Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4 - Should you upgrade - Android

Let's take a look at the differences between the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4 to see which one comes out on top.

The Pixel 5 is here, and now it’s time to see how it stacks up against the competition. In this article, we’re looking to see how the latest flagship device from Google compares with last year’s Pixel 4 series. We’ll talk about design, specs, and other features in detail with the goal of helping you decide which handset comes out on top in the Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4 battle and whether or not you should upgrade. Let’s dive in.

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Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4

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Specs

	Google Pixel 5	Google Pixel 4	Google Pixel 4 XL
Display	6-inch OLED 2,340 x 1,080 resolution, 432ppi 19.5:9 aspect ratio 90Hz refresh rate Gorilla Glass 6	5.7-inch pOLED 2,280 x 1,080 resolution, 444ppi 19:9 aspect ratio 90Hz refresh rate Gorilla Glass 5	6.3-inch pOLED 3,040 x 1,440 resolution, 537ppi 19:9 aspect ratio 90Hz refresh rate Gorilla Glass 5
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
GPU	Adreno 620	Adreno 640	Adreno 640
RAM	8GB	6GB	6GB
Storage	128GB	64GB, 128GB	64GB, 128GB
MicroSD	No	No	No
Battery	4,080mAh 18W charging Qi wireless charging Reverse wireless charging	2,800mAh 18W fast charging Qi wireless charging	3,700mAh 18W fast charging Qi wireless charging
Cameras	Rear: 12.2MP, f/1.7 aperture, 1.4µm pixels, optical + electronic image stabilization 16MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1 micron pixel, ultra-wide (107-degree FoV) 4K at 60fps/30fps Front: 8MP sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12µm pixels, fixed focus, 83-degree FoV	Rear: 12.2MP Dual-Pixel, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 1.4μm, 77 degree FOV, OIS + EIS, PDAF 16MP telephoto, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 1.0μm, 52 degree FOV, OIS + EIS, PDAF Front: 8.1MP, ƒ/2.0, 1.22μm, 90 degree FOV	Rear: 12.2MP Dual-Pixel, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 1.4μm, 77 degree FOV, OIS + EIS, PDAF 16MP telephoto, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 1.0μm, 52 degree FOV, OIS + EIS, PDAF Front: 8.1MP, ƒ/2.0, 1.22μm, 90 degree FOV
IP rating	IP68	IP68	IP68
Headphone jack	No	No	No
Sensors	Proximity / ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyrometer Magnetometer Pixel Imprint fingerprint sensor Barometer Spectral and flicker sensor	Active Edge Motion Sense Dot projector Soli radar Accelerometer Ambient Light Sensor Barometer (Altimeter) Face ID Gyroscope Proximity	Active Edge Motion Sense Dot projector Soli radar Accelerometer Ambient Light Sensor Barometer (Altimeter) Face ID Gyroscope Proximity
Software	Android 11	Android 10	Android 10
Dimensions and weight	144.7 x 70.4 x 8mm 151g	68.8 x 147.1 x 8.2mm 162 g	75.1 x 160.4 x 8.2mm 193g
Colors	Just Black, Sorta Sage	Just Black, Clearly White, Oh So Orange	Just Black, Clearly White, Oh So Orange

Design

The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4 are very similar at first glance, but there are important design differences between them when you look closer. The first one is that the Pixel 5 has a punch-hole display with minimal bezels surrounding it. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL, on the other hand, don’t have a cutout of any sort. Both phones sport slightly thicker bezels, with the top bezel containing an array of sensors that are missing from the Pixel 5. This gives them a lower screen-to-body ratio compared to the Pixel 5.

Then there’s the material. The Pixel 5 has an aluminum back with a material bio-resin coating, while the Pixel 4 phones have a glass back. Which is better depends on personal preference, but what’s important to note is that both look and feel premium. Aluminum does have the advantage of being more durable and less of a fingerprint magnet, though.

Read next: Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4a 5G vs Pixel 4a — Which should you buy?

Next up are the color options. The new Pixel 5 comes in Just Black and Sorta Sage, which can be best described as greenish. It’s a unique colorway, although it won’t be to everyone’s liking. The Pixel 4 phones also come in Just Black, as well as Clearly White and — if you can find one — an Oh So Orange limited edition as well. All of these color options come with a contrasting power button. Unfortunately, you don’t get that with the Pixel 5.

These are the main design differences you need to be aware of, although there are a few others as well. You’ll find a fingerprint scanner at the back of the Pixel 5, whereas the Pixel 4 series eschews a fingerprint reader and instead relies on those aforementioned sensors in the top bezel for 3D Face Unlock.

Specs and features

This is where things get interesting. The Pixel 5 isn’t a true flagship phone in the traditional sense. Instead, it falls more into the growing premium mid-range category that includes phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and LG Velvet. The Pixel 4 phones, on the other hand, were flagship devices at launch, sporting one of the best chipsets available at the time and a (mostly) bleeding-edge specs sheet.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Pixel 4 series offers more overall than its successor, however. While the Pixel 5 has less power under the hood, it makes up for it in other areas.

The Pixel 5 is a downgrade in some areas and an upgrade in others.

Let’s start with the displays. The Pixel 5 sports a 6-inch screen, making it quite compact. The Pixel 4 features a smaller 5.7-inch panel, while the XL model comes with a larger 6.3-inch display. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 have Full HD+ resolution displays and a 90Hz refresh rate, but the Pixel 5 does use Gorilla Glass 6 as opposed to Gorilla Glass 5 found on its predecessors. The Pixel 4 XL arguably has a slight advantage thanks to its Quad HD+ panel.

A bigger difference between the phones is when it comes to performance. Google’s latest Pixel phone packs the Snapdragon 765G under the hood, which offers similar performance as the two-year-old Snapdragon 845. The Pixel 4 phones come out on top in this category, with both sporting the Snapdragon 855 SoC.

Read more: Snapdragon 765G vs Snapdragon 865: How will the Pixel 5 stack up?

Although there is a difference between the SD765G and the SD855, the former is still very snappy and can handle day-to-day tasks without an issue. If all you do is browse the web, watch videos, and chat with friends, the chipset in the Pixel 5 will be more than adequate. But if you love playing demanding 3D games and want as much speed as possible, the Pixel 4 series is still a better option.