Article Summary
The newest Made By Google event launched the newest Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL to the market. The new Pixel 4 starts at $999 Canadian for the 64GB model. The Pixel 4 XL is $1,129 for 64GB, but you should upgrade to the 128GB model since Google has stopped offering free online storage for full-quality photos. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL hit store shelves on October 24, 2019 across Canada and is available through many carriers.
Just like last year, much of the hardware information leaked first (including details on Best Buy Canada), but the magic is in the software. New, compact AI moves Google's Assistant to your device improving response time on everything from your smartphone to a new Google Nest Mini.
Google's launched the newest generation of flagship Pixel smartphones at this year's Made By Google event. Featuring more power, faster display refresh, and a new radar for touch-free control, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL create a new benchmark for all flagship smartphones to reach.
Best Deals on the Pixel 4
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Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL Hardware Shared Specs
Still sporting one of the fastest mobile CPUs, Pixel 4 continues to be a benchmark for flagship phones. While not always pushing the limit in hardware, their software makes up the difference.
Flagship Performance: Both the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL feature the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 CPU you'll find in other premium Android smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy S10 lineup and the LG G8 ThinQ. As is standard with Google phones, you'll get two major version updates (Android 11 and 12) as well as security updates for three full years after it's released.
Last year's Pixel had enough RAM for modern uses, but the competition was including up to 12GB of RAM for multimedia. This year's Pixel 4 smartphones include 6GB of RAM for better processing of images, videos and the new baked-in Google Assistant.
Project Soli Air Gestures: This feature won't be launching internationally yet, but Google has shrunk radar technology down to fit on the front of the new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Waving your hand over the screen lets you control music or phone calls, but also prepares the phone for being picked up, allowing for faster face unlock or reading your notifications.
New Google Assistant: First announced at Google I/O earlier this year, the helpful AI software from Google and running on everything from your smartphone to small, donut-sized electronics on your counter is even more compact. Originally the Google Assistant was a 100GB software program, but now takes up less than a gig of storage. With that compact footprint, it's built into your smartphone (and the 2nd generation Nest Mini) for lightning-fast responses to your questions. It even works offline when you can't get a good signal.
Online and Offline Storage: The base model Pixel 4 comes with just 64GB of internal storage. An extra $120 will give you 128GB but there's no more storage available onboard or through expandable microSD card.
Google includes 3 months of 100GB of Google One premium support, but their famous "two years of storing photos at Original Quality" is gone. Photos can still be uploaded for free at compressed "high quality" or uploaded at full quality while using up your subscribed allotment of Google cloud storage. This is a real negative since on-board storage is so small. Having infinite storage online for all your full-quality photos was a unique bonus of Google's smartphones.
Cameras: The secondary selfie camera is gone, but Google has added a 16MP telephoto lens to the back giving exceptional zooming capabilities to the handheld smartphone. Combining dual-pixel technology in the primary camera and dual-lens features, Google's industry-leading camera software gets even better.
Night Sight has been improved to allow astronomy photos, and the technology involved has been expanded to improve white balancing and real-time exposure controls. There's also a Live HDR+ feature that gives you a better idea of how your photos will look after the snap. There's still no HDR for video like you can find in the Samsung Galaxy S10, but might be possible with software upgrades in the future.
Display: A first glance at the displays don't show a big difference over last year's Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, but that will change when you start using it. The full-screen OLED display is a bit longer (19:9 aspect ratio) and the display refresh can go up to 90Hz. Refresh is dynamic too, so it only shows off that crispy speed when it needs to, and saves battery the rest of the time. If battery life is more important, you can turn the feature off completely.
Google Pixel 4 Specs
Much of the internal hardware between the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are the same. Aside from the battery, most of the differences are found on the outside of the case.
Battery Life: Battery size is about the same this year as last year's model. The Pixel 4 features a 2800 mAh battery, Qi wireless charging, and 18W fast charging.
Display: The new display is a bit taller and features a 90Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth transitions and gaming, but still keeps the HD+ resolution on the Pixel 4. The screen is 5.7", and has a bit of black at the top and bottom of the phone for sensors, speakers and microphones. On the bright side, there's still no notch or hole-punch taking up valuable screen real estate.
Pixel 4 Price in Canada
Early rumours were that the Pixel 4 lineup in Canada would be about $50 more than the original launch price for the Pixel 3. However, it appears Google has kept pricing competitive in Canada. Prices below are retail prices through Google. Carriers may sell for more.
- Pixel 4 (64GB) - $999
- Pixel 4 (128GB) - $1,129
Jump to Pixel 4 XL prices in Canada
Google Pixel 4 XL Specs
Last year's Pixel 3 XL notch was routinely panned by tech reviewers as the worst "notch" in the industry. This year they've removed the notch making this is definitely one of the most beautiful screens you can get on a smartphone in 2019.
Battery Life: The Pixel 3 XL featured a just-okay battery, but was suddenly upgraded with the discount Pixel 3a XL to 3700 mAh. That same battery is found in the new Pixel 4 XL and is sure to last the full day even with a higher-resolution display.
Display: The Pixel 4 XL models cost about $120 more than their smaller siblings, but what a difference. The display uses the same OLED tech and is also stretched to 19:9, but the resolution is increased to QuadHD+ and features over 500 ppi (pixels-per-inch). Combined with a new 90 Hz display and the now extinct "Industry's Worst Notch", this is the display you want.
Google Pixel 4 XL Price in Canada
Buying direct from Google, the Canadian price for the base model Pixel 4 XL is $1,129 for 64GB but a $130 upgrade to 128GB of storage will serve you far better. Prices below are retail prices through Google. Carriers may sell for more.
- Pixel 4 XL (64GB) - $1,129
- Pixel 4 XL (128GB) - $1,259
Release Date and Offers
Every major carrier in Canada will be carries the new Pixel models upon release, but colours may vary. While the Google store offers Just Black, Simply White, and a limited-time "Oh So Orange" only the first two can be found in elsewhere.
Deals below last updated November 4, 2019. Use the WhistleOut cell plan search tool to find the best current pricing.
Bell Pixel 4 Deals:
- $0 down and $48.75 over 24 months with Bell Smartpay on $70+/month plans
- $99.99 down on 2-year Premium Plus plans starting at $110/month
- $1,169.99 no term
Rogers Pixel 4 Deals:
- $0 down and $43.33 over 24 months on $75+/month plans
- $80 down on 2-year Edge 40 Tab ($115+/month)
- $1,040 no term
Telus Pixel 4 Deals:
- $0 down and $43.13 over 24 months on plans starting at $70/month
- $1,035 no term
Fido Pixel 4 Deals:
- $80 down on 2-year XXL plans starting at $115/month
- $1,040 no term
Koodo Pixel 4 Deals:
- $0 down on 2-year Tab Extra Extra Large plans starting at $115/month
- $1,035 no term
Virgin Mobile Pixel 4 Deals:
Virgin Mobile has not yet posted pricing for the Google Pixel 4 lineup. Once posted we'll list the best deals here
Freedom Mobile Pixel 4 Deals:
- $0 down and $30 MyTab on $60/month (Big Gig + Talk 10GB) plan
- $0 down and $20 MyTab on $75/month (Big Gig + Talk 15GB) and up plans
- $999 no term
Videotron Pixel 4 Deals:
- $0 down on 12+2GB Premium+ two year plan at $125/month
- $1, 049.95 no term
Every carrier usually offers deals on the popular Google Pixel smartphones. WhistleOut helps you find the best.
Nest Mini, Nest Hub Max, and Nest WiFi
Google upgraded the popular Home Mini with the Nest branding, improved the speaker, microphone and made it easy to hang on the wall. It's priced at $69 Canadian and is currently available for order through the Google site.
The Nest Hub Max will also be coming to Canada bringing a screen and camera to your living space. The display can be configured to update with weather, appointments, announce who's at the door and even change how much information is on the screen based on how close you are. It's priced at $299 and available for to order now.
Google's WiFi mesh hardware became the highest-selling home WiFi mesh network in Canada and the US, but their new router helps you manage your network, expand it through WiFi Points, and control features like turning off the kids' wifi access by a simple Google Assistant spoken command. Each Nest WiFi device has a Nest Mini built-in, so you won't have to double-up your Google hardware in any given room. The router starts at $229 Canadian, and multipacks are available to help distribute WiFi signal to every corner of your home.
Google Pixel Buds
Only an announcement at this point, as the Google Pixel Buds won't be hitting the market until Spring 2020. However, it takes away the cable from the previous Pixel Buds and adds more features than you'll find in Apple's AirPods. Crammed full of sensors, processors and a custom 5-hour battery, the small size features long-range Bluetooth, and intelligent mic for making phone calls. Google's Assistant gives you many features built-in, so you have easy access to your schedule, the weather, and making a call.
Every Mobile Plan for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL
Pick your model, size, and storage so WhistleOut can help you find the best plan for your needs. We help you compare hundreds of plans from more than a dozen wireless carriers across Canada.
Make sure to enter your address to see the best coverage and most relevant prices for your area. You can also choose how much you want to pay upfront; from $0 down to the full MSRP.
Still in development: Come back as we'll be updating prices as they are published by carriers.
Pixel 4 Plans: 64GB - 128GB
Pixel 4 XL Plans: 64GB - 128GB
Pixel 3 XL Plans: 64GB - 128GB
Pixel 3a Plans: 64GB
Pixel 3a XL Plans: 64GB
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