The Pixel 4 display is smaller than those on most Android flagship phones, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a top-level piece of tech.

Google Pixel 4 review | TechRadar Google Pixel 4 review | TechRadar

However, while Apple has had success with Face ID on the iPhone X and newer iPhones, the Android ecosystem (and especially the apps available on the platform) isn't quite at the same stage. This super-smooth refresh rate makes the device great for all sorts of tasks, from scrolling through social media to gaming and more. It's unclear why it's cheaper in those two markets and not the US, but it's a nice bonus if you’re interested in this phone. That’s because it notices you, and then activates the face unlock when all you wanted was to be able to see the stats on the always-on display. The Pixel 4 was Google’s late-2019 attempt (alongside the Google Pixel 4 XL) at making a phone that shows off the very best of Android and offers up a cocktail of flagship photography features, including machine learning and other AI wizardry.

In the UK it’s available through Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three, as well as a selection of other smaller providers. Google has boosted the screen with a 90Hz refresh rate that offers a smoother experience when scrolling through social media or playing video games, and there’s plenty of power on tap, with a recent chipset paired with 6GB of RAM.

Google Pixel Mobile Phones | Carphone Warehouse Google Pixel Mobile Phones | Carphone Warehouse

We found this to be useful throughout our testing period, but it can also be frustrating when you have your device facing you. On-screen you'll find Android 10, the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, which features the firm's smart assistant baked into its core and new gesture controls. The Pixel 4 isn’t the smallest device on the market, but it’s much easier to use in one hand than a lot of other flagship smartphones in the Android space at the moment.Google has decided to go all-in on face unlock, which it claims is quick and easy to use, and we found it to work accurately and speedily. If you’re looking for an all-round feature-packed phone, you may be a bit disappointed, and the battery life is mediocre at best, but it’s a solidly built device with an interesting design and powerful internals. A saving grace here is that the Pixel 4 comes with some impressive fast-charging technology, which we found could charge the phone from 0-50% in 38 minutes if you use the USB-C charger included in the box.

Google Pixel 4 review | TechRadar

If you’re looking for a camera that’s capable in pretty much any situation, Google may have just made it. Google says it’ll work with app developers to bring in face unlock for logins, but this could take a while to appear on the apps which matter to you. This sits out from the phone a few millimeters, but we didn’t find it uncomfortable when the phone was in a pocket, and it didn’t cause any issues when it was laying flat on a desk.

degree field of view), allowing for improved zoom, better low-light shots and enhanced portrait photography. Gestures are also only supported by a handful of applications at launch, including YouTube Music, YouTube, Spotify, the phone app and the clock app. This enables you to use gesture controls to perform simple tasks when touching the screen of your smartphone isn't convenient, such as when you're driving, cooking or working out.