Google Pixel 4 announcement and owners thread

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#2341815 22-Oct-2019 13:58

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the coming months as software updates are pushed out. On Amazon the Pixel 4 XL is 1-2 months away in terms of shipping so if I have a look at the Pixel for a future device it'll have to be through Amazon/YouShop. It is rather disappointing that a carrier as big as Spark or Vodafone haven't bought the Pixel 4 to New Zealand.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

zyo

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#2341857 22-Oct-2019 14:16

matisyahu:
It'll be interesting to see what happens in the coming months as software updates are pushed out. On Amazon the Pixel 4 XL is 1-2 months away in terms of shipping so if I have a look at the Pixel for a future device it'll have to be through Amazon/YouShop. It is rather disappointing that a carrier as big as Spark or Vodafone haven't bought the Pixel 4 to New Zealand.

Pixels don't even sell that well in the states. I wouldn't expect NZ carriers to waste their resources (staff training, warranty support, network certification etc) on a nichie device.

matisyahu

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#2341915 22-Oct-2019 16:51

zyo:
matisyahu:

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the coming months as software updates are pushed out. On Amazon the Pixel 4 XL is 1-2 months away in terms of shipping so if I have a look at the Pixel for a future device it'll have to be through Amazon/YouShop. It is rather disappointing that a carrier as big as Spark or Vodafone haven't bought the Pixel 4 to New Zealand.

Pixels don't even sell that well in the states. I wouldn't expect NZ carriers to waste their resources (staff training, warranty support, network certification etc) on a nichie device.

I have a feeling even if I could get it in New Zealand that it would end up being better value buying it straight from the states even with the cost of P&P and GST. I might even wait till I go over to Australia for a holiday next year and pick one up. That being said, it is frustrating that even JB Hifi which sells it in Australia don't sell it in New Zealand even as a special order for those who want it.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

zyo

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#2341917 22-Oct-2019 17:02

matisyahu:
zyo:
matisyahu:

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the coming months as software updates are pushed out. On Amazon the Pixel 4 XL is 1-2 months away in terms of shipping so if I have a look at the Pixel for a future device it'll have to be through Amazon/YouShop. It is rather disappointing that a carrier as big as Spark or Vodafone haven't bought the Pixel 4 to New Zealand.

Pixels don't even sell that well in the states. I wouldn't expect NZ carriers to waste their resources (staff training, warranty support, network certification etc) on a nichie device.

I have a feeling even if I could get it in New Zealand that it would end up being better value buying it straight from the states even with the cost of P&P and GST. I might even wait till I go over to Australia for a holiday next year and pick one up. That being said, it is frustrating that even JB Hifi which sells it in Australia don't sell it in New Zealand even as a special order for those who want it.

Make sure you check the 4g frequencies supported. Being US model some of the frequency bands might be missing for NZ networks

mattwnz

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#2341926 22-Oct-2019 17:41

What I don't understand is why there is so much coverage about these online, they look to be a pretty mediocre device, especially in terms of specs and features, and the overall design. It seems there are youtube reviews for it everywhere. IMO the iphone 11(non flagship LCD model) looks more modern and better priced, even though that design is 3 years old, and has thick bezels, it still has that great face unlock technology. It should also be supported for far longer with ios updates, whereas I thionk google devices only get a min 3 years from the initial launch date. . I am not sure such a device is great for advancements in technology either, if it isn't pushing things forward in the design. The 90Hz display though is probably the only thing that is good to see, not that most people would notice. The rest is meh IMO, although it is still probably a good phone, I think there are better options at a lower price. My main phone is an android, so this isn't an android/iphone thing, and I like both platforms . Although App support for the iphone is far better, and easier to download overseas apps on an iphone.

matisyahu

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#2341935 22-Oct-2019 17:50

zyo:
matisyahu:

zyo:
matisyahu:

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the coming months as software updates are pushed out. On Amazon the Pixel 4 XL is 1-2 months away in terms of shipping so if I have a look at the Pixel for a future device it'll have to be through Amazon/YouShop. It is rather disappointing that a carrier as big as Spark or Vodafone haven't bought the Pixel 4 to New Zealand.

Pixels don't even sell that well in the states. I wouldn't expect NZ carriers to waste their resources (staff training, warranty support, network certification etc) on a nichie device.

I have a feeling even if I could get it in New Zealand that it would end up being better value buying it straight from the states even with the cost of P&P and GST. I might even wait till I go over to Australia for a holiday next year and pick one up. That being said, it is frustrating that even JB Hifi which sells it in Australia don't sell it in New Zealand even as a special order for those who want it.

Make sure you check the 4g frequencies supported. Being US model some of the frequency bands might be missing for NZ networks

Out of curiosity, do you know whether the Australian Google Store accepts New Zealand credit cards? because I might as well buy it online then get it shipped to my brother who can then send it to me.

Edit: With all that in mind I'm in no hurry given that the Microsoft Duo, if coupled with their long software support policy, is a good option for those of us who want a clean Android build.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

Mighty Ape

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#2342038 22-Oct-2019 19:59

dick smith nz has the pixel 4 and 4xl Australian model and ships to new Zealand, probably much cheaper than importing via amazon then youshop, not to mention all the taxes. probably be much better for warranty aswell, no pricing yet tho

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/google-pixel-4-xl-64gb-oh-so-orange-google/

ShinyChrome

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#2342305 23-Oct-2019 09:53

mattwnz:

What I don't understand is why there is so much coverage about these online, they look to be a pretty mediocre device, especially in terms of specs and features, and the overall design. It seems there are youtube reviews for it everywhere. IMO the iphone 11(non flagship LCD model) looks more modern and better priced, even though that design is 3 years old, and has thick bezels, it still has that great face unlock technology. It should also be supported for far longer with ios updates, whereas I thionk google devices only get a min 3 years from the initial launch date. . I am not sure such a device is great for advancements in technology either, if it isn't pushing things forward in the design. The 90Hz display though is probably the only thing that is good to see, not that most people would notice. The rest is meh IMO, although it is still probably a good phone, I think there are better options at a lower price. My main phone is an android, so this isn't an android/iphone thing, and I like both platforms . Although App support for the iphone is far better, and easier to download overseas apps on an iphone.

Yeah, spend 5 mins on r/android and you would think the Pixel 4 is a triumph of technology. Until you realise how much of a shouty minority with views divorced from reality a lot of these people are. Someone tried to point this out with mixed results.

To be fair though, Apple-to-Android phones is never gonna be a ... "apples-to-apples" comparison *chuckles*. Apple is not the pioneer it once was, it appears to be focused on maintaining its eco-system while gently pushing the boat out when it feels like it needs to maintain relevance to its hardcore brand following. Google is trying really hard to be Apple, but mostly with its usual poorly conceived efforts of throw the bloodydamn kitchen at the wall and see what sticks. And really with the glut of Chinese Android OEMs releasing a new phone every 5 mins trying to outdo each other in a mad-specs-for-lower-cost arms race, that horse has long since sailed.

Edit: Thinking about it, I suppose in that way iPhone-to-Pixel is a direct comparison, since both are trying to sell the experience rather than hardware. Really Google needs to lean more into the Pixel flavored experience and break ties with Android. Otherwise they just keep getting lost in the comparison to other Android OEMs who do just-as-good experience, but better hardware.

muppet

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#2342815 24-Oct-2019 09:16

ShinyChrome:

Edit: Thinking about it, I suppose in that way iPhone-to-Pixel is a direct comparison, since both are trying to sell the experience rather than hardware. Really Google needs to lean more into the Pixel flavored experience and break ties with Android. Otherwise they just keep getting lost in the comparison to other Android OEMs who do just-as-good experience, but better hardware.

First of all, keep in mind that a) I already own a Pixel 1 and b) I will buy a Pixel 4XL, so my opinion in super biased in that direction.

That said, a few of the reviews I've read point out that the specs don't really matter anymore. It's got 6G of RAM so no longer should it close apps as viciously as before. It's all about the camera and face unlock etc, that wraps up into a whole "good experience". I tend to agree with this, because when I stepped up from a Nexus 6 to a Pixel (like I said, Fanboi alert) I really didn't notice any performance difference, except for the camera. It was fast and oh-so-much-better.

My point is, I think it's only us techies who know/care about the specs really. For most users as you say it's the overall experience, and for that, the Pixel does a great job because it's Android as Google intended. The photos look amazing, it'll feel "super fast" because of the 90Hz and it'll have Face unlock and the Radar gimmick.

I think at the end of the day consumers are way more likely to pick on price, and in that regard Google's really stuffed it up. That said, I bet they're aiming high on launch day so all the fanbois like me buy it, then in a few months they'll drop it down $200USD to be price competitive with the iPhone/Samsung etc.

Fanboi as I am, I'm not buying one at this price!

OVER

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#2343168 24-Oct-2019 17:11

As much as I understand that some features aren't going to work and there are some odd drawbacks to this latest Pixel, I still want one. The fact is that coming from a Pixel 2 XL (crushed under a car on the weekend 😅 ), it's very hard to go to anything but another Pixel. This is still the best Pixel right now and it will get the longest software support of any Android phone currently on the market.

My Pixel 2 XL had Android 10 for more than a month where most other manufacturers haven't even set a date yet, so I expect the same of any other Pixel. The cameras are still the best in any Android phone. Other Android software features always hit the Pixels first. Software-wise and camera-wise there's no argument unless you're willing to switch to Apple (I'm not).

In saying all this, buying a Pixel in NZ is extremely difficult unless you have money to splash around. Australia's price of AUD $1279 for the 64gb (NZD $1367) has set an expectation that importing costs far exceed. It looks like I could pay anywhere from $1700 to $2000 to land a 64gb phone in NZ (after GST and other charges).

Does anyone know a better way to do this? Do I just need to wait for Dick Smith / Kogan to put their pricing up?

everettpsycho

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#2343171 24-Oct-2019 17:14

OVER:
Does anyone know a better way to do this? Do I just need to wait for Dick Smith / Kogan to put their pricing up?

At that price difference you could fly over there and buy one in the shop for less.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

OVER

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#2343174 24-Oct-2019 17:18

everettpsycho:
OVER:

Does anyone know a better way to do this? Do I just need to wait for Dick Smith / Kogan to put their pricing up?

At that price difference you could fly over there and buy one in the shop for less.

Almost! I did actually weight up that option but it would still cost in excess of $400 return + other costs such as transport, accommodation (if it can't be done in a day) and so on. Tempting as it is, I think it's a bit over the top for a phone.

dafman

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#2343185 24-Oct-2019 18:02

Now the battery test results are coming out, the Pixel 4's battery performance is proving as poor as the small size suggests. Probably the biggest failing of the latest Pixel IMHO

lchiu7

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#2343298 24-Oct-2019 21:20

Well I bought the XL from Amazon because Amazon had a US$100 gift card offer with it. I chose Orange which had a target ship date of December which suits me since it will go my friend's house who will then bring it back to NZ for me. So that also gives me time for buyer's remorse before then :-(

I am not concerned about not having all the NZ frequencies as it will certainly have Band 28 which is most common here. In fact according to GSMArena the US version will have these bands

LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 13(700), 14(700), 17(700), 18(800), 19(800), 20(800), 25(1900), 26(850), 28(700), 29(700), 30(2300), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500), 46(5200), 48, 66(1700/2100), 71(600) - USA

So it looks like will even have Band 28(700) which is a secondary band Vodafone use.

The last 4 phones I bought were US (Pixel, Pixel 3, Moto Z and Moto Z2) and all worked fine here though sometimes I would get 3G or H on the display when other phones had 4G or LTE. It didn't occur often enough for me to be constrained and the prices were right.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

matisyahu

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#2351721 11-Nov-2019 16:46

I've decided to dive in before the GST rule kicks in and buy one from Clove UK. Anyone had experience with them? how reliable are they? regarding band support, does the UK version support LTE Band 28?

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

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