MKBHD really dislikes the Pixel 4/XL

[eric002]

I have a 4xl and the regular 11 pro, both take great shots and I go back and forth on which is better. The biggest let down for me on the 4XL is something that doesn't get talked about a lot, it still uses the Sony lens from 2016, same lense as the last few pixels. If they had upgraded the lenses on the 4's, the cameras would probably be the best of the best again. I don't have issues with battery (pushing 90 hz all the time), memory, storage, lag, over all a fantastic phone but come on Google, a 2016 lens?

Actually, come to think about it, you're pushing 90 hz on the screen refresh rate and your battery is pretty solid throughout the day? That's amazing! Yeah, most of the 4XL is amazing!

 

[C5Longhorn]

I watched MKBD's review and I agree with most of his decisions. He wasn't saying the P4 was bad, rather that it didn't live up to the expectations people had before it launched. I agree with him there.

 

[eric002]

I watched MKBD's review and I agree with most of his decisions. He wasn't saying the P4 was bad, rather that I'd didn't live up to the expectations people had before it launched. I agree with him there.

You know, this is very true. marques brownlee didn't say the pixel for soft. He said well you just said it didn't meet expectations. Like I said, Google taken away unlimited cloud storage original resolution is pissy and frustrating. Other than that though the phone is excellent. It's what a pixel should be.

 

[dtones39]

I don't have any issues with battery making it through the day with 90 on all time. I originally started using it without it and I didn't notice any change in how long it lasts. The benefit of having it on all the time definitely far outweighs the battery loss.

Actually, come to think about it, you're pushing 90 hz on the screen refresh rate and your battery is pretty solid throughout the day? That's amazing! Yeah, most of the 4XL is amazing!

 

[eric002]

I don't have any issues with battery making it through the day with 90 on all time. I originally started using it without it and I didn't notice any change in how long it lasts. The benefit of having it on all the time definitely far outweighs the battery loss.

Gotcha gotcha fair enough. Sounds great. I think most people of the 4XL will keep the 90 hz screen on all the time because it looks awesome. For me, for battery performance on my 3XL, I force uninstalled carrier services and I don't have RCS chat feature enabled. I emailed Google and talked to them about over the phone to report it. For some reason whenever I have RCS carrier services in my play store enabled and updated, no matter how little I use my phone, carrier services is always the top battery draining application. I don't know why though. Besides I barely use it with anyone unfortunately.

 

[Lepa79]

Gotcha gotcha fair enough. Sounds great. I think most people of the 4XL will keep the 90 hz screen on all the time because it looks awesome. For me, for battery performance on my 3XL, I force uninstalled carrier services and I don't have RCS chat feature enabled. I emailed Google and talked to them about over the phone to report it. For some reason whenever I have RCS carrier services in my play store enabled and updated, no matter how little I use my phone, carrier services is always the top battery draining application. I don't know why though. Besides I barely use it with anyone unfortunately.

Where is that SETTING in Google play store?

 

[eric002]

Where is that SETTING in Google play store?

Well, check it out! now, nothing I wouldn't want to use or see us chat services, but not if it's always the top raining battery draining application my play store. That's what sucks!

 

[subguy812]

I have a 4xl and the regular 11 pro, both take great shots and I go back and forth on which is better. The biggest let down for me on the 4XL is something that doesn't get talked about a lot, it still uses the Sony lens from 2016, same lense as the last few pixels. If they had upgraded the lenses on the 4's, the cameras would probably be the best of the best again. I don't have issues with battery (pushing 90 hz all the time), memory, storage, lag, over all a fantastic phone but come on Google, a 2016 lens?

I am not sure what the problem is with the year the lens was made. The end result is what is important regardless of when the lens was made.

 

[cribble2k]

I watched MKBD's review and I agree with most of his decisions. He wasn't saying the P4 was bad, rather that it didn't live up to the expectations people had before it launched. I agree with him there.

I dunno, the 4 XL lived up to my expectations.

I had this phone since day 1 and never had major problems, even with the camera and battery.

 

[eric002]

I dunno, the 4 XL lived up to my expectations.

I had this phone since day 1 and never had major problems, even with the camera and battery.

well, that's great to hear! I mean for example, when the 3XL came out everyone hated the damn notch. I don't mind a notch. It serves a purpose and it really doesn't get intrusive, or in the way of any application or videos or anything. I most the time forget it's even there! I swear, most people make it out to be more than it is as usual.

 

[davidnc]

Just goes to show that reviewers don't take the time to really "use" a device. I'd rather spend my money on the experience the Pixel 4 offers vs what a spec sheet would give me on a OnePlus device. IMO.

https://youtu.be/4OnwUz-I2GI

I always view vid's like this with a grain of salt, for me his winner MVP was not mine. Everyone is different in their need's of a smart phones, and that's is something no one else can decide on except for the person buying the phone. I like the Pixel 4 XL just fine. I also like the Iphone 11 pro max. I don't care if someone else does not like the phone I picked out for my use haha . Also if they like a different phone good for them, I did not buy it they did

I always review the phones I an interested in the most , know what features they don't offer. I'm not one to have a ton of features that I will never use on a phone.

For example the Pixel 4 does not have the wide angle lens but how often will I actually use that . The Iphone pro does have the wide angle camera. The Pixel 4 has the astrophotography camera option , again how often will I use that. The iphone pro does not have a dedicated astrophotography mode.

As long as I can make it though a 18 hr day and I rate myself in the medium category as a phone user. I'm good with that

For me on that video the only 2 phones I would pick would be the Pixel 4 XL (128gb) or the Iphone 11 Pro Max (256 gb).... again everyone one has a different opinion and thats actually a good thing.. Oh and I think all phones cost to much !!

 

[eric002]

I always view vid's like this with a grain of salt, for me his winner MVP was not mine. Everyone is different in their need's of a smart phones, and that's is something no one else can decide on except for the person buying the phone. I like the Pixel 4 XL just fine. I also like the Iphone 11 pro max. I don't care if someone else does not like the phone I picked out for my use haha . Also if they like a different phone good for them, I did not buy it they did

I always review the phones I an interested in the most , know what features they don't offer. I'm not one to have a ton of features that I will never use on a phone.

For example the Pixel 4 does not have the wide angle lens but how often will I actually use that . The Iphone pro does have the wide angle camera. The Pixel 4 has the astrophotography camera option , again how often will I use that. The iphone pro does not have a dedicated astrophotography mode.

As long as I can make it though a 18 hr day and I rate myself in the medium category as a phone user. I'm good with that

For me on that video the only 2 phones I would pick would be the Pixel 4 XL (128gb) or the Iphone 11 Pro Max (256 gb).... again everyone one has a different opinion and thats actually a good thing.. Oh and I think all phones cost to much !!

You're right, no one really mentions this too much. Everybody's smartphone needs are different. No one smartphone is perfect at the end of the day. That's exactly in addition with excellent marketing why Samsung Galaxy phones have always been top sellers.

 

[J Dubbs]

All phones do cost too much, but the manufacturers are getting the message (even Apple lol), and offering lower priced options. Unfortunately the pixel 4's are still overpriced.... the value just isn't there. I might pick one up next year when they drop $300 in price like the 3's did

 

[eric002]

flagship phones have cost way too much money for a couple of years now. That's the hard truth. Just because I had the latest processor and now with the upcoming phones in 2020 having 5G they're going to cost $1,100? That's nonsense! It's like a car payment for a phone! I mean it is true that smartphones have become many computers in our pockets but that's been the truth for a long time now as well. I'm glad that all these manufacturers are now realizing that their phones are getting way too too expensive. I really hope that the pixel 3A and the new Pixel 4A phones (when it comes out) continue to sell extremely well!

 

[J Dubbs]

The pixel 3a's have been the best selling phones on Amazon for a long time now. They way out sell the p3's and p4's..... just like Samsung's a line series way out sells the Galaxy and Note line. Same with Apple. Flagships aren't big sellers, they just draw attention to the brand. Like Corvettes.... Chevy keeps making them even though they sell practically none compared to the rest of their vehicles. They're just there for brand recognition.

 

[eric002]

Oh, I'm not surprised about that! A very awesome budget phone and half the price of a flagship phone. Great job Google! My mom has a Pixel 3a XL and she loves it! , Great easy to use intuitive UI. And straight Google, And wonderful pixel camera!

 

[cribble2k]

All phones do cost too much, but the manufacturers are getting the message (even Apple lol), and offering lower priced options. Unfortunately the pixel 4's are still overpriced.... the value just isn't there. I might pick one up next year when they drop $300 in price like the 3's did

A lot of people want to pay high prices to make themselves look better off than those around them.

If you bought an iPhone 11 pro and only hang out with people with the 7/8+ you better believe you'd get that inflated sense of self esteem....!

Remember when owning a BlackBerry made you look "cool"?

 

[neil74]

I do agree with him that the Pixel 4 was a disappointment, Google have had an open goal with the Pixel for a couple of years now IMO and just keep missing it. Having said that it is still an excellent phone and all of the current crop of droids have their compromises and there is not one that ticks every box for me:

OnePlus 7/7t pro - Camera not quite up there with the best, no always on display, no wireless charging

Samsung - Disappointing camera, generally falls short of the iPhone/Huawei/Pixel in most areas but especially dislike the smudged detail and not being good at all with any movement in the scene.

LG - Can no longer buy them in the UK! Laughable software updates from their dedicated updates center.

P30 Pro - Lower Res screen. Camera is terrific but metering and WB can be inconsistent and the app is awful. EMUI

As for the Pixel 4 XL I'd like just a little more storage and the ultra-wide, so they all have something that bother me. If the Samsungs had better cameras they would be my pick but right now the Pixel 4 XL and P30 pro come closest to ticking all of my boxes. I also have the 11 pro max and honestly if iOS was just a little more flexible that would probably be my only phone as it is otherwise really terrific.

In 2020 I may try some other brands such as realme or Xiaomi to see how they are....

 

[Golurk]

To be honest EMUI has gotten a lot better than what it was, so it should no longer be a dealbreaker. And if you don’t like custom skin UIs that OEMs use, just install a launcher (like Evie). Being able to install launchers and customise them is one of the great things about Android.

As for Samsung, personally I have no problems with their autofocus but they do need to stop smudging detail.

 

[Golurk]

A lot of people want to pay high prices to make themselves look better off than those around them.

If you bought an iPhone 11 pro and only hang out with people with the 7/8+ you better believe you'd get that inflated sense of self esteem....!

Remember when owning a BlackBerry made you look "cool"?

This is exactly the kind of thinking people derided as ‘iSheep’ use. If it’s expensive/overpriced and has an Apple logo on it, it’s better than everything else. At least look at how good the individual devices are!

Buying an iPhone 11 Pro because it’s a great phone? Sure (because it is). But buying it because it’s expensive and has an Apple logo?