The day Google fans have been waiting for has finally arrived. The company’s new flagship device is available right now in the United States. As initially announced, the phone is $699 or $29.12 per month for 24 months.
According to Google’s Store, the phone is in stock, so you can still order one if you didn’t get in on the preorder period. I added the device to my cart, and Google estimates that it’ll be delivered between November 19 and 20 if ordered today.
What Does the Pixel 5 Bring to The Table?
We covered the Pixel 5 in-depth when the phone was announced, but it’s a solid phone. It comes with a 6-inch 1080p 90Hz display, a 4080mAh battery, a Snapdragon 765G processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of storage. They’re not specs that’ll rival the $1,000 phones on the market, but for the $699 price, they’re pretty solid.
The cameras are what make the Pixel 5 stand out from the crowd, though. It comes with a 12.2MP f.1.7 primary lens. There’s also a 16MP f/2.2 wide-angle lens and an 8MP f/2 hole-punch front-facing camera for selfies. The camera hardware isn’t the newest, but Google’s photo software is among the best.
The Google Pixel 5 Reviews Are In…
While the Pixel 5 doesn’t change the game for smartphones, it looks to be getting decent reviews so far. However, the phone is not without flaws, and many reviewers are pointing out some issues.
Android Authority called the phone “The best premium Pixel” and gave it an 8/10. The review also called it “a great option for those who want to spend $700 on a smartphone.” Interestingly, though, the review also cited the camera sensors showing their age.
The Verge seemed reasonably impressed with the phone, citing the fact that “Google goes back to its old tricks, mostly for the better.” The review also gave the Pixel 5 an 8/10, which seems to be right around where most of the phone critics are rating the device.
Following the trend of scoring the phone in the 8/10 range, Engadget narrowed it down a bit and gave the phone an 82/100. The review called out the Pixel 5 as a “mostly great device falls victim to tough competition.” The writer also mentioned that the phone feels like “a lateral move from the 4a than a significant upgrade.”
It’s The Pixel 5 Era
The real test for the Pixel 5 is getting it in the hands of users, and that’s just beginning today. We’ll have to wait and see what the general consensus is. However, the early reviews seem to point towards it being a good phone, but not necessarily a great one.
If you want to grab a Pixel 5, you can get it from Google’s Store, or from the carrier of your choice.