Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL launched premium price for so so specs

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.

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.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.