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All the Reasons You Should Be Excited for the Google Pixel 4
It’s the new smartphone that goes above and beyond—and it’s already available in stores
When it comes to mobile phone shopping, there are a few features that tend to rise to the top of the priority list. A great camera, impressive processing speeds and perhaps a no-brainer interface: they’re logical wish list items for anyone about to spring for a brand-new smartphone. As it turns out, they’re all strong suits of the newest smartphone on the block: the Google Pixel 4.
The latest release by tech giant Google ticks the big three items off the list. And why wouldn’t it? This Android phone has been dubbed the smartest of all smartphones and, if anything, perfectly represents the brand’s commitment to form over function.
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The Pixel 4 has a lot going for it like snazzy new features that let it stand out from the rest of the pack. For one, this model presents a departure from the previous Pixel iterations with the distinct lack of fingerprint sensor on the back and the large top bezel that accommodates the 8MP, ƒ/2.0-aperture dual camera and all-new radar sensor. That aside, there are plenty of other reasons to get excited about Google’s upgraded flagship smartphone. Ahead, we list them down.
Radar-Based Motion Sense
This state-of-the-art feature has been in development for five years and, finally, it’s available through the Pixel 4. Thanks to the radar sensor (built at the top of the phone), users are able to unlock this smartphone and access certain features through gestures. The unlock feature is said to be one of the fastest and most accurate with facial recognition working even if the phone is upside down.
Meanwhile, swiping gestures can be used to dismiss alarms, skip songs and even silence an incoming call. It can also detect actions, such as a user reaching for the Pixel 4, which boots up the facial recognition security feature and allows for a faster and smoother unlocking experience.
Adaptive 90Hz Screen Astrophotography
Like its predecessors, the Pixel 4 has a superb camera setup. What’s new this time around is that the phone has an astrophotography feature that lets users capture the night sky better. With the camera in Night Mode, the Pixel 4 is able to detect low light levels and visible sky. That said, it can automatically switch to astrophotography mode, where the camera takes 16 15-second-long exposures, aligning and tweaking them to produce crisp, high-resolution photos in the same way DSLR cameras do.
This function is perfect for travelers or astronomy enthusiasts who want an elevated level of detail and crispness without having to switch devices.
2x Optically Zoomed Lens
Another new feature on the Pixel 4 is the dedicated telephoto zoom lens. Aside from its 16MP main camera with ƒ/2.4 aperture, this features a 12.2MP camera with ƒ/1.7 aperture. Combined with Google’s powerful software, this phone delivers crisp and clear photos even at 2x zoom.
Beyond 2x, the photo may have a bit of detail smoothening and blotchiness, but otherwise, the Pixel 4’s camera is one of the best in the market.
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On-Device Transcription Recorder App
One of the more unique features of the Pixel 4 is its new and improved Recorder app. Google demonstrates the power of its onboard language processing and machine learning by allowing users to record audio and have it transcribed in real-time with or without a data connection.
In addition, transcription is searchable, which means users can search through their recordings for specific words or phrases and have those files pulled up in the search. It also leaves markers for the types of audio it detects, making it easier to skip through irrelevant sounds like music in the background. (Perfect for those who regularly conduct interviews, need to record lectures or take minutes of the meeting.)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 and 6 GB of RAM with Adaptive 90Hz Screen
Getting down to the more technical aspects, the Pixel 4 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chip with 6GB of RAM. With the kind of speed and power that overtake its predecessors, its adaptive 90Hz screen makes for a fast, smooth and responsive device.
The Pixel 4 has an adaptable display and by default runs as 90Hz but can drop to 60Hz when not required or unsupported. If the refresh rate may seem too heavy for your system, there’s an option to turn it off and allow it to run at 60Hz, too.
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Of course, not every smartphone is perfect as much as we wish they could be. The tradeoffs for excellent new features in the Pixel 4’s case are the suboptimal battery life (which can last you one day at best), the lack of a headphone jack and limited choice of storage capacity (64GB and 128GB).
If you’re the type who loves taking photos, can appreciate the potential of a hassle-free and (almost) touch-free interface or wants to lessen the burden of taking notes during a meeting, then the Pixel 4 is definitely for you.
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