We recently took an in-depth look at the Google Pixel 4. If you haven’t yet had the chance to check it out, now might be a good time to do so, as these devices have quite a lot in common. Without a doubt, the Pixel 4 is a fantastic device for Android lovers looking for a pure and unadulterated Google experience. But smartphones aren’t exactly one-size-fits-all, so not everyone is looking for a medium-sized device. Those with larger hands and pockets tend to prefer larger phones, and this is where the Google Pixel 4 XL comes in.
Announced on October 15, the Google Pixel 4 XL is 2019’s plus-size flagship Android device. It offers all the same benefits as its smaller sibling, but with a larger and higher resolution display. Read on if you’re interested in learning more about the Pixel 4 XL.
Table of Contents:
What is a pure Google phone?
You can’t even begin talking about a Pixel phone without bringing up the Pure Google Experience. As we mentioned in our Pixel 4 Overview, the term refers to Android the way Google intended. What this means on the Pixel 4 XL is Google’s launcher, all the Google services, timely Android software updates, and not even the slightest hint of bloatware. And in line with expectations set forth by previous Google phones, we also get beefy hardware specifications and class-leading cameras.
In other words, the Pixel 4 XL showcases the absolute best that Google has to offer, and serves as the perfect platform with which to experience Android. It is precisely this marriage of focused software and high quality, first-party hardware that has come to define Pure Google.
Google Pixel 4 XL color and storage options
The Pixel 4 XL shares its look with the Pixel 4, and its overall design language with the entire lineage of past Pixel phones. As we mentioned when discussing its smaller sibling, the Pixel 4 XL drops its predecessor’s divisive notch and front-firing speakers. They have been replaced with tastefully sized bezels and a clean overall appearance. Despite the changes, the Pixel 4 XL certainly stands out — so even at first glance, you know you’re looking at a Pixel phone.
How big is the Google Pixel 4 XL?
Make no mistake, the Google Pixel 4 XL is a large phone. It packs a massive 6.3-inch display and comes in at 75.1 (W) x 160.4 (H) mm. Amazingly, you’ll still be able to fit this large smartphone into most pants pockets, since it’s just 8.2 mm thin. Tipping the scales at 193 grams, it’s not terribly heavy either.
What color is the Google Pixel 4 XL?
The Pixel 4 XL is available in three new colors: Just Black, Clearly White, and a limited edition Oh So Orange. Your choice not only determines the color of the rear panel, but also the accent color on the power button. As for which color is the most popular, you can view current Swappa buying trends over on our Pixel 4 XL Buyers Guide.
How much storage is on the Google Pixel 4 XL?
The Pixel 4 XL is available with either 64 and 128GB of internal storage. And just like all previous Pixel phones, there is no microSD slot for expandable storage. Because of this, buyers should make sure they’re buying enough storage to fit their needs. So as we’ve said in the past, you’ll want to spring for the 128GB model if you’re a heavy shutterbug or have a large media library. But if you mainly use cloud storage and stream your music and videos, then the 64GB model should be fine.
Google Pixel 4 XL Hardware Specifications
| Google Pixel 4 | Google Pixel 4 XL | Google Pixel 4a 5G | Google Pixel 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.7-inch P-OLED with HDR | 6.3-inch P-OLED with HDR | 6.2-inch OLED with HDR | 6.0-inch OLED with HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2280 x 1080 pixels, 440 ppi | 3040 x 1440 pixels, 537 ppi | 2340 x 1080 pixels, 413 ppi | 2340 x 1080 pixels, 432 ppi |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz “Smooth Display” | 90 Hz “Smooth Display” | 60 Hz | 90 Hz “Smooth Display” |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 8 CPU Cores Adreno 640 GPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 8 CPU Cores Adreno 640 GPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 8 CPU Cores Adreno 620 GPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 8 CPU Cores Adreno 620 GPU |
| Memory | 6GB RAM | 6GB RAM | 6GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| Rear Cameras | Wide-Angle: 12MP, f/1.7, 27mm with dual pixel, OIS Telephoto: 16MP, f/2.4, 50mm with OIS and 2x optical zoom | Wide-Angle: 12MP, f/1.7, 27mm with dual pixel, OIS Telephoto: 16MP, f/2.4, 50mm with OIS and 2x optical zoom | Wide-Angle: 12MP, f/1.7, 27mm with dual pixel, OIS Ultrawide: 16MP, f/2.2 with 107° field of view | Wide-Angle: 12MP, f/1.7, 27mm with dual pixel, OIS Ultrawide: 16MP, f/2.2 with 107° field of view |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 22mm | 8MP, f/2.0, 22mm | 8MP, f/2.0, 24mm | 8MP, f/2.0, 24mm |
| Battery Capacity | 2800 mAh | 3700 mAh | 3885 mAh | 4080 mAh |
| Charging | 18W USB Fast Charging Qi Standard Wireless Charging | 18W USB Fast Charging Qi Standard Wireless Charging | 18W USB Fast Charging No Wireless Charging | 18W USB Fast Charging 12W Fast Wireless Charging 5W Reverse Charging |
| Security | Secure face unlock | Secure face unlock | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | No (IP52) | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 68.8 (W) x 147.1 (H) x 8.2 (D) mm | 68.8 (W) x 147.1 (H) x 8.2 (D) mm | 84 (W) x 153.9 (H) x 8.2 (D) mm | 70.4 (W) x 144.7 (H) x 8 (D) mm |
| Weight | 162g | 193g | 171g | 151g |
| Release Date | October 15, 2019 | October 15, 2019 | September 30, 2020 | September 30, 2020 |
| MSRP | $799 | $899 | $499 | $699 |
| Swappa Price | $239+ (70% off) | $250+ (72% off) | $379 (24% off) | $525 (25% off) |
Learn more about the Pixel 4 XL in our Pixel 4 XL Buyer’s Guide, then see how it stacks up against other Pixel phones in our Pixel 4 XL Upgrade Guide. Not sure which Pixel is right for you? Head over to our Google Pixel Roundup 2021 to see how the most popular Pixel phones stack up.
How fast is the Google Pixel 4 XL?
The Google Pixel 4 XL is an incredibly fast device. It packs top-notch hardware and speedy software to deliver a flawless and lag-free experience. The sheer amount of computational grunt lets you run several intensive apps simultaneously — all while remaining buttery smooth and never getting bogged down.
Under the hood, you’ll find the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 system-on-chip. This is a 7nm FinFET processor that mates a speedy 2.84 GHz Kryo 485 Gold Prime core with three 2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold and four 1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver cores. These eight CPU cores are then accompanied by Qualcomm’s Hexagon 680 AI Engine and a 585 MHz Adreno 640 tri-core GPU, capable of nearly 1 TFLOP of rendering performance. Finally, all of this processing power is backed by 6GB of RAM and either 64 or 128GB of storage. As a result, the Pixel 4 XL is even faster than the newer Google Pixel 5 by a considerable margin.
What kind of screen is on the Google Pixel 4 XL?
The Pixel 4 XL has one of the best displays currently available on any smartphone. It features a 6.3-inch OLED panel at Quad HD+ (3040×1440) resolution, which equates to 537 ppi. In addition to the high resolution, it also supports a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz for buttery smooth scrolling, and features UHDA certification for HDR output. As a result, the display on the Pixel 4 XL has earned an A+ rating from DisplayMate.
How good is the Pixel 4 XL camera?
As expected from a Pixel device, the camera on the Pixel 4 XL is superb. But rather than a single rear-facing camera like on previous Pixels, we now have two: a 12.2 MP wide-angle with an f/1.7 lens and 77° FOV, and a 16 MP telephoto with an f/2.4 lens and 52° FOV. The added versatility provided by the second lens allows for more creativity when shooting — something any photographer will appreciate. Pixel 4 XL’s front camera features an 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 lens and 90° FOV. The new camera modules are backed by Google’s renowned computational photography, which was also improved this generation.
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What’s new on the Google Pixel 4 XL?
Just like its little brother, the Google Pixel 4 XL is much more than a simple spec refresh. To that end, the Pixel 4 XL adds new and innovative features such as sensors that change how you interact with your phone, improved computational photography, and much more.
Motion Sense
Incorporating technology straight from Google’s ATAP labs, Motion Sense is geared at fundamentally changing how you interact with your device. Rather than force you to touch the screen to perform actions like silencing a call and skipping a track, these can now be done with air gestures. In addition, Motion Sense speeds up face unlock on your Pixel 4 XL and can even improve battery life by turning off your screen when you walk away.
Pixel Neural Core: Computational photography and beyond
The Pixel Neural Core traces its roots to the Pixel Visual Core in previous Pixel phones. Neural Core expands upon Google’s past efforts in computational photography through the following:
- Live HDR+ uses machine learning to approximate HDR+ output while in the viewfinder
- Dual Exposure Controls give users the power to adjust both brightness and shadows prior to capturing an HDR image
- Machine Learning is now used for white balance in all photo modes
- Portrait Mode now uses machine learning and depth information from adjacent pixels as well as both camera modules
- Night sight now uses machine learning for improved astrophotography, hot pixel removal, and more
In addition to improving your photos, Neural Core also uses machine learning to improve how you interact with your device. It speeds up Google Assistant with an on-device version of Google’s language models. This allows the Pixel 4 XL to respond to most common Google Assistant requests locally, as well as to perform real-time transcription within a new Voice Recorder app.
Smooth Display
The display on the Pixel 4 XL not only offers great image quality; it also makes the leap to higher refresh rates by running at up to 90 Hz. This makes games and the overall user interface run noticeably smoother, ensuring that you get the most from that powerful processor housed within.
What carriers does the Google Pixel 4 XL work with?
Just like its little brother, the Google Pixel 4 XL is compatible with all major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint), as well as smaller carriers like Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, and Google Fi.
There is just a single device model for the Google Pixel 4 XL, and it is known as the G020J. The Pixel 4 XL supports nearly all the bands used by major US networks, with the sole notable exception being lack of support for CDMA2000, which Sprint uses as a fallback 3G technology. For more information on supported bands and cellular network compatibility, please refer to Google Pixel 4 XL Network Compatibility.
Please note that despite being compatible with the bands used by the four major carriers, devices purchased directly from a carrier will generally come SIM-locked to that specific carrier. However, all Pixel devices sold directly on the Google Store are SIM-unlocked. So make sure to select either an unlocked device or one that is compatible with your specific carrier.
How much is the Google Pixel 4 XL?
Is the Pixel 4 worth it? The answer is a resounding YES! The Google Pixel 4 XL is a flagship device — and in many ways, the Pixel 4 XL offers the very best Android experience currently available, far exceeding the specifications and features of its successor, the Pixel 5. Unfortunately, this comes at a steep cost of entry.
The Pixel 4 XL retails for an eye-watering $899 for 64GB and $999 for 128GB, but this is where Swappa comes in. Over on the Swappa marketplace, you can snag a gently used Pixel 4 XL for as low as $379, which equates to a mind-blowing $520 savings over retail. Yes, you read that right: You can buy a Pixel 4 XL on Swappa for less than half of its MSRP. And since prices on Swappa continue to fall as time goes by, it’s always the right time to buy.
Still stuck on which to buy? Head over to our Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide to see how the most popular Pixel phones stack up. Whether you end up choosing the Pixel 4 XL, a Pixel 4, or any other cell phone, rest assured that Swappa can help you snag a great deal whenever you’re ready to upgrade.
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