Google Pixel 5 Review

Pixel 5 is a reimagining of Google’s flagship strategy – after the epic wobble that was Pixel 4. Google is reigning in the specs to take on a crowded upper mid-range. This may make the Google Pixel 5 sound a bit less exciting but after testing in Trusted Labs, we found a lot to like.

What we love – Camera is still class, battery life isn’t naff and it’s a decent price

Pixel phones always have decent cameras and the Pixel 5, outside of a small caveat, continues this trend The key thing is that Google ditches a telephoto lens for an ultra-wide here, something it proudly rebuffed last year but hey-ho. Pixel 5 offers the same crisp and vibrant shots you’ve come to expect from the range, with the added benefits of improved HDR and that ultra-wide lens. Night mode is still great – with it now activating automatically when your Pixel deems it necessary. Video has long been the key negative of Pixel camera and that’s even improved this time – with 4K 60fps support and enhanced stabilisation. Pixel 4 battery life was downright garbage and a big reason why the device was such a flop. Thankfully, Pixel 5 has sorted this epic gaffe. Pixel 5 sports a 4080mAh battery and can manages about six hours of screen-on time, comfortably making it a day-long device. The decent battery life is achieved despite that smooth 90Hz display being onboard. Google is now a rarity when it comes to phone manufacturers, offering a flagship phone that tops out under £600 – and that’s the main appeal. For those who want traditional flagship features but don’t want to shell out silly extra amounts for some lavish features that often seem frivolous, Pixel 5 is the reasonably-priced solution.

What we don’t like – Design is plain, camera is no longer streets ahead and big phone fans are left out

A lot of the negatives of Pixel 5 come from it no longer pushing that flagship boundary – and it’s both a blessing and a curse. The reduced price means you don’t get an eye-catching design. Instead, it’s a device that’s extremely similar to the already released

. Some may appreciate the unibody design and full view flat display but it certainly isn’t grabbing attention like the

. Google worked out how to incorporate a cracking phone camera back at the launch of the original Pixel – with its stellar software processing. However, keeping similar camera hardware can only do so much as software processing has its limits. Additional cameras are a welcome change but Google has stood relatively still while competitors like

,

and

have rapidly caught up. This year, there’s only one model of the flagship Pixel. While small phones are having a bit of a resurgence – including recent iPhone 12 announcements from the

– Pixel 5 may leave fans of big and immersive screens disappointed. The 6-inch 90Hz FHD+ OLED is nothing to be sniffed at but in an age of stunning games and entertainment content coming to phones, the Pixel 5 display is far from the most awe-inspiring.

Verdict

Google Pixel 5 steadies the ship after a turbulent time last year. There’s certainly a lack of innovation but, at an attractive lower price, the Pixel 5 offers plenty of strong features to delight Android fans.