The Google Pixel 5 has finally been unveiled, and as rumors predicted, it's a slightly less powerful phone than current flagships, but much cheaper to compete with phones like the iPhone 11 and OnePlus 8. This means that the versions The next-level iPhone 12 will, in all likelihood, be the last 2020 flagship phone to launch, and it could be the kind of year-end surprise that shakes the top spot in our best phones ranking. . . To be more specific, the next-level iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be the last major flagships – we expect them to ship a new A14 Bionic chipset (first seen on the iPad Air 4), potentially more RAM and connectivity. 5G (sub-6 and mmWave). We anticipate a similar trio of rear shooters arriving with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max tweaked to take better photos, and even potentially adding a LiDar depth scanner. Assuming these Apple rumors are true, the new iPhone 12 is poised to bring us more features and better specs than the Google Pixel 5. That leaves one fewer contender for best flagship of the year, leading the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro. Max against the Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy Note 20, OnePlus 8 Pro, and a few other powerful and widely available smartphones.
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(Image credit: Google) From this point of view, Google has given up expensive prominent landmark land. But Google's line of Pixel phones hasn't always tried to compete spec for spec with the best phones of the year, and the Pixel 5 has returned to form, focusing on great camera software with enough standard features to make it a solid value. . Take your pick for its $699 / £599 / AU$999 price. It's a strategic choice, of course, pitting the Pixel 5 against 'affordable' flagships like non-Pro iPhone 12 models as well like the upcoming OnePlus 8T (which has been confirmed to launch on its own without a OnePlus 8T Pro version). More and more phones are coming in at this price point, balancing good (and sometimes great) specs and ditching some less essential features, like wireless charging/power sharing, or a full set of rear cameras, or a full screen. higher resolution, or in-display fingerprint sensors, to reduce the price.
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(Image credit: future)
What it takes to be on top in 2020
But more features are expected in top-tier flagship phones, with the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max expected to contain most of them. While Apple phones haven't used fingerprint scanners or high-resolution displays, rumors suggest they'll get another 2020 flagship feature: 120Hz refresh rate displays. sure they should offer 5G connectivity. It's the camera leaks that are really pushing the iPhone 12 Pro series into flagship territory, with one leak claiming 4K 120fps video, another patent filing suggesting they could get time-of-flight depth sensors ( ToF) for in-flight gesture controls and more. AR capabilities with the aforementioned LiDar scanner. Combined with rumors of an upgraded 64MP main shooter, new image stabilization tech, and a 7-element lens, the iPhone 12 Pro lineup is looking to get the kind of upgrades the camera needs to compete with 2020 flagships. The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max compete more favorably with the Samsung Galaxy S20 lineup, for example, which upgraded its telephoto lens to 64MP to achieve 30x ''Spatial Zoom,'' as well as 8K video. at 24fps. Likewise, the OnePlus 8 Pro also manages a 30x zoom and has upgraded its ultra-wide camera to 48MP, although its real advances have been in the battery (now 4.510mAh) and the 120Hz refresh rate. This is the main lane that the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will have to compete in, and they will likely be the last phones of 2020 to compete with the best phones on the market. We're still excited to test the Google Pixel 5, but it's clear the phone is aimed at a different consumer population. For those who want the best of the best, keep an eye out for Apple's lineup.