Price and Specifications

Released in October 2019, the Google Pixel 4 XL was one of the most advanced smartphones from Google at the time, offering premium features, cutting-edge software, and a high-end camera system powered by Google’s AI. While it was positioned as a flagship device, the Pixel 4 XL’s price was relatively competitive compared to other premium smartphones, with a focus on delivering a clean Android experience and exceptional photography capabilities.

In this article, we will explore the price, specifications, and notable features of the Google Pixel 4 XL in detail.

Price

At launch, the Google Pixel 4 XL was priced at:

• 64GB model: $899 USD
• 128GB model: $999 USD

These prices were consistent with flagship-level smartphones, competing with the likes of the iPhone 11 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 10, and other premium Android devices. Over time, the price has decreased, especially with the launch of newer models, such as the Pixel 5, Pixel 6, and Pixel 7 series. Today, the Pixel 4 XL can often be found at discounted prices from third-party retailers or refurbished models, typically in the range of $300 to $450 USD depending on the condition.

Key Specifications

1. Display

• Screen Size: 6.3 inches
• Type: P-OLED, 90Hz refresh rate
• Resolution: 3040 x 1440 pixels (QHD+)
• Pixel Density: 537 PPI (pixels per inch)
• Aspect Ratio: 19:9
• Brightness: Supports 1000 nits peak brightness (HDR content)
• Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for durability
• Always-on display: Displays the time, date, notifications, and other widgets when the phone is idle.

The Pixel 4 XL’s display is one of its standout features, offering an impressive QHD+ resolution with vibrant colors and deep blacks, thanks to its OLED technology. The 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and interactions compared to traditional 60Hz screens, though it is not as smooth as the 120Hz displays found in some other flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S20 series. Still, the 90Hz refresh rate offers a significant improvement in terms of user experience, especially in tasks like browsing and gaming.

The high pixel density (537 PPI) ensures a sharp, detailed display, perfect for media consumption and reading.

2. Camera

The Google Pixel 4 XL carries forward the exceptional camera quality that the Pixel lineup is known for, with a dual-camera setup on the rear. The Pixel series has always stood out for its computational photography capabilities, and the Pixel 4 XL takes full advantage of this with its AI-driven features.

• Rear Camera:
• 12.2 MP (f/1.7) – Main Camera (Wide Angle)
  • Dual Pixel Autofocus (for fast and accurate focusing)
  • Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for steady shots
  • Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smooth video recording
  • HDR+ for better dynamic range and details in both highlights and shadows
• 16 MP (f/2.4) – Telephoto Camera (2x optical zoom)
  • The telephoto lens allows for high-quality zoomed-in shots without losing image quality.
  • Super Res Zoom: Digital zoom technology that reduces blur and improves detail during zoomed-in shots.
• Front Camera:
• 8 MP (f/2.0) Camera
  • Supports Face Unlock (3D facial recognition) as the primary security feature
  • Features a wide-angle lens for better group selfies
  • HDR+ and Portrait Mode are available for enhanced selfie photos.
  • Supports Full HD video recording.

The Pixel 4 XL’s camera performance remains one of the best in the industry, despite lacking multiple lenses or high megapixel counts compared to some rivals. Google’s AI-based software, combined with the powerful HDR+ and Night Sight, ensures photos look vibrant and detailed in a variety of lighting conditions, especially in low-light situations.

The Night Sight feature is one of the most advanced for night photography, allowing for stunning photos in near-darkness, rivaling some dedicated professional cameras.

3. Performance

• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm, octa-core CPU)
• CPU: 1x Kryo 485 Gold (2.84 GHz) + 3x Kryo 485 Silver (2.42 GHz) + 4x Kryo 485 Silver (1.78 GHz)
• GPU: Adreno 640
• RAM: 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM

The Snapdragon 855 chipset is a flagship-grade processor that offers excellent performance across the board, whether for gaming, multitasking, or AI processing. Paired with 6 GB of RAM, the Pixel 4 XL runs Android with no noticeable lag, making for a smooth and responsive experience. While newer devices like the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 come with more powerful chips, the Snapdragon 855 is still a very capable processor for everyday use and demanding applications.

4. Battery

• Battery Capacity: 3700 mAh
• Charging:
• 18W USB Type-C fast charging (0-50% in ~30 minutes)
• Wireless Charging: Yes, supports Qi wireless charging (up to 11W)
• Reverse Wireless Charging: Supports charging other Qi-enabled devices like wireless earbuds (up to 5W)

While the 3700 mAh battery is somewhat smaller than other flagship devices at the time (like the Note 10+), Google optimized battery performance with AI-powered features to help extend the life. The phone typically lasts a full day on moderate usage, and the support for fast charging and wireless charging adds convenience for quick power-ups.

5. Storage

• Internal Storage Options:
• 64 GB
• 128 GB
• No expandable storage via microSD card.

The Pixel 4 XL comes in two storage options, but it’s important to note that there’s no option for microSD expansion. Google has improved cloud storage integration through Google Photos, offering free storage for photos (though in a compressed format) and providing easy backup and access to media.

6. Software

• Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 10, and has since been updated to Android 11 and Android 12 (with continued support for future Android updates).
• Google Assistant: Seamlessly integrated into the phone, offering hands-free control of the device.
• Google Lens: Allows for real-time object and text recognition using the camera.
• Call Screen: Automatically screens calls and helps block robocalls.
• Dark Mode: Available for improved battery life and less eye strain.

As part of the Google Pixel line, the Pixel 4 XL offers a pure Android experience with no bloatware, ensuring fast updates directly from Google. The regular software updates and security patches are one of the major advantages of owning a Pixel device, with the Pixel 4 XL guaranteed to receive updates for at least three years.

7. Design and Build

• Dimensions: 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 193 grams
• Material: Gorilla Glass 5 (front and back), Aluminum frame
• Colors: Just Black, Clearly White, and Oh So Orange (limited edition)
• Water Resistance: IP68 (Dust and water-resistant, up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
• Fingerprint Sensor: No physical fingerprint sensor, as Face Unlock is the primary biometric authentication method.

The Pixel 4 XL’s design is sleek and modern, with a matte glass back that feels premium and comfortable to hold. The IP68 rating gives the phone a level of durability against dust and water. The device is slightly heavier compared to some rivals, but the solid build quality and premium feel make it comfortable to handle. One notable design choice is the Face Unlock system, which works in low-light environments, making it a reliable and fast way to unlock the phone.

8. Connectivity

• 5G: No 5G support (only 4G LTE)
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
• NFC: Yes, for contactless payments (Google Pay)
• USB: USB Type-C 3.1
• Audio: No 3.5mm headphone jack, but supports USB Type-C audio and Bluetooth audio.

While the Pixel 4 XL does not have 5G support, it offers robust connectivity options with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC for contactless payments via Google Pay. However, the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack may be a downside for