Google Pixel 5 buyer's guide: Everything you need to know

 From specs and availability to pricing and alternatives, this is our comprehensive guide to Google's first 5G phone.

The Google Pixel 5 is very different from its predecessor, featuring solid specs but far from cutting edge. In this Google Pixel 5 buyer’s guide, we’ve got the info you’ll need to make a smart purchase decision. We’ll also answer your frequently asked questions about the phone. Let’s dive in!

The Pixel 5 was announced on September 30, 2020, at Google’s Launch Night In event. This was Google’s top-end phone of 2020 and it’s a great option if you want:

• A more affordable 5G phone with some flagship-level features
• A great camera experience
• A smaller-than-typical size
• Quality software and guaranteed updates

The Pixel 5 costs $699 in the US, where it’s available in only one size, two colors, and one storage configuration. It competes with the LG Velvet, the OnePlus 9, OnePlus Nord (outside the US), the Samsung Galaxy A71, the Galaxy S20 FE, and a slew of other upper mid-range to flagship 5G phones.

However, Google has discontinued the phone, so you may find it hard to get your hand on it.

You should avoid the Pixel 5 if you want:

• The best performance possible in a phone
• Two-day battery life with normal use
• The best zoom capabilities

  Is the Google Pixel 5 worth buying?

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  The $699 Google Pixel 5 looks like a good phone on paper in North America, with brands like Realme and Xiaomi not a factor on the continent. But it still seems like a good purchase in general if you want a 5G phone with brisk updates and flagship-style features but don’t want to pay 2020 flagship money.

  However, keep in mind that it’s not the latest phone in Google’s lineup anymore. The Pixel 6 is already out and offers a lot more, but it also costs more.

  In the case of the spec sheet, the Pixel 4 was arguably the least impressive flagship of 2019, packing a small battery and lacking a triple rear camera setup seen on rival phones. For the Pixel 5, it looks like Google has beefed things up in some ways, but not in others.

  Google’s phone shares the same price as the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, and it delivers a few more extras on paper. Things like a 120Hz OLED screen, flagship silicon, triple rear camera, and microSD expansion are all present on Samsung’s phone, making for an arguably more impressive, flexible package.

• What reviewers are saying about the phone

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  Our very own David Imel took the Pixel 5 for a spin and loved many things about it. These include a fantastic display, great battery life, wireless charging, and IP68 rating, among many others. Then there’s Pixel UI, which is a joy to use.

  And let’s not forget about the camera setup. It’s great in all lighting conditions and has a few new features up its sleeve. However, it’s not quite as ahead of the competition as it used to be. Still, most people will be more than happy with the images it can capture.

  The phone also has a few drawbacks that you should be aware of. Charging is a bit slow compared to some of the competition. There’s also no telephoto lens on board, which makes the camera setup a bit less versatile than we’d like. Then there’s the processor, which isn’t as powerful as the one you get with previous Pixel phones or 2020 flagships, which may or may not be a deal-breaker for you.

  Regardless of its issues, David still feels the Pixel 5 is a great phone overall, as it does the basics better than any other smartphone on the market.

• Google Pixel 5 specs

• The Google Pixel 5 isn’t going to win any awards for sheer horsepower, but the phone still brings quite a few features to the table anyway. Check out our Google Pixel 5 specs overview below.

• Google Pixel 5
  Display	6-inch OLED 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 432ppi 90Hz refresh rate 19.5:9 aspect ratio >1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
  Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 2x Cortex-A76 6x Cortex-A55 Titan M Security Module
  GPU	Adreno 620
  RAM	8GB LPDDR4x
  Storage	128GB No microSD slot
  Cameras	Rear Main: 12.2MP, f/1.7 aperture, 1.4µm pixels, optical + electronic image stabilization Secondary: 16MP, f/2.2 aperture, 1 micron pixel, ultra-wide (107-degree FoV) 4K at 60fps/30fps Front 8MP sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12µm pixels, fixed focus, 83-degree FoV
  Headphone jack	No
  Battery	4,080mAh 18W charging 12W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging
  IP rating	IP68
  Sensors	Proximity / ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyrometer Magnetometer Pixel Imprint fingerprint sensor Barometer Spectral and flicker sensor
  Software	Android 11
  Dimensions and weight	144.7 x 70.4 x 8mm 151g
  Colors	Just Black, Sorta Sage