I don’t think there was a single aspect of the Pixel 4 left for Google’s to reveal at their hardware event today.
Almost every detail had been leaked ahead of the unveiling, which could’ve put quite the dampener on the event but has somehow buoyed the company’s competitive and feature packed offering.
The new phone, which is available for pre-order today, can be ordered with either a standard 5.7″ screen size or larger 6.3″ XL version and come in either black, white or orange colours.
The Pixel 4 & 4 XL can be configured with either 64GB or 128GB and start from A$1,049 for the 64GB Pixel 4 up to A$1,429 for the Pixel 4 XL 128GB. All significantly cheaper than the iPhone.
The new Pixel 4 also includes a new 90Hz display meaning smoother animations and better scrolling as its Snapdragon 855 brain pushes out content at the now available higher refresh rate.
There are only 2 cameras on the Pixel 4’s rear, instead of Apple’s “Pro” 3. You get a 12MP standard & 16MP telephoto as well as an 8MP camera on the front for selfies.
A array of new sensors compliment the phone’s cameras to now allow a face unlock feature to compete with Apple’s Face ID but the phone’s only true innovation is a new close radar sensor for Motion Sense.
The new sensor allows you to gesture to the Pixel 4 without actually touching the screen. Reviewers have had this demonstrated with a new Pokémon game that allows you to scratch Pickachu’s belly without grubbing up your screen. Other applications include snoozing an alarm or skipping tracks and whilst some pundits have balked the new feature I think it could be a killer one.
Headphone jacks are completely gone to the point that Google don’t even include an adaptor in the box.
Available for pre-order now, the Pixel 4 is shipping in Australia October 21st.