Google Pixel 4 Review: Features and Performance

Google Pixel 4 (2019)

Definition: The Google Pixel 4 is a premium flagship Android smartphone unveiled by Google on October 15, 2019, alongside its larger sibling, the Pixel 4 XL. Positioned as the successor to the Pixel 3, it introduced significant hardware upgrades including a dual rear camera system, Project Soli radar-based motion sensing, and a 90 Hz adaptive refresh rate display. Targeted at Android purists, photography enthusiasts, and tech early adopters, the Pixel 4 retained Google’s signature computational photography edge while pushing the boundaries of hardware-software integration—though it faced criticism for its limited battery life and high price point.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	5.7-inch Smooth Display (OLED), 2280 × 1080 resolution (FHD+), 444 PPI, 19:9 aspect ratio, 90 Hz adaptive refresh rate (switches to 60 Hz to save battery), HDR10+ support, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1000 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, capacitive touchscreen
Processor & Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7 nm), octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 485 Prime + 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold + 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 485 Silver), Adreno 640 GPU
Memory & Storage	6 GB LPDDR4X RAM; 64 GB/128 GB UFS 2.1 internal storage; no microSD card expansion
Camera System	Rear Dual Cameras: 12.2 MP Wide (Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4 μm pixels, OIS, PDAF) + 16 MP Telephoto (f/2.4, 1.0 μm pixels, 2× optical zoom, no OIS)Front Camera: 8 MP (f/2.0, fixed focus, Portrait Mode support)Key Software Features: Night Sight, Portrait Mode with depth control, Super Res Zoom (up to 8×), Astrophotography Mode, Top Shot, HDR+ Enhanced, 4K video recording at 30 fps
Motion Sensing	Project Soli radar chip (built-in); enables Motion Sense (wave gestures to skip songs, silence calls, or wake the screen without touching the device)
Biometrics	Front-mounted Face Unlock (3D structured light, similar to Apple Face ID; works in dark environments, supports secure payments via Google Pay); no fingerprint scanner
Battery & Charging	2800 mAh non-removable Li-ion battery; 18W fast charging (USB-PD, charger included in box); 11W Qi wireless charging; reverse wireless charging (4.5W, for topping up earbuds/wearables)
Connectivity	4G LTE (Cat 20, 2 Gbps downlink), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax, dual-band, MIMO), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC (Google Pay support), GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo, USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port, no 3.5 mm headphone jack
Operating System	Initially shipped with Android 10 (stock Android, no bloatware); upgradable to Android 13 (3 major OS updates, 5 years of security patches—industry-leading support at launch)
Design & Dimensions	Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 front/back; dimensions: 147.1 × 68.8 × 8.2 mm; weight: 162 g; color options: Just Black, Clearly White, Oh So Orange; IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 2m depth for 30 mins)
Sensors & Other Features	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, Titan M security chip, stereo speakers (front-firing), Active Edge (squeeze frame to launch Google Assistant)

Key Selling Points & Innovations

90 Hz Smooth DisplayThe Pixel 4 was the first Pixel device to feature a 90 Hz adaptive refresh rate OLED display. The panel dynamically switched between 60 Hz and 90 Hz based on content—using 90 Hz for scrolling, gaming, and video to deliver smoother visuals, and dropping to 60 Hz for static content to conserve battery. This set a new standard for flagship Android displays, matching the smoothness of premium competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S10.
Project Soli Motion SenseThe built-in Project Soli radar chip was a standout innovation, enabling contactless gesture control. Users could wave their hand above the phone to silence incoming calls, skip music tracks, or wake the screen without touching it. The radar technology worked through cases and in low light, offering a glimpse into Google’s vision for intuitive, touch-free interactions.
Dual Rear Camera & Astrophotography ModeFor the first time, a Pixel phone featured a dual rear camera system, pairing the 12.2 MP wide sensor (from the Pixel 3) with a 16 MP telephoto lens for 2× optical zoom. Google’s computational photography algorithms elevated the camera experience further with the introduction of Astrophotography Mode, which captured stunning images of stars and the night sky by combining multiple long-exposure shots—no tripod required. This solidified the Pixel 4’s reputation as one of the best camera phones of 2019.
Secure 3D Face UnlockReplacing the rear fingerprint scanner of previous Pixel models, the Pixel 4’s 3D structured light Face Unlock was fast, secure, and functional in complete darkness. It supported Google Pay and app authentication, matching the security of Apple Face ID while offering a seamless, hands-free unlocking experience.
Stock Android & Long-Term UpdatesLike all Pixel phones, the Pixel 4 ran pure stock Android, free of bloatware and optimized for performance. Google also committed to 3 major OS updates (Android 10 → 13) and 5 years of security patches—a market-leading support window that far exceeded most Android competitors at the time, ensuring the phone remained secure and up-to-date for years.

Limitations & Criticisms

Underwhelming Battery LifeThe 2800 mAh battery was the Pixel 4’s biggest flaw. Even with the 90 Hz display set to 60 Hz, the phone struggled to last a full day of heavy use (gaming, photography, 4G streaming). The Snapdragon 855 chip and Project Soli radar drained power quickly, making the Pixel 4 one of the least battery-efficient flagship phones of 2019.
No Fingerprint ScannerThe removal of the fingerprint scanner in favor of Face Unlock was controversial. While Face Unlock was secure and convenient, many users preferred the option of a fingerprint scanner for situations where face recognition was impractical (e.g., wearing a mask, using the phone in bed).
High Price PointWith a starting price of **$799 (64 GB)** in the U.S., the Pixel 4 was significantly more expensive than its predecessor, the Pixel 3 ($799 for the 128 GB model). This placed it in direct competition with premium flagships like the iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy Note 10, but it lacked some of their features (e.g., larger battery, expandable storage).
Limited Telephoto Camera CapabilitiesThe 16 MP telephoto lens only offered 2× optical zoom, falling short of competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S10 (3× optical zoom) and iPhone 11 Pro (5× optical zoom). Digital zoom beyond 2× also resulted in noticeable quality loss, despite Google’s Super Res Zoom algorithms.

Release & Market Performance

Launch Date: October 24, 2019 (U.S., Canada, Europe, India, Australia, and select Asian markets).
Pricing: $799 (64 GB), $899 (128 GB) (U.S. unlocked); £669 (64 GB) in the UK, ₹73,999 (64 GB) in India.
Sales: The Pixel 4 underperformed compared to expectations, largely due to its high price and poor battery life. Consumers preferred the more affordable Pixel 3a series or competitors with better battery performance, leading Google to discount the Pixel 4 heavily within months of launch.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2020 with the launch of the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5, which prioritized battery life and affordability over experimental features like Project Soli.

Legacy

The Google Pixel 4 is remembered as a bold, experimental flagship that pushed the boundaries of smartphone technology, even if some of its innovations (like Project Soli) did not catch on with mainstream users. It set a new standard for computational photography with Astrophotography Mode and demonstrated Google’s commitment to long-term software support— a legacy that continues to define the Pixel lineup today. While its battery life and price held it back, the Pixel 4 remains a favorite among Android enthusiasts for its clean software, excellent camera, and unique gesture control features.