The Pixel 5 has been a very divisive device for Google, but if you are happy to look past the lack of top-tier specifications, you still might find something to fall in love with.
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Besides an ultrawide lens, the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G added HDR+ with Bracketing to improve image quality in shadows, among other benefits. Google today detailed the technology behind that new capability while also revealing that the Pixel 4 and 4a now use bracketing in Night Sight.
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At launch, Google offered Pixel 5 and 4a 5G buyers a slew of subscription perks. One for Google Play Points is still available until the end of this month, but Google has “suspended” the promo due to technical issues.
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As we reported yesterday, Google’s April patch for the Pixel 5 includes some minor fixes as well as a big update for gamers. Now, it’s been confirmed that the patch “essentially doubles” GPU performance on the Pixel 5.
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The April security update is rolling out this morning, with the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G benefiting from a pair of camera and graphics performance enhancements. Older phones also get some functional fixes from this patch.
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Over the past few days, some Google Pixel owners have been seeing an error message that says “SIM Manager keeps stopping,” especially on more recent Pixel models. Here’s how to fix it.
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This week, as part of the March Pixel Feature Drop, Google launched deep integration between Pixel phones and an underwater-ready photography case. Now Google has shared a first look at some photos of undersea life as taken on the Pixel 5.
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While Pixel devices only have one physical SIM card slot, you can simultaneously add and use an eSIM with Dual SIM Dual Standby. At launch, DSDS on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G dropped users to 4G connectivity, but yesterday’s March security patch enables 5G support.
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In addition to the Pixel Feature Drop, the March security patch contains nine functional updates that address some bugs, including one longstanding one, on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G.
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Often the US gets some of the best pre-order bonuses for smartphones, but with the Pixel 5, we Europeans were given the gift of a free pair of Bose QC 35 II noise-cancelling headphones so long as orders were placed before a certain date.
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Since the Pixel 3a, it’s been possible to use a physical SIM card and eSIM simultaneously. However, Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 does not currently support 5G networks, though that’s changing with Android 12.
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The current Made by Google lineup is visually defined by a front-facing camera in the top-left corner of the screen. You get used to it over time, but those bothered by the Pixel 5 hole punch can now hide it on Android 12.
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The first Android 12 Developer Preview build includes a new settings page for the Pixel 5, intended to allow it to respond to a “Double tap” gesture on the back, which can activate the Assistant, take a screenshot, and more, but it doesn’t seem to work just yet.
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Chrome OS’s upcoming Android “Phone Hub” may be getting the ability to mirror your phone’s screen as an exclusive feature for Google Pixel phones.
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Google’s monthly update on Monday primarily addressed the Pixel 4a 5G’s edge touch recognition issues. However, the February security patch also added support for T-Mobile Standalone (SA) 5G on that phone and the Pixel 5.
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While the 5G rollout continues at some pace, those in the US with the Pixel 5 and LG Wing will have more to crow about with a C-band upgrade allowing connection to an even wider array of the superfast wireless networks.
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It’s hard to deny that with the Pixel 5, Google has taken a completely different — and somewhat confusing — path to what we expect given recent “flagships.” At first glance, it seems like a swing and a miss. However, sometimes it takes a step back to really see the bigger picture, and by doing so you can see just why the Pixel 5 might even defy the expectations of even the most ardent Android enthusiast.
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With the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G, Google introduced Auto Night Sight so that the signature feature can be accessed without having to explicitly enter the low-light mode. Some people found the automatic nature frustrating, and a new version of Google Camera this week addresses it.
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Weezer today released the lead single off their upcoming album, OK Human. The music video for “All My Favorite Songs” features a surprising number of Google Pixel 5 devices in what’s presumably a promotion.
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The Pixel 5 has already had a pretty rocky start to life, thanks to issues pertaining to display gaps, the battery indicator stalling, a proximity sensor flicker bug, and now some volume level problems.
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Google is following last month’s big Pixel Feature Drop with a bug fixer. The January update addresses six issues for the Pixel 5 and Google’s other current phones.
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An ultrawide lens is the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G’s distinguishing camera hardware addition, and at launch, it could be used to take wide astrophotography shots. With Google Camera 8.1 in November, that capability was quietly removed.
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This month’s Pixel Feature Drop brings a slew of additions to Google phones. The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G benefit the most from today’s release, but the Verizon update will not be available until sometime next week.
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A long-standing device sensor issue that has affected a minority of Pixel owners now appears to be affecting some Pixel 5 units.
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