Google Pixel 4 XL Pixel 4 XL Review

The Google Pixel 4 XL is an older unlocked Android phone that still takes fantastic point-and-shoot photos thanks to Google's software. Its battery life is excellent, but overall performance and connectivity are showing their age compared to modern phones. At around $500, it's a niche pick for photography-first users.

Looking for a Google Pixel phone that's a few generations old but still holds up for photography? The Pixel 4 XL is a classic, and you can find it for around $500 these days. It's an unlocked Android phone that was Google's flagship back in 2019, and its main claim to fame is still the camera software. Google's computational photography magic, like Night Sight and HDR+, is baked right in. It's the kind of phone you pull out of your pocket to snap a quick photo and consistently get a great result, no manual tweaking needed. It also introduced some unique features at the time, like Motion Sense gestures for controlling music with a wave of your hand and the super helpful Call Screen to filter out spam calls.

Let's be real about performance: this isn't a speed demon by 2025 standards. Our database puts its overall performance in the 17th percentile compared to modern phones. The Snapdragon 855 processor and 6GB of RAM (common for this model) are fine for everyday tasks like social media, email, and streaming. But if you're a heavy multi-tasker or play demanding games, you'll feel it start to chug. The battery life, however, is a pleasant surprise. That 3700mAh cell lands in the 89th percentile, meaning it consistently outlasts many newer phones in our tests. For moderate use, you should easily get through a full day.

At $500, the Pixel 4 XL is in a tricky spot. It's not a budget phone, but its performance is squarely mid-range now. You're paying a premium for that legendary Pixel camera experience and the clean Android software. If the camera is your absolute top priority and you don't mind slower app loading times, it has value. But you can get brand-new phones at this price with faster chips and 5G, though their cameras might not match Google's computational prowess.

Compared directly to its modern successor, the Pixel 10, the 4 XL feels like a different era. The Pixel 10 will smoke it in speed, have a vastly better screen, and include all the latest AI features. But if you're comparing value, look at phones like the Motorola Moto G or OnePlus 15. Both offer much snappier performance for similar money. The trade-off is camera quality. The Pixel 4 XL's photos will likely look more polished than what those phones produce automatically. Against an older iPhone like the iPhone 15, you're choosing between ecosystems. The iPhone will have better long-term software support and performance, but the Pixel offers more customization and those unique Google features.

Skip the Pixel 4 XL if you're a power user, mobile gamer, or need the latest connectivity. Its slower performance will frustrate you, and the lack of 5G is a real downside. Also, if you take lots of videos or need tons of storage, the 64GB limit and older video capabilities are a dealbreaker. In those cases, look at a newer Pixel like the 7a or a similarly priced phone from OnePlus or Samsung that offers faster chips and 5G.

Should you buy the Google Pixel 4 XL in 2025? Only in a very specific scenario. Buy this phone if you are a photography enthusiast on a tight budget who values computational photo quality above all else and can live with slower performance, limited storage, and no 5G. It's a fantastic secondary camera phone or a great pick for someone who just wants reliable photos and all-day battery. For everyone else, especially if you use your phone for work, gaming, or just want a smoother experience, we'd recommend putting that $500 toward a newer mid-range phone. The camera magic is still here, but the rest of the package shows its age.