Google Pixel 5 smartphone review: between luxury and budget

Once again, Google is making its way into the wireless networking market. In October 2020, the release of the Google Pixel 5 is coming and, judging by the preliminary information, the phone will turn out to be “not anyhow, but golden!”, Because the price is like for the premium segment.

Will the brand be able to surprise whimsical buyers? Compatriots Google at the stage of the announcement was divided into two camps. Some recall with horror the first, raw and unfinished versions with a crazy price tag, as well as the Windows Phone line, which is inconvenient in all plans, simultaneously denying the offers of companies associated with programs, while others have long been ready to buy a smartphone and try all the functions.

The main questions of this article:

• Are megapixels really that important in a camera?
• Why is Google stingy on batteries?
• Is the phone worth the price tag?

Brief summary of earlier versions

Are foreign users right about the Google Pixel line or are they already oversaturated with the richness of the assortment? To be convinced or refute this opinion, it is worth returning to the origins.

Already the first model showed that Google is not going to save on products and spoil its reputation. The line was opened by a compact, but nimble Google Pixel, in which the processor clock speed reached 2.15 GHz back in 2016. Of course, then it was not necessary to talk about beautiful design and ergonomics.

Subsequent versions of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL also picked up on the bright trends. For example, the brand did not stint on a high-quality OLED matrix and timely updates to the newly released Android 8 and 9 OS, but the battery still turned out to be the weak link of the entire line.

Is it worth it to guess what stood out Pixel 3 spring 2019? At this time came the peak of huge smartphones with backs dotted with cameras from 64 to 2 MP of all sorts. The screen resolution in the model is 2220×1080 pixels, which is still a huge indicator for phones.

There is a pattern here: the 2016 models are powerful, the 2017 models are with high-quality materials, the 2018-2019 models are overall and with a good camera.

Will 2020 eliminate poor battery life and cheap design in one go? The investigation has begun.

Design

You can understand that Google in 2020 has fully approached the redesign of the Pixel from the first glance at the new model. The happy owners of this smartphone will probably be haunted all the time by the question: “Is this an iPhone?”.

The influence of the American sister brand is visible here with the naked eye. Starting with exquisite dimensions.Of course, there are no official numbers yet, but the convenience of the Google Pixel 5 can be judged by the screen, which does not even reach 6 inches. Already with the latest releases of Xiaomi and Oppo, where the screen is getting closer to 7 inches, it cannot compete.

The first touch, however, will send users back on a tight budget. The front part is covered with tempered glass with Gorilla Glass 3, which in general will pass for protection. In the same place, in the upper left corner, there is a selfie camera in the form of a sphere. The back is represented by matte plastic and there are a lot of minuses here. After all, every imprint of imperfectly clean hands will definitely remain on the phone (another reason to wash them!), And any interaction of Pixel 5 (without a case) in a pocket with keys will also appear. And for lovers of aesthetics, a cheap case will certainly spoil the impression.

In addition to the small “G” logo on the back, there is a miniature 2-camera unit covered with a protective glass and a fingerprint cutout.

Only two cameras! The main thing is not to tell Chinese manufacturers about this.

Google's logic is amazing: there is a fingerprint sensor, but there is no headphone jack.

Equipment

The Google Pixel 5 kit can be summarized briefly:

• Talon, certificates;
• Charger;
• Clip for sim-card;
• USB cord.

There is only one color - black, but according to rumors, dark green may also be added by October.

Characteristics

Screen

A powerful screen is one of the main trump cards up Google's sleeve. Judging by the preliminary characteristics, the possibilities of the novelty are strictly between the luxury and the middle market.

It is worth starting the review with the matrix. At the heart of the Pixel 5 is an expensive Korean-made Amoled. It perfectly covers a weak battery, while giving a bright picture. With the addition of Android 10, users will open up a huge world of customization. Among the user settings will be available to change the color palette, night / day theme, as well as the inclusion of reading mode.

The screen resolution will be 1080 x 2340 pixels, with a total size of 5.8 inches.A pixel ratio of 441 ppi completes the high-quality and rich picture.

The screen refresh rate is 90 Hz.

Another nice bonus is the Always-on-display function, which displays the time up to seconds on the lock screen without losing charge.

Operating system and Pixel interface

The famous brand has never been fond of creating custom skins like MIUI or ColorOS. In this regard, Google has carte blanche, because it is quite difficult to imagine the existence of Android without numerous assistant applications.

Pixel 5 owners will get a whole range of unique applications, and that's not to mention the capabilities of the "dozens". For example:

• Automatic subtitles for any video with the ability to filter obscene language;
• Transcription of voice recorder recordings and keyword search;
• Own application for finding music;

The new version of Android will complement this list with a "concentration" mode, a complete analysis of application activity and nice widgets. Unlike Windows' attempts to create a convenient and austere menu, Google hasn't redesigned the interface so anyone can handle the phone.

Of the usual applications, there will be mail, a calendar, an engineering calculator and an audio player connected by a single account.

Performance

In addition, the Google Pixel 5 excels in its gaming abilities due to the nimble and popular in the middle market/premium Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor (with Game Booster support). Even such complex games as World of Tanks will be launched by the phone thanks to powerful process optimization.

The chip itself has a 7nm architecture with 8 cores. They are naturally divided into three clusters, where each core is responsible for its own process.For example, the first Kryo 475 Prime cluster with a clock speed of 2.4 GHz is completely devoted to games and heavy applications. The second Kryo 475 Gold cluster, not much worse at 2.2 GHz, will take over the processing of system tasks. At the pickup will be immediately 6 cores with a frequency of 1.8 GHz.

The general opinion of experts about this chip is positive. It implements the latest version of integrated Direct X graphics (12) and the Open SL feature to improve it. Users also appreciated the choice of developers, because Qualcomm is the guarantor of quality all over the world.

Interesting to know! The smartphone works with a 5G connection.

In addition to its power, the chip is famous for supporting an effective antivirus, as well as the possibility of out-of-order execution. A significant advantage for the ever-busy people!

autonomy

If for Koshchei the Immortal death lies in the needle, then for the Google Pixel of all generations it is hidden in a weak battery. In the fifth version, the developers broke a personal record - 4000 mAh. A real gift for fans!

How much is enough? For active users - this is no more than one day with constant access to the Internet, social networks. networks and additional applications. Standby time will last up to 5 days. The 18-volt fast charging function corrects the situation a little, otherwise 4% in 5 minutes. You will have to wait at least 1.5 hours to fully charge.

cameras

As mentioned earlier, the developers of the new model added only two sensors of the main camera. Is this a plus or a significant minus? To be sorted out.

Primary lens capabilities: 12.2 MP, with a powerful f/1.7 light aperture, as well as a wide zoom of 27 mm. The estimated opinion of experts, judging by the characteristics, is positive. The photo taken on the Google Pixel 5 will have good color reproduction.Landscape and portrait modes are the most successful.

Opportunities of the second lens: 8 MP and ultra wide format shooting.

Are megapixels really that important? With the advent of Android 10 in people's lives, the shooting process has become much easier. The powerful HDR function works for several modes at once: document scanner, panorama, live focus, time-lapse and slow-mo. Also, users are provided with 5 formats, both for social. networks and professional.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Large and bright screen;
• Matrix Amoled;
• Performance chipset;
• High-quality, clear photos;
• Availability of fast charging;
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3rd generation protection;
• Neat and comfortable fit.

• Plastic, easily soiled case;
• Only one color;
• No wired headphone jack;
• Weak battery (enough for less than a day).

Results, dates, prices

During the announcement, the estimated price of the Google Pixel 5 was $650. For the global crisis of 2020, the figure is not small, because this means that the phone successfully competes with the kings of Samsung and Apple. Is it so?

Quite, because the brand stuffed the novelty with high-quality elements. The camera and the average Snapdragon chipset work properly. The phone copes with everyday activities, despite the weak battery. The design does not look cheap, and most importantly, the dimensions allow people of all ages to use it. However, those who are looking for a productive smartphone for work should not focus on the model.

The question is, will the vaunted Pixel reach Russia? For a long time, Google sold only in the US market, so fans will have to look for intermediaries and significantly overpay to get their own Google.