When Google launched the Pixel 5 last year, a lot of questions were asked about the strategy of not going with a flagship chip and settling for the mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 7y65G SoC. Although it is a fairly capable processor – and I can attest to it after having used the OnePlus Nord and LG Velvet – the Pixel 5 oddly returned some sub-par results in synthetic GPU performance tests. Well, it appears that the April security update that Google started rolling out yesterday has fixed that issue.
Andrei Frumusanu from AnandTech, who extensively benchmarked the Pixel 5 in January, noted in a tweet that the ‘performance has been essentially doubled’ and is now in line, or even better, than a few other phones with the same Snapdragon 865 SoC inside. While it comes a sigh of relief for Pixel 5 owners who experienced the performance bottleneck, it is surprising – and disappointing – to see that it took Google so long to fix the issue on its top-of-the-line phone.
Thanks for the ping.
I can confirm that performance has been essentially doubled from the scores published there, and in line or better than other 765G phones. Tested on Pixel 5.
Talking about the sub-par benchmark scores of the Pixel 5, here’s what Andrei originally wrote in his article:
“I’m not exactly sure what Google has done here to the Snapdragon 765, but something is definitely very different compared to other devices employing the same chipset. The Pixel 5 here posts significantly lower performance than a comparable LG Velvet or an OPPO Reno3 Pro 5G, with some of the scores even coming in at half performance.”
Andrei went on to add that the gaming performance on the Pixel 5 was ‘just horrible’ and that playing a modern AAA game like Genshin Impact was a ‘horrendous’ experience. And that even when the graphics presets were set to the lowest, the gaming experience was not up to the mark. Where the Pixel lacked in raw power, it made up for it with its clean software that frequently gets new features and a reliable pair of cameras.
However, the camera hardware is not as versatile as rival phones in the same price bracket, and competitors like Apple and Google are really closing in on the signature ‘Pixel camera superiority’ – if that is even a thing. Google is following in the footsteps of Apple and is reportedly going to equip the upcoming Pixel 6 with a self-designed chip made in collaboration with Samsung. It remains to be seen whether Google can outperform Qualcomm and achieve the same level of hardware-software harmony as iPhones.
Anton D. Nagy contributed to this iPhone 12 vs Pixel 5 comparison.
Apple and Google have a very different approach to their line-ups when compared to competitors. While most companies are deliberate about creating a distinction between what’s affordable and what’s not, Apple and Google are really good about blurring the lines for a reason I think others should consider: brand reputation.
The best way for any company to retain customer loyalty is to not water down the experience you get, regardless of the variant you bought. If you know the Pixel brand is known for photography and timely software updates, you expect it at whatever the price the brand is being utilized. To a certain degree that gives consumers peace of mind knowing that choosing a less expensive iPhone is not really a downgrade if what they lose is features they probably don’t care about, and not quality in the experience.
This is why the Pixel 4a and the iPhone SE are so popular. You can go cheap with the confidence that performance is speedy, software updates are guaranteed, and the camera will be better than most, and I think it was a learning experience for Google. To see the company skip flagships for a year and focus more on the experience is only proof of how Apple’s iPhone XR and 11 experiments worked. Success clearly lies in the midrange, but the 2020 approach for both companies is more than interesting.
On one corner we have the iPhone 12, what Apple will never call its mid-ranger, and also the closest kin to the company’s Pro lineup ever. On the other, we have the Pixel 5, what Google calls its Ultimate 5G phone, and yet another case of mid-ranger denial. Right now there’s a bit more than a benjamin standing in-between their price tags if you read the fine print. The biggest question is, which one is the best investment for you.
Software
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, part of your decision is already made based on the ecosystem you’re currently on. If you love elements like FaceTime, iMessage, your HomePod, or your Apple Watch, then you’re pretty much locked into your iPhone. Android on the other hand is a bit less stringent since pretty-much every single Google service works on an iPhone, and that even extends to their speakers and smartwatches. Unless you’ve made hefty purchases on the Google Play store that won’t follow you to Apple’s App Store, switching away from Android is easier.
I’ve always been more of a fan of Android’s versatility, but iOS 14 is making the competition tough, and it’s not just the widgets. I actually wish there were more of those six months later, but at least the apps I care about are now supporting this. For me, it’s things like the smarter App Library, and the smart hand-off that happens between products. Cases like how I still struggle to find a better smartwatch than Apple’s offering, or how much I love my AirPods Pro is proof of how valuable Apple’s Ecosystem is in adding value to any iPhone, cheap or expensive.
If only iOS had smarter services, because Siri is no match for the Google Assistant, and the widgets menu is no match for the Google feed. If Android is your jam, no phone does it better than Google’s own. From snappy performance to getting the latest version of Android on day one to the perks in notifications and home control with Android 11, to all the feature drops that Google is pushing out lately, this Pixel 5 is a true investment. I only wish it would be supported for longer, as Apple has already proven to be the king of this by pushing iOS 14 to its 5-year-old iPhone 6S.
Hardware
The hardware story is quite different though. Not sure if you noticed but this is the first time I don’t compare the best Pixel to a Pro iPhone. Not launching a flagship is kind of a smart move given our current economy, but if we’re to be fair, Apple’s mid-ranger compares to more modern flagships better than the Pixel. It has the same chip from its Pro models, supports all flavors of 5G, has the same connectivity, wireless charging, and IP rating. By contrast, Google decided to pick a midrange chip to cut the cost. It’s no slouch in things like 5G flavors and other forms of connectivity, and if anything sweetens the pot is offering double the starting storage than the iPhone for less money, and all while not skimping on wireless charging and water resistance.
I wouldn’t say either phone does better at 5G or any other form of wireless connection, but I do prefer the Pixel for endurance. The iPhone 12 is no slouch, but somehow Google can really stretch out its power pack for a tad longer.
I’d even say the Pixel has a better display. They’re both gorgeous OLED panels with vibrant color, contrast, and viewing angles, but the iPhone offers a brighter display at up to 1200nits that’s a hair taller and is protected by a stronger ceramic shield. Still, the Pixel has no notch, offers Always-On options, and has the 90hz refresh rate that Apple is already late to adopt. That said since the Pixel lacks an earpiece that can be convenient for phone calls in noisy environments, the iPhone does a far better job at its dual-firing speakers.
As for the rest of the build, even with Google’s choice for Gorilla Glass 6 at the front, the coated aluminum at the back will do a better job at surviving a fall than Apple’s back glass, which is horribly expensive to repair. I’m a bit more inclined towards the flat finish on the iPhone 12 and its color options, but the Pixel 5 in Sage is also quite the looker. The fingerprint scanner at the back is also more useful during this pandemic than Apple’s Face ID as we continue to wait for iOS 14.5, but I do wish Google didn’t remove the privacy features we had on the Pixel 4, as only the iPhone 12 hides your notifications on the lock screen until your face is detected.
Camera
The last claim to fame for these phones is photography, and this is the department where we see the most similarities in our iPhone 12 vs Pixel 5 comparison. Both offer an ultra-wide and a primary camera, and enough software processing to make their specs almost irrelevant. Each company is focusing more on giving you the most practical and automated point and shoot in your pocket, and I think both do a comparable job.
If the Pixel was first at computational photography, the iPhone has caught up almost entirely cause you’ll have a hard time telling them apart during the day. From dynamic range to detail, to even color reproduction, the results are nearly identical at whichever focal length you pick. There were a few cases where I preferred the iPhone for closeups, but very sporadic.
In low light, I think we’ve gotten to the point where other higher-end phones do better than the Pixel. I don’t think the iPhone 12 does better, especially when you switch cameras, but it’s not as if the Pixel is that much better. Obviously the further your subject, the lesser the detail on both.
Selfies and Portraits are the mixed bags where the Pixel does better in most scenarios and is able to capture more than one subject every single time. The iPhone struggles with more than one person, but then provides more natural skin tones in my opinion, even if I do prefer the Pixel’s crop or the lack thereof in portrait mode.
Really the video is where the iPhone just obliterates the Pixel. If you’re a creator looking for a B Camera or home movies are your jam, you should pick the iPhone 12. Even if Stabilization is on-par, the dynamic range and detail that Apple provides are second to none, though remember these are phones, and that only applies with enough light on both cases. Maybe where that’s most evident is in selfie video, where the iPhone has been slaying most Android Phones with 4K at 60fps for a second year in a row, while the Pixel is still stuck at just 1080p, and a very uncomfortable crop for VLOGGING.
To conclude our iPhone 12 vs Pixel 5 comparison, I agree, this is a very tough call. Software is a matter of taste, where I find Apple’s ecosystem to provide more value, along with its longer support in software, but then Google provides a more useful approach to services. The iPhone has more variety in the hardware, but then the Pixel might be more durable and gives you double the storage for less money.
Once you throw the camera into the equation, the Pixel is looking like a better option if you care more about photography, but if video is important to you, it falls really short when compared to the iPhone.
I know, it’s hard to pick, and I’m gonna surprise you by picking the iPhone for the first time ever, and the reason has more to do with commitment. You get more for your money with the Pixel, but for how long? Google has been fumbling around with its Pixel phones since the days of the Nexus a decade ago, while Apple is not playing around. The iPhone has been a driving force for smartphones since its inception. If you’re the kind of person that holds on to a phone for more than a year or wants a good resale value, I think the iPhone is a better pick. Just the simple fact that the chip on this iPhone is on par with Apple’s own MacBooks says a lot about performance in the long run, even if I’d stretch a little extra money for double the storage if I were you.
Google has just released the latest Pixel Feature Drop, which means a tonne of new features for its Pixel smartphones. The 5G-ready Pixels have landed a few new adaptive features and improvements, while the older Pixel smartphones have also received some feature updates as well. Let’s dive right into it:
Adaptive Features for Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G)
Adaptive Sound: This feature uses the phone’s mic to detect the acoustics in your surroundings and accordingly adjusts the sound output from the phone’s speaker by playing with the sound equalizer settings.
Adaptive Connectivity: The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) will automatically switch to 4G for tasks such as basic web browsing and social media usage, while 5G will be enabled only in demanding scenarios such as content streaming or large file downloads. Intelligently stepping down from 5G to 4G network is claimed to boost battery life.
says
Adaptive Battery: This context-aware feature starts power saving when it detects users are about to miss the usual charging schedule. Google says it also helps preserve battery health by variably controlling how fast the phone charges.
Google also mentioned that the latest Pixel feature drop further enhances the accuracy of GPS on Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) when users are walking. However, this enhancement is limited to a certain regions only.
New features for older Pixels
Google is also bringing some new features to the Pixel 4a and Pixel 3 series devices that were earlier limited to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G). The first one is Hold For Me, which makes the Google Assistant wait for you on the line when a business puts your call on hold, and once the person on the other end is available to speak again, it will alert users about it. However, it currently supports only English and is limited to the US market.
The latest Pixel Feature Drop also brings the Extreme Battery Saver mode to older Google smartphones. As the name suggests, it aggressively saves power by automatically limiting certain apps and prioritizing only the most important ones.
The redesigned image editor in Google Photos now shows new suggestions for tweaking variables such as brightness and colors, and has also introduced a bunch of sky suggestions to let users create multiple sunrise and sunset scenarios in their photos with a single tap.
Additionally, group video calls on Google Duo have gained support for screen sharing, but only if you are hooked to a Wi-Fi (or 5G) network.
Google has also added a new Google Lens integration that makes it easier to translate text during your web browsing sessions. When you open a web page that is in a different language, just enter the app overview for multi-tasking and tap on Lens icon to quickly see a translation of the on-screen text.
Users can now export the Now Playing tracks into a YouTube Music playlist
Pixel smartphones come with a Now Playing that automatically recognizes songs playing around you, and a record of these songs is saved under the “Now Playing History” in the Settings apps (Sound & vibration > Advanced > Now Playing). Now, users can export all those songs into a separate playlist on YouTube Music in a couple of easy steps.
Coming to personalization, Pixel smartphone users can now play with new icons, grid views and app shapes. Plus, they can also pick one from a set of custom wallpapers of famous artworks sourced from the Google Arts & Culture platform. These wallpapers will soon be available directly within the wallpaper categories in settings.
Earlier today, hi-res renders of the Pixel 5 surfaced online, supposedly giving us our first clear look at the upcoming Google flagship. Now, we have come across some juicy details about its internal hardware. As per an Android Central report, the Pixel 5 will feature a 6-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh and hole punch aesthetics.
But despite packing a larger display, the footprint of Pixel 5 will reportedly be the same as that of the Pixel 4a, thanks to its slimmer bezels. The phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 765G SoC – a departure from flagship Snapdragon 800-series processors we’re used to seeing inside the vanilla Pixels – paired with 8GB of RAM and 128 gigs of onboard storage.
There will be two cameras on the back – a primary snapper and a wide-angle lens that replaces the telephoto lens we saw on the Pixel 4 duo. While battery capacity of the Pixel 5 is still a mystery, the phone is claimed to bring support for 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging for juicing up accessories such as earbuds.
We first came across concept-based renders of the Pixel 5 back in July, giving us a glimpse of what Google’s next high-end smartphone might look like. Now, ever credible leakster @OnLeaks (in collaboration with PriceBaba) has shared high-resolution renders of the Pixel 5, alongside a 360-degree render of the upcoming device.
Image: @OnLeaks x PriceBaba
The Pixel 5’s unibody design appears to be a mix of two phones. borrowing the camera module from the Pixel 4 duo while the entire chassis is almost identical to that of the Pixel 4a mid-ranger, down to the placement of the fingerprint sensor. It appears that Google will equip the Pixel 5 with two rear cameras, likely a telephoto lens and a primary snapper. No wide-angle camera again? Come on, Google!
Image: @OnLeaks x PriceBaba
Over at the front, we see a familiar design with thin bezels on all sides (there’s still a chin though) and a hole-punch drilled in the top left corner housing a single selfie camera. The rear panel appears to have a rough texture similar to the sandstone finish on the OnePlus 2. Notably, it appears that Google is ditching the Soli radar system that brought blazing fast face unlock experience and spatial awareness to life on the Pixel 4, and is not warming up to the idea of an in-display fingerprint sensor either.
Just a few days ago, we came across a leak claiming that the Pixel 4a will be priced at $349, undercutting the iPhone SE by $50 in the US market. It appears that the $349 price for the Pixel 4a has been internally locked, or at least that’s what Google’s own survey suggests.
A Reddit user has shared an alleged screenshot of a Google survey that asks users if they’ll buy a Google Pixel phone that has a durable plastic build and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The price of the phone is set at $349, or $14.54 on a monthly plan. The asking price is squarely aimed at the upcoming Pixel 4a, if previous leaks are anything to go by.
The second question is about the “best flagship Google phone” that features a “best in class camera, wireless charging, and water resistance”, plus early access to the latest Google features and innovations. The description makes it abundantly clear that the phone in question is the Pixel 5. But what is surprising is that the phone will start at $699, while the Pixel 4’s base model was priced at $799.
