This afternoon, Google unveiled to the world several new devices at its ‘Launch Night In' event, a fall 2020 showcase of Google's latest hardware. We've been anticipating devices like the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a 5G, and more for a while now, and finally we've gotten to see them in action. Let's find out more about what was revealed at Google's Launch Night In event.
Where Can I Watch Google Launch Night In?
Google has a special site set up for Google Launch Night In September 2020. They will host the event at 11 AM PT. Perhaps ‘Launch Day In' might have been a better name, but who am I to judge?
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for live updates!
Google Pixel: The Affordable Flagship Series
Since 2016, Google has boldly surged into the smartphone market with its Pixel series of flagship smartphones. Google's advantages with the Pixel stemmed from its excellent software and control over Android. Since Google is the leader in pushing major updates for Android, it's reasonable to assume that the Pixel series has the ‘purest' version of Android.
However, that's not necessarily true. Android at its core stems from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), a way for developers to work with their own custom versions of the Android operating system. Although developed by Google, AOSP is free for anyone to build on and use.
Looking even deeper, Android is based on yet another operating system: Linux! Although traditionally for desktops, Android builds on the Linux operating system to create an ideal experience on smartphones like the Google Pixel.
Google Pixel 5: Price, Release Date, & More
The Google Pixel 5 has been a highly anticipated smartphone this year. Here's what we expect:
- May be available by October 15th
- $700 expected price
- Confirmed in 9 countries, including the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and more.
Design
We expect the Google Pixel 5 to be a significant upgrade in design compared to the Pixel 4. Just like the Pixel 4a, it has a hole punch design for the camera in the upper left-hand corner of the display. This is similar to the direction that the Samsung Galaxy series has gone.
Display
We're expecting the Pixel 5 to have a 6-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 (429 ppi). It supports HDR and a 90 Hz refresh rate as well so you can enjoy a clear and smooth entertainment experience.
Cameras
The Google Pixel series for years has shined for its great cameras despite their low price point. The Pixel 5 has a dual camera setup with Night Sight for low light conditions.
Processor, RAM, Battery, and Internal Storage
At the heart of the Google Pixel 5 is its Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor which enables the device to connect to 5G wireless networks. The Pixel 5 is also getting 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage.
To help you get through the day, the Pixel 5 is getting a 4080 mAh battery. To put that into perspective, my Galaxy Note 9 from a few years ago has a 4,000 mAh battery and I have no trouble getting through a full day. I use my phone a lot for videos, texting, and occasional games, so the Pixel 5's battery is good in my book.
Pixel 4a 5G: Price, Release Date, Specs, & More
The Pixel 4a 5G is slated to be the latest refresh of the original Pixel 4a. However, you'll be getting way more than just 5G connectivity. The Pixel 4a 5G may be worth the best value when compared with the Pixel 5.
Design & Display
The Pixel 4a 5G looks remarkably similar to its non-5G counterpart. It has a hole-punch camera in the upper left and sports a slightly larger display than the Pixel 5 at 6.2 inches. Since the Pixel 4a is priced less than the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a may be a great choice for those who are looking for a larger phone.
Cameras
The cameras on the Pixel 4a 5G are expected to be very similar to those on the Pixel 5.
Processor, RAM, Internal Storage
The Pixel 4a 5G is slated to have about 128 GB of internal storage, 6 GB of RAM and the same Snapdragon 765G processor as the Pixel 5. Although you're getting less RAM, the Pixel 4a will still be a great option.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
Google's new Chromecast is expected to be powered by their new streaming service, Google TV. It supposedly will come with a physical remote so that users won't have to control it with their phone.
The device is expected to support 4K resolution and HDR for high quality viewing. The new Google Chromecast will also support HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI CEC) which lets you use the remote that you normally use to control your TV to control your Chromecast device.
Nest Audio: Google's Newest Smart Speaker
Another brand-new device at the Launch Night In event is a new smart speaker from Google called Nest Audio. It's been quite a while since Google has released a smart speaker, so it's exciting to see Google get back into the smart device game.
The device comes in gray or blue, and we don't know much about its specs just yet. We do know that the speaker is expected to be priced at $99.99.
Launch Night In: Explained!
Google's newest devices from Launch Night In are ready to go! I'm most excited to see where the Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G go. Leave a comment down below and share your thoughts about the devices you're most interested in!
