People who were interested in Pixel 5 back when it launched were faced with a surprise info that it had dropped the Neural core and Active Edge features. Later, the device also faced a few issues in graphics performance as per various reports online. Now, Google is rolling out the April 2021 security update to a lot of pixel devices and it comes bundled with Camera, GPU performance gains for some devices like Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5.

Google, in an official post, has detailed what are the changes coming with the latest update for the Pixel devices including Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. You can take a look  at the build numbers below:

• Global:
  • Pixel 4a (5G): RQ2A.210405.005
  • Pixel 5: RQ2A.210405.005

Talking about the specific changes, it says that Google Pixel 4a 5G and Google Pixel 5 gets improvements in

• Camera quality in certain third-party apps
• Optimizations for certain graphics-intensive apps & games
• Fix for certain devices appearing offline when connected with VPN
• Fix for Freeze on Google logo during startup

This update is said to have improved the GPU performance of the device by about 30-50% more than before(3DMark, courtesy of Andreas Proschofsky). Earlier, reports suggested that the Android 11 update could have had an impact on the graphic performance of the Pixel 5 leading to frequent stutters.

However, the dark days are over now, and if you are a Google Pixel 5 user, we suggest you update the device as soon as you get it. Speaking of which, users who haven’t received it yet should get it in the coming days as it is a phased rollout.

As mentioned above, the April update also includes few improvements for other devices like Pixel 3(XL), 3a(XL), 4(XL), 4a. You can check the entire changelog here.

 RELATED:

• Google hires Intel veteran to lead its custom chip division
• Google Pixel 6 may arrive with an under-display fingerprint scanner
• Google drops Play Store commission to 15% on first $1 million in revenue for developers
• Google removes astrophotography mode for ultra-wide camera on Pixel 5 & Pixel 4a 5G

The post Google Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 get camera and graphic performance improvements with April update appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G, which was launched last year along with the Pixel 5 a few months ago, is suffering from touch reliability issues after the company rolled out an update for the smartphone last month.

As per the reports coming from several users, the phone suffers from a range of issues, including taps not registering, which is very frustrating for those users who are using the 3-button navigation feature.

The issues started appearing after Google rolled out an update with the December security patch. Prior to that update, no such issues were reported by the smartphone’s users after the device was launched.

Users are saying that taps on the screen are not getting registered, especially around the edges, including buttons and UI elements, and thus the user needs to tap multiple times for the function to work.

EDITOR’S PICK: Qualcomm’s CPUs are about to get even more powerful as it plans to acquire NUVIA

It has also been confirmed that the issue is not related to the hardware as finger drags are being consistently recognized. Apart from issues with the three-button navigation system, people are facing problems with the full-screen apps.

The issue was also acknowledged by Google last month and the company had said that a “fix will be included in an upcoming software update.” However, the company has not addressed this issue in the January patch and there has been no information shared by the company regarding this.

In the meantime, the only real fix to this frustrating problem is rolling back the smartphone to the November security patch. Although the process of doing that isn’t easy, it is the only workaround before the company actually fixes the issue with a software update.

UP NEXT: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G launched in Germany; pricing starts at €279 and goes on sale in February

The post Google Pixel 4a 5G users complain about navigation and touch issues appeared first on Gizmochina.

A few months ago, Google had launched its Pixel 4a 5G smartphone in a single ‘Just Black’ color option, along with Pixel 5. There was also a “Clearly White” variant with mmWave technology support but was exclusively for Verizon.

Now, the company has confirmed that the unlocked model of the Pixel 4a 5G in White color will soon be available for purchase in the United States. Priced at $499, the smartphone will go on sale from 28th January.

The smartphone has not been listed on Google Store for purchasing and the phone’s listing on B&H has been removed. It is also believed that the phone will be available to purchase from the Google Fi store.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G comes with a 6.2-inch OLED screen with support for the standard 60Hz refresh rate. Compared to the screen size of Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a, this 5G smartphone features a bigger display.

EDITOR’S PICK: Hyundai Motor is in talks with Apple for Apple Car production

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset — same as the Google Pixel 5. It packs 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In the camera department, there’s a 12.2MP main camera, coupled with a 16MP ultrawide lens.

On the front side, the phone has an 8MP snapper for taking selfies, housed inside the punch-hole cutout. It is powered by a 3,885mAH battery with support for 18W fast charging support but lacks wireless charging support.

UP NEXT: The next major Honor smartphone lineup — Honor V40 is all set to get launched in China on January 18th

The post Google Pixel 4a 5G in White color to launch in the US on January 28 appeared first on Gizmochina.

This year, for the first time ever, all the phones released by Google are mid-rangers. But despite that, two of them support 5G networks. The affordable Pixel with 5G support is the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which is essentially a 5G variant of the Pixel 4a with a different processor. But is its value for money high enough to make it the best choice for everyone or you can get better phones at a similar price? Discover it by checking this comparison between Google Pixel 4a 5G, Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, and OnePlus Nord, all mid-rangers, all with 5G and upper-midrange chipsets.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Google Pixel 4a 5G vs OnePlus Nord

Design

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and OnePlus Nord look more elegant than Google Pixel 4a 5G because they come with a glass back, while Google Pixel 4a 5G is the most compact thanks to its smaller display. Between Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and OnePlus Nord, my choice would be the latter because it has a sleeker back cover, it is thinner and lighter than its rival. The huge and rectangle-shaped camera module of the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite does not make it so beautiful. The glasses on Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and OnePlus Nord are protected by Gorilla Glass 5. With the Mi 10T Lite you get a single punch hole placed in the middle, OnePlus Nord has a dual punch hole on the upper left corner, and Google Pixel 4a 5G has a single punch hole on the upper left corner too.

Display

The most convincing display belongs to the OnePlus Nord. First of all, it is an AMOLED panel; further, it has a 90 Hz refresh rate and the HDR10+ certification for a smooth viewing experience and a great image quality. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite has a higher 120 Hz refresh rate, but it comes with an inferior IPS panel. The Google Pixel 4a 5G is OLED and HDR but it lacks a 90 Hz refresh rate. All the phones feature a Full HD+ resolution (1080p), but the Google Pixel 4a 5G has a smaller panel with just 6.2 inches. With Mi 10T Lite and Google Pixel 4a 5G, you get stereo speakers too.

Hardware/Software

Despite the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite has a different chipset from OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G, it provides similar performance because the Snapdragon 750G and the Snapdragon 765G are more or less at the same level. What really makes the difference in this hardware comparison is the memory configuration: OnePlus Nord offers up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage, while Mi 10T Lite and Google Pixel 4a 5G have just 6 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of native storage. So, OnePlus Nord wins the hardware comparison. If we talk about the software, Google Pixel 4a 5G is actually superior not only because it runs Android 11 out of the box, but also because it will be constantly updated for a longer time.

Camera

OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G are equipped with superior camera departments to the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, including the main sensor with OIS. My favorite camera phone is the OnePlus Nord not only for its rear camera department but also because of its dual front camera including an ultrawide sensor. On the other hand, the rear cameras of the Google Pixel 4a 5G and its camera algorithm are more interesting.

Battery

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite is able to provide a way longer battery life than OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G thanks to its bigger 4820 mAh battery. But this does not mean that OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G are not good battery phones.

Price

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite has a €280/$330 starting price globally, OnePlus Nord costs €399/$470 in its base variant, and Google Pixel 4a 5G is priced at €499/$499. On paper, OnePlus Nord is the best. Mi 10T Lite has the highest value for money. But the software differences would let a lot of people go for the Google Pixel 4a 5G.

• Read More: OnePlus officially announces the affordable Nord N10 and Nord N100 smartphones

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Google Pixel 4a 5G vs OnePlus Nord: PRO and CONS

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G

PROS

• More affordable
• IR blaster
• 120 Hz display
• Bigger battery

CONS

• IPS display

OnePlus Nord

PROS

• More internal storage
• Best display
• Dual 32 MP ultrawide front camera
• Up to 12 GB of RAM

CONS

• No audio jack

Google Pixel 4a 5G

PROS

• Android 11 out of the box
• Compact
• Great cameras
• Stereo speakers

CONS

• Smaller battery

The post Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Google Pixel 4a 5G vs OnePlus Nord: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has finally launched its first smartphones in the 5G era. The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A 5G are the brand’s first models to feature a 5G modem. They are also primed to be among the first model that’ll get Android 11.

Google Pixel 5

The Pixel 5 is the more premium model of the two even though it doesn’t make it beyond the mid-range point. The device sports s a 6.0-inch display with an FHD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate.

The Pixel 5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, one of the newest premium mid-range SoC released by the US chipmaker. The SD765G chipset is equipped with an X52 modem that enables 5G connectivity. Sub-6 is supported on all Pixel 5 versions, while in some countries it will also work on mmWave networks. Still talking of connectivity, the phone comes with support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac instead of Wi-Fi 6. The processor pairs with an 8GB RAM on the 5 while there is a sole 128GB storage option.

For photography, the Pixel 5 packs a triple camera setup at the rear aspect. The three cameras are arranged in a square-shaped module located at the top-left corner of the panel. The main camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with 1.4um pixel size, as well as Google’s AI algorithms. This sensor doesn’t have particularly large pixels for night time shooting nor high resolution for lossless digital zoom, Google is hoping to deploy software optimization for those.

There is also a 16MP ultrawide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture and 1.0um pixel size. There is also OIS and a relatively bright f/1.7 lens. The phone also supports 4K recording at 60 fps, the first Pixel phone with such capability.

The Pixel 5 packs a 4,080 mAh battery and has 18W fast charging support. The body is IP68-certified for dust and water resistance. The aluminium body is made out of recycled aluminium and is textured for better grip. The phone also comes with wireless charging support and reverse wireless charging despite the metal body. There is equally a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The phone is available in Just Black and a new Sorta Sage colour option. Pre-orders for the Google Pixel 5 has already commenced ahead of availability in eight countries on October 15. The phone will be available in the US on October 29. The Pixel 5 comes in at $700 (€630/£599).

Early pre-orders between now and October 14 qualify for a  free pair of Bose QC 35 II wireless headphones. This offer is only valid in Germany, France, Ireland, and the UK, and only while stocks last.

Google Pixel 4a 5G

The Pixel 4a 5G packs a 6.2-inch OLED screen which makes it bigger than the 4a. The phone only comes with the standard 60Hz refresh rate. The body of the phone is made out of polycarbonate and is not dust or water-resistant.

It is also powered by a Snapdragon 765G chipset just like the 5 but it pairs with 6GB of RAM but the same 128GB storage option only.

The camera department is identical to the Pixel 5 – you get the same 12.2 MP main cam joined by the 16 MP ultrawide unit. The 8MP selfie camera is nested inside a punch hole. he model packs a slightly smaller 3,885mAH battery compared to the Pixel 5 but retains the 18W fast charging support. There is no wireless charging support.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is priced at $500/€500/£500. Expect pre-orders to start on November 5, ahead of availability on the 19th of that month. Aside from Japan, that is, where it will go on sale on October 15.

If you pre-order one of these, you’ll get the same offer as the one for Pixel 5 pre-orders: a free pair of Bose QC 35 II headphones, provided you’re in the UK, Germany, France, or Ireland.

The post Google Pixel 5 & Pixel 4A 5G Official – Snapdragon 765G, 5G & more! appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google is unveiling its new Pixel 5G devices today(September 30). Ahead of this, a report says that Google plans to produce only a limited number of the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and 5 5G this year.

A report from Nikkei says that less than 1 million Pixel 5 devices will be made this year. In fact, the numbers could be as low as 800,000 units as per its sources. While this is a shocker, the report adds that Google has set a moderate target of just 3 million devices for all the new Pixels combined. The pointed out reasons are a drop in sales and the effect of the pandemic on demand.

For instance, as of H1 2020, Google has reportedly shipped just 1.5 million devices. This is a huge drop from 4.1 million units when compared to last year. Besides, the US-China Trade war and the Global pandemic also has disrupted its migration plans. Apparently, Google decided to produce all the new Pixels in Vietnam. But only the Pixel 4a series is reportedly manufactured there while the Pixel 5 is still coming out of Shenzen, China.

Google had a rough year in 2019. As per IDC, It shipped 7.2 million units in 2019 falling behind the target of 8-10 million. Although it gained steam after Pixel 3a, the arrival of Pixel 4, 4XL stomped the figures. And now, Google is facing an ecosystem threat from Huawei. The latter is appealing to all of its Chinese colleagues to try and adopt the new HarmonyOS ecosystem.

That said, the report says that Google relatively gave conservative orders this year due to poor sales of Pixel 4 and COVID-19. This could be the reason for delays in Pixel 4a and shipment of the new Pixel devices. However, the situation might change once the new devices hit the stores. On the other hand, Google has already moved the major production of Nest Smart speakers, Nest Wi-Fi, and other home devices to Vietnam and Thailand. While Google is yet to officially comment on this, the phase-out plan is probably to end the dependency of China.

Up Next: Google Pixel 4a users are facing a touch sensitivity bug after Android 11 update

The post Google sets a humble target for the production of its new Pixel devices in 2020 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google announced the launched date of the new Pixel devices a few days back. The invite had mention of smart speakers, Google Pixel devices(Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5 5G). And, now a tip reveals that the devices might only be available for pre-orders on the said September 30 but shipping will start a few weeks later.

The latest leak comes from tipster Jon Prosser(via GSMArena). He has already tipped the launch of Pixel 4a multiple times. The 4G device, however, jumped several dates before the final reveal on August 3. Now, he says that the Pixel 4a 5G and 5 5G will be up for pre-orders on the same day(September 30) as the event. However, Pixel 5, and 4a 5G will start shipping only from October 15, and November 19 respectively.

Pixel 5 5G
(Just Black & Subtle Sage)
– Preorder: Sep 30
– Launch: October 15

They made an oopsie with the 4a

Pixel 4a 5G (Just Black)
– Preorder: Sep 30
– Launch: Nov 19

Pixel 4a 5G (Clearly White)
– Delayed to 2021
(Will most likely be canceled altogether) pic.twitter.com/Qh4L0TZ3Ry

— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) September 25, 2020

Further, Jon gives a final word before the announcement about the color variants too. He says the Pixel 5 5G will be available in Just Black and Subtle Sage colors. For those who are wondering, Sage resembles the Sage leaves. It is a quaternary color which is a mix of Citron(orange-green pigment) and Slate(Grey).

Editor’s Pick: Google to develop an entry-level smartphone in partnership with Reliance Jio

Jon also says that Google will bring the Just Black variant of the Pixel 4a 5G in November and the Clearly White color is delayed to 2021. He adds that there are also chances of the White variant getting canceled as a whole. While this is contrary to the early reports, it is not surprising as its 4G sibling also has only the Just Black variant.

Google went ahead and announced the Pixel 4a 5G and 5 during the 4a launch. It didn’t disclose anything but a teaser image and price of 4a 5G. However, thanks to various leaks, we already know the entire specifications.

That said, the delay in shipments can attribute to various factors amidst a pandemic. Also, considering the Pixel 4a launched just a month ago, it makes sense for Google to push the Pixel 5 first rather than the 5G variant of 4a. Regarding the price, tipster Jon and Evan leaks have said that Pixel 5 will be priced at $699 for the 128GB variant, while Google has already confirmed that Pixel 4a 5G will start at $499.

Up Next: Google Maps gets a new Layer to show COVID-19 data

The post Google Pixel 5 5G, and Pixel 4a 5G to start shipping only a few weeks after the launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

We are just 5 days away from the official launch of the new 5G Pixel phones. The company will launch smart speakers along with a 5G version of Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 at the event. Google had announced the new pixels briefly during the 4a launch. However, thanks to various leaks we already know the entire specifications of the Pixel 4a 5G and 5 ahead of launch. And now, high-quality images of the Pixel 4a have appeared on a UK retailer website giving us a good look at the device.

First spotted by 9to5Google, the images appear on a UK retailer named John Lewis. Although it appears under the regular 4a listing, it has a “5G” icon on one of the product images. That said, the images have the same look with ports and buttons placed similar to the 4G version. There is even a cut-out for the headphone jack at the top. While the color variants of the 4a 5G could be Black and White, the product image shows only the Black version.

Resembling the 4G version

The display also has a cut-out at the top left and thick bottom bezels like the 4a. That said, the other info on the page is about the 4G version and we couldn’t spot any details regarding the 4a 5G. Hence, this could be just an incorrect listing for the 4G version displayed accidentally. Also, the images corroborate with the early renders which showed almost a design identical to its 4G sibling.

1 of 2

Besides, the rear fuselage of the 5G has a matte finish with a similarly placed fingerprint sensor. There are two cameras inside the layout instead of one. Also, it could be a polycarbonate panel as the rumors say but we can’t confirm it by just looking at the images.

Editor’s Pick: Google Meet gets background blur while Duo gets support for screen sharing

Pixel 4a 5G Specifications, Price and Availability

Pixel 4a 5G will have a slightly larger 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 413 PPI, and a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels. Snapdragon 765G SoC will likely power the device paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage.

As for the rear optics, it will have a 12MP main and 16MP ultra-wide with 107° FOV and an 8MP selfie shooter at the front. Other features include a 3,800mAh battery with 18W charging, Dual SIM with an e-SIM, 5G, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou), USB Type-C 3.1 (Gen 1), and Android 11.

Google has already confirmed that Pixel 4a 5G will start at $499. It will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan.

Up Next: Vivo Y12s Google Play Console listing appears, Launch could be near

The post High-quality images of Pixel 4a 5G appear on UK retailer website ahead of launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google last week released several teasers which point to the launch of the Pixel 4a on August. The tech giant has indeed launched the Pixel 4A but added a new twist by announcing the Pixel 4A 5G and the Pixel 5. The two 5G models will, however, be available this fall.

The Pixel 4A presents with a plastic body which has been the company’s routine for models in this price point. The device packs a single rear camera housed in a square-shaped module alongside the dual-LED flash.  The module is located at the upper left corner of the back panel. The device also packs a physical fingerprint scanner on the back. At the right side of the fuselage is a mint-coloured power button as well as the volume rockers.

Talking of the display, the Pixel 4A sports a 5.81-inch OLED display with an FHD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The display supports just 60Hz refresh rate. The display has a hole-punch design, making this model the first Google phone to have such a feature. The punch-hole houses a single 8MP Sony IMX355 sensor with f/2.0 aperture, 84° FOV and EIS support.

The rear camera is a single 12.2MP Sony IMX363 image sensor with an f/1.7 aperture lens, 1.4µm pixel size, 77° field-of-view, Dual Pixel Phase Detection, OIS, and EIS support. The Pixel 4A equally supports video shoot at 4K resolution at 30fps. For slow-motion videos, the device is capable of 1080p resolution at 120fps.

Google is known for its software prowess and the Pixel 4A is adorned with several topnotch Google Camera features such as Live HDR+, dual exposure controls, Night Sight with astrophotography, Social Share, Portrait Mode, and Super Res Zoom.

The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor paired with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The phone packs a 3,140mAh battery which is pretty small compared to the industry standard but Google touts the battery of being able to deliver “up to 24 hours” of usage with a “mix of talk, data, standby and use of other features, with always-on display off.” In addition, the phone comes with 18W fast charge support through a USB-C port.

On the software side, Google Pixel 4A runs Android 10 OS out of the box. Google says the device will get 3 years of Android OS upgrades so expect it to get Android 11, Android 12 and Android 13. Isn’t that super cool? You’ll also get 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates, too. Further, the Pixel 4a features Google’s Titan M, a discrete hardware security module that’ll eventually let you store your driver’s license on your phone and access it when there’s not enough battery left to boot up Android.

Google Pixel 4a Pricing & Availability

The Pixel 4a carries a decent $349 price tag and is available to pre-order presently on Amazon. The device is expected to ship on August 20th and is available in a single Basically Black colour. Not to worry though, Google is also selling its signature Fabric cases, which are machine-washable, soft-to-touch fabric cases made from over 70% recycled materials. The cases are available in Basically Black, Blue Confetti, and Static Grey. The phone will also be available in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Canada and in India in October.

On the other hand, the Pixel 4A 5G will have a $499 price tag and will ship sometime this fall.

UP NEXT: 70Mai A800 Dual-vision 4K Dash Cam launched on Indiegogo

The post Google Pixel 4A & Pixel 4A 5G are official! appeared first on Gizmochina.