Google’s Launch Night In event unveiled many interesting new products, most notably two new smartphone models: the Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G.
The Pixel 5 is Google’s new midrange device. Its 6-inch OLED screen, made with Gorilla Glass 6, has a 2340×1080 display and HDR support. The casing is IP68-certified, 100% recycled aluminum, making it water- and dustproof. Its front camera is 8-megapixels, while its rear camera is 12.2-megapixels; this main camera is capable of recording 1080p video at up to 240fps, or 4k videos up to 60fps, while the front camera caps at 1080p and 30fps. A touch sensor on the back enables fingerprint reading.
Internally, the Pixel 5 has a 4080mAh battery (up considerably from the Pixel 4’s 2800mAh) and 128GB of internal memory. It utilizes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G processor – not as strong as the Snapdragon 855 in the Pixel 4 XL, but the Pixel 5 offers 8GB of RAM instead of the Pixel 4 XL’s 6GB. A standard suite of connectivity options is included: LTE, 5G, Bluetooth 5.0, NTC, and dual-band gigabit WLAN. Two speakers and three microphones round out the package.
Notably absent is the radar chip from last year’s Pixel 4 models. This enabled gesture commands for hands-free operation, but as noted in our Pixel 4 XL review, these worked better on paper than in practice.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 4a 5G is the 5G-enabled version of Google’s budget model, and shares many stats with the Pixel 5. It has a slightly larger screen at 6.2 inches, and the same resolution, but features a lesser grade of Gorilla Glass coating. Its casing is polycarbonate and not waterproof, however. In the battery department, the 5G model has a stronger battery, offering 3800mAh – up from the Pixel 4a’s 3100mAh. Like the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a 5G will use the Snapdragon 765 chip, but with 6GB of RAM.
Alongside the Pixel 5, Google announced their new $69 Chromecast. While the new Chromecast comes with many new features—including a “universal watchlist” which allows you to search for movies via Google search on computers and other devices, and mark them for later viewing—the most notable feature is the inclusion of a remote control.
The stream took a moment to focus on the interplay between the Pixel 4a 5G and Stadia. YouTuber DashieGames demonstrated the new smartphone’s display and praised Stadia’s high framerates while playing Immortals: Fenyx Rising.
In Canada, the Pixel 5 will cost $799, and the Pixel 4a 5G will cost $679. Both phones will be available as early as October 15.
