Google Pixel 5 review

Our Verdict

The Google Pixel v is a mannerly and reasonably-priced premium phone with an amazing camera and skilful battery life. But it's far less powerful than other options in its price range, and completely outmatched in value by Google's cheaper Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 4a.

For

Gorgeous compact design
Excellent camera, now with ultrawide lens
Solid bombardment life
Useful software features

Against

Underwhelming operation
Expensive for what information technology is
No higher storage option

Tom'due south Guide Verdict

The Google Pixel five is a charming and reasonably-priced premium phone with an amazing camera and good battery life. But it'due south far less powerful than other options in its toll range, and completely outmatched in value past Google's cheaper Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 4a.

Pros

+
Gorgeous compact design
+
Excellent photographic camera, at present with ultrawide lens
+
Solid battery life
+
Useful software features

Cons

-
Underwhelming functioning
-
Expensive for what information technology is
-
No higher storage option

Google Pixel five: Specs

Price: $699
OS: Android eleven
Brandish: half-dozen-inch OLED (2340x1080; 90Hz)
CPU: Snapdragon 765G
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Rear camera: 12.2MP wide (ƒ/i.7), 16MP ultrawide
Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0)
Battery: iv,000 mAh
Size: v.seven x 2.viii ten 0.3 in
Weight: 5.3 oz

The Google Pixel 5 confuses me because it's both a wonderful phone and a strange one considering, as consumers, we're conditioned to expect that a new version of something is better than whatever it's replacing. That's usually the case.

In some ways, the Pixel 5 is better — at $699, information technology costs $100 less than the Pixel 4 did. The new Pixel has a much larger battery with wireless reverse charging, 128GB of base storage, and a new ultrawide lens; and, of class, it sports 5G connectivity.

However, the Pixel 5 certainly isn't better in every way. Critically, Google has chosen a lower-tier chipset to continue costs downward and ditched some of the Pixel 4's more advanced and unique features, similar its 3D Face up Unlock system. It's also hard to discuss Google's newest range-topping telephone without mentioning its $200-cheaper sibling, the Pixel 4a 5G. That phone shares the Pixel 5's processor and camera, among other things, allowing it to match the flagship in most cardinal areas.

Best unlocked Android phones: Where the Pixel 5 ranks
Pixel 5a vs. Pixel 5: Biggest differences to expect
iPhone 12 vs. Pixel 5

Thus, our Google Pixel 5 review finds a device that is very pleasant to employ, but also very confused. Google clearly had to make some tough compromises here, and while in that location'south no doubt that the company'south once again delivered ane of the all-time Android phones you'll notice, the Pixel five doesn't even authorize equally the best value in Google'due south ain lineup.

Editor's note: We crowned our picks in the Tom's Guide Awards 2021 for phones . The Pixel 5 won a highly recommended award.

Google Pixel v review: Price and availability

The Pixel 5 costs $699 and packs 128GB of storage. Interestingly, Google isn't offering a higher storage capacity version, and the Pixel 5 doesn't back up microSD cards to requite yous more infinite to work with. There are two colors — Just Black and Sorta Sage.

The Pixel 5 is sold unlocked, where you can have it to any carrier of your choosing, or through AT&T, Verizon, U.s. Cellular and Google Fi.

Google has designed the Pixel five to connect to both sub-6GHz low- and mid-band 5G networks, too as millimeter-wave ones, meaning that it supports the full gamut of 5G service no matter which carrier you take it to. That said, I never experienced impressive speeds during my fourth dimension with the phone, even when I happened to exist in range of AT&T'due south nationwide 5G network. In fact, the speeds I saw were consistently in the single digits in terms of megabits per second — of class, your mileage may vary.

Google Pixel 5 review: Design

If you've seen a Google-branded telephone in the last twelvemonth or two, y'all've virtually seen the Pixel 5. All of Mount View'southward modernistic handsets are remarkably unproblematic and minimalist in terms of design, with small pigsty-dial front-facing cameras and tiny bezels encircling the display. On the back, there'southward a fingerprint sensor and a foursquare photographic camera module packing dual optics — and that's pretty much it.

There are, however, a couple minute details to point out related to the Pixel 5's design. Whereas the company's cheaper devices employ matte polycarbonate, the Pixel 5's unibody housing is crafted from recycled aluminum (save for a small-scale, invisible hole on the back underneath the paint that permits wireless charging — more on that later.) The Pixel 5 is also IP68 water resistant, while the Pixel 4a series isn't.

The finish on the Pixel 5 appears to take fatigued conflicting opinions from various reviewers. Some dismiss the matte, most candied sort of coating Google has employed on this phone as inexpensive-feeling. Personally, though, I'k a sucker for unique materials — especially slightly-gritty or soft-touch on textures — and I dear the finish of the Pixel 5. I don't know if information technology's the most "premium" feeling smartphone I've ever held, but such questions are highly subjective. Whatsoever Google'south done to achieve the Pixel 5's bawdy sort of cease, I dig it.

I especially dig the Sage Green version Google sent u.s.. This is a lovely shade of dark-green with some faint speckles in information technology, giving it sort of an eggshell-like luster. It likewise plays off brilliantly against the chromed green power button and Google logo on the back. I am slightly concerned about this blanket chipping off in loftier-contact areas, like around the USB-C port (my Pixel iv unfortunately fell victim to this phenomenon), but only time and ongoing employ will reveal how durable the Pixel five'due south outside really is.

Something else I adore about the Pixel 5's blueprint is just how damn pocketable it is. Anyone who knows me knows I love a adept premium small phone, and the Pixel 5 certainly is tiny. Google has trimmed the border around this device'south six-inch display to maximize screen real estate. It's perhaps the closest any company has gotten to a truly all-screen phone, though it'southward come at a cost — namely the Pixel iv'southward Soli radar bit and 3D Face Unlock stack that were formerly stashed in the acme bezel.

The Pixel 5 lacks those components, which is disappointing given that the Pixel 4'southward authentication organisation was pretty phenomenal, and noticeably snappier in our testing than Apple's Face up ID in the iPhone 11 and 12 serial. But with nearly anybody however using face up masks, mayhap it'south not all bad.

As such, you'll have to live with an effective-yet-dated rear-mounted fingerprint sensor in the Pixel 5. This probably isn't a deal breaking suggestion for an onetime-school Android user, though I can certainly imagine some folks recoiling in fear at the idea of inputting a Pin code when their device is lying apartment on a table. You can also swipe on that fingerprint sensor to pull down or withdraw the notification shade.

Thus, there is a sense of grade triumphing over office with the Pixel 5'due south design, though I'thou personally not very bothered by that because the result is so eye-catching and meaty. It's plumage-light, besides — at just v.33 ounces, the Pixel 5 is more than an ounce lighter than the iPhone 11 Pro and Galaxy S20 Plus, which you certainly experience the moment yous concur and compare.

Google Pixel v review: Display

The Pixel 5'due south 6-inch OLED display touts a total-HD resolution and 90Hz peak refresh charge per unit, which you tin drib down to 60Hz in the device'due south settings if you and then choose. The refresh rate isn't variable per se — unlike the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra'due south screen, it can't speed upwards or downwardly dynamically to any pace at will — though Google says the Pixel 5 switches between 60Hz and 90Hz depending on the type of content presented.

It's worth noting that the Pixel 4a 5G also features an OLED panel with the same resolution equally the Pixel 5's screen. Simply the refresh charge per unit on the 4a 5G is capped at 60Hz, so that's one area where Google'southward flagship outdoes the cheaper 5G option.

Pretty much all of those characteristics were truthful of the Pixel iv's panel, though, meaning that not much has inverse on the brandish forepart this become-around. Mind yous, that's not a criticism, because the Pixel 4's screen was pretty stellar all around. For what it's worth, the Pixel 5 is at least better at maintaining 90Hz at low brightness levels — one item area where the old device struggled.

Colors on the Pixel 5 strike an excellent residual between muted realism and cartoonish oversaturation. Watching the trailer for the wonderfully surreal Fe Mask, I was then impressed past the fidelity with which the Pixel v's panel rendered Arnold Schwarzenegger'due south magnificent sideburns that I momentarily forgot to laugh at the prospect of Arnold Schwarzenegger with sideburns.

The Pixel 5's display gets decently vivid, though non as brilliant as its competition, topping out at 610 nits when adaptive brightness is enabled. For comparing's sake, the $599 iPhone 11 managed 652 nits, while the Galaxy S20 Atomic number 26 managed 679 nits. Meanwhile, Google'due south phone covered 128.8% of the sRGB color space, which happened to be slightly punchier than the 122.viii% of the more expensive Milky way Annotation 20.

Google Pixel 5 review: Camera

The Pixel 5 features a dual-lens photographic camera organization that'south equal parts familiar and new for Google's handsets. The primary 12.2-megapixel lens is a mainstay of the Pixel brand; it'south been effectually since the Pixel 2 days, and Google more often than not relies on software enhancements to continually improve its output.

The secondary shooter, however, is a new 16MP ultrawide photographic camera, which replaces the telephoto lens employed in last year's version. Google drew criticism for offering a telephoto lens with a very slight optical zoom advantage in the Pixel 4, rather than an ultrawide optic. I believe this was the right call, as I doubtable virtually Pixel 5 buyers volition observe the add-on of an ultrawide camera more useful than a telephoto — especially considering Google'south Super Res Zoom engineering is and so effective at achieving lossless digital zoom.

Hither, we see a comparing between the ultrawide shooters on the Pixel 5 and also make-new OnePlus 8T, and it's honestly hard to choose between the ii. While OnePlus' camera demonstrates a wider field-of-view, the tradeoff is more than baloney at the fringes than you'll notice in the Pixel 5's rendition. On the other hand, Google'south superior processing deftly colors in those darker, shadowy regions nearly halfway downwardly the alley, with more nuanced blacks, grays and dark greens than OnePlus' more dissimilarity-heavy tuning can provide.

Heading inside, we have a pair of portraits of yours truly that highlight how the Pixel 5 keeps Google firmly in the best camera telephone conversation. Everything well-nigh the Pixel 5's take is sharper, from my beard, hair and skin to the fibers in my sweater. I'one thousand also impressed with the superior gradation in colour within low-light areas (similar my left shoulder), and simply pleased with how much more lifelike the colors are all around. There'due south just no competition here.

The bar above offers a good opportunity to demonstrate the Pixel 5's excellence in handling medium-lighting scenarios that present a full general lack of natural light with intense artificial sources, like neon signs. This is typically a challenging scenario for phones, and while I feel as though both these devices navigate it well, the Pixel 5 edges OnePlus' best efforts thanks to its ability to isolate the brightest lights and hone in on textures, like the specular highlights glinting off the concrete countertop and the rustic wooden floor below.

Here, 2x digital zoom was used on both the Pixel v and OnePlus 8T, and once once again it's Google'southward device that stands out with amend definition, bolder colors and pleasing dissimilarity. The tree about the center of the frame denotes a clear betoken of stardom between these 2 photos; on the Pixel v, you can discern between the private leaves, whereas the OnePlus 8T melds them all into one amorphous, verdant hulk.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Pixel 5. In this instance nosotros run into it struggle at sunset, bathing the unabridged alley before you in a deep and desolate blue. The OnePlus 8T counterbalanced all the colors in the frame better, though it cruel down one time once again in the sharpness department.

But when things get actually dark and it's time to phone call upon Night Sight, the Pixel 5 really shines. The iPhone 11 Pro costs $300 more than the Pixel 5, and I'd say its performance here isn't anywhere virtually the level of Google's device. Everything is much as well warm, and fidelity is clearly lacking in the big tree at the eye and the lawn nearest to the photographic camera. The Pixel is also far more successful at accurately representing the colors of various objects in the scene, like the tree's greenish-xanthous leaves and the maroon sedan parked on an adjacent street.

Apple'southward flagship phone is more than susceptible to noise judging by this prototype, though it has to be said that the iPhone did process this photograph in nigh half the time it took the Pixel 5 to do the same — 3 seconds, versus 5. That'south clearly a case of Apple's hardware flexing its muscle relative to the far less powerful Pixel, which we'll explore a little subsequently in this review.

Finally, we finish on some other pair of pictures of your humble reviewer — though, this time, I spurned the aid of a willing party and employed the Pixel 5's front-facing 8MP camera to capture it.

Again, this is another case where Google'due south imaging outperforms rivals with far more than impressive specs on paper, using a combination of ordinary hardware and extraordinary software. The OnePlus 8T might have a 32MP selfie shooter, just it plainly hasn't helped much, based on the unflattering cherry-red tone that device's camera lent to shadows in my confront. Of course the Pixel'due south issue could stand to exist a hair sharper, just overall, at least information technology left me looking similar there was life left in my eyes.

Earlier nosotros motility on from the camera section entirely, we should notation that Google has punched up its video recording arsenal with the Pixel 5'due south release by offering a range of electronic stabilization modes. At that place'southward standard stabilization, which seeks to irksome tremors caused past shaky hands, equally well equally modes targeted for shooting subjects at far distances, some other for active or fast-moving subjects, and yet another for slow-motion, panning shots.

The new stabilization options work well, though they're certainly not immune to judder. You volition observe moments where the camera interpolates frames in a blurry fashion to diminish the awareness of unexpected movement, so it'southward still of import to have intendance to maintain composure when shooting.

Google Pixel 5 review: Performance

Google's determination to equip the Pixel v with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G processor, rather than the Snapdragon 865 employed by the fastest Android flagships, has certainly left critics and enthusiasts alike scratching their heads.

It's non that the 765G is poor silicon — far from it. The 765 serial certainly delivers good enough performance in the likes of the OnePlus Nord and LG Velvet. Rather, the skepticism stems from where the Pixel 5 sits inside Google'southward roster of phones.

As it happens, the 765G is likewise employed in the Pixel 4a 5G, which costs $200 less than the Pixel v. And to make matters even more than confusing, Google's insistence on going with a more than modest CPU means the new Pixel 5 isn't even as fast every bit terminal year's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.

Google's strategy here befuddles me to no cease, though that's a discussion for another mean solar day. The more pressing concern is what all that ways for the Pixel 5's performance, and I'm happy to report that at least this phone doesn't feel as slow every bit some will worry it is.

To Google's credit, the company has bumped up the RAM in this device to 8GB, which is more than the Pixel 4 had at its disposal. (Information technology'southward as well more than than the 6GB of memory inside the Pixel 4a 5G.) And the 90Hz display certainly promotes the illusion of speed with every tap and roll, even if the hardware under the surface is incomparably more pedestrian.

But of class, the numbers aren't encouraging. In the organization-wide Geekbench v test, the Pixel 5 delivered a multicore score of 1,617 points. That'southward certainly a far cry from the Milky way S20 Atomic number 26'south two,928 points, making this a good time to reiterate that the Galaxy S20 Atomic number 26 costs exactly the same equally the Pixel 5. To add insult to injury, the now-defunct Pixel 4 scored ii,329 points.

In spite of that gulf in general performance, it's not everyday tasks where you're likely to exam the limits of that 765G chip. Rather, that'south best reserved for more than strenuous pursuits, like gaming. In GFXBench's Vulkan Aztec Ruins graphics examination for high-tier devices, the Pixel 5 totaled 438 frames, averaging vii frames per 2nd. The Galaxy S20 FE, on the other hand? one,325 frames at 21 frames per second. That's exactly three times better.

A amend estimate of real-earth performance is our video encoding test, where we task devices with transcoding a short 4K video clip to 1080p in Adobe's Premiere Rush app. The iPhone 11 was able to do this in 46 seconds. The Pixel 5 needed ii minutes and 25 seconds.

Indeed, you can play games on the Pixel 5; they only won't wait all that skillful, or run as smoothly as they would on beefier hardware. I tin attest to the fact that Asphalt 9 Legends is indeed playable on this device, though I'd much rather experience that arcade racer on a phone like the OnePlus 8T, which really has the ability to max out its 120Hz display while running that demanding title.

The Pixel 5 isn't tiresome, and I honestly doubt the majority of users are likely to find what power it lacks. But I besides believe that at $700, y'all should get the most for your money — and afterward two or three years of buying, when things begin to bog downwardly, I'd rather have something that was more powerful at the outset.

Google Pixel 5 review: Battery life and charging

Previous Pixel phones have certainly struggled in the bombardment section, so the Pixel 5's 4,080-mAh power pack volition hopefully go a long way to quelling those concerns. That'due south an increment of nearly 1,300 mAh compared to the Pixel 4, and I imagine it must take been a massive engineering feat to shoehorn such a gigantic battery into such a small footprint and sparse frame.

In Tom'due south Guide'south custom battery test, where devices incessantly load web pages over a data connection until they run out of juice, the Pixel 5 lasted for 9 hours and 29 minutes at its default 90Hz mode. That's an improvement of one hour and 26 minutes over the Pixel 4, too when running at 90Hz. Some may argue that's a rather underwhelming showing given the large increase in battery chapters, though it's important to point out that the Pixel 5 has power-guzzling 5G modems and radios the Pixel 4 never had to deal with.

Information technology's too right in line, if not a niggling amend than the Pixel five's current Android rivals. The Galaxy S20 FE also managed nine hours, but that was at 60 Hz; effort that same test at the phone's optimal 120Hz setting, and it would assuredly underperform that result past at to the lowest degree another hour.

Besides, if you want to maximize bombardment life equally much every bit possible with the Pixel v, you can opt for 60Hz instead of 90Hz. Running the exam this way, we saw an comeback of virtually 30 minutes.

But battery tests simply tell part of the story in the Pixel 5'southward case. Google's lavished a wealth of battery-extending software on the Pixel 5, including its Adaptive Battery organization that intelligently regulates power draw so that only the apps you use the near consume the majority of it. Additionally, a new Extreme Battery Saver mode goes fifty-fifty further, pausing activity for all apps except for the ones you deem essential.

Like the Pixel 4 before it, the Pixel 5 can accuse wirelessly. The difference this time is that the phone tin can also wirelessly charge other devices, using Google's new Bombardment Share feature. If you happen to have a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, for example, with a wireless charging instance, yous can rest them on the dorsum of the Pixel five for a little boost.

Google Pixel 5 review: Software and special features

Equally yous'd expect with any Google phone, the Pixel 5 launches with Android eleven and is guaranteed three years of major updates. Android xi adds some beneficial features, similar screen recording, bubbles for messaging apps and the ability to grant temporary permissions to apps; you can read our full Android eleven review for a deeper dive into what's new.

But this being a Google phone, the Pixel 5's software story is about more than simply having the latest version of Android. Google has once over again gifted its own phones with some actually clever features that make the nigh out of its expertise in artificial intelligence, similar Hold For Me.

Hold For Me quite literally does what information technology says on the tin. If y'all're placed on hold, you can phone call upon your Google Assistant to stay on the line for you and mind for an operator when they get in. When that happens, you're notified and invited to render to the call.

Concur For Me just works for i-800 numbers. Given that many companies these days (the more than humane ones, anyhow) have a arrangement where they'll phone call yous dorsum when it's your turn, I don't quite think Concur For Me is as useful as, say, Call Screen, which can literally fend off robocalls on your behalf, or the Google Recorder with built-in transcription. Simply information technology is nice to have.

While I wasn't able to use Concord For Me in a realistic scenario during my review, my Pixel 5 did offer me aid when I dialed a i-800 exam number. I initiated Hold For Me, and when the Google Banana detected that the automated arrangement on the other stop needed my input, it vibrated to betoken me to return to the telephone call. Pretty neat.

Google Pixel 5 review: What about the Pixel half-dozen?

The Pixel half-dozen and Pixel 6 Pro are finally here. Both phones are massive improvements over the Pixel v in terms of power, design, and displays. While the Pixel v isn't bad at any of those, it has room for improvement. That'due south where the Pixel 6 serial comes in.

Of course, the highlight of the next Pixel phones is the Tensor arrangement-on-chip, designed past Google. Information technology'southward the starting time time that Google has gone with its own silicon for a Pixel and could be the starting time of something wonderful.

The cameras certainly performed beyond our expectations, especially the Pixel 6 Pro. But for more budget-conscious customers, the $599 Pixel six is a steal and has the aforementioned Tensor chip equally the Pro. It also has a 90Hz display and the same 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras.

Battery life remains a problem for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, just that could be downwards to the older Samsung 5G modem that both phones use. Still, the Pixel six and Pixel vi Pro are meaning upgrades over the Pixel 5 and well worth considering.

Google Pixel v review: Verdict

As much as I similar the Pixel 5, it's hard to make a case for ownership one — at least at full price.

The $700 mark has go the new battleground for telephone makers looking to woo buyers with tiptop-tier specs, without forcing them to spend upward of a thousand. This competition is producing really compelling phones, from Samsung's Milky way S20 FE to the OnePlus 8T and likely Apple's but-announced iPhone 12 mini. The Pixel 5 is a poor value in calorie-free of those alternatives.

Heed you, there's plenty to like here. It's heartening to see Google finally take battery life seriously after years of dismissing that concern. And in one case over again, I'chiliad smitten with the refreshingly cute, trendy and compact aesthetic Google's settled on for the Pixel, amongst a sea of bulky, garish slabs.

However a phone isn't merely a fashion slice or a camera. And speaking of the Pixel 5'southward wonderful camera, you lot tin can become it in the $499 Pixel 4a 5G — hell, you can get it in the $349 Pixel 4a. Since the Pixel 4a 5G offers the same dual camera array every bit the Pixel 5, the aforementioned processor and the same 5G connectivity merely for $200 less, it'due south hard to recommend the Pixel 5 over Google'south less expensive phone if you're looking for a 5G device.

Those who love Pixel phones do then because of the software, and Google has done well to make that software attainable in much cheaper phones. Unfortunately for Google, that very ambition has nearly neutralized any reason one might want to purchase a Pixel five.

Google Pixel five vs. Samsung Galaxy S20: Which Android telephone is improve?

Adam Ismail is a staff author at Jalopnik and previously worked on Tom's Guide covering smartphones, car tech and gaming. His love for all things mobile began with the original Motorola Droid; since then he's endemic a diverseness of Android and iOS-powered handsets, refusing to stay loyal to one platform. His work has too appeared on Digital Trends and GTPlanet. When he's not fiddling with the latest devices, he'due south at an indie pop evidence, recording a podcast or playing Sega Dreamcast.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/google-pixel-5

Posted by: staggstholl1948.blogspot.com