Since the Google Pixel 5 was announced, a lot of expectation was created thanks to what had already been seen from the brand in previous years. Now that we have it in our hands we can draw a conclusion about it.
The Google Pixel 5 has undoubtedly arrived to surprise users, being characterized by having a high refresh rate, as well as a larger battery and a couple of high-end additions.
If there is something that was expected of the Google Pixel 5 was that it would follow the trend of its brothers to have a differential design to the rest of the competition, taking into account that it should impact after the large upper frame with facial recognition system of the Pixel 4 XL.
In this case we can see how Google left this stage behind, giving us something that is rarely seen in Android: virtually symmetrical edges. On the front, the design of the Google Pixel 5 is a delight, an example of symmetry that is broken only by the front camera hole.
The size of this device is 144.7 mm, being considered the most compact mobile in its segment. If we consider the construction materials of the Google Pixel 5 we can see how the glass is abandoned to return to deliver us plastic-coated aluminum.
Taking a quick look at the button panel, its power button is made of metal, while the two volume buttons are made of plastic. On the back we can see the fingerprint reader, and the camera module with two sensors and an LED flash.
The screen of the Google Pixel 5 is 6 inches, with a Full HD+ resolution, and a refresh rate of 90Hz. It is a remarkable panel, although, especially in terms of brightness, it is far from the proposals made by high-end devices.
We must emphasize that the brightness of this device is more than enough to appreciate content in the sun, the only notable problem is that, in automatic mode, it tends to get very low in the case of being indoors.
Nothing that can’t be solved with a manual increase.
Another aspect where the Google Pixel 5 is more than correct is at the level of viewing angles, white purity and sharpness, where it can be said that it is closer to being classified as a high-end device than a mid-range one.
Among the most interesting touches that Google has decided to give is the increased sensitivity of the screen when using a tempered glass, the attention of the screen (which keeps it on whenever we are using it), or the option to change the font and zoom it.
The performance of the Google Pixel 5 is based on 8 GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, being a mid-range configuration that, if we consider the ROM support that Google has, it can be said that we are facing a good performance.
It does not have the most powerful processor. However, what is the agility with multitasking, openness in applications, and the overall experience of this Pixel is quite remarkable. It is very fluid, it is true, but it also does not come to be considered the fastest in its price range.
Its internal memory is 128 GB, which does not expand with a microSD card. In this case it should be noted that the Google Pixel 5 does not come with preinstalled applications, and that it will often remind you that you have duplicate files, photos whose backups have already been made, among other cleaning notifications.
This device is compatible with 5G NSA and SA, also supporting the millimeter band. However, it should be recognized that there are operators that still lift only 4G, so you should be aware of that maybe why yours stays in that range.
Now, entering the terrain of the battery of the Google Pixel 5, we can say that 4,080 mAh is not about an outrageous figure if we think of a 6-inch mobile. However, Google’s optimization, such as the low energy demand of the Snapdragon 765G, in this case you have a very good picture.
The 8 hours of screen can be exceeded with two days of use, under Wifi network and a fairly high brightness level. In the case where the latter factor is waived, 9 hours could be reached, as well as by deactivating the 90Hz.
In the case of heavy use of the 4G network, the camera, among others, the previous figure will drop somewhat. However, it is very difficult to stay under 6 hours of screen time with the Google Pixel 5. Taking into account the Pixel 4as, we are talking about 3 or 4 hours more.
Apart from that, there is an 18W fast charge, which is capable of leaving the battery full in about 1 hour and a half. There are high-end features in this case, such as wireless charging and reversible wireless charging, being the only aluminum mobile with these features.
From the Google Pixel 5 we can expect what the company means by Android: a system that is clean and simple, in which the user has the power to install, both inside and outside its store, everything he may need.
The interface of the Google Pixel 5 by default is Android 11, and gives us a very clean desktop, with glance to show us the date, events of the day, and the weather. Having functions by swiping to display all the other apps that we have decided to install.
As for what is the level of customization, we must emphasize that it will allow you to create themes to your liking, being able to even change the icons found in the top bar. You can customize themes and save them for when you feel you need them. There are also elements such as dark mode, or a gesture system.
Another feature of the Google Pixel 5 is its voice assistant, which you will invoke by “Ok, Google”, or by swiping from the bottom corners of this terminal. You should also know that, although it is a mid-range, it will be updated much earlier than other Androids, so you will not be left behind.
In the case of the multimedia functions of the Google Pixel 5 we will find a top speaker under the screen, which vibrates under the screen to feel its sound. Its main speaker could be said to count 80% of protagonism.
The former sounds good enough, being able to pass 100 decibels. It has a very good bass, where not much distortion is appreciated. Although users report a loss of quality when the audio is turned up to more than 80%.
The Google Pixel 5’s camera may have been overshadowed by the very old sensor that they have decided to keep (the Sony IMX636), however, Google has decided to adapt all its computational photography to that sensor demonstrating that it still knows how to get the most out of it.
In this case, the crown does not belong to it in terms of versatility, but its brilliance in terms of computational photography is still present. In terms of hardware, we will find a 12-megapixel main sensor, and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide angle.
Its “selfie camera” is 12 megapixels, and quite angular, so much so that we have the option to make a 1.4x crop in case we want a closer finish. The Google Pixel 5’s camera app keeps it simple, but features renewed automations and functions.
If we go to the historical data, we must accept that the Pixel have never been able to shine in video issues. However, it is something that began to change since the Pixel 4 and now, with the Google Pixel 5, we can say that we have found a good result.
The video of the Google Pixel 5 has nothing to envy to those of high ama. It is a generation that has taken a step forward both in terms of stabilization and in the case of sharpness. Especially when recording in 4K.
There are points such as autofocus, which is good enough, or that the HDR+ that is applied in photography also plays for this case.
Google Pixel 5 is a more mature phone, since it was launched in September 2020.
As a general recommended rule, phone should be consider to be used for a range of 2 or 3 years before they start to show lower performance, or stop receiving updates. The Google Pixel 5 will still keep receiving guaranteed updates until October 2023.
Therefore, in that sense the Google Pixel 5 is still worth to be considered as a smartphone to be bought.
Nevertheless, we prefer the Google Pixel 5a, since it offers the same camera, and software quality for the less the price.
Our opinion about Google Flagship phones is to get the most recent, one such as the Google Pixel 6 Pro, or if not, then search for the “a” phones.
Google Pixel 5 can be found in ebay for $329.99 refurbished. Even though, acquiring this Google phone for under $350 is a great deal, since the camera and perfromance worth it.
Google Pixel 5 updated is running in Android 11. For all Android users, this operative system is a friendly user one.
DXOMark has ranked Google's cameras on top performers.
Google Pixel 5 Battery has 4,080mAh and in comparison to its predecessors, it last better in the run.
As Google launched Google Pixel 6 Pro, the Google Pixel 5 can not be considered to the best Google Pixel phone.
Yes, the Google Pixel 5 is waterproof with its IP68 water and dust resistance.
Google Pixel 5 is no longer produced, and the ones found online are the ones lasted from supply, third party resellers or refurbished.
Google Pixel 5 can be found on Ebay for $329.99.
