Pixel 5 under display speaker

[ezdoit]

Right, and why do they have an under-display speaker? Because they wanted to get rid of bezels. Good front-firing stereo speakers like on the Pixel 2 and 3 are rendered impossible if there's no bezel (even a minimal one).

Maybe in a few years, bezels will become ironically retro-cool again.

OR - they could try fins like on a '59 Caddy - plenty of room for speakers there.

 

[mustang7757]

OR - they could try fins like on a '59 Caddy - plenty of room for speakers there.

View attachment 328006

They don't build them like that anymore

 

[AnnDroid]

Crap, I hate to say this, but I'm close to cancelling my order for the green P5 and get the Note 20 Ultra. I want a phone that thrills me when I pick it up.

 

[Mike Dee]

They don't build them like that anymore

For sale.... sleeps 2 comfortably

 

[mustang7757]

For sale.... sleeps 2 comfortablyView attachment 328007

 

[ezdoit]

For sale.... sleeps 2 comfortably

You found the delivery vehicle for the Pixel 5 - WTG! - RIP P5

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

Right, and why do they have an under-display speaker? Because they wanted to get rid of bezels. Good front-firing stereo speakers like on the Pixel 2 and 3 are rendered impossible if there's no bezel (even a minimal one).

Maybe in a few years, bezels will become ironically retro-cool again.

Other phones with small bezels (like Galaxy phones) don't have this issue. Their speakers sound great.

Google could have solved this if they put a speaker grille at the top of the phone like they did with the Pixel 4a and 4a 5G as they all have similar sized top bezels. But Google for whatever reason decided against to have a speaker grille at the top. Now the sound is trying to be forced out through a sealed screen, which is why it sounds bad.

It's not a 'bezels are evil!' thing, it's a 'Google made a bone-headed decision' thing by not putting a speaker grille at the top of the phone. Pixel 4a has it, 4a 5G has it and they both sound better than the 5.

 

[gebco]

I'd love to hear some reviews form folks here on the forums. I don't really care about stereo separation on a 6 inch device (that's what my home stereo is for) but I do care about loudness and sound quality for speaker phone, YouTube vids, etc. As long as the bottom firing speaker is decent I'm in. This will be a phone to last me 3 years. . .

 

[Mike Dee]

I'd love to hear some reviews form folks here on the forums. I don't really care about stereo separation on a 6 inch device (that's what my home stereo is for) but I do care about loudness and sound quality for speaker phone, YouTube vids, etc. As long as the bottom firing speaker is decent I'm in. This will be a phone to last me 3 years. . .

I haven't heard anybody here in the forum say that it had great sound.

 

[mustang7757]

Yeah heard both in call and speaker phone are not good.

 

[Mike Dee]

Yeah heard both in call and speaker phone are not good.

Yup,. I'll take the word of some of the folks here. Doesn't sound promising.

 

[mustang7757]

Yup,. I'll take the word of some of the folks here. Doesn't sound promising.

Its a shame , phone is pretty good otherwise .

 

[Mike Dee]

Its a shame , phone is pretty good otherwise .

I know I'm oversimplifying with this example, but imagine putting a thin piece of glass over your car speakers. Do you think you'd be happy with the sound?

 

[mustang7757]

I know I'm oversimplifying with this example, but imagine putting a thin piece of glass over your car speakers. Do you think you'd be happy with the sound?

I agree , I thought it was early for them to bring this technology to the table , others haven't put it out out yet should tell you something .

 

[Mike Dee]

I agree , I thought it was early for them to bring this technology to the table , others haven't put it out out yet should tell you something .

I think they borrowed the idea from some widescreen OLED TVs. I could see it working there because of the much bigger surface area, but let's face it most people add a sound bar to improve the sound anyway.

 

[mustang7757]

I think they borrowed the idea from some widescreen OLED TVs. I could see it working there because of the much bigger surface area, but let's face it most people add a sound bar to improve the sound anyway.

Good point !

 

[mwboost]

I've changed my mind... Under display speaker is garbage lol.
Way less immersive than my Pixel 4. Soo much more sound comes out the bottom even after playing with sound balance.
Wondering if a glass screen protector will make it worse. Should've made a similar design to samsung.

 

[mustang7757]

I've changed my mind... Under display speaker is garbage lol.
Way less immersive than my Pixel 4. Soo much more sound comes out the bottom even after playing with sound balance.
Wondering if a glass screen protector will make it worse. Should've made a similar design to samsung.

Good point on a glass screen protector

 

[ezdoit]

I think they borrowed the idea from some widescreen OLED TVs. I could see it working there because of the much bigger surface area, but let's face it most people add a sound bar to improve the sound anyway.

Wonder if I could get a sound bar for the P5...

 

[gebco]

Looks like I'll be looking at the 4a 5G as well. Just hope 6GB ram will be sufficient for the next 3 years.