After first teasing the phone at the start of August, Google today officially took the wraps of the Pixel 5 - it's latest flagship smartphone - and you can order it from today for $999 ahead of an October 15 release date.
While the Pixel 5 is technically Google's flagship device for the year, it's a little different this time around. Instead of going head-to-head with the best-of-the-best from Apple and Samsung, the Pixel 5 is more of a "semi-premium" device - as the price tag may have given away.
Instead of a top-tier Snapdragon 865 processor, you'll find a Snapdragon 765G processor. The display runs at 1080p, rather than Quad HD resolutions. The back is aluminium - not glass as with most flagships, and there are only two rear-facing cameras. That being said, the Pixel 5 still touts premium features like a high refresh rate display, IPX8 water-resistance, and wireless charging.
This time around, Google has opted for a camera setup with a 12MP primary lens and a 16MP ultra-wide lens. The ultra-wide lens is a new addition to the Pixel family, with last year's Pixel 4 touting a telephoto lens as its secondary camera.
Google also unveiled the Pixel 4a 5G alongside the Pixel 5. While the name may suggest the Pixel 4a 5G is simply a 5G version of the Pixel 4a, that's not quite the case. In addition to a faster processor that enables 5G connectivity, the Pixel 4a 5G also has a larger display and the same 16MP ultra-wide lens you'll find in the Pixel 5.
Here are how the three phones compare:
2020 Pixel specifications
| Pixel 5 | Pixel 4a 5G | Pixel 4a | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6-inch | 6.2-inch | 5.81-inch |
| Resolution | 1080p at 90Hz | 1080p at 60Hz | 1080p at 60Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 16MP | 12MP + 16MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 8MP | 8MP |
| Processor | Snapdragon 765G | Snapdragon 765G | Snapdragon 730 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| Battery | 4,080mAh | 3,885mAh | 3,140mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IPX8 | N/A | N/A |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| 5G | Yes | Yes | No |
| Material | Aluminium | Plastic | Plastic |
| Price | $999 | $799 | $599 |
As with the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a 5G is available for pre-order from today but it won't be available until November. It will set you back $799 outright.
If you're after the Pixel 5, you'll find it available outright from Google, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, and Harvey Norman. If you'd prefer to get it on a plan, Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are your options. It's available in a choice of Just Black or Sorta Sage.
On the other hand, the Pixel 4a 5G will be available outright through Google, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, and Harvey Norman, but Telstra is the exclusive telco partner. Google and Telstra aren't taking pre-orders for the Pixel 4a. It's available in a choice of Just Black or Clearly White.
To top it off, Google dropped a new Chromecast and a new Google Nest speaker. Google's new Chromecast - Chromecast with Google TV - is a change in direction for the company. You no longer have to cast content from your phone to get it to your TV. Instead, Chromecast with Google TV is more like a set-top box powered by Android TV (with an extra software layer on top called Google TV, hence the name). The Chromecast with Google TV is also the first Chromecast to come with a remote, which also touts dedicated Netflix and YouTube buttons. The Chromecast with Google TV supports 4K video, HDR, and Dolby Vision.
You'll be able to get the Chromecast with Google TV from Google, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, and Harvey Norman for $99 from October 15. Pre-orders start today.
The Google Nest Audio replaces the original Google Home first released in 2016 in Google's smart home line up, and as the name might suggest, there's a great emphasis on sound. The Nest Audio is set to be 75% louder and have a 50% stronger bass than found in the original. In addition, the Nest Audio rocks an all new design that looks a bit more like a loaf of bread, eschewing the air freshener aesthetic associated with the first.
The Google Nest Audio is available for pre-order from today from Google, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and the Good Guys ahead of an October 15 release date. Officeworks and Vodafone will also range the Google Nest Audio come release day.
Alex Choros
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