Google Launches the 5G-Ready Pixel 5 [Updated]

Lauren Hannula Managing Editor

Updated 15 March 2021

In this Guide

Pixel 5 Launch and Price
Pixel 5 Specs and Features
Is Google Pixel 5 Worth It?
Pixel 5 Phone Plans

The wait is over: Google has unveiled the latest addition to its Pixel phone lineup, the Pixel 5. The flagship smartphone offers 5G connectivity at a midrange price, with some thoughtful design upgrades and an even better camera system than the Pixel 4.

The Google Pixel 5 comes in a 128GB storage model for $699. The carrier also announced the 5G upgrade to the most recent Pixel 4a, aptly called the Pixel 4a 5G.

Description	2020 model with Android 11, larger 6" display, 2.4GHz octa-core CPU, 16MP dual camera and wireless charging
Screen Size	6"
Available On	0 Plans from 0 carriers
Available From
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Google Pixel 5 Launch Dates & Pricing

Customers were able to preorder the Pixel 5 beginning September 30, 2020, and the phone was officially released in stores on October 15.

Preorder date	September 30, 2020
Shipping date	October 15, 2020
Release date	October 15, 2020
Outright price	$699
Monthly price	$29.12/month (24 months)

You can purchase the phone unlocked through Google, or via its home-grown mobile carrier Google Fi. All of the major carriers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—also offer the Pixel 5, along with smaller MVNOs including Visible and Mint Mobile. Google fans will be happy about the Pixel 5's outright price of $699—while it's certainly nothing to sneeze at, it's a cheaper initial price than previous Pixel models upon their release. Also unveiled was the budget-friendly Google Pixel 4a 5G, the aptly-named 5G sister phone to the recently announced Pixel 4a.

Google Pixel 5 Specs & Features

Google Pixel 5 at a Glance

Storage	128GB 8GB RAM
Supported 5G Frequencies	mmWave band Sub-6GHz band
Size & Weight	5.7 in x 2.8 in x 0.3 in 151g
Operating System	Android 11
Display	6.0 inches 90Hz refresh rate Full HD+ OLED Always-on display
Battery	4,080mAh 18W fast charging Wireless reverse charging
Processor	Snapdragon 765G Octa-core Titan M security chip
Rear Camera	12.2MP dual-pixel wide + 16MP ultrawide 30x zoom
Front Camera	8MP
Video	4K video capture
Colors	Just Black Sorta Sage
Features	Rear fingerprint sensor Adaptive battery + Extreme Battery Share Duo screen share

Google's flagship smartphone ushers in what the company calls its "next chapter of mobile technology," i.e. 5G-readiness. The Pixel 5 marries midrange pricing with some premium features including wireless charging and battery share, enhanced 4K video software, and a locked-down Titan M security chip.

The Pixel 5 launched with a single 128GB storage model, unlike the Pixel 4's two capacity options. Also missing is a larger "XL" version of the Pixel 5 that typically accompanies Google's smartphone launches, instead introducing the aforementioned Pixel 4a 5G.

Design & Display

The Pixel 5 is housed in a IP68 water-resistant metal-backed casing of recycled aluminum, solving some durability issues that plagued the Pixel lineup in the past. This also makes the Pixel the first metal-constructed phone to support wireless charging (more on that below)—though Google hasn't released details on how this works. A minimal symmetrical bezel improves upon previous models, also, with an edge-to-edge display and reduced chin on the bottom of the phone. This is partly due to the fact that Google has done away with its Face Unlock and Soli gesture features, which were located in the top bezel.

A full HD display results in crystal-clear images and vibrant colors, while the phone's 90Hz refresh rate (retained from the Pixel 4) means gestures swipe cleaner and apps open faster. The Pixel 5 also keeps the unobtrusive hole-punch front camera that contributes to the Pixel suite's minimalistic design, and brings back a capacitive rear fingerprint sensor for added security.

Processor & Modem

The Pixel 5 is Google's entry into the 5G smartphone market, along with the Pixel 4a 5G. With a Snapdragon 765 chipset, you can download shows and movies in mere seconds when connected to a 5G signal. It's compatible with both mmWave 5G networks, like Verizon's, as well as sub-6 spectrum 5G networks, like those from T-Mobile and AT&T. Note, though, that while the Snapdragon 765 supports 5G, it's not quite as powerful as the Snapdragon 855 chipset found in the Pixel 4—just another of the sacrifices Google seems to have made in order to keep the cost of the phone low.

The Pixel 5 also holds an ultra-secure Titan M chip, which Google tested against real-world threats to protect your operating system and stored data. The Titan M keeps your personal info, texts, and photos secure, and the Pixel 5 constantly scans incoming emails, texts, calls, and links for security threats.

Battery

The Pixel 5's battery receives three significant upgrades—an adaptive battery, Extreme Battery Saver capabilities, and wireless backward charging. Now, the Pixel 5 can both receive a charge wirelessly, as well as share its own charge to power up other compatible devices (like the Pixel Buds earphones, for example).

Pixel's adaptive battery uses machine learning to remember your most-used apps and tools. It then optimizes your phone's power to support those apps and reduces power from ones you rarely use, allowing you to get the most out of your battery life. For even more juice, the new Extreme Battery Saver option allows you to decide which essential apps to keep on and completely pauses the rest—providing up to a whopping 48 hours of extra battery. This super-saver feature will also be deployed to previous Pixel models.

Camera System

Pixel phones have been historically praised for their best-in-class camera software, and the Pixel 5 carries on this tradition. An upgrade to HDR+ makes colors more vibrant and contrasts much sharper, and Portrait Light offers AI-enhanced illumination to combat harsh shadows caused by less-than-ideal lighting. Google added Night Sight to its Portrait Mode, for perfectly focused low-lit photos that still retain beautifully blurred backgrounds.

Google has also replaced the rear telephoto lens on previous Pixel phones with a 16MP ultra-wide lens on the Pixel 5, to support better landscape and panoramic shots with impeccable detail. But don't worry—the Super Res Zoom technology is still alive and well for your macro close-up shots. They've also added three new image stabilization modes for its video capture: lock mode, active mode, and cinematic pan, which slows down motion by 2X to create dramatic Hollywood-esque effects.

Extra Features

Hate waiting on hold for customer service? Google hears you loud and clear. The Pixel 5 comes with a new "Hold for Me" feature, which turns Google Assistant into your personal assistant, waiting on the call then notifying you once a real, live human comes on the line. And if you already have a Pixel phone, you're in luck: Google will be updating all previous models to support Hold for Me.

For the best virtual happy hours, Google has also added additional flair to its Google Duo technology. Duo HD screen share lets you feel even more connected, allowing you to share whatever is on your screen right to your active chat. Watch videos or read articles together without having to utilize another device to do so.

Also notable on the Pixel 5 is are the features that have gone missing—specifically, the Soli air-gesture system, face unlock tool, and Active Edge accessibility feature. While these omissions have helped Google minimize the phone's bezel, they could also help explain why Pixel 5 is a 5G-enabled flagship phone at a midrange price.

Is the Google Pixel 5 Worth It?

Compared to the exorbitant prices of most other 5G-capable smartphones (we're looking at you, Galaxy Note20 5G), the Google Pixel 5 is an affordable midrange alternative. It's made some nice improvements to its design and durability, retained the best-in-class camera software that Google fans go gaga for, and added a much-needed ultrawide lens to round out the experience. Plus, the added battery support means the Pixel 5 has one of the best battery lives on the market.

That said, the announcement of the similarly-featured Pixel 4a 5G make us think twice about paying an extra $200 for the Pixel 5—especially since "true" 5G accessibility isn't exactly widespread at the moment, and won't be for some years to come. And some of the best upgrades to the Pixel 5, like Extreme Battery Saver, will be rolling out to all Pixel models.

It comes down to the details, then. This might not be the top choice for avid gamers and smartphone power users. But if you appreciate the accessibility of wireless reverse charging, a slimmer bezel, and swoon-worthy video capture, the Pixel 5 may be just the ticket.

Google Pixel 5 Phone Plans

The Pixel 5 is widely available from all three major carriers, plus others like Google Fi, Visible, and Mint Mobile. Make sure you have a 5G-compatible phone plan to make the most out of your new 5G-capable device! For most carriers, that means a mid- to upper-tier unlimited plan.

Here are some of most popular unlimited plans from your favorite carriers.

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Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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