Google Pixel 4 vs Pixel 4 XL – How Do Google’s Phones Compare?

As expected, Google revealed its new flagship phones this month, the Google Pixel 4 and the Google Pixel 4 XL. The base Pixel 4 has a 5.7in screen, while the bigger Pixel 3 XL features a 6.3in screen. But surely there must be more differences than screen size, right? Let’s take a look to find out.

Pixel 4 vs Pixel 4 XL Quick Comparison

Design

• Pixel 4 – The Pixel 4 has a 5.7in OLED display and features the company’s “Face Unlock” biometric authentication system. Its industrial design features a metal frame and back rubber body and comes in a wide range of three color options: black, white, or orange.
• Pixel 4 XL – The Pixel 4 XL has a 6.3in display and features the company’s “Face Unlock” biometric authentication system. Its industrial design features a metal frame and back rubber body and comes in a wide range of three color options: black, white, or orange.

Winner? Draw – Both phones look exactly the same, except for their size.

Displays

• Pixel 4 – The Pixel 4 features an OLED display that is 5.7 and has a 2280 x 1080-pixel resolution at 444ppi.
• Pixel 4 XL – The Pixel 4 XL features an OLED display that is 6.3in and has a 3040 x 1440-pixel resolution at 537ppi.

Winner? Pixel 4 XL – Technically the Pixel 4 XL wins because its screen has a higher pixel density than the Pixel 4.

CPU/Processor

• Pixel 4 –  the Pixel 4 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855.
• Pixel 4 XL –  the Pixel 4 XL also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855.

Winner? Draw – Both phones have the exact same Qualcomm Snapdragon 855.

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Camera

• Pixel 4 – The Pixel 4 features an 8MP front-facing camera. On the rear camera you get a dual-lens 12.2MP (wide) and 16MP (telephoto) camera. It also records 4K video.
• Pixel 4 XL – The Pixel 4 XL features an 8MP front-facing camera. On the rear camera you get a dual-lens 12.2MP (wide) and 16MP (telephoto) camera. It also records 4K video.

Winner? Draw – Both phones have the same camera set-ups.

Storage Options

• Pixel 4 – 64GB or 128GB
• Pixel 4 XL – 64GB or 128GB

Battery Life

• Pixel 4 – The Pixel 4’s battery will get you about 13 hours of battery life with mixed usage. It also features wireless charging.
• Pixel 4 XL – The Pixel 4 XL’s battery will get you about 14 hours of battery life with mixed usage. It also features wireless charging.

Winner? Pixel 4 XL – You’ll get an extra hour of battery life.

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Price

• Pixel 4 – The Pixel 4 costs cost £669 (64GB) and £769 (128GB).
• Pixel 4 XL – The Pixel 4 XL costs cost £829 (64GB) and £929 (128GB).

Verdict?

The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL look identical, save for the size differences. They have the same cameras and the same internal specs – RAM, CPU, and storage options. The big difference, however, is to do with battery performance – the XL is far better.

For some strange reason, Google thought it could get away with using a smaller battery in the Pixel 4 than last year’s Pixel 3. Why? I have no idea. But what I do know is this: the Pixel 4’s battery life is terrible, so if you’re gonna go the Pixel route, make sure you get the Pixel 4 XL.

Alternatively, if you want a Pixel but you don’t want to spend almost $1000, the Google Pixel 3 XL can now be had for around $500 via Amazon. And while it is the old flagship, it is still very good. The Pixel 4 range is an incremental update, nothing major. Personally, I’d probably go with the Pixel 3 XL one the Pixel 4 simply because it’s just as good from a performance and software perspective, and around $300 cheaper!

Pixel 4 vs Pixel 4 XL: Specs

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Here are the specs for the Pixel 4:

• Display: 5.7in OLED display with a 2280 x 1080-pixel resolution at 444ppi
• Dimensions: 147.1mm x 68.8mm x 8.2mm
• Weight: 162 grams
• Storage: 64 or 128GB
• Processors: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
• Front camera: 8MP camera with 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps
• Rear camera: Dual 16MP (telephoto) and 12.2MP (wide) camera; 4K video
• Battery: Up to 13 hours (video playback)
• Other: Face Unlock, Motion Sense, NFC, wireless charging, IP68 waterproof (2m)

And here are the specs for the Pixel 4 XL:

• Display: 6.3in OLED display with a 3040 x 1440-pixel resolution at 537ppi
• Dimensions: 160.4mm x 75.1mm x 8.2mm
• Weight: 193 grams
• Storage: 64 or 128GB
• Processors: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
• Front camera: 8MP camera with 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps
• Rear camera: Dual 16MP (telephoto) and 12.2MP (wide) camera; 4K video
• Battery: Up to 14 hours (video playback)
• Other: Face Unlock, Motion Sense, NFC, wireless charging, IP68 waterproof (2m)

Michael Grothaus

Apple expert and novelist, Michael Grothaus has been covering tech on KnowYourMobile for the best part of 10 years. Prior to this, he worked at Apple. And before that, he was a film journalist. Michael is a published author; his book Epiphany Jones was voted as one of the best novels about Hollywood by Entertainment Weekly. Michael is also a writer at other publications including VICE and Fast Company.

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