MKBHD really dislikes the Pixel 4/XL

[strikeIII]

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

 

[eric002]

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

Yep. But I was watching a smartphone awards of 2019. But that's the same thing. I understand that everyone likes wide angle lenses I don't need a wide angle lens. As far as the battery. If you buy the 4XL you'll have a good battery. as far as the design elements. Google is not a hardware company they are a software company. Do not expect it to be all shiny like a Samsung Galaxy phone in general. Google phones have never been gimmicky phones that's why we all love them.

I think pixel phones will always appeal to a niche buyer. I wish weren't true but probably is.

 

[Nikholas Pappas]

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 had a OnePlus 7 Pro since it came out. A few weeks ago it was stolen and I was on a business trip and needed a dual sim phone right away, so I picked up a Pixel 4 XL.

So it has been my only phone for about 3 weeks now and I can tell you that for me, the OnePlus phone was a better user experience.

 

[strikeIII]

I had a OnePlus 7 Pro since it came out. A few weeks ago it was stolen and I was on a business trip and needed a dual sim phone right away, so I picked up a Pixel 4 XL.

So it has been my only phone for about 3 weeks now and I can tell you that for me, the OnePlus phone was a better user experience.

OnePlus devices are good but they just don't bring anything special IMO. If OnePlus made Google's hardware then it'll definitely be a strong contender. But things like call screening, assistant, now playing, the camera, 90hz screen, face unlock, motion sense, etc. Makes for a solid experience. And I'm more of a Samsung fan. But the Pixel 4 is the first Pixel I can actually use as a daily device. It's funny that the Pixel 4 is probably the most hated but happens to be my favorite.

 

[Lepa79]

"Bust of the year" Pixel 4 lol. I do agree though. It's why I decided to get a Pixel 3 XL instead just a month ago. Not much there, so ya, a disappointment. Good phone but disappointing. Like for example, giving you a 64gb base storage and taking away unlimited full resolution storage. THAT is a clear definition of disappointment

 

[Nikholas Pappas]

OnePlus devices are good but they just don't bring anything special IMO. If OnePlus made Google's hardware then it'll definitely be a strong contender. But things like call screening, assistant, now playing, the camera, 90hz screen, face unlock, motion sense, etc. Makes for a solid experience. And I'm more of a Samsung fan. But the Pixel 4 is the first Pixel I can actually use as a daily device. It's funny that the Pixel 4 is probably the most hated but happens to be my favorite.

All those things you just listed other than motion sense and call screening are available on the oneplus, and in fact One Plus 7 Pro had a 90hz OLED screen before the Pixel did.

Here is what I have found in the difference between the 2

Pro's of the Pixel 4xl.

Feel in hand. This phone feels amazing and it is the first phone I have had in a long time I have not felt the absolute need to put a case on.

Camera is great. I will need to look at some photos on a larger screen, but the lowlight is amazing

Always on display. I have always missed this feature on OnePlus phones

Esim is fantastic. I was able to add my work number to the phone without waiting on a Sim card.

Flat Screen. Personal preference, I prefer flat to curved edges.

The Speakers are a bit louder

That is really about it in comparison to the OnePlus.

Cons of the Pixel when compared to the OP7 Pro

Battery Life. The OP7 isn't great with battery life, but the Pixel is worse

Charging speed. Along with worse battery life, it takes almost twice as long to charge.

No finger Print reader. This is self explanatory but goes along with...

Spotty support for FaceID: I have to constantly use my password on apps that are not updated to use FaceID

Face ID also Opens the phone when I don't want it opened

Performance Issues. I think If I had not had such a perfect experience with OnePlus on both the 5 and 7 Pro I would not have noticed. But on the pixel, I occasionally get a lag on app openings to the point where I wonder if I hit the app icon or not.

Gestures on the OnePlus are in my opinion superior. Especially the Screen off gestures you get.

OnePlus Dual Sim implementation and ability to switch sims from the control shade is much better.

No 4k60 Recording.

There are some other little things that bug me. Like not being able to assign the squeeze to something other than assistant. And a Marque feature of the Pixel is the new Google assistant, but it will not work if you are using a Gsuite account on the phone. (If anyone knows a work around let me know.

 

[eric002]

"Bust of the year" Pixel 4 lol. I do agree though. It's why I decided to get a Pixel 3 XL instead just a month ago. Not much there, so ya, a disappointment. Good phone but disappointing. Like for example, giving you a 64gb base storage and taking away unlimited full resolution storage. THAT is a clear definition of disappointment

listen, I will say that when I first heard the news of the Pixel 4 not supporting unlimited Google photo storage at original resolution I was very disappointed myself. That part is very annoying. honestly, that's one of the beauties of having a Google pixel phone is unlimited photo cloud backup and original resolution

OnePlus devices are good but they just don't bring anything special IMO. If OnePlus made Google's hardware then it'll definitely be a strong contender. But things like call screening, assistant, now playing, the camera, 90hz screen, face unlock, motion sense, etc. Makes for a solid experience. And I'm more of a Samsung fan. But the Pixel 4 is the first Pixel I can actually use as a daily device. It's funny that the Pixel 4 is probably the most hated but happens to be my favorite.

Yes, the pixel phones are always a solid experience. They're not the most beautiful phones in the world. They don't have the extra bells and whistles. They don't have insanely huge batteries. They also have an amazingly smooth user experience. Incredibly fast software updates. And they're supported by Google for 3 years. Amazing AI and image processing for still pictures. That is the one area that Google needs to improve upon is video quality. But still images, Google has everyone beat. I agree, the pixel 4 phones are very expensive. And even though I have my 3XL now I would still buy a 3XL today. It's a great great phone amazing user experience, etc.

 

[Mike Dee]

listen, I will say that when I first heard the news of the Pixel 4 not supporting unlimited Google photo storage at original resolution I was very disappointed myself. That part is very annoying. honestly, that's one of the beauties of having a Google pixel phone is unlimited photo cloud backup and original resolution Yes, the pixel phones are always a solid experience. They're not the most beautiful phones in the world. They don't have the extra bells and whistles. They don't have insanely huge batteries. They also have an amazingly smooth user experience. Incredibly fast software updates. And they're supported by Google for 3 years. Amazing AI and image processing for still pictures. That is the one area that Google needs to improve upon is video quality. But still images, Google has everyone beat. I agree, the pixel 4 phones are very expensive. And even though I have my 3XL now I would still buy a 3XL today. It's a great great phone amazing user experience, etc.

While I agree with what you are saying other devices now take pretty great photos and have better video so it makes it difficult to say Pixel has the best camera.

 

[Lepa79]

While I agree with what you are saying other devices now take pretty great photos and have better video so it makes it difficult to say Pixel has the best camera.

Best phone camera for the masses right now is Iphone 11 pro. Pixel doesn't have that crown any longer. And that is coming from a person with pixel 3 XL as main driver.

 

[eric002]

I'll tell you something though, with my pixel 3XL, every photo I take from my point of perspective is amazing. most people with iPhones around me are still astonished with the pictures I can take. I'm not saying videos are great. on the contrary, I never really take videos with my phone I never have a need to. There's still images are phenomenal. I'm not saying the iPhone doesn't take great photos either, but the pixel is still one of the best. It has the most useful functional logical features ever without being gimmicky. I'm not saying that Pixel 4 XL is the greatest phone since sliced bread either, pixel / Nexus phones have always appealed to a select type of people. The Galaxy note 10 plus 5G is a beautiful looking phone. However, it's huge and it's got more features than I would personally know what to do with. I would also never use the s pen either. The problem with OnePlus phones isn't their software. It's their camera. And sure, you can silo the APK file for the Google camera application. However, at that point, just buy a pixel phone and call it a day. That's the only argument I can think of making about it. I almost bought a OnePlus 6T, but I always wanted another Google phone, so I bought one from Verizon.

I also don't agree that the pixel 4 phones should be $1,000. I told that to the Verizon customer service manager when I bought my 3XL That I wanted a good discount on my thrift seller I'm not buying it. He gave me $200 off the phone. I don't believe flagship phone should be a thousand bucks still.

 

[Mike Dee]

Best phone camera for the masses right now is Iphone 11 pro. Pixel doesn't have that crown any longer. And that is coming from a person with pixel 3 XL as main driver.

I think it depends on a specific kind of photo. In blind tests results are always all over the place.

 

[Almeuit]

I will be watching this video soon.

 

[eric002]

I think it depends on a specific kind of photo. In blind tests results are always all over the place.

Yup, this is absolutely true! If you like overly saturated and unnatural photos, Galaxy phones will do great. Pixel phones take the clearest, most natural looking pictures.

 

[eric002]

I will be watching this video soon.

It's a very good review!

 

[ChuckG73]

you know I knocked the 4xl before I purchased one....and now I can say I am really happy with it. It may not be everyone's favorite phone but I wouldn't knock anyone for saying it is their favorite. To each their own and have a Merry Christmas.

 

[eric002]

you know I knocked the 4xl before I purchased one....and now I can say I am really happy with it. It may not be everyone's favorite phone but I wouldn't knock anyone for saying it is their favorite. To each their own and have a Merry Christmas.

You know, I couldn't agree more. It's not everyone's favorite phone but it's my favorite phone. Don't knock it until you try it. Like I said, it's all about the amazing software experience and AI / machine learning for amazing pictures!

 

[jtcannonball]

Video at 4K30fps is a wash, and honestly I don't use 4k60 on my iPhone as it's far to large of files for what I prefer. Photos I feel are more often superior with the Pixel in regards to more accurate and clear photos per shot taken to what my iPhone takes.

 

[Pixelfan56]

I think it depends on a specific kind of photo. In blind tests results are always all over the place.

Agreed!!! My wife has an 11 pro Max and we were taking portraits of our cocktail glasses when we were out the other night. Everyone at the table, including iPhone people, thought for that particular picture setting, the 4xl was better. The iPhone 11 was too warm

 

[eric002]

Agreed!!! My wife has an 11 pro Max and we were taking portraits of our cocktail glasses when we were out the other night. Everyone at the table, including iPhone people, thought for that particular picture setting, the 4xl was better. The iPhone 11 was too warm

Video at 4K30fps is a wash, and honestly I don't use 4k60 on my iPhone as it's far to large of files for what I prefer. Photos I feel are more often superior with the Pixel in regards to more accurate and clear photos per shot taken to what my iPhone takes.

I completely agree. Like I said, I know the iPhone takes way better video. There's no question about it! Most people don't take that much video on their phone unless they're vloggers or videographers. Most people take still images, more often than not the pixels take more natural sharper looking pictures. Again, realistically useful and functional features that we all use in our everyday lives! And, yes, portrait shots look freaking amazing!

 

[dtones39]

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?