5 things we want to see from the Google Pixel 5 - Android

Google doesn’t make phones like any other Android OEM and the Pixel 5 is threatening to be the most unique and potentially divisive handset from the search giant to date.

We’re still some ways out from the expected Pixel 5 release date which will likely slot into the calendar in the series’ usual October launch window. However, there are already rumors circulating that the Pixel 5 may not be the flagship phone you might be expecting to see.

After the mixed bag that was the Google Pixel 4, there are plenty of areas the Pixel 5 could improve on the Pixel formula. With this and those fascinating rumors in mind, here are five things we want to see from the Google Pixel 5.

Ultra wide-angle camera

I’m willing to bet an ultra wide-angle camera is on every Pixel fan’s wishlist for the fifth-generation phone.

Google’s decision to stick with a dual-lens camera on the Pixel 4 when essentially every other OEM (even Apple!) had shifted to a triple-lens shooter was a massive head-scratcher. After all, zoom is great, but when you’re buying a flagship phone you shouldn’t have to choose in the first place.

Related: Camera shootout: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Google Pixel 4 XL

While we’re talking cameras, can we also extend that zoom beyond just 2x optical? Super Res Zoom is impressive, but if the Pixel 5 is going to compete with the best we’d like to see the optical zoom stretch to at least 3x.

128GB storage as standard

At the last count, Google managed to snag the dubious honor of being the worst OEM when it comes to price gouging over smartphone storage.

While we’d also like to see the price difference between configurations reduced from the current $100 hike, the core issue is that 64GB base model. Just get rid of it.

128GB is the standard storage capacity for basically every Android flagship and the Pixel 5 should be no different. 64GB isn’t enough. 256GB is potentially overkill if you use cloud storage. 128GB is just right.

Better battery life

You might be thinking this should say “a bigger battery,” but having a large cell packed into a phone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Unfortunately, while many OEMs are pushing their custom hardware and software to achieve greater power efficiency and reduce battery drain, Google has been more interested in expanding its phones’ feature sets with AI smarts. That’s a noble goal and one I’d like to see continue, but not at the cost of atrocious battery life like the vanilla Pixel 4.

It's not all about having a bigger battery... but that'd be welcome too.

Thankfully, there are positive signs. Android 11, which the Pixel 5 will almost definitely run out of the box, is rumored to feature an ultra low power mode for eking out extra juice when your battery is about to die.

Hopefully that’s just the start and Google will fine-tune its hardware and software package to give us a phone that doesn’t hit zero well before bedtime. And hey, if that means we need a bigger battery too, then that’s just fine too.

Motion Sense… but better this time

I really wanted to like Motion Sense. It’s the kind of quirky extra feature that makes phones fun and not just another bland hand