Uploaded November 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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I’ve been using Google’s Pixel 4 phone for almost a month now. I mean, really using it. With my SIM card in it and everything. Taking photos. Making calls. Playing Pokemon Go. Yes, still.
And, you know, this isn’t my first Google phone. I had the Nexus One, the Nexus 4, and the Pixels 1 and 2.
I usually get the XL but since I’ve switched back to the smaller iPhone, I decided to go with the smaller Pixel as well.
Now, up front, I consider Google to be the most important company in the world. I love Apple’s products and their overall philosophy currently best aligns with mine. I think Amazon is transformative in the best and worst ways. Facebook is… a disaster that still brings the world together like nothing else. But, Google, literally, is trying to build the Star Trek computer. The future of humanity. And there is no amount of scrutiny that’s enough, no slack cut that’s not detrimental to what that future will be for all of us. Ethically and technologically.
Apple makes phones. Phones that are increasingly tied to entertainment services, sure. But Google’s phones *are* services. The atoms themselves are spectacularly unimpressive without the algorithms that bring them to life… and harvest unprecedented amounts of personal, private data while doing it. All in service of financing and building that Star Trek computer.
So, if I seem the tough on Google and their products like the Pixel. It’s because I have to be. We all have to be.
So, with all of that understood, here is my Pixel 4 review... one month later.
SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/vectorshow?sub_confirmation=1
LINKS:
Android Central Buyers Guide: androidcentral.com/best-android-phones
MrMobile's Pixel 4 Review: youtube.com/watch?v=UEqJ6FCo35w
Alex Dobie's Pixel 4/XL Review: youtube.com/watch?v=q7Qj7dQwL3E
Daniel Bader's Pixel 4 Review: androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-review
Andrew Martonik's Pixel 4 XL Review: androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-xl-review
Ron Amadeo's Pixel 4 Review: arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/google-pixel-4-review-overpriced-uncompetitive-and-out-of-touch
MORE:
Merch: standard.tv/vector
Gear: kit.com/reneritchie
Web: imore.com/vector
Podcast: applepodcasts.com/vector
Twitter: twitter.com/reneritchie
Instagram: instagram.com/reneritchie
This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations' disclosure policy for more details: mobilenations.com/external-links
SPONSOR: Go to brilliant.org/vector and get 20% off their annual Premium subscription!
I’ve been using Google’s Pixel 4 phone for almost a month now. I mean, really using it. With my SIM card in it and everything. Taking photos. Making calls. Playing Pokemon Go. Yes, still.
And, you know, this isn’t my first Google phone. I had the Nexus One, the Nexus 4, and the Pixels 1 and 2.
I usually get the XL but since I’ve switched back to the smaller iPhone, I decided to go with the smaller Pixel as well.
Now, up front, I consider Google to be the most important company in the world. I love Apple’s products and their overall philosophy currently best aligns with mine. I think Amazon is transformative in the best and worst ways. Facebook is… a disaster that still brings the world together like nothing else. But, Google, literally, is trying to build the Star Trek computer. The future of humanity. And there is no amount of scrutiny that’s enough, no slack cut that’s not detrimental to what that future will be for all of us. Ethically and technologically.
Apple makes phones. Phones that are increasingly tied to entertainment services, sure. But Google’s phones *are* services. The atoms themselves are spectacularly unimpressive without the algorithms that bring them to life… and harvest unprecedented amounts of personal, private data while doing it. All in service of financing and building that Star Trek computer.
So, if I seem the tough on Google and their products like the Pixel. It’s because I have to be. We all have to be.
So, with all of that understood, here is my Pixel 4 review... one month later.
SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/vectorshow?sub_confirmation=1
LINKS:
Android Central Buyers Guide: androidcentral.com/best-android-phones
MrMobile's Pixel 4 Review: youtube.com/watch?v=UEqJ6FCo35w
Alex Dobie's Pixel 4/XL Review: youtube.com/watch?v=q7Qj7dQwL3E
Daniel Bader's Pixel 4 Review: androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-review
Andrew Martonik's Pixel 4 XL Review: androidcentral.com/google-pixel-4-xl-review
Ron Amadeo's Pixel 4 Review: arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/google-pixel-4-review-overpriced-uncompetitive-and-out-of-touch
MORE:
Merch: standard.tv/vector
Gear: kit.com/reneritchie
Web: imore.com/vector
Podcast: applepodcasts.com/vector
Twitter: twitter.com/reneritchie
Instagram: instagram.com/reneritchie
This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations' disclosure policy for more details: mobilenations.com/external-links
