Pixel 4#Software

Google confirmed the device's design in June 2019 after renders of it were leaked online.{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=June 12, 2019 |title=This is Google's Pixel 4 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/12/18663172/google-pixel-4-camera-sensor-design-official-photo |website=The Verge}}{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=September 16, 2019 |title=Google announces October 15th hardware event for Pixel 4 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/16/20868670/google-pixel-4-event-date-time-october-15-announcement |access-date=September 16, 2019 |website=The Verge}}

In the United States, the Pixel 4 is the first Pixel phone to be offered for sale by all major wireless carriers at launch. Previous flagship Pixel models had launched as exclusives to Verizon and Google Fi; the midrange Pixel 3a was additionally available from Sprint and T-Mobile, but not AT&T, at its launch.{{Cite web |last=Wedel |first=Chris |date=2019-10-15 |title=Google expanding Pixel 4 to all major U.S. carriers |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/google-expanding-pixel-4-all-major-us-carriers |access-date=2019-10-15 |website=Android Central}} As with all other Pixel releases, Google is offering unlocked U.S. versions through its website.

The phones were officially announced on October 15, 2019 and released in the United States on October 24, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL hands-on: This time, it's not about the camera |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/15/20908071/google-pixel-4-xl-photos-video-hands-on-camera-screen-specs-price |access-date=October 15, 2019 |website=The Verge}} On January 10, 2020, Pixel 4 price dropped below the Black Friday prices.{{cite web |title=The price of the Pixel 4 has dropped below Black Friday prices |date=January 10, 2020 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724152559/https://www.theverge.com/good-deals/2020/1/10/21059873/pixel-4-xl-google-smartphone-amazon-discount-deal-sale-price-drop |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theverge.com/good-deals/2020/1/10/21059873/pixel-4-xl-google-smartphone-amazon-discount-deal-sale-price-drop}} They were discontinued in August 2020.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Brandon |date=6 August 2020 |title=Google discontinues the Pixel 4 and 4 XL less than 1 year after launch |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-4-discontinued/ |access-date=8 August 2020 |website=xda-developers}}

File:Pixel 4 back schematic.svg

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL are constructed using an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 5. The devices are available in Just Black, Clearly White, and Oh So Orange colors, with the white and orange models having a matte, "soft touch" glass finish, and the black model having a glossy finish.{{Cite web |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=2019-10-16 |title=Pixel 4 hands-on—Thumbs up for 90{{nbsp}}Hz, thumbs down for Project Soli |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/10/pixel-4-hands-on-project-soli-just-seems-like-wii-waggle/ |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Chokkattu |first=Julian |date=15 October 2019 |title=Google's Pixel 4 looks different. Here's what the designers changed and why |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-pixel-4-design-interview-max-yoshimoto-alberto-villarreal/ |access-date=17 October 2019 |website=Digital Trends}} The frame is painted black on all models, while the power button is accented and made from plastic.

The USB-C connector at the bottom of the device is used for charging and audio output, though neither USB-C headphones nor a USB-C to 3.5{{nbsp}}mm jack adapter are included in the box. Both have stereo speakers, but unlike the Pixel 3, only one of the speakers is front-firing, with the other speaker located to the right of the USB-C port. Neither model includes a fingerprint reader; facial recognition (using a dot projector, infrared emitters and cameras along the top bezel of the device) is the only biometric authentication method offered by the Pixel 4.

Both models use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 system-on-chip (consisting of eight Kryo 485 CPU cores, an Adreno 640 GPU and a Hexagon 690 DSP), with 6{{nbsp}}GB of LPDDR4X RAM. Models are available with 64 or 128{{nbsp}}GB of non-expandable internal storage.{{Cite web |last=Frumusanu |first=Andrei |title=Google Announces The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL: The 2019 Pixels |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/14988/google-pixel-4-and-pixel-4-xl |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=Anandtech.com |publisher=Future plc}} Battery sizes differ, with the Pixel 4 using a 2800{{nbsp}}mAh cell and the Pixel 4 XL using a 3700{{nbsp}}mAh cell. Both are capable of fast-charging at up to 18{{nbsp}}W, and support Qi wireless charging. Like their predecessors, the phones have a water protection rating of IPX8 under IEC standard 60529. The Pixel 4 also features the Pixel Neural Core and Knowles 8508A audio processor.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-24 |title=Google Pixel 4 XL Teardown |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Google+Pixel+4+XL+Teardown/127320 |access-date=2019-12-22 |website=iFixit |language=en}} The Pixel Neural Core is the successor to the Pixel Visual Core; it, too, uses the Edge TPU architecture.{{Cite web |title=Introducing the Next Generation of On-Device Vision Models: MobileNetV3 and MobileNetEdgeTPU |url=http://ai.googleblog.com/2019/11/introducing-next-generation-on-device.html |access-date=2020-04-16 |website=Google AI Blog |date=November 13, 2019 |language=en}}

The Pixel 4 features an OLED display manufactured by Samsung{{Cite web |date=24 October 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 XL Teardown |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Google+Pixel+4+XL+Teardown/127320 |access-date=24 October 2019 |website=iFixit}} with HDR support, that operates at a refresh rate of up to 90{{nbsp}}Hz; it dynamically adjusts depending on content to preserve battery life. Both models use a wider 19:9 aspect ratio, with the Pixel 4 using a {{convert|5.7|inch|mm|adj=on}} 1080p panel, and the 4 XL using a {{convert|6.3|inch|mm|adj=on}} 1440p panel. Unlike the Pixel 3 XL, the Pixel 4 XL's display does not contain a cutout, or notch.{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2019-10-15 |title=Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL hands-on: this time, it's not about the camera |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/15/20908071/google-pixel-4-xl-photos-video-hands-on-camera-screen-specs-price |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=The Verge |language=en}}

The Pixel 4 includes dual rear-facing cameras located within a raised square module. It houses a wide 28{{nbsp}}mm 77° {{f/}}1.7 lens with the same Sony Exmor IMX363 12.2-megapixel sensor as on the Pixel 3 and 3a, and a second telephoto 48{{nbsp}}mm {{f/}}2.4 lens with a 16-megapixel sensor. Both are capable of recording video at 4K resolution, but can only do so at 30{{nbsp}}fps whereas most competitors support 60{{nbsp}}fps as well. In a tweet, Google stated that "We find that the majority of users stick with 1080p, so we focus our energy on improving our quality in this mode, versus enabling a 4k 60{{nbsp}}fps mode that could use up to half a gigabyte of storage every minute".{{Cite web |last=Maxham |first=Alexander |date=21 October 2019 |title=Google Explains Why Pixel 4 Doesn't Have 4K60 Video |url=https://www.androidheadlines.com/2019/10/google-pixel-4-4k60-video-why.html |access-date=21 October 2019 |website=Android Headlines}} Google claims the Pixel 4 can capture 8x zoom at near-optical quality.{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 Promises 'Studio-Like Photos Without the Studio' |url=https://petapixel.com/2019/10/15/google-pixel-4-promises-studio-like-photos-without-the-studio/ |access-date=2019-10-19 |website=petapixel.com}} Additionally, it uses Google Camera 7.1 with software enhancements, including Live HDR+ with dual exposure controls, improved Night Sight with Astrophotography mode and improved Portrait Mode with more realistic Bokeh.{{Cite web |title=These are the most important Google Pixel 4 camera updates |url=https://www.dpreview.com/articles/1102485836/these-are-the-most-important-google-pixel-4-camera-updates |access-date=2019-10-19 |website=DPReview}} It includes a single ultra wide (90°) front-facing camera with an 8-megapixel sensor, unlike the Pixel 3 which included ultra wide (97°) and wide (75°) front-facing cameras, both of which also had 8-megapixel sensors.{{Cite web |last=Kellen |date=2019-10-16 |title=Pixel 4's Single Front Camera Almost as Wide-Angle as Pixel 3's |url=https://www.droid-life.com/2019/10/16/pixel-4s-single-front-camera-almost-as-wide-angle-as-pixel-3s/ |access-date=2019-10-19 |website=Droid Life |language=en-US}} The Pixel 4's astrophotography mode is able to stack together 16 exposures, each with an exposure time of 15 seconds.{{Cite web |title=Inside Pixel 4's camera: Google improves portrait mode with help from Italian art |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/inside-pixel-4-camera-google-improves-portrait-mode-with-help-from-italian-art/ |publisher=CNET}}

The Pixel 4 marks the introduction of Motion Sense, a radar-based gesture recognition system. It is based on the Project Soli technology developed by Google ATAP as an alternative to light-based systems such as infrared.{{CN|date=August 2020}} Motion Sense can be used for detecting a user's proximity to the device to activate the always-on display or power the screen on, and waving gestures that can be used in supported apps (such as skipping tracks in the music player, and an interactive Pokémon demo app).{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2019-10-15 |title=Google's Project Soli: the tech behind Pixel 4's Motion Sense radar |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/15/20908083/google-pixel-4-project-soli-radar-motion-sense-explainer |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=The Verge |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=2019-10-15 |title=Google demos how the Pixel 4's gesture controls work with music, pokémon, and more |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/15/20907715/google-pixel-4-motion-sense-gesture-controls-radar-sensor-project-soli-demo-features |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=The Verge |language=en}}

Due to its use of 60{{nbsp}}GHz frequency bands, Google was required to obtain specific regulatory approval for the radar system in all countries that the Pixel 4 is being sold. As such, the feature is geoblocked if the device is detected to be in an unsupported country. On launch, Google stated that support for the feature was currently limited to Australia, Canada, "most European countries", Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States, but that Japan was "coming soon". Google stated that it had no plans to sell the Pixel 4 in India, with the company officially stating a preference to continue marketing the Pixel 3a in the region; media outlets noted that civilian use of the 60{{nbsp}}GHz frequency is prohibited in India, unlike in the U.S. and some other countries, where it is considered unlicensed spectrum.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Manish |date=2019-10-15 |title=Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL not launching in India |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/15/google-pixel-4-pixel-4xl-no-india-launch/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ganti |first=Anil |date=2019-10-15 |title=Motion Sense Will Automatically Disable Itself in Unsupported Regions |url=https://wccftech.com/motion-sense-will-automatically-disable-itself-in-unsupported-regions/ |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=Wccftech |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Anwer |first=Javed |title=Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL will not launch in India, they are too high-tech for Indian government |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/features/story/google-pixel-4-and-pixel-4xl-will-not-launch-in-india-they-are-too-high-tech-for-indian-government-1609694-2019-10-15 |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=India Today |date=October 15, 2019 |language=en}}

The Pixel 4 ships with Android 10 and Google Camera 7.1.{{Cite web |last=Perlow |first=Jason |title=Pixel 4 specs vs price: Google's new phone is too weak, too late, and too expensive |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/pixel-4-no-added-value-way-too-late-and-more-expensive-than-iphone-11/ |access-date=2019-10-16 |website=ZDNet |language=en}} The devices feature several features powered by their Pixel Neural Core (the successor to the Pixel Visual Core) and Knowles 8508A audio processor. In addition to its existing use for computational photography image processing, they are used by the new Recorder and Live Transcribe apps. Recorder is a voice recorder with live transcription, classification and searchable sounds.{{Cite web |title=The On-Device Machine Learning Behind Recorder |url=http://ai.googleblog.com/2019/12/the-on-device-machine-learning-behind.html |access-date=2019-12-22 |website=Google AI Blog |date=December 18, 2019 |language=en}} Also the "new" Google Assistant, which contains enhancements to allow for increased client-side recognition of commands that are local to the device (rather than querying Google servers).

After Google demonstrated astrophotography sample photos, a scene of San Francisco with the Moon blown out and the woods underexposed was shown. Marc Levoy explained that the difference in light between the Moon and woods was too significant, requiring 19 stops of dynamic range which no phone or DSLR camera was currently capable of performing. He reaffirmed Google's commitment to improving the camera with software updates (a signature of the Pixel line) and said to stay tuned.{{Citation |title=Made by Google '19 | date=October 15, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKmsYB54zBk |language=en |access-date=2019-10-19}}

The Pixel 4 received an overall score of 112 from DXOMARK, a 10-point improvement over its predecessor. It had a photo score of 117, a video score of 101, and a selfie score of 92.{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Paul |date=21 October 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 camera review |url=https://www.dxomark.com/google-pixel-4-camera-review/ |access-date=21 October 2019 |website=DxOMark}} The camera was particularly praised for its performance in low light situations.{{Cite web |last=Hristov |first=Victor |title=Night Mode Camera Comparison: Pixel 4 XL Night Sight vs iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Galaxy Note 10+ |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/Night-Mode-Camera-Comparison-Pixel-4-XL-Night-Sight-vs-iPhone-11-Pro-Max-vs-Galaxy-Note-10_id120114 |access-date=2019-11-01 |website=Phone Arena |date=November 2019 |language=en-US}}

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL were praised by critics for their photography capabilities, the move to 6{{nbsp}}GB of RAM from 4{{nbsp}}GB, and the 90{{nbsp}}Hz refresh rate screen. They were criticized for their poor battery life (especially on the smaller Pixel 4), the low amount of non-expandable storage, the lack of an ultra-wide angle camera lens, the removal of the fingerprint sensor in favor of the secure Face Unlock, the lack of 4K 60{{nbsp}}fps video recording, the lack of headphones or an adapter in the box, the Motion Sense system's poor detection, and the high price compared to other flagship smartphones.{{Cite web |last=La |first=Lynn |date=1 November 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 XL review |url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/google-pixel-4-xl-review-same-pros-cons-pixel-4-camera-battery-review/ |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=CNET}}{{Cite web |last=Gibbs |first=Samuel |date=31 October 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 review: a good phone ruined by poor battery life |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/31/google-pixel-4-review-battery-life-camera |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Max |date=21 October 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 Review |url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/google-pixel-4 |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=Trusted Reviews}}{{Cite web |last=Ismail |first=Adam |date=23 October 2019 |title=Google Pixel 4 Review |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/pixel-4 |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=Tom's Guide}}{{Cite magazine |last=Van Camp |first=Jeffrey |date=23 October 2019 |title=Review: Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL |url=https://www.wired.com/review/google-pixel-4-and-pixel-4-xl/ |access-date=4 November 2019 |magazine=Wired}} Google was also criticized for not providing unlimited uncompressed photo and video cloud storage like its Pixel predecessors had.[https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/15/20915594/google-pixel-4-xl-no-unlimited-photo-uploads-free-original-quality-backups Google Pixel 4 buyers won't get unlimited photo uploads at original quality][https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/pixel-4-google-photos-no-full-resolution-storage/ The Pixel 4 won't have free, unlimited full-res Google Photos storage]

Ars Technica gave the device a mixed pre-release review, noting that the etched finish of the orange and white models felt stronger than that of the Pixel 3 without compromising its "soft" and "grippy" feel, but that the screen bezels looked "lopsided". The Motion Sense system was panned for its reliance on hand waving gestures that were "so big that it's a cumbersome, tiring, annoying thing to do." This was contrasted with early demonstrations of the technology being able to detect "sub-millimeter motions at high speed and accuracy", noting that Google's admitted need to downsize the radar chip in order to fit into a smartphone may have compromised its capabilities. Ars Technica's in-depth review concluded that "This year, the Pixel 4 feels like a bunch of software decisions designed to prop up hardware that has been cost-cut to death".[https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/google-pixel-4-review-overpriced-uncompetitive-and-out-of-touch/ Google Pixel 4 review—Overpriced, uncompetitive, and out of touch]

• Videos recorded with third-party apps like Instagram and Snapchat have odd clicking noises in the background.{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Simon |date=31 October 2019 |title=Annoying Google Pixel 4 problems and how to fix them |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-pixel-4-problems/ |access-date=9 November 2019 |website=Digital Trends}}{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Alan |title=Google exterminates a bug that caused tapping noises on some Pixel 4 videos |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/Tapping-noise-heard-on-Pixel-4-Playground-videos-is-fixed_id120583 |access-date=22 March 2021 |website=Phone Arena|date=November 22, 2019 }}
• The Pixel 4 did not require eye contact with the phone when using facial recognition to unlock the device, raising privacy concerns since the device could be unlocked even if the user's eyes were closed.{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=17 October 2019 |title=Google's Pixel 4 face unlock has one major privacy weakness |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/17/20919390/google-pixel-4-face-unlock-eyes-closed-privacy-eye-contact |access-date=21 October 2019 |website=The Verge |language=en}} Google released an update in April 2020 that added the option for eyes open requirement in face unlock.{{Cite web |date=7 April 2020 |title=Pixel 4 can now require open eyes when using face unlock |url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/04/07/pixel-4-face-unlock-require-open-eyes/ |access-date=7 April 2020 |website=Mobilesyrup}}
• The Pixel 4 automatically lowers the display's refresh rate to 60{{nbsp}}Hz if the screen brightness is set below 75 percent. Google released a fix for this in the November 2019 update.{{Cite web |last=Faulkner |first=Cameron |date=4 November 2019 |title=The Pixel 4's Smooth Display issues will be 'improved' with the November update |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/4/20948334/pixel-4-xl-smooth-display-issues-november-2019-update |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=The Verge}}{{Cite web |last=Fingas |first=Jon |date=4 November 2019 |title=Pixel 4 update lets Smooth Display kick in more often |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/04/pixel-4-smooth-display-update/ |access-date=4 November 2019 |website=Engadget}}
• In certain lighting conditions, the Pixel 4's white balance "fix" could result in photos with inaccurate color representation. Google released a fix in the November 2019 update.{{Cite web |date=11 November 2019 |title=Google seemingly fixes auto white balance issue in latest Pixel 4 update |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/google_seemingly_fixes_auto_white_balance_issue_in_latest_pixel_4_update-news-40038.php |access-date=29 November 2019 |website=GSMArena}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://store.google.com/product/pixel_4}}

{{Google LLC}}

{{Google Pixel}}

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