Google’s Pixel 5 was the final of its type

Now and again, I’ll seize a random gadget out of the Verge critiques closet and spend every week or two with it. It’s principally out of random curiosity and for the sake of evaluating “previous” merchandise towards the newest and biggest. Most not too long ago, I used to be drawn to Google’s Pixel 5. So I gave it a manufacturing facility reset, up to date the cellphone to Android 12, and have been utilizing it as my day by day driver for the previous a number of days.

The expertise has been incredible. I’ve received very massive palms — an iPhone 13 Professional Max doesn’t look misplaced in them — and I choose massive screens, so I don’t assume I might totally change over to the Pixel 5. Nevertheless it’s such a superb “small” cellphone (by 2022 requirements) that I’ve definitely been tempted. The Pixel 5 makes it simple to do something I would like one-handed. Its midrange processor performs higher than ever on Android 12, and this cellphone nonetheless appears to be like distinctive subsequent to the competitors.

Above all else, I’ve come away disillusioned that Google gave up on the Pixel 5’s model and measurement after only one yr. The smallest cellphone within the firm’s lineup is at the moment the Pixel 5a, which has a 6.3-inch show. To its credit score, Google is shrinking issues down barely with the upcoming 6A. However with the A-series fashions, you’re giving up niceties just like the 90Hz show and wi-fi charging. In these methods, the Pixel 5 could be the final of its type in Google’s lineup. A lot for the even bezels, too.

Picture: Google

I now discover myself wishing that Google would hold the 5 round as an “iPhone SE”-style product that will get introduced in control with {hardware} upgrades each couple years — with out dropping what makes it good. Let’s cowl a few of the Pixel 5’s strengths.

Design and supplies: The Pixel 5’s 6-inch OLED show is surrounded by skinny, symmetrical bezels that go a great distance in making the cellphone comfy and usable in a single hand. And the textured “bio resin” coating on the 5’s physique leads to a novel really feel and reassuring grip while you’re holding it all through the day. The amount rocker shares this texture, whereas the ability button is shiny metallic — making it simple to tell apart between the 2 by contact. Owing to its really feel and palm-able measurement, the Pixel 5 is a type of telephones that may go caseless with out inflicting a lot consternation.

Earlier than Google went all in on the frequent “glass sandwich” design with the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, earlier fashions within the collection typically used distinctive supplies and textures that helped the telephones stand out. With the Pixel 2, it was the almost-coarse rear shell of the black mannequin. The Pixel 4 had grippy facet rails. However after the 5’s bio resin — I’m nonetheless a giant fan of the Sorta Sage inexperienced colorway with this end — Google opted for a extra fundamental in-hand really feel with final yr’s flagships.

Photograph by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

A greater display screen: The Pixel 6’s OLED panel might sound completely superb primarily based on first impressions. However in all honesty, it’s mediocre. There are many threads on Reddit complaining about uniformity points, an ugly inexperienced tint at decrease brightness ranges, and different imperfections. The Pixel 6 Professional’s attractive LPTO panel displays none of those issues, so it’s clear that Google settled for much less as a part of reaching the 6’s $599 value.

Even the Pixel 5’s display screen appears of a barely increased high quality to me than the 6 that changed it. They’re each 90Hz shows, however the 5’s white level, uniformity, and total picture are only a bit nicer to my eyes. This will typically come all the way down to variance between particular person models, however I hope to see higher from the Pixel 7.

Pixel Imprint rear fingerprint sensor: I’m nonetheless let down that cellphone makers determined in unison to relocate the fingerprint reader from the again of the cellphone, the place your index finger typically naturally rests whereas holding it, to beneath the show. Google’s Pixel Imprint scanners had been maybe the quickest and most constant in the whole Android ecosystem, and, effectively, let’s simply say the in-screen sensor on the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional has by no means matched it — even after Google improved the efficiency by way of software program updates.

Constant digital camera efficiency: Google spent a number of years optimizing its computational pictures for the 12-megapixel primary digital camera shared by the Pixel 5 and its predecessors. And whereas it lacks the dynamic vary of the Pixel 6 / 6 Professional and doesn’t provide options like Actual Tone or Magic Eraser, the Pixel 5 is a constant shooter. You realize what you’re going to get, which may’t all the time be stated of the Pixel 6 line. I don’t love the unpleasant-looking background blur you typically get from the 6’s bigger sensor, however that is one thing Google will little doubt enhance.

Picture: Google

The Pixel 5 isn’t excellent

Though I’m principally glad with the graceful efficiency and basic responsiveness of the Pixel 5 on Android 12, there are nonetheless events the place the midrange Snapdragon 765G processor hits a wall and will get slowed down. Snap a photograph, and the irritating delay whereas the cellphone processes the shot stays current. The 5 may also get hung up should you get overly formidable with multitasking.

Whereas I’m bought on the Pixel 5’s appear and feel, Google’s {hardware} high quality assurance isn’t all the time the perfect. Many models have a slight hole between the show and physique. After the cellphone’s launch, the corporate stated the hole wasn’t something to fret about — nevertheless it’s precisely the form of minor element that I discover annoying.

After which there’s that dreadful under-screen speaker, which nonetheless sounds tinny generally even after Google tried to enhance it with an “adaptive sound” setting. These symmetrical bezels didn’t come with out tradeoffs.

However even with these downsides factored in, there’s nonetheless one thing particular about this cellphone. I’ve come shut to purchasing one from Woot, which is promoting new, unopened Pixel 5s for $450. Apparently Google should’ve stumbled throughout some additional stock in a warehouse someplace. With Apple’s mini iPhone rumored to be lower from the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup, it appears small telephones are on the way in which out (once more). That makes this a tempting second to purchase. The one asterisk to think about in Google’s case is that software program assist for the Pixel 5 will finish in October 2023.

However possibly by then, Google will reintroduce a small Pixel that doesn’t skimp on {hardware} options and doesn’t so blandly take after its bigger siblings.