the Pixel 3.

It is a terminal that this time, is built in glass on its lower and upper face, with an aluminum frame around the edge that keeps the terminal structure protected. In both elements we have Gorilla Glass 5 protection and as a whole it is waterproof with IPX68 certification, therefore it supports immersion. The measurements offered by the terminal are 68.8 wide, 147.1 long and 8.2 mm thick, weighing only 162 g. Tiny, and above all very light, which is partly due to its low 2800 mAh battery.

As for the touch, it is quite silky both on the rear glass and its sides, since the frame has a glosing type coating that makes it sit quite well in the hand. And especially this Google Pixel 4, for being a very small and manageable terminal. It will be available in three colors, ours, which is completely black and quite elegant and sober, another in “panda” white with a sensor module and a black border, and finally orange, with the same elements in black.

Focusing a little more on its different parts, we see a very clean rear area and we already say, with that rather matte finish, quite peculiar and different. But of course, what stands out the most is the sensor module located in the upper left, similar to that of the IPhone, although more minimalist in not having those “glass-ceramic” circles. In all cases it is black, the black option being the best option for us to hide it, in others you will like it a lot or hate it, there is no middle ground.

In this module we find a lot of sensors, although only two of them will be in charge of taking photos. What is missing? Well, the wide angle, both in the 4 and 4 XL there is not. In addition we have a focus sensor, the LED flash and also the microphone. Perhaps a very large space for what we really have in it.

Now we go to the top, where the fact of not having any type of notch stands out, which causes a useful surface of only 80%, even less than the iPhone. We have a 5.7 ”screen with asymmetric edges, leaving much more space at the top than at the bottom and some lateral edges that could be more optimized, which slightly worsens the sensations.

Google has a good excuse to have a top frame without a notch, and that is that we have a lot of sensors in it. Of course we find the photo sensor, which in this case is 8 Mpx, and next to it has also been installed a facial recognition system with extra security with the Titan M chip. Likewise, the speaker is also located in this zone in a traditional way instead of taking advantage of the upper edge like other terminals. Finally, another sensor has been installed for the Motion Sense system to gesture control basic functions such as calls or songs.

Ports and connections

The lateral areas of the Google Pixel 4 are not too crowded as we will see now. In the right side area we have the usual, the power and unlock button, and the volume up and down buttons. They are well located and easily accessible with one hand.

On the left side we only have the card tray, which in this case is compatible with NanoSIM and eSIM, so it is not a double slot, so it does not support SD storage cards. On both sides we have the pressure sensors for the Active Edge system and its “cuddly mode” to activate Google Assistant.

We continue with the upper area, where we simply find the noise canceling microphone. The bottom is completed with another microphone, audio outputs and the USB Type-C connector for data and charging. Indeed we do not have a 3.5 mm jack, something that is not new in the case of a Google flagship.

Display and features

It is time to start talking about what this Google Pixel 4 offers us in terms of technical characteristics, so we start as always with the screen section.

In both available models we have a screen with Flexible OLED technology with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, although adaptable between 60 and 90 Hz depending on the user's needs. We see very positive that both terminals offer this solution, since it is ideal for the hardware that arrive and its use in games. By the way, the "flexible" should not lead us to error since it is not a folding screen, it receives this noble for the adaptive refresh rate.

Well, in the specific case of the Pixel 4, this screen has a diagonal of 5.7 inches with a FHD + resolution of 2280x1080p, which makes it a density of 444 dpi, a little less than the 4 XL. The image format is 19: 9, and it has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. In terms of color performance, we have a contrast of 100, 000: 1 thanks to the support with HDR, and a color depth of 8 bits (16.7 million colors).

It offers us the Always-On Display functionality as is usual in OLEDs when implementing True Black technology, which basically turns off the pixels when not in use, thus giving a real black. In the upper area there is no lack of the Ambient EQ sensor to adapt the brightness to the ambient light.

Undoubtedly the best thing about this screen is those 90 Hz that fortunately more and more high-end terminals implement it and not only those oriented to gaming. Otherwise, the Pixels always implement one of the best screens on the market, and we believe that the level has been maintained in this 4th generation.

Security systems

We now continue with security systems, which in the Google Pixel 4 (and 4 XL) has been reduced to only having facial recognition. So sure are the guys at Google of its solvency and security that the fingerprint sensor has been removed as it also occurs in Apple terminals. Clearly this is the future trend of all manufacturers.

It's so good? Well yes it is, the system offers us a great authentication speed since it does not have any Pop-Up system, and it is also capable of detecting the face with practically any type of conditions, against light, at night, and even with glasses Sun. Something that we did not like is that it is capable of unlocking with its eyes closed , a major security problem that Google plans to fix shortly with an authentication system update.

To help the main camera, we have two infrared cameras to detect our face in more detail, and a chip called Titan M that adds extra security to the system. In general, the experience has been satisfactory, being one of the best on the market today as soon as they fix that unlocking error with their eyes closed.

High quality, worked sound

The sound system of the Google Pixel 4 consists of a double speaker working in perfect stereo. One of them is located in the upper part and the other in the lower rear area, giving excellent quality, with a high volume and excellent balance between treble, mids and a notable presence of bass.

It is quite positive to find the same system and benefits in the two models launched, giving us an extra in terms of multimedia consumption and gaming experience. The section is completed with a triple microphone system with noise cancellation capacity so that our videos are heard as well as possible.

A small change made over the previous generation is that it now does not come with headphones. So we will have to use or buy some separately.

Hardware and performance

As a good flagship, the Google Pixel 4 has a fairly strong hardware section and again there are few differences between the XL model and the one we analyze today.

This terminal has as its central core the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor along with an Adreno 940 GPU, we are struck by the fact that we have not opted for the 855+ version, slightly more powerful due to the increased frequency of its cores. Especially if we think that from now on practically all flagships will incorporate this CPU, which is a little closer to Apple's brutal A13. This 64-bit CPU has 8 cores, 1 Kryo 485 at 2.84 GHz, 3 Kryo 485 at 2.4 GHz and 4 Kryo 485 at 1.8 GHz, with 7nm manufacturing process.

But it is not everything, because it incorporates a second Pixel Neural Core processor that was already present in the previous generation and whose function is to execute the lightest processes in the system. That CPU is less powerful and therefore reduces battery consumption, for light everyday tasks is where you should get that potential.

Along with these processors, the Google Pixel 4 has 6 GB of RAM memory of the LPDDR4X type working at 2133 MHz as usual. And eye to this, we do not have any other version available, both in this and the 4 XL there are only 6 GB, which draws the least attention in the case of a high-end terminal. For storage something similar happens to us, since we only have two capacities available, the one we analyzed, 64 GB and the other 128 GB. Here we do not have 256 GB versions nor the possibility of expansion with an SD card.

Benchmarks (Performance of the Google Pixel 4)

Next, we leave you with the score obtained in AnTuTu Benchmark v.8, the benchmark software par excellence in Android and iOS terminals. In the same way, we will leave you the results obtained in the benchmark of 3DMark oriented to games and GeekBench 5 that evaluates the performance of the CPU in mono-core and multi-core.

Android 10 operating system

Without a doubt this is always one of the most important reasons to choose a Google Pixel 4 or 4 XL. Being Google, we have Android 10 Q implemented and with updates guaranteed for three years (and those that may come). It is one of the advantages, from the manufacturer, since they will arrive sooner, better optimized and cleaner without customization layer. We will also have the opportunity to test the betas before anyone else and mess around with the options that the manufacturer implements.

Among other options, we already have the interesting dark mode that will come phenomenal to save battery, which is quite important in this model. Also we have enough customization options for the launcher and Always-On Display mode.

If we subscribe, Google gives us 3 free months of Google One, thus obtaining 100 GB of storage. This is fine, but it is that before it gave us unlimited storage access to Google Photos, which we will no longer have. Despite being something almost unimportant to many, perhaps not having a huge storage capacity or expandability could have been a differential aspect for photography enthusiasts.

A bet similar to what LG did with its G8 Thin-Q, is the introduction of a gesture control system that Google calls Motion Sense. As expected, it is not a revolutionary system, since it will allow us fairly typical and "simple" functions such as changing the song, answering calls or deactivating the alarm. All this is done with a sweeping gesture of the hand above the screen. This system according to Google is oriented to what developers use it with their applications, although it does not seem too promising.

This system is complemented by the already well-known Active Edge system, with which we activate Google Assistant with a small squeeze on the phone's frames.

Google Pixel 4 cameras and performance

If something has always stood out the Google Pixel is in the camera section, and especially in the main sensor. With only one, the manufacturer has always done wonders when it comes to quality and naturalness, and that is that the GCAM application is the one that best treats and processes captures.

However, today other brands such as Huawei, Samsung and especially Apple, are almost on the side of excellence in execution, and also with greater versatility in terms of sensors.

Rear sensors of the Google Pixel 4

Let's start by talking about the main sensors of the Google Pixel 4, which this time offer us a little more variety compared to the previous generation, and it was about time. We have:

• Main sensor: 12.2 Mpx with focal aperture 1.7 to 77 ^or having optical and electronic stabilization to record 4K @ 30 FPS and slow motion content at 240 FPS. The sensor it mounts is a Sony IMX481 CMOS BSI type. Telephoto: 16 Mpx with focal aperture 2.4 to 52 ^or also with optical and electronic stabilization. It offers us a 2x optical zoom. In this case it is a Sony IMX363 Exmor RS sensor also of the CMOS BSI type. Dual LED flash. Spectrum and flicker sensors to enhance capture.

Wide angle is still conspicuous by its absence, the one that we like to use so much to take landscape photographs for example. We think that at least in the Pixel 4 XL version it would have been necessary, but both terminals have been left with exactly the same camera specifications.

The cutout in the human bokeh effect is very good. In animals it loosens a little more, but we know that it is quite complicated for smartphones today. We leave you a sample of our beloved "Chii".

Perhaps another issue that has remained pending is its recording capacity. Because this Google Pixel 4 is capable of doing at 4K resolution but only at 30 FPS, while at 1080p it does at 60FPS. Although the GPU has a higher capacity, the manufacturer has limited the FPS rate, we do not understand very well the reason.

Now we connect to the front sensor or selfie camera, it continues to be a single man although accompanied by enough technology seen in the security section. In this case we have one of 8 Mpx with focal aperture 2.0 to 90 ^o and fixed focus. Perhaps it does not have a brutal resolution like others on the market, but it stands out for its excellent amplitude almost as a wide angle thanks to that aperture it has.

Short battery for a flagship

We come to the final section, which is the autonomy of the Google Pixel 4. Although it is true that we have a mobile with a small screen and adjusted measurements, its battery is 2800 mAh. With this powerful hardware, a capacity of 3200 mAh, we think it would have been more consistent, especially because of how the competition has evolved in this regard.

As a good high-end terminal, you can not miss the fast charge to 18W whose charger is already included, and Qi wireless charging that is not reversible. The charge is made through a USB-C port and the included cable is actually of this type at both ends. Google has the detail of including an adapter to Type-A in case we need it.

And how long does the battery last day after day? According to our experience of use after two weeks we have obtained a total of 4 hours of screen, a figure that falls far short. With this Pixel 4 you go with the “scare in your body” every time you go out, and you will always have to accompany it with a powerbank. We do not understand how other users have been able to get 6 to 7 hours of screen use.: S

Finally we have the typical network sensors, such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac 2 × 2 with MIMO and Dual Band, not implemented in this case Wi-Fi 6 or 5G. We do have Bluetooth 5.0 + LE compatible with AptX HD and LDAC audio codec. To this we add GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo geolocation sensors.

Final words and conclusion about Google Pixel 4

It is time to value the Pixel 4 for its set. We have a terminal with very powerful hardware, rear cameras improved at the software level, a design that fits very well in the hand and a screen that is at the level of its competitors.

But not everything was going to be so perfect. Despite its size, we believe that Google could have opted for a battery with greater autonomy. Its 2800 mAh are quite scarce and we barely reached 4 hours of active screen with normal use. We arrived at a very just day.

Another point to improve is its facial unlocking system… We still do not believe that we can unlock the mobile with our eyes closed. Of course, we have been very surprised by its speed and its good work in night situations.

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The performance of their cameras is fantastic. In this there is no doubt, although instead of having a Zoom X2, we would have opted for a wide angle, we believe that it gives much more game. We have loved the results obtained both in daytime and nighttime situations. We believe it is the best camera on the market by far.

So is it worth it? In a price range (€ 759) where there are very complete phones, with a very good camera (not so good) but with a greater autonomy and better hardware. We justify the purchase to lovers of Google and pure Android, although we believe that the Pixel 4XL is a more recommended purchase. At least we ensure greater autonomy. Looking forward to trying it!

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ HIGH-END HARDWARE, BUT NOT THE MOST CURRENT	- LOW AUTONOMY
+ ERGONOMICS, WE BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF THE BEST COMPACT PHONES ON THE MARKET	- IMPROVABLE EASY RECOGNITION, ALLOWS TO UNLOCK WITH EYES CLOSED
+ HIGH QUALITY CAMERAS.	- WE MISSING WIDE ANGLE
+ NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY	- SCREEN FRAME UNBALANCED BY THE UPPER AREA. IT DOESN'T LOOK SYMMETRIC.
+ WIRELESS CHARGE	- HIGH PRICE
+ PURE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM AND 3 YEAR UPDATES

The Professional Review team awards him the gold medal:

Google Pixel 4

DESIGN - 90%

PERFORMANCE - 85%

CAMERA - 99%

AUTONOMY - 70%

PRICE - 75%

84%