#CHANGE DEFAULT MEDIA PLAYER PIXEL 4 XL PRO#

Let's say you're scrolling through this Pixel 4 review on a Pixel 4 - how meta. Google's new 'smooth' display system means both screens can temporarily ramp up from the standard 60Hz refresh rate to 90Hz when something is happening on screen. What might not be immediately apparent is that these aren't bog-standard smartphone screens. No matter which model you prefer, you'll find screens with rich detail, potent colors (thanks in part to the default Adaptive color mode) and no color shift when you're viewing from an oblique angle. Pixel historians may remember Google has a spotty track record when it comes to smartphone screens (looking at you, Pixel 2), but these are the most impressive displays on a Google phone to date. The smaller of the two phones packs a 5.7-inch, 19:9 OLED screen running at 1080x2280, while the XL uses a 6.3-inch, Quad HD+ panel. (Instead, Google is offering a $100 credit to early Pixel buyers, which they can use to buy whatever accessories they might need.)Īs usual, there's a significant size difference between the two new Pixels.

Anyone hoping Google would include one here as it did in the Pixel 3a will be disappointed, and it doesn't help that neither of these new phones comes with a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter or a pair of pack-in earbuds. Thankfully all versions of the phone have bodies framed by a treated aluminum enclosure that feels sort of like rubber, making them less slippery than last year's models.Īpart from those changes, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL pack the usual selection of ports and buttons - you'll find the power and volume buttons on the right, the USB-C port along the bottom, and the headphone jack. Why Google decided on this look, I'll never know, but it's my least favorite option. The same can't be said for the black Pixels, which feature a glossy, piano-like finish.

#CHANGE DEFAULT MEDIA PLAYER PIXEL 4 XL PRO#

That coating also means, like the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, some Pixel 4s are nearly impervious to greasy fingerprints. The backs of the white and orange models are made of glass covered in a soft-touch finish that feels almost velvety when you stroke it. It's clear that Google paid close attention to the materials and overall feel. They both pack two rear cameras framed by a big black square, they have little pops of color on their power buttons and there's a new, limited-edition Oh So Orange finish that just looks fantastic. But the Pixel 4 isn't exactly nondescript. This year, Google tried something different: It stripped away that signature design, leaving us with a pair of minimal and almost generic-looking phones. It was a neat flourish that gave Google's phones a distinct visual identity, and frankly, I loved it. Pixels have always been easy to spot - just look for the tell-tale line bisecting the phone beneath the camera. Those white and orange models? They have matte glass backs, and Google went high-gloss on those black models. They're more different than you might think, too. Both versions come with 64GB or 128GB of storage, and you have three colors choices to consider: Just Black, Clearly White and Oh So Orange. I can't say Google got everything right here, but I do know that these Pixels are fast, weird and very much worth a closer look.Īs usual, Google's faithful have two models to consider: the standard 4 and the larger 4 XL. I don't think Google has ever been this ambitious with a pair of Pixels before, and if some of its gambles pay off, there's a chance the company could reshape what it means to use a smartphone entirely. They even have super-fast screens, so the things you do on them just look better. They're better at interpreting and acting on your voice commands. Beyond those hallmark features - which we still see here, by the way - these new Pixels respond to hand gestures in addition to just taps on a screen. With this year's Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Google is charting a new path for itself. Sure, Google added features here and there over the years, but it never strayed too far from that original formula. After Google started making its own smartphones in 2016, it quickly fell into a predictable pattern: Those devices would pack clean software, take surprisingly good photos and launch sometime in October.

Change default media player pixel 4 xl