When Google released the Pixel 4 XL in October 2019, it was an expensive, flagship phone. Starting at $899 for the 64 GB version, you can now get the phone for much less on Swappa. That’s basically a 50% price cut.
Now that Google has discontinued the Pixel 4 XL and has a new lineup of phones, you may be eyeing a newish Pixel 4 XL in mint or good condition. With a larger screen and a better processor than the latest Pixel 5 — the Pixel 4 XL is an absolute steal for the price. And when you can shop used tech with confidence on a friendly marketplace, what are you waiting for?
But before you settle on buying the Pixel 4 XL, let’s take a look at how it compares to other Pixel devices.
Pixel 4XL Comparison
Let’s kick this off with a little bit about the Pixel 4 XL. With a 6.3 inch screen and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, the Pixel 4 XL stands out against the rest.
| Google Pixel 4 | Google Pixel 4 XL | Google Pixel 4a 5G | Google Pixel 4a | Google Pixel 5 | |
| Screen size | 5.7 inches | 6.3 inches | 6.2 inches | 5.8 inches | 6 inches |
| Network | 4G | 4G | 5G | 4G | 5G |
| Display | FHD+ (1,080 x 2,280) OLED at 444 ppi Smooth Display (up to 90 Hz) | FHD+ (1,080 x 2,280) OLED at 537 ppi Smooth Display (up to 90 Hz) | FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED at 413 ppi Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors | FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED at 443 ppi | FHD+ (1080 x 2340) Flexible OLED at 432 ppi Smooth Display (up to 90 Hz) Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors |
| Battery | 2,800mAh Wireless charging | 3700 mAh Wireless charging | 3885 mAh | 3140 mAh Fast charging | 4080 mAh Fast wireless charging Battery Share |
| Water resistant? | IP68 | IP68 | N/A | N/A | IP68 |
| Security | Face unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Rear camera | 12.2 MP dual-pixel 16 MP telephoto | 12.2 MP dual-pixel 16 MP telephoto | 12.2 MP dual-pixel 16 MP ultrawide | 12.2 MP dual-pixel | 12.2 MP dual-pixel 16 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Camera features | Night Sight Top Shot Portrait Mode Live HDR+ Dual exposure controls Motion Auto Focus Super Res Zoom Group Selfie Cam Frequent Faces | Night Sight Top Shot Portrait Mode Live HDR+ Dual exposure controls Motion Auto Focus Super Res Zoom Group Selfie Cam Frequent Faces | Night Sight Top Shot Portrait Mode Super Res Zoom Motion Auto Focus Live HDR+ Frequent Faces Dual exposure controls Cinematic Pan Ultrawide Lens Portrait Light | Night Sight Top Shot Portrait ModeLive HDR+Dual exposure controlsMotion Auto FocusSuper Res ZoomGroup Selfie CamFrequent Faces | Night Sight Top Shot Portrait Mode Super Res Zoom Motion Auto Focus Live HDR+ Frequent Faces Dual exposure controls Cinematic Pan Ultrawide Lens Portrait Light |
Learn more about the Pixel 4 XL in our full Pixel 4 XL Review and Pixel 4 XL Buyer’s Guide. Still unsure about which to buy? Head over to our Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide to see how the most popular Pixel phones stack up.
Pixel 4XL vs 5
One of the biggest upgrades from the Pixel 4 series and the Pixel 5 is 5G. The Pixel 5 has 5G capabilities, while the 4XL does not. So if you want to take advantage of higher speeds and lower latency, go with the Pixel 5. However for most users, whether or not you have 5G won’t be an issue; it depends on where you live and whether or not you pay for 5G wireless service.
The Pixel 4 XL is also bigger, while the Pixel 5 notably doesn’t have an XL size. So if you’re looking for a larger screen for watching videos and gaming, the 4 XL is for you.
Something to keep in mind: as it is a newer phone, the Pixel 5 has a bigger 4080 mAh battery and a battery share function. The Pixel 5 can also act as a 5G hotspot, bringing a 5G internet connection to your laptop or other mobile phones.
Camera
Both phones share an 8 MP selfie camera and a 12.2 MP dual-pixel rear camera. One of the biggest differences between the two is that the Pixel 5 features a wide-angle lens, whereas the Pixel 4 includes a telephoto lens. This means the Pixel 4 is slightly better for accurate, zoomed-in shots, but the Pixel 5 can snap a wider picture.
But the real magic of a Google Pixel camera doesn’t come with the actual camera hardware — it has more to do with Google’s machine learning imaging software. Google’s advanced computational photography uses machine learning algorithms to deliver Auto-HDR, Night Sight, Portrait Mode, and Super Res Zoom, all of which contribute to impressive, vivid shots.
Google introduced new camera features with the Pixel 5, making Portrait Mode even more powerful in low light situations. Google’s HDR is also improved with the Pixel 5, bringing more vivid photos and upgrading their photo editing software.
Motion Sense and Project Soli
The Pixel 4 series introduced Motion Sense, which is the culmination of Google’s futuristic Project Soli. Motion Sense is a combination of radar hardware and innovative software, bringing the most advanced motion sensing features and gesture recognition ever seen on a consumer device. This creates a bubble of awareness around the Pixel, which allows for touchless gestures and more. This feature is no longer available on the new Pixels. So if you want to use Motion Sense to easily swipe between tracks while listening to music, or swipe to dismiss calls, go with a Pixel 4 or 4 XL.
To make room for Motion Sense, the Pixel 4 XL has a larger forehead on its display. This bezel is also what allows for the phone’s face unlock feature, which is said to be faster than Apple’s Face ID. The new unlock method makes use of the powerful sensor array crammed into the top bezel to deliver speedy and secure device authentication. This feature was also discontinued by the newer Pixels, which went with a fingerprint sensor instead.
The Pixel 5 retails for $699, but you can find a Pixel 4 XL on Swappa for about $437.
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Pixel 4XL vs 4A 5G
In addition to the Pixel 5, Google also unveiled the Pixel 4A 5G. This device serves as the company’s budget 5G option for 2020. Although the Pixel 4 XL doesn’t have 5G capabilities, it shares a lot in common with the 4A 5G. The camera is mostly the same, and you can still take advantage of the Google Assistant features. The Pixel 4A 5G display is 6.2 inches, only one-tenth of an inch smaller than the Pixel 4 XL. It also is powered by a Snapdragon 765G, an older processor from what you’ll find on the 4 XL.
Like the Pixel 5, the 4a 5G doesn’t have Project Soli’s Motion Sense. Instead, it’s got the fingerprint reader on the back. At 3885 mAh, the Pixel 4a 5G has a slightly larger battery than the 4 XL. The Pixel 4a 5G retails for $499, so if you want a better processor for less — go with the Pixel 4 XL on Swappa.
Pixel 4 XL vs 4a
There is no Pixel 4a XL. So if you were looking for the Pixel 4a because of its price tag, but prefer larger phones — grab a newish pixel 4 XL on Swappa. The Pixel 4a is only 5.8 inches.
What about the battery? The Pixel 4 XL wins here, with a 3700 mAh sized battery. The Pixel 4a’s battery is only 3140 mAh, but as the phone is smaller that might not be much of an issue. You can find a Pixel 4a for about $370 on Swappa.
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Pixel 4XL vs 4
The Pixel 4 XL and Pixel 4 were both released in 2019. The biggest difference between these two phones is the size, with the Pixel 4 at 5.7 inches. The Pixel 4 XL also has a slightly better battery.
They both have a Snapdragon 855 processor, Project Soli’s Motion Sense, super fast face unlock, and the same great cameras. You won’t find Project Soli on any other Pixel phone, but the 4 and 4 XL. Which one should you buy? That’ll depend on your preferred size, and price. You can get the Pixel 4 for about $379 on Swappa, about $50 less than what you’d have to pay for the Pixel 4 XL.
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Pixel 4XL vs 3a
Another Google budget phone, the Pixel 3a was released in May 2019 and has a OLED 5.6 inch display and is powered by a Snapdragon 670. With a 3000 mAh sized battery, you’re definitely going to get more on-screen time from the Pixel 4 XL.
The Pixel 3a goes for about $206 on Swappa, which is great for the price — but it’s a less premium experience than what you’d expect from the Pixel 4 XL.
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Pixel 4XL vs 3XL
The Pixel 3 series was launched in October 2018 and really took off for its incredible camera. With a Snapdragon 845 processor and a 3430 mAh battery, the Pixel 4 XL is a bit of an upgrade in comparison. The Pixel 3 XL features a 6.3 inch OLED display, the same size as the 4 XL.
One thing to keep in mind about the 3 XL is the notch at the top of the screen. For the better battery and bigger screen size, this might not be an issue — as many people say they can ignore the notch. But if the notch bugs you, definitely spend the extra cash on the Pixel 4 XL.
If you want to save a bit of money and don’t care about Project Soli, get the Pixel 3 XL for about $249 on Swappa.
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Pixel 4XL vs 3
Sporting the same processor as the 3 XL but with a 5.5 inch display size and smaller battery, the Pixel 3 is still a great phone in 2020. The Pixel 4 XL is larger and with a better processor and battery, and the Pixel 3 misses out on Project Soli and face unlock.
The camera hasn’t changed much since the Pixel 3. So if you’re looking for a phone with a great camera and you’re looking for something smaller, you can’t go wrong with a Pixel 3. Get it on Swappa for about $217.
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Pixel 4XL vs 2
Released in 2017, the Pixel 2 has a 5 inch screen, with the XL version a bit larger at 6 inches. With the Pixel 4 XL, you get a larger screen (6.3 inches), a better processor and a bigger battery. The Pixel 2 has IP67 water resistance and introduced Pixel visual core, with a better camera than the original Pixel.
The Pixel 2 series also introduced Google’s squeeze for assistant feature, where you can easily ask a question, set an alarm or more. While this phone definitely looks dated compared to the Pixel 4 XL (thanks to the large bezels), you can find it for cheap and get a lot of value for your money. Get it on Swappa for about $161.
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Pixel 4XL vs Pixel (Original)
If you’ve been holding onto your original Pixel from 2016, now’s a great time to upgrade to a cheap Pixel 4 XL on Swappa.
The original Pixel had a Snapdragon 821 processor and a 2770 mAh battery. With a 5.0 inch AMOLED display, this phone brought a purely Google experience to Android when it launched.
The original Pixel comes with either a 5 inch screen, or 5.5 inch for the XL size. This phone has large bezels, but still a decent camera and a fingerprint reader on the back. And considering you can get it on Swappa for only about $94, it might not be a bad buy. But if you want a phone that’ll last you (with considerably more years of Android updates), the Pixel 4 XL takes the cake. Get it on Swappa, starting at $365.
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