I noticed that since the leaks. First I thought that will be the laser focus module for LDAF, but since I got Pixel 3 on my hand, I found that was too small to be a laser focus module than any other phone has.
Besides, I tried use another camera and pointed at the back of Pixel 3 when its camera open, there's no flash coming out of that dot like my Pixel 1 did.
So what is that dot exactly? It seems like a illumination sensor but I've got no idea why we need a illumination sensor on that position. Also I can't find any explanation on Google store website.
bbs3223474 said:
I noticed that since the leaks. First I thought that will be the laser focus module for LDAF, but since I got Pixel 3 on my hand, I found that was too small to be a laser focus module than any other phone has.
Besides, I tried use another camera and pointed at the back of Pixel 3 when its camera open, there's no flash coming out of that dot like my Pixel 1 did.
So what is that dot exactly? It seems like a illumination sensor but I've got no idea why we need a illumination sensor on that position. Also I can't find any explanation on Google store website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did u call support?
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
It's a Spectral + Flicker Sensor.
Pixel 3 phones don't have the laser autofocus anymore.
https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3-sony-imx355-imx363-camera-sensor/
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
On a similar note, did anyone else notice that the black model of the Pixel 2 has it's sensors hidden behind tinted glass, but the Pixel 3's are on full display behind clear glass? I wonder why they changed this. I liked the clean look of the tinted glass over the sensors.
PuffDaddy_d said:
On a similar note, did anyone else notice that the black model of the Pixel 2 has it's sensors hidden behind tinted glass, but the Pixel 3's are on full display behind clear glass? I wonder why they changed this. I liked the clean look of the tinted glass over the sensors.
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Which sensors do you mean?
Front-facing sensors like proximity and light sensor? Or the rear sensor?
If it's for the rear, that's because Pixel 2 had IR autofocus sensors, which are themselves deep black and therefore easier to hide. The flicker sensor of Pixel 3 is not black so it will always stand out.
Hello,
In my country I can get the Pixel2 and Huawei P20 at around the same price, P20 being a bit cheaper, depending on the deals.
Now I am aware that Pixel 2 is an older device but it has it's pros.
What I like and dislike about p20:
+ lcd screen without Pulse With Modulation
+ modern design
+ dual cameras
+ fingerprint scanner on the front, making easier to unlock when on my desk
+ fingerprint scanner gestures which allows disabling the nav bar
+ software with customization
- notch, but from what I've read it can be disabled easily
- no stereo
- back glass which can be broken and is slippery
- updates my come slow
What I like and dislike about Pixel2
+ another almost 2 years of updates
+ metal back
+ stereo speakers
- amoled with PWM
- design
Usually reviews tend to be for the P20 Pro, especially long term ones so the P20 is a bit shadowed by it. I do not root or use custom roms. I do like to read on the phone, that is why no PWM comes as an advantage. I also need it to take great pictures without too much config. So if anyone owned P20, can share the downsides compared with Pixel 2? How are the cameras in comparison ? Are there any downsides of Pixel 2 in terms of hardware issues?
Thank you for your time.
Pixel 2, no contest. P20 may be a better device on paper, but it can't stand a chance next to the Pixel 2. My colleague has one, and we've compared the cameras, the Pixel 2 beats P20 in every shot (except maybe zoom on some occasions).
Software wise, ugh. EMUI on the P20 is just garbage and feels like Android KitKat and iOS 7 had a baby. Just no.
So from me, get yourself a Pixel 2 and enjoy.
I love my Pixel 2. I only wish it got some better battery life. It's actually the best size for me. I don't mind the bezel because of the dual stereo speakers.
Thank you very much for your answers.
I use the Pixel 2, owned the p20 for a few months.
It is a tough call, but i would go for the pixel again no question about it. But it depends on what you value more.
The camera on the pixel us much more reliable always good shots . software experience much better. I use gestures on the Pixel ( Fluid NG app).
For me the P20 was better on battery and screen size.the fingerprint gestures are great as well. The speakers better on the pixel of course.
@icstrim1 you mention that the camera on pixel is more reliable, does this mean that on P20 you got bad pictures some times? Or does the P20 require more adjustments before taking a picture? Also the software isn't more customizable that the one on pixel?
alinescoo said:
@icstrim1 you mention that the camera on pixel is more reliable, does this mean that on P20 you got bad pictures some times? Or does the P20 require more adjustments before taking a picture? Also the software isn't more customizable that the one on pixel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the auto mode with Huawei i got bad pictures sometimes, oversharpens a lot especially in rock walls or buildings. Also folliage backround detail looks more realistic on the Pixel.
I couldn't get rid of the oversharpening on the Huawei, there seem to be no real cure for auto mode.
If you take photos of children or landscape, the Pixel is a better choice in my view.
I prefer the clean Android, much smoother , almost addictive. But emui is not too bad.
Thank you o much @icstrim1, very helpful information.
One last question, the P20 has a screen without Pulse With Modulation, while the Pixel's amoled has around 245Hz PWM. Do you notice any eye strain/tiredness or other issues on the pixel's screen vs P20?
Thank you again for your time
You are welcome.
I actually like the oled more, no issues with eye strain.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Was at the beach... in direct sunlight, max brightness, white screen, I not only see the fingerprint sensor circle where it should be, but I also see 2 smaller circles... maybe an inch from the top of the screen and on the right side.
Does anyone else ha w these? Make sure it's bright enough so you can see the fingerprint scanner (if you can't see that, then you won't see the smaller ones).
I know the Pro has an underscreen sensor, but I thought the 7 was like the 6T.. next to the camera? Or did the 6T have it under the screen, too?
Why are there 2 circles?
Verified with another camera that there's definitely an IR sensor there (at least the left of the 2 circles).
Not sure of it's for light or proximity, or what the other one is. Weird they did this for the 7 but not 6T?
Yes, we have prox sensor and light sensor under screen. Why we have it in op7 but not in op6t? Maybe before the cost was so high or efficiency so low
Hello,
I have OnePlus 8 Pro and Oppo Find X2 Pro.
Under 5% screen brightness OnePlus has huge black crush.
They fixed it with beta DC patch, which makes colour accuracy hitting the floor.
Oppo has very small black crush on minimal brightness level.
Both Oppo and OnePlus have the same screen model (just differently calibrated - OnePlus has extremly vivid calibration just like S20 and Oppo has very good natural colour calibration) - but same problem:
between 5-10% screen brightness there is a step which is making everything tinted green.
You slide brightness from 1% to 10% and you will have colours like: ok ok GREEEEEEEN ok ok ok.
I won't accept 1k€ phone having such bad screen, so I am thinking about trying flagship Xiaomi,
can you go into complete dark room and slide brightness from 1% to 10 and tell me if the colours stays the same?
I also have S20 Ultra and iPhone 11 Pro Max - their screens are just perfect (iPhone has much warmer screen, very pleasing to human eye), but I don't like iOS and Samsung has pure garbage Exynos CPU in EU.
Interested as well
Any kind soul to check as per OP request?
Sent from my OnePlus8Pro using XDA Labs
I've tried it. Miu12 xiaomi.eu latest stable. No issues, screen colors remain very consistent. Let me also note that this phone/rom combination has a really good auto-brightness implementation. I've had numerous phones, this is the first one i never need to manually fiddle with brightness.
My only complaint about this phone (or miui) is its out of the box aggressive memory handling. Need to tune many settings of apps to not miss notifications.
Sent from my Mi 10 Pro using Tapatalk
Thank you for checking!
In the meantime I also discovered a fix for my Oppo screen problems -
there is an option called 'low brightness flicker-free eye comfort' and after turning it on the screen is perfect.
It is basically the same thing as OnePlus did (PWM/DC patch), but this one actually works,
while on OnePlus it fixes one thing and brake two others.
Long story short I'll be staying with find x2 pro, because of 12GB DDR5, 512GB UFS3 and
well baked ROM with good RAM management.
Have a nice day.
PS. Auto-brightness is indeed bad on Oppo, Samsung and OnePlus and it's great only on iPhone.
Another thing I'm missing with Oppo is wireless charging, but I'm OK with those issues.
I was so excited that my Pixel 4a arrived yesterday, been shopping for a new phone for quite some times. My old phone is HTC U11, which I still love a lot, but it's getting a bit unreliable, and the picture quality is a bit lacking compared with phones these days.
So, my first impressions:
1. It is so small, almost too small! It's good and bad. Screen size on paper is bigger than my U11, but Pixel 4a screen is narrower, so it's taking some times to get used to.
2. The screen color is a little warm (yellowish) to my taste... I hope there will be tweaks in the future to fix that. Also, the brightness of the screen is not as strong as my U11. I need to set it to around 75% even indoor...
3. The Android 10 gesture navigation needs some getting used to as well. I run an app called "All in One Gestures" on the U11, it allows me to launch 3 different apps of choice on both edges of the screen, swiping in at different directions. So, I don't want to use the Android 10 gestures which take up the side edges for "back" function. Anyway, "All in One Gestures" keep crashing on Pixel 4a, I think maybe it needs root access, or it just won't run on Android 10... I found another app that is similar in functionalities that seems to work ok for now, it can run 4 apps (2 on each side, depending on short vs long swipe). So, I still prefer the traditional 3 button navigation.
4. I wish they have in screen fingerprint sensor, or power button fingerprint sensor, I usually have my phone lay down on a table and I want to unlock it.
5. I miss the edge sense on U11 - squeeze to launch cam, squeeze again to take pictures. I am ok to work with double-tab power to launch camera, but then there is no convenient way to take picture (like squeeze), have to press the shutter on screen. (Edit: just found out can use power down button to take picture, seems quite convenient...)
So sounds like a lot of negatives, but after setting it up to my taste, I am starting to like it. Every good things you heard from the Internet are true. Night mode cameras are magic. I weighted camera as an important feature and so I am expecting that the good camera would greatly offset the other negatives I listed.
My only complaint is the screen brightness. Anything less than 80% and stuff just starts dissapearing on the screen. At the lower levels you can't even tell the screen is on. Just going to have to turn adaptive off and set it to 100% brightness full time.
hmm... Comin from a op7pro, the screen brightness to me seems totally fine out of the box really. maybe 10 or so percent higher than what I kept the 7pro on, ~60% instead of ~50% but don't need it maxed or anything crazy. High brightness is a bit less than HBM mode on 7pro but it works, I also like how they alter the screen colors to help visibility when in direct sunlight. The OP devices don't do that.
My 4a screen looks pretty well calibrated, doesn't look too warm or cold at all to me. No tint issues at low brightness.
Audio quality is actually pretty good, especially for such an inexpensive device, I was having flashbacks of nexus devices and no, this 4a is better than those.
Not seen any stutter or lag at all really, maybe 3 times for a split second during all of phone setup/installing ~80 apps.
Camera takes pics fast, no lag on snapping to seeing the pic. Haven't tried with HDR+ but regular HDR for sure is quicker than anything else but other pixels. The camera preview is indeed garbage, not so much in good lighting but especially in dark/night shots, the picture you get looks a million times better than what the preview showed before you took it.
I got my 4a on 20th, Aug.
I don't have enough time, I haven't tried much yet.
But it's very smooth and fast. Good for me.
I found a Bug(?), NFC cannot ON/OFF by pressing NFC icon in QS Panel.
(NFC can be turned ON/OFF by following the setting menu)
a few functions I've confirmed:
aptX music playback with Bluetooth Headset (w/ Shure RMCE-BT2)
LTE Carrier aggregation by "4G+" sign
VoLTE (call and receive)
I will try various things from now on.
First evening of using. I agree with points already mentioned. But the one thing bothering me most I'm noticing is the adaptive brightness constantly jumping around. Anyone else with adaptive brightness issues?
More thoughts after 1st full day of use (work from home due to COVID-19):
1. Battery barely lasted my full day at home. I think my phone usage is less while working from home compared to a"normal" day at work. So a little disappointed, probably need to charge mid day.
2. I love the call screen function, it's so useful, can read what the other party on the line has to say.
I think it's too early to decide/discuss battery life.
At this moment, as you say, it feels like "keep one day".
But I don't think it's right for now.
I think that Currently the "Screen On Time" is longer than in normal(usual) use.
my previous phone (Motorola Moto G5 Plus) was kept for about 3 days with one full charge.
I would like to expect the same for my 4a....
About "Adapitive Brightness"
no problems found. my pixel4a looks like working properly.
andyshinn said:
First evening of using. I agree with points already mentioned. But the one thing bothering me most I'm noticing is the adaptive brightness constantly jumping around. Anyone else with adaptive brightness issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! This has been driving me crazy. I can't always reproduce it but it seems to be the worst in a dimly lit room.
I am loving the phone so far. I was previously using a OnePlus 3T so this is my first new phone in 4 years. It's much snappier than the 3T (obviously) and I'm not having any problems with the apps I've migrated over. The only complaint I have is a lack of a pulsing notification light. I've seen a few alternatives that add a ring around the camera but would prefer to wait for an official app made specifically for the 4a.
Quick question,
I have the pixel 3a XL. I am looking for an overall smaller phone, and do not use the phone for gaming, etc. Am an average user at best, really use the phone more as a phone than a multimedia unit, etc.
on paper, the pixel 4a seems to meet my needs and is an upgrade in ram / memory, etc. I enjoy the simplicity of the pixel experience and appreciate the security update schedule.
I did pre-order and still have two / three weeks before they start shipping in Canada so am tracking feedbacks and issues reported. My intention is not to cancel the order with Google, but.....
Based on first impressions - would anyone see an immediate reason to not go ahead with the purchase ?
thanks in advance,
Sent from my coral using Tapatalk
I gave the battery a good test today. Constant Spotify pass through to bluetooth + constant GPS program running and tracking movement for 7.25 hours. The screen was off for most of this time, though screen-on time was ~40 minutes. Battery was at 50% and 18W car charger then charged it at about 1%/minute. My previous phone, a OnePlus 5, with a slightly larger capacity and running at three-years old, exact same setup running A10 except for a custom kernel that underclocks the CPUs and GPU, was giving me about 35% remaining several weeks in a row under the same usage. So, Pixel 4A was draining at 7%/hr and the OP5 was draining at 9% with an underclocked kernel.
HolyAngel said:
hmm... Comin from a op7pro, the screen brightness to me seems totally fine out of the box really. maybe 10 or so percent higher than what I kept the 7pro on, ~60% instead of ~50% but don't need it maxed or anything crazy. High brightness is a bit less than HBM mode on 7pro but it works, I also like how they alter the screen colors to help visibility when in direct sunlight. The OP devices don't do that.
My 4a screen looks pretty well calibrated, doesn't look too warm or cold at all to me. No tint issues at low brightness.
Audio quality is actually pretty good, especially for such an inexpensive device, I was having flashbacks of nexus devices and no, this 4a is better than those.
Not seen any stutter or lag at all really, maybe 3 times for a split second during all of phone setup/installing ~80 apps.
Camera takes pics fast, no lag on snapping to seeing the pic. Haven't tried with HDR+ but regular HDR for sure is quicker than anything else but other pixels. The camera preview is indeed garbage, not so much in good lighting but especially in dark/night shots, the picture you get looks a million times better than what the preview showed before you took it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 7 pro and thought about getting a 4a. Does the 4a feel more like a side step or an actual upgrade? I can't imagine it's faster than the pro, but Google support would be nice.
This is def an upgrade from my Pixel 3a and I loved that phone! I kinda like the smaller form and the display seems as good as or better than previous iterations. For the price point you really cant beat this phone.
I recently bought a op 7t for 400$ on sale. I really like the specs, os, and performance but prefer the headphone jack an smaller size of the 4a. How do you both devices compare in terms of performance and experience overall? I'm worried that the 4a would lag or whatnot due to its processor. What do you guys think?
nickster1 said:
I have the 7 pro and thought about getting a 4a. Does the 4a feel more like a side step or an actual upgrade? I can't imagine it's faster than the pro, but Google support would be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compared to the 7pro, the 4a is a downgrade in every way except for maybe the camera. And if the smaller size is a plus to you or not..
I made the switch for development as I'm tired of OP's crap sources and late af updates, in that regard, this phone is totally fine. But in no way does it feel like a side-grade much less an upgrade. It's a downgrade for sure, but you'll be on latest OS updates.. The phone is definitely worth it for the money though, no argument here.
I got a mi9t but it is too heavy and too big for me. Do you think performance and autonomy will be better with the 4a ? I got 8 hours sot with lineage actually..
andyshinn said:
First evening of using. I agree with points already mentioned. But the one thing bothering me most I'm noticing is the adaptive brightness constantly jumping around. Anyone else with adaptive brightness issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm having the same issue. adaptive brightness seems to be wonky. hopefully they will have a fix for this.
btw, don't use blokada app! it tracks your data and it borks the keyboard (it bugs out the keyboard)
overall i like it. i'm using this as an extra 'just in case' phone if needed for certain trips or need a better phone than the xs max.
comparing xs max and 4a side by side, clearly the display is better on the xs max (less blue tint, more natural colors), and brighter.
photos are much better on the 4a obviously. i like the smaller form factor. its a no frills phone so i'm content with what it can do and okay with the limitations.
Front camera is a big negative on this phone,the selfies are very very soft even with outstretched arm over 16 inches as said by Google experts,don't know why no one is highlighting this issue,this has been going on from pixel 3a ,the lens is set to infinity focus and it's so wide that face will never be in proper focus unless you use a selfie stick to hold it way further
Delete, please