Google Teases the Pixel 4

In response to the first accurate leaks about the next Pixel handsets, Google provided a clearer view of the future. For some reason.

“Well, since there seems to be some interest, here you go!” the official Made By Google Twitter accounted tweeted yesterday. “Wait ’til you see what it can do.”

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The image that accompanies the tweet shows the front and back of a Pixel 4 handset, with the most interest centered on its ugly and humongous three-lens camera system. The design resembles other leaks for both the Pixel 4 and the iPhone 11, and indicates that Google will finally be joining every other smartphone maker in using multiple rear cameras on its flagship devices.

Of course, one naturally wonders why Google did this. The firm typically announces new flagships once every October, and October is still four months away. Is the Pixel 3 and 3 XL family of handsets selling so poorly that teasing their replacements now doesn’t matter? Or is Google considering releasing the Pixel 4 earlier than usual?

Whatever the schedule, the Pixel 4 is also rumored to include iPhone True Tone-like display enhancements and air gesture support thanks to the Project Soli radar sensor. What it really needs is lower pricing than its predecessors and better distribution via wireless carriers. But I’m interested nonetheless.

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Conversation 24 comments

  • briantlewis

    13 June, 2019 - 8:46 am

    <p>The 3 series really must not be selling, otherwise why knife them by teasing the 4?</p>

    • TraderGary

      14 June, 2019 - 1:04 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435069">In reply to briantlewis:</a></em></blockquote><p>I wonder if it's because for some companies their phones are their primary or only revenue source and for Google the phone is a very small portion of their revenue source. Maybe that makes for a competitive advantage.</p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      16 June, 2019 - 2:03 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435069">In reply to briantlewis:</a></em></blockquote><p>Is there really anyone out there that doesn't already know that a Pixel 4 with improvements over the Pixel 3 will be coming out some time this year? I have a hard time imagining that this tease will cause much of anyone that was seriously considering buying a Pixel 3 now to suddenly decide to wait. The infamous Osbourne Effect is really about an unexpected early announcement of a successor, not new details about a successor that pretty much everyone already knew was coming.</p><p><br></p><p>The leaks were, of course, already out there. In this case, I think it is fairly smart of Google to jump in with official photos in order to stop the constant speculation and reduce the potential impact from troublemakers playing with Photoshop.</p>

  • skramer49

    Premium Member
    13 June, 2019 - 8:53 am

    <p>A 3 camera system isn't going to result in a lower price.</p>

  • Divodd

    Premium Member
    13 June, 2019 - 8:54 am

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"what it really needs is lower pricing than its predecessors and better distribution via wireless carriers" </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">also not to be buggy as all get out upon release </span></p>

  • yoshi

    Premium Member
    13 June, 2019 - 8:54 am

    <p>I'm gonna miss the fingerprint scanner. I'm still not sold on the in-display readers, and I have my doubts that Google can do face ID as well as Apple.</p>

    • TraderGary

      14 June, 2019 - 12:40 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435083">In reply to yoshi:</a></em></blockquote><p>Google does the camera better than Apple, so why not do face ID better too.</p>

    • Stocklone

      Premium Member
      14 June, 2019 - 7:28 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#435083"><em>In reply to yoshi:</em></a><em> I was anti-front finger print reader but I have no complaints with the OnePlus 7 Pro. It's very quick. If it's Galaxy S10 slow though, that's gonna suck.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • kflott

    13 June, 2019 - 8:54 am

    <p>I lament what appears to be the loss of the rear fingerprint reader; that's been a favorite feature of mine since the Nexus phones.</p>

    • hellcatm

      13 June, 2019 - 2:37 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#435084"><em>In reply to kflott:</em></a><em> It'll probably be under the screen.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • RonH

      Premium Member
      13 June, 2019 - 3:41 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435084">In reply to kflott:</a></em></blockquote><p>I always thought that a rear fingerprint reader was dumb. I then I got the Note 9.</p><p><br></p><p>I like rear fingerprint readers. </p><p><br></p><p>Time to try green eggs and ham. </p>

  • proesterchen

    13 June, 2019 - 9:01 am

    <p>Another notch-y phone. (see linked renders, note that Google chose only to share the rear of the device with the public)</p><p><br></p><p>Pass.</p>

  • bob_shutts

    13 June, 2019 - 9:10 am

    <p>It’s great that Paul keeps us updated on new phones, but they all are beginning to look alike to me. </p>

    • John Noonan

      13 June, 2019 - 9:29 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435088">In reply to Bob_Shutts:</a></em></blockquote><p>They have all looked alike for some time. </p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    13 June, 2019 - 9:14 am

    <p>This does bring up a lot of interesting questions. Is the 3a selling better than expected so that getting the 4 out now might boost sales riding on the 3a success? Are they just trying to avoid months of endless speculation? Will this finally be a big update? Do they want to get ahead of the Note 10 and iPhone 11? </p><p><br></p><p>Since I left Windows 10 in 2015, I've gone this path: Note 5, Note 7, Pixel XL, Moto Z Force Droid, Note 8, Pixel 2 XL, Note 9, Pixel 3XL. I keep coming back to the Pixel due to the camera. The Camera's are always overrated on the Note Phones. And despite loving the features and full functionality of a Note phone, the camera usually wins out for me. </p><p><br></p><p>My experience with the Pixel 3 XL has been good…camera is always very good but I honestly get that "Lag" that is dreaded with Android phones. I can honestly say the last few Note Phones never encountered the lag. </p>

    • RonH

      Premium Member
      13 June, 2019 - 3:38 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435089">In reply to wolters:</a></em></blockquote><p>Wow, I that is a lot of phones in 5 years</p><p><br></p>

      • yoshi

        Premium Member
        14 June, 2019 - 11:07 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#435191">In reply to RonH:</a></em></blockquote><p>It can become an addiction, I am guilty of it as well. Always thinking the grass may be greener elsewhere. </p>

      • wolters

        Premium Member
        17 June, 2019 - 11:09 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#435191">In reply to RonH:</a></em></blockquote><p>I receive review units on most of them. </p>

  • dstrauss

    13 June, 2019 - 9:20 am

    <p>That camera "bump" is all of 1-2mm; why in heavens don't the manufacturers make the whole case flush with the bump and dedicate that minimal depth to more battery – how simple would that be? Can they only pander to the 2% of the population that looks good in skinny jeans?</p>

    • Chris_Kez

      Premium Member
      13 June, 2019 - 9:55 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#435090">In reply to dstrauss:</a></em></blockquote><p>The camera bump ends up being flush with the protective case that goes on that $800 glass sandwich ;)</p>

  • dcdevito

    13 June, 2019 - 9:45 am

    <p>What it really needs is a release without any major issues, and making it available to all carriers on day one. </p>

  • Bats

    13 June, 2019 - 11:31 am

    <p>For some reason? Thurrott states "…… for some reason." </p><p><br></p><p>Is this the same guy ? who have an explanation and excuse as to why Microsoft was right to announce the Xbox One S and Project Scorpio? Remember? It what lead him to exclaim " THIS IS WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE!" ? Remember?</p><p><br></p><p>All those people thinking about getting another phone….NOW….. now have to decide whether they should pull the trigger and get a non Pixel phone or wait for the Pixel 4. </p><p><br></p><p>It's not that hard folks.</p>

  • nobody9

    14 June, 2019 - 1:33 pm

    <p>What's ugly about it? And why assume that it is merely aping "everyone else", when even you seem semi-cognizant of the parallel Project Soli hints? Anyone who even casually followed the Soli project can guess that both the camera system and the main screen that they leaked will include some type of gesture recognition skills in likeness to what the Project Soli team originally described. That, in and of itself, is a distinct reason why Google can confidently build hype for it without fear of impacting P3 sales. That is to say that such skills will not necessarily appeal to all, but it likely will appeal to a wholly different audience that they recently mentioned. Can you guess who?</p>

  • nirmal77

    22 June, 2019 - 1:30 am

    <p><a href="http://www.megafotostudio.com/canon-eos-1500d-specification-in-hindi-best-for-beginner-photographer/&quot; target="_blank">Awesome !</a></p><p>google Pixel camera quality is very nice</p><p><br></p>

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