Google Pixel 4

Key Highlights

The Google Pixel 4 represents both the best and the most frustrating aspects of Google’s smartphone vision. Launched as part of the company’s fourth-generation Pixel lineup, the Pixel 4 promised innovation, but its execution left many scratching their heads. On paper, it’s a premium Android phone with cutting-edge software, intelligent features, and one of the best cameras on the market. In reality, however, it also became one of the most polarizing smartphones of 2019. The phone arrived with a compact 5.7-inch OLED display, a 90Hz refresh rate, and Google’s new Motion Sense radar technology powered by Soli — a unique feature that allowed users to control their phone with simple gestures. Unfortunately, this futuristic innovation didn’t translate into practical daily use, as Motion Sense felt more like a gimmick than a game-changer. One of the biggest disappointments was battery life. The Pixel 4’s small 2,800mAh battery struggled to last a full day, especially with the 90Hz display enabled. On top of that, the absence of an ultra-wide camera — a feature common in competing smartphones at the time — left many users disappointed. Despite these shortcomings, Google’s software mastery still shined through. The Pixel 4 delivered an unmatched Android experience with fast updates, excellent voice transcription features, and photography that continued to rival top-tier flagships. Priced at $799 for the base model, it was hard to justify when more affordable options like the OnePlus 7T offered better hardware. Yet, for all its quirks, the Pixel 4 had undeniable charm. Its minimalistic design, brilliant camera processing, and pure Android experience made it a favorite for Pixel loyalists. In the end, the Pixel 4 wasn’t a failure — it was an ambitious but imperfect step in Google’s evolving journey toward the perfect Android phone.