The Google Pixel 5 is shaping up to be one of the weirdest in Google’s phone story. Not only is it expected during a global pandemic, but Google may be moving this new version of the Pixel out of the ultra high-end phone category and into a space hundreds of dollars lower than usual.
The pool of info surrounding Google’s next flagship phone is growing quickly at this point, even if we wouldn’t typically prepare for a Google Pixel 5 until October. With a September 30 event date now confirmed, this is all happening in almost real-time.
This is everything we know about the Google Pixel 5.
What is the Pixel 5?
Assuming the name sticks, this would be the 5th generation flagship phone from Google, following the Pixel (2016), Pixel 2 (2017), Pixel 3 (2018), and Pixel 4 (2019). Each of those previous phones came as two different models, a regular and XL. However, there is no evidence suggesting that Google will introduce an XL this year and will instead release a regular 5 only.
The name has been confirmed at this point by Google to be “Pixel 5” with a launch scheduled for this fall. They have never mentioned an XL version and we aren’t expecting one.
So far, we fully believe the Google Pixel 5 will separate from previous family members and no longer try to play in the high-end phone market. Instead, Google will use the Pixel 5 to play around the $600 phone price point by itself now that OnePlus has essentially vacated it.
At that price, don’t expect the top tier specs you get from Samsung phones. Google will make the Pixel 5 a semi-powerful, yet affordable phone that gets software support few others can match. They’ll likely focus heavily on the cameras they used too.
A specs list is starting to grow
A couple of months ago, the specs list was almost completely unknown, but now that we are days away from Google announcing the Pixel 5, we know almost everything. We’re pretty sure that the phone will run a Snapdragon 765G (or 768G), have 5G, feature a “best in class” camera, charge with wireless charging, and keep the elements out with water resistance. We could see reverse wireless charging too.
As this story has evolved in recent months, the most recent leak lays out a specs list for the Pixel 5 to feature a 6″ OLED 90Hz display, 4000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, Snapdragon 765G processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 12.2MP main camera with secondary 16MP wide-angle lens, 8MP selfie camera, plastic body, rear fingerprint reader, and wireless charging. It sure looks like Motion Sense is gone.
It really does appear as if Google is going to try to nail the basics at a really reasonable price and hope that’s enough for everyone.
| PIXEL 5 | PIXEL 4A 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Display | 6" AMOLED (2340x1080, 432ppi, 90Hz) Gorilla Glass 6 | 6.2" AMOLED (2340x1080, 413ppi, 60Hz) Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | 2.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G Adreno 620 GPU | 2.34GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G Adreno 620 GPU |
| Memory | Storage: 128GB RAM: 8GB LBDDR4x | Storage: 128GB RAM: 6GB LPDDR4x |
| Battery | 4000mAh 18W fast charging 12W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging | 3800mAh 18W fast charging |
| Rear Camera | -12.2MP (f/1.7, OIS, EIS, 77°) -16MP wide (f/2.2, 107° FOV) --4K/60fps | -12.2MP (f/1.7, OIS, EIS, 77°) -16MP wide (f/2.2, 107° FOV) --4K/60fps |
| Front Camera | -8MP (f/2.0, 83° FOV) | -8MP (f/2.0, 83° FOV) |
| Connectivity | 5G, 4G LTE 802.11ac WiFi Bluetooth 5.0 NFC | 5G, 4G LTE 802.11ac WiFi Bluetooth 5.0 NFC |
| Other | Fingerprint reader USB-C (USB 3.1) Stereo speakers IP68 | Fingerprint reader USB-C (USB 3.1) Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone |
| Case | Recycled aluminum | Plastic |
| Size | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0mm 151g | 153.9 x 74.0 x 8.2mm 168g |
| Colors | Just Black, Sorta Sage | Just Black |
What if the Pixel 5 is under $699?
With a Snapdragon 765G onboard and not Qualcomm’s over-priced Snapdragon 865, Google has an opportunity to price the next Pixel phone well below its competitors. There’s still no proof that it will, but a survey in May gave us hope that a $699 starting price is being considered.
The survey compared a Google Pixel phone with the basics, a plastic body, and a headphone jack for $349, to another phone labeled as “Premium Google Pixel Phone.” The premium phone would have the “best flagship” experience, a top tier camera, first access to Google features and innovation, and a price of $699.
For further comparison, we can look at other Snapdragon 765G phones to see if that’s even realistic. As it turns out, it is. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G released with the same chip, a large full HD AMOLED display, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging, and a quad rear camera system for $599. The OnePlus Nord is coming with (rumored) similar specs and a sub-$500 price. The LG Velvet could arrive within this price range too.
Retailers have also recently listed the phone with prices around 629 Euros. Assuming those are correct, they could hint at a price in the US below $700.
Should Google stick to that Qualcomm processor, ditch Motion Sense, and give us the rest of the goods, I don’t see why they couldn’t hit that $700 price.
What does it look like?
At one point, this part of the Pixel 5 rumor world got a little shaky, but we’re pretty confident in the Pixel 5 design now, thanks to several slip-ups by retailers who posted the device early.
The first image of the device came straight from Google, just as they were announcing the Pixel 4a. They told us that the Pixel 5 could be found in the image below and that it would arrive in the fall.
After Google outed the profile of the phone, the leaks kind of went nuts. We got an image of a real Pixel 5 in the wild next to a real Pixel 4a 5G (below), followed by a bunch of retail renders. At first, it was only a front shot of the black model, but the green Pixel 5 has now be fully outed as well.
- UPDATE SEPT 22: Retailer listings are starting to confirm a number of details. First, we reported black and green color options for the Pixel 5, but we also have two new images pulled from retailers that show the front of the device.
- UPDATE SEPT 24: We’ve got full renders of both the black and green Pixel 5 devices!
What about a release date?
Previous Pixel phones were all introduced in October and launched within a few weeks. The original Pixel and Pixel 2, were shown off on October 4, while the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 slipped a week or two. It’s probably safe to pencil in October for the Pixel 5, but if things change, don’t be shocked. Again, we are living through a global pandemic that has already caused the Pixel 4a to be delayed at least two months.
- UPDATE SEPT 1: Not that this means a ton, but the Pixel 5 stopped by the FCC today and confirms wireless charging.
- UPDATE SEPT 14: Google announced that September 30 will be Pixel 5 event day.
With that all said, during the Pixel 4a announcement, the Google France blog posted a pre-order date of October 8 for the Pixel 5 there, along with an October 1 date for the 4a 5G. They confirmed a “Fall” launch too. Once announced on September 30, don’t be surprised if orders don’t open almost immediately.
I still have my OG pixel.. only stopped using it a few months ago actually. I follow this stuff obv and always thought I would get “the next pixel” and they just keep ruining them..Honestly blows my mind how a company like Google can’t get this right.. seriously..
LEAVE the finger print sensor on the back like OG pixel. Literally perfect and makes the most sense and most people loved it. When picking up your phone your finger naturally is back there.. compared to having to pick up.. reposition hand.. and use thumb on the front.
I am not one of those people that cares about having a super high end phone with the best specs.. I want a mid to high maybe but I care more about being able to unlock the boot loader and have a good dev community because that’s how you can make a phone shine..
The biggest issue.. PUT A FUCKING BIGGER BATTERY IN THE GOD DAMN PHONE.. seriously.. this applies to all companies.. I bet you sales would skyrocket if one of these companies wasn’t scared to make a phone thicker and give someone 2 day battery life. Don’t re-invent the wheel.. do the normal upgrades compared to previous model.. good camera..don’t bog down the skin (samsung).. decent amount of RAM.. water resistance.. and a BATTERY THAT ISN’T COMPLETE SHITTTTTT.
The sad part is I hate iOS.. always have and never had an iPhone as a daily phone. I wanted to play around with things and you can’t do that with iOS plus I just don’t like it. Yet someone gave me an iPhone 7 for free and I got lucky and was able to trade it to T-Mobile for a 2020 iPhone SE for literally nothing.. so now I’m using that and actually not minding it. I still hate iPhone but as everyone knows the apps are usually better that android versions. Also it is nice when things work and you know they are gonna work… but no matter what I will end up back on android.. just waiting for a company to make a phone that is average size.. don’t want a tablet in my pocket.. good camera.. good battery.. and either stock android or unlockable boot loader..
tl;dr: I complain a lot
Too bad we can’t get more of a consensus from the rumors on battery size…
The phone is DOA to me if they recycle the SAME camera sensor they’ve been using. It needs to be upgraded, software can only do so much when it comes to hardware, and as awful as Samsung’s camera software is, their sensors are really incredible at this point.
I don’t really now what Google is doing anymore.
Tiny battery, hole punch screen and slow processor is a no from me. My Pixel 2 XL’s battery life is getting pretty bad now and it’s just about to the end of getting updates. It also sucks that it looks like it will be plastic. I really like the metal back of my Pixel 2 XL. I wish Google would go back to that but not going to happen with this stupid obsession with wireless charging.
Now I have to decide if I’m going to give up the Pixel software experience or hold out until next year and deal with the declining battery life and no updates.
if the screen is smaller than the 4xl I will pass. Would feel like a downgrade
It’s a premium mid-range phone so not meant to replace last year’s flagship phones….phones that were several hundred $$$ more.
Doesn’t look like there’ll be a flagship calibre Pixel this year.
Display expert Ross Young still insists that there will be a phone with a 6.67″ display. So I am still holding out hope for a Pixel 5XL or a Pixel 5 Ultra.
Google is supposed to be “working on” a 120hz display but I figured it’s for a possible Pixel 6 Pro model next year. That’s when Google is supposed to debut their first in house designed flagship calibre SoC built on Samsungs new 5nm EUV node.
What we know is *blows raspberry because google sucks this year
I don’t care about there being no XL version, as I like smaller phones. But for me to go from my 2XL to a 5, I need a fingerprint reader, and a headphone jack because I miss having one. If the 4a has it, no reason why a phone priced at twice the price can’t, (i’m assuming it will be at a starting point of $699).
“Last year’s Pixel 4 battery weighed in under 3000mAh – Google can’t make that mistake again, right?”
My Pixel 4’s battery is just fine. Calm down, dude.
Really? Not mine…can’t wait to be rid of it. I watch the battery deplete percentage points at a time….
How will the 765 compare to the Pixel 2’s 835? I am ready to replace my P2XL but need magisk, Verizon network support, rear fingerprint, and great camera.
I am on pixel 3 xl, but more and more I consider the iphone … I’ll check the iphone 12 pro and then see if I go for Pixel 5 or iphone.
The 765 is on par with 845. So it is a nice jump from the 835. I must be a pixel fan boy because I have the galaxy s20 and I am not really excited with it.
Those who have tested these chips are saying;
– “The Snapdragon 865 is the complete winner of the comparison, which is not a surprising thing. But what is surprising is the Snapdragon 765G which is even after being a mid-range processor, is capable of providing performance equivalent to Snapdragon 845. It is evident that it can’t perform as good as last year’s flagship but is almost equal to the second last year’s flagship chip.”
– ” Even things like 5G connectivity, new ISP and new DSP are some features in Snapdragon 765G that are better than Snapdragon 845. All because of being a processor of a later generation. The Snapdragon 865 and 855 are still in the top positions. But these comparisons prove that Snapdragon 700 series is for flagship-like performance in the budget.”
From what I’ve read, it’s probably around 845 for multicore and slightly better than 845 but not quite 855 for single core. Graphics wise though is where the 7 series chips take big hits. The 765 is probably between the 820 and 835. So if you play games, expect similar or probably slightly worse performance
This is the first year I haven’t been excited about the Pixel. I’ve owned every Nexus and Pixel device as my primary device. I started on Android with the Motorola Droid at the same time that @Kellex did.
I want the best and latest software that Google has to offer combined with the best and latest hardware that the industry has to offer. Now I have to look elsewhere.
Does anyone know of a high-end bootloader unlockable device out there? I’d want to install AOSP Android or something close to it because I’m not a fan of OEM skins.
Last year’s Pixel 4 battery weighed in under 3000mAh – Google can’t make that mistake again, right? RIGHT?!?
Camera, Battery, Storage…c’mon Googs
If they keep the specs similar to the Pixel 4 (only 6GB RAM, sub-4000 mAh battery, mediocre display, no wide angle lens, etc.) with a SD 765 SoC, they better not even try to price it over $600. Google has missed the mark on pricing and specs since the Pixel’s debut and they need to get real with at least one or the other, as I need to replace my 2 XL at some point this year and it looks like I’m going to have to go Samsung or OP if I want a decent upgrade to it so far since the Pixel 3 and 4 are barely any better as it is.
No XL, No Buy. I’ll keep my 2 XL for another year. Joke’s on them.
Pixel 2/XL was arguably the pinnacle of Pixel design. Every subsequent Pixel has been a letdown/step backward in some way.
Pixel 3 XL was still ok, the notch was a bit too big but was very identical to Pixel 2 XL design . The coolest thing about Pixel 3 XL was the ultra wide selfie lens. That is really nice, I hope the next pixel brings it back. Pixel 4 was such a let down… they focused in solaris for no reason, it is a “pixel” = imagine phone. They should have went with better camera and better screen… but noo, solaris gimmick was more important for them…
That 3 XL Notch was a disgrace and a dealbreaker.
why a deal breaker? I prefer the notch compared to the pixel 4 upper bezel. It is the same size of the pixel 4 xl bezel but without corners, and those corners hold information in screen. I know it might be a bit of a shocker the first day of use, but then you see that it isnt so bad and you get used to it. I like it more compared to pixel 4 bezel, but for me that isnt even the most important aspect… I like to take photos and what I can do with this phone is what matters. 🙂 The fact they removed the ultra wide from the pixel 4 was for me the only reason to stick another year with the pixel 3. If pixel 5 is what it is, then I ll probably stay another year with the pixel 3… but I am also considering the iphone 12 pro… it is starting to look nice and since they are adding more customization, I might not miss android if I switch.
A bigger bezel doesn’t obstruct content in the screen. A notch or hole punch does. Watching full screen video or playing a game with a notch or hole punch just ruins the experience.
The notch on the 3 is outside the viewing screen for videos idiot, it’s in the notification bar. The software compensates for a perfectly rectangles or square for the video.
That’s only true if you’re watching a 16×9 video that isn’t zoomed in. If you zoom or watch a video that is wider than 16×9 the notch absolutely does cut into the video. The same is true for games.
Here is a picture from a review of the Pixel 3 XL. This is exactly why I hate notches and hole punches.
https://i.ibb.co/L6xC19f/Screenshot-20200901-204805.png
Agree on that ultra wide selfie lens. I sold my 3xl and got the 4xl for the same price I sold the 3xl for, figuring it’s my backup / vacation phone and I wanted to have the best camera for that (plus, equal trade at the time pretty much)…yesterday, first day of vacation and tried doing a family selfie and WOW is that a narrow field of view! Yikes. At least the main shooter is better, but man yeah, they should have kept that ultra wide selfie cam.
For me it was the Pixel 3XL *despite* that notch….why? Wide angle selfie, WC and completely and utterly flat screen, plus I also loved the dimensions, felt GREAT in hand. Sold mine for same price I paid for the 4XL new from Google only because Astro photography on the 3xl came out in a weird centered circle pic rather than full screen (doesn’t do this on the 4xl) and camera improvements in general as I use it as my backup/vacation phone for pic quality, but was super disappointed to see just how much narrower the field of view is on the selfie cam than the 3xl’s ultra wide…overall sometimes wish I would have just kept the 3xl; again, despite the bathtub.
Selling the 3 for a 4 just to get better shots of the stars is dumb. You deserve that POS 4
For me it was the Pixel 3XL *despite* that notch….why? Wide angle selfie, WC and completely and utterly flat screen, plus I also loved the dimensions, felt GREAT in hand. Sold mine for same price I paid for the 4XL new from Google only because Astro photography on the 3xl came out in a weird centered circle pic rather than full screen (doesn’t do this on the 4xl) and camera improvements in general as I use it as my backup/vacation phone for pic quality, but was super disappointed to see just how much narrower the field of view is on the selfie cam than the 3xl’s ultra wide…overall sometimes wish I would have just kept the 3xl; again, despite the bathtub.
My 2XL is starting to get some chips & scratches on the screen, and the battery life is waning, so I’ll be looking to upgrade sometime around the end of the year. I’ll be waiting to see reviews of the 5 before I make the jump, but I’m leaning towards a OnePlus 8/Pro/T if they have a nice Black Friday discount.
Totally agree…which is why it was my last Pixel device. Google fell off after that.
“Google Pixel 5: What do we know so far?”
That Google will fuck it up.
This is a sad joke but oh sooooo true!
The rear fingerprint reader is a win. If that camera is significantly better than the Pixel 3/4 (the chipset can handle live HDR viewfinder), I will def go for it (unless the Nord pulls of a miracle in this department that is!)
Pixel 5 will probably cost you more than Nord. Pixel camera software is nice but it is starting to lose momentum.. I think iphone 12 pro and the nex galaxy note will be a lot better, also more expensive, but if you aim for the best, you will probably get the best best. Nord might offer a more versatile camera, more lenses, more modes, etc. Pixel phones are expensive and were just good because of camera software; battery sucked, screen too, materials felt a bit like a 300$ mid range samsung quality phone, number of camera lens were always minimal so save a few $ in production, gimmicks of squezzing and solaris were just gimmicks that people wont even use them on a daily basis because battery drain and because between saying hey google or squezzing a phone , or touching the assistant button wont make any difference.. Google in pixel hardware choices looks like a poor company trying to make cuts in costs when building a phone… but aiming really big on price. I am even surprised that they thought those phones would work to beat apple. lol. if they want to beat apple, they need to have a pro model with really good hardware and a software with a lot less bugs. Apple will always be apple, and when google thought they had a good camera, apple just crushed their dreams on iphone 11 pro, so I am really curious for the iphone 12 pro (me an all time android user).
I agree, also glad they are getting rid of the gimmicks. Def seems like others are posed to surpass Google’s camera performance, sure hope they step it up, would be tragic otherwise (for us android users) ☹☹
Will the Pixel 5 even be able to support the live HDR view? The Pixel 3 couldn’t support it.
All the more reason why grabbing the OnePlus 7 Pro for $599 was the better option IMO. Had 2 Nexus phones and the Pixel 2XL which was a great phone but the step back, the silly camera notch so glad I rolled the dice on the OP
So out of high end and hundreds cheaper. You mean Nexus?
I’ll skip pixel 5 if they take this step back, the front facing camera is top notch. Sure I don’t mind them taking out the motion sensor but everything else was good. I have the P4 so im fine on that front. So P6 will be on my radar cause by that time they might have their own chip.
Google has been rumored to have its own chip for years now.
Yeah but it was more official earlier this year
I’ll believe it when a phone is officially announced with it.
just buy an iphone , iphone 12 pro it is starting to look nice.. I am a bit tired of waiting for google to wake up. THey look like a startup company making phones.. cutting all costs, pushing the prices… but google inst a startup, they are a well known billion dollar company.. so they just play cheap with their hardware, and that is really low… consumers deserve the best.
Google said from the start they don’t care if they make money on the Pixel line. All they wanted to do was show what pure Android could do to inspire phone OEMs.