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Yesterday Google announced the new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL flagship devices, the devices have been heavily leaked in recent weeks, so there are no surprises.

Google Pixel phones are always praised for their exceptional software and the ability to produce superb photos with the camera hardware the use. With this launch, it almost feels like they are deliberately under-speccing their phones either as a challenge for their engineers or to prove to the industry what can be done with good software.

The Pixel 4 starts off at £669 for 6GB and 64GB of storage, then the XL starts at £829 for 6GB and 64GB so these are premium priced phones, yet they have a lower hardware spec than the Realme X2 Pro launched yesterday for half the price.

Pixel 4Pixel 4 XL
SoCSnapdragon 855Snapdragon 855
DRAM6 GB LPDDR4X6GB LPDDR4X
Storage64 GB or 128 GB UFS64 GB or 128 GB UFS
Display5.7" OLED6.3" OLED
Resolution2280 x 1080 (19:9)3040 x 1440 (19:9)
Refresh Rate90 Hz90 Hz
Height147.1 mm160.4 mm
Width68.8 mm75.1 mm
Depth8.2 mm8.2 mm
Weight162 grams193 grams
Battery Capacity2800 mAh3700 mAh
Charging18 W Wired Quick Charge 2.019 W Wired Quick Charge 2.0
Qi Wireless ChargingQi Wireless Charging
Rear Cameras12.2MP 1.4µm Dual Pixel PDAF12.2MP 1.4µm Dual Pixel PDAF
f/1.7 1/2.55" sensor with OISf/1.7 1/2.55" sensor with OIS
Telephoto16 MP f/2.4 1.0 micron16 MP f/2.4 1.0 micron
PDAF, OIS, ~2x Optical ZoomPDAF, OIS, ~2x Optical Zoom
Wide--
Extra--
Front Camera8MP 1.12µm f/2.0 8MP 1.12µm f/2.0 
+ ToF 3D Camera+ ToF 3D Camera
I/OUSB-C 3.1 (5 Gbps)USB-C 3.1 (5 Gbps)
No 3.5mm headphone jackNo 3.5mm headphone jack
Wireless (local)802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 5.0 LE + NFCBluetooth 5.0 LE + NFC
CellularUE Category 18 (DL) / Category 12 (UL)UE Category 18 (DL) / Category 12 (UL)
1200 Mbit/s DL (5xCA 2x2 MIMO)1200 Mbit/s DL (5xCA 2x2 MIMO)
 150 Mbit/s UL 150 Mbit/s UL
Other FeaturesStereo SpeakersStereo Speakers
IP68IP68
Android 10Android 10
Project Soli Radar Motion SensngProject Soli Radar Motion Sensng
No fignerprint sensor, face ID onlyNo fignerprint sensor, face ID only
Dual-SIM1x nanoSIM + 1 x eSIM1x nanoSIM + 1 x eSIM
ColorsWhiteWhite
BlackBlack
OrangeOrange
Launch Price£669 for 64GB£829 or 64 GB
£769 for 128GB £929 for 128 GB

Google has completely bucked the trend for several aspects of this phone, the battery of the smaller Pixel 4 is just 2800 mAh, this then goes up to 3700 mAh for the XL. 4000mAh has started to become the standard this year, so it will be interesting to see what Google can do to make the Pixel 4 last a day.

Then the rear camera is just two lenses, one a 12MP dual-pixel sensor than the other a 16MP 2x optical sensor. Even Apple has finally adopted a wide sensor. This is one area you may not have to worry too much about though, the Pixel 3 was regarded as one of the best camera phones of last year, so I would expect the same again this year.

One thing the phone uses that no one else has is the Project Soli Radar Motion Sensing which allows hands-free control of the phone. A lot of demos of this technology do look amazing but time will tell if this is a gimmick or not.

As always with Google, you will get the latest Android 10 and regular updates and features well before other brands. This is the main reason you buy a Pixel, the software user experience.

If you can afford the SIM-free cost, the phone is available to pre-order at Vodafone UK on an unlimited plan from £52 per month (£9 upfront cost), and the Google Pixel 4 XL is available to pre-order from £60 per month (£29 upfront cost).

Customers who pre-order either device can also claim a free HP Chromebook 14 worth £249.

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