What to expect from the Pixel 4
Google to unveil smartphone Tuesday.
Google is set to unveil the Pixel 4 smartphone at a media event in New York City on Tuesday.
The chief question asked about Google’s latest flagship is no different from in years past: Can Google deliver a smartphone that will at long last get you to leave Apple or Samsung behind?
In fact, Google made strides a year ago when the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL devices generated mostly strong reviews.
These were based in part on excellent cameras, plus a telemarketer-killer feature that lets you screen calls at the push of a button.
Neil Mawston, the executive director of Strategy Analytics global wireless practices in the U.K., says Google is America’s fastest-growing smartphone vendor.
Pixel more than doubled its market share in the USA from 2% in the second quarter of 2018 to a record 5% in 2019.
Those figures still pale next to the iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy line.
Or as Techsponential lead analyst Avi Greengart puts it, “I suspect that Pixel sales would be a rounding error for Apple.”
Can Google build on its predecessors?
Through rumors and leaks, we have a pretty good sense of what the Pixel 4 might look like.
First, there are likely to be at least two models, a Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, and judging by early images released by Google, the devices appear to have multiple rear cameras housed in a square configuration.
The phones will have some version of facial recognition.
Yes, like Apple’s Face ID, the promise is that you’ll be able to use your mug to authenticate your identity.
It appears you’ll be able to employ motion gestures to control content on the device or even silence incoming calls.
We also will probably find out whether orange still is the new black since Google likely is to be selling an orange-colored Pixel.
The latest Pixels will run Android 10 out of the gate, given Google’s pedigree with the mobile operating system.
We don’t know what the phones will cost or whether Google will release a 5G variant.
There are the other wild cards surrounding the event. Will Google showcase new wireless earbuds?
Chromebook computers? Something fresh from Nest?
USA TODAY will report on the scene, and you can watch Google’s livestream of the event.