PIxel 5 screen size and alternatives?

[ianhanson85]

Hey all, I was debating a one plus 9 or Pixel 5 the last few weeks and finally settled on the 5.

It arrived a few days ago and loving almost everything about it except the screen size, really wish google made an XL variant.

Battery is best I've ever experienced in an android phone and the screen resolution and 90hz refresh are fine as well.

I am coming from a pixel 3XL so the screen difference is just so noticeable.

Anyone else running into this issue? Told myself I'd give it the weekend but leaning towards returning for something with a larger screen.

And thoughts or recommendations would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[mustang7757]

[Hi, moved this to pixel 5 forums]

 

[kenorian]

Also came from a Pixel 3XL (loved it but it came to a tragic demise). Had the XL versions since the original, skipping the 4. Honestly, the screen size seems fine for me. Coupled with being more pocketable, happy with it.

 

[B. Diddy]

You might consider exchanging it for a 4a 5G, which has similar internals (except 6 GB RAM instead of 8 GB), but a 6.2" screen (compared to the 5's 6" screen). As a comparison, the 3 XL's screen is 6.3".

Everyone I know who has a 4a 5G says it's great, and the recent update that juiced up the GPU processing benefited the 4a 5G as well as the 5.

 

[Scott337]

The Pixel 5 screen is 6" so only "0.3 smaller than the 3 & 4 XL. I think the almost no bezel form factor of the 5 is what makes it "seem" so much smaller than the 3 & 4 XL, when it's actually very close to the same screen real estate.

 

[B. Diddy]

I think another way the 5's screen feels smaller is in the proportion -- it's relatively narrower than the 3 XL, with a screen ratio of 19.5:9 as opposed to 18.5:9.

https://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Google-Pixel-3-XL,Google-Pixel-5/phones/10926,11394

 

[rpdc]

I had the Pixel 4a and upgraded to the 4a5g. I like it much better. The 6.2 inch screen is the sweet spot for me.

 

[ianhanson85]

You might consider exchanging it for a 4a 5G, which has similar internals (except 6 GB RAM instead of 8 GB), but a 6.2" screen (compared to the 5's 6" screen). As a comparison, the 3 XL's screen is 6.3".

Everyone I know who has a 4a 5G says it's great, and the recent update that juiced up the GPU processing benefited the 4a 5G as well as the 5.

Thought about this, but no wireless charging is bummer.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

I have the 4a 5G and it is a brilliant phone. Again 6.2” is the sweet spot

 

[bkdodger2]

I thought the no wireless charging would bother me on the 4a 5g but it's really not not an issue.. You can also pick up a case with wireless charging to add your own... Size is perfect on the 4a 5G..

 

[ianhanson85]

I thought the no wireless charging would bother me on the 4a 5g but it's really not not an issue.. You can also pick up a case with wireless charging to add your own... Size is perfect on the 4a 5G..

All good points, thanks for the feedback everyone.

The 5 is growing on me as of now. The battery life is just insane. I hit 5 hours screen on time yesterday and the battery was still above 50%. Never thought I'd see that on an android device. Seems like it will truly be a phone where I can finally not worry if I'm going to run out of juice throughout the day. I was charging my 3 XL at least once throughout the day and it drove me nuts.

The 4a 5g does seem interesting. 6.2 screen size is more in line with what I was looking for but again no wireless charging and no waterproofing is also a deal breaker. I learned the hard way with my 3Xl that water proofing is a must when you have 3 young children.

 

[farocco]

I consider the total experience of the pixel 5 very good and more than makes up for the screen size, which I have no issues.

 

[kenorian]

All good points, thanks for the feedback everyone.

The 5 is growing on me as of now. The battery life is just insane. I hit 5 hours screen on time yesterday and the battery was still above 50%. Never thought I'd see that on an android device. Seems like it will truly be a phone where I can finally not worry if I'm going to run out of juice throughout the day. I was charging my 3 XL at least once throughout the day and it drove me nuts.

The 4a 5g does seem interesting. 6.2 screen size is more in line with what I was looking for but again no wireless charging and no waterproofing is also a deal breaker. I learned the hard way with my 3Xl that water proofing is a must when you have 3 young children.

That IP rating is with the extra $$ for me.

 

[Morty2264]

All good points, thanks for the feedback everyone.

The 5 is growing on me as of now. The battery life is just insane. I hit 5 hours screen on time yesterday and the battery was still above 50%. Never thought I'd see that on an android device. Seems like it will truly be a phone where I can finally not worry if I'm going to run out of juice throughout the day. I was charging my 3 XL at least once throughout the day and it drove me nuts.

The 4a 5g does seem interesting. 6.2 screen size is more in line with what I was looking for but again no wireless charging and no waterproofing is also a deal breaker. I learned the hard way with my 3Xl that water proofing is a must when you have 3 young children.

I definitely understand what you are saying. Water resistance is definitely a must-have for me as well. I believe the Pixel 6 is supposed to be bigger than the 5, but that can be out between October and the end of 2021.

 

[sulla1965]

Pixel 4a 5g is a wonderful phone. Pixel 5 is just too small. 4a 5g has no ip rating, or wireless charging which means its my backup phone and nothing more.

 

[ianhanson85]

Pixel 4a 5g is a wonderful phone. Pixel 5 is just too small. 4a 5g has no ip rating, or wireless charging which means its my backup phone and nothing more.

After a week with it, my opinion has changed. The screen itself really isn't small. I think it's the form factor. The mostly bezelless design and rear facing/under the screen speakers save a lot of real estate. I'm really enjoying it. Battery life is crazy good, best I've ever experienced on any phone. Most I've ever been able to drain was down to 45% and that was with over 6 hours screen on time. My Pixel 3 Xl would have died at 5, probably sooner. Seeing how I've already invested in the pixel wireless stand from my 3XL, the wireless charging and IP68 are worth the extra money and slightly smaller screen. Really enjoying the P5. Just took a little getting used to I guess coming from a 3XL.

 

[B. Diddy]

After a week with it, my opinion has changed. The screen itself really isn't small. I think it's the form factor. The mostly bezelless design and rear facing/under the screen speakers save a lot of real estate. I'm really enjoying it. Battery life is crazy good, best I've ever experienced on any phone. Most I've ever been able to drain was down to 45% and that was with over 6 hours screen on time. My Pixel 3 Xl would have died at 5, probably sooner. Seeing how I've already invested in the pixel wireless stand from my 3XL, the wireless charging and IP68 are worth the extra money and slightly smaller screen. Really enjoying the P5. Just took a little getting used to I guess coming from a 3XL.

That's great to hear, glad you're enjoying it!