Up Next. The iPhone 11 may not be too far behind, but the Pixel 5 is the better smartphone overall. It continues Googles evolving tradition of delivering a streamlined, hard-to-beat core smartphone experience, with its camera remaining one of the best in the business. The best Samsung Galaxy S20 screen protectors, Theres reason to be skeptical of the $80 TicWatch GTHs health tracking, The best password managers for the iPhone, Android 11 update: Heres when your phone is getting a refresh, Samsungs next Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for April 28, 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches), 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 inches), Dual lens 12-megapixel wide, 16MP ultrawide rear, 8MP front, Dual lens 12MP and 12MP wide-angle rear, 12MP TrueDepth front. It sports the signature notch at the top of its screen, while the rest of the display is edge-to-edge, albeit with slightly thicker bezels than the Pixel 5. AFAIK after talking to 2 different (super nice) support staff, neither could help (only military active duty). Google has also added a few new features, such as Cinematic Video and the ability to use Night Sight while in Portrait Mode. With a lead in performance and a capable full-day battery, were giving this to the iPhone. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. In this video we go through the set up and test process with Google Fi on an iPhone. Also hangouts out/incoming calls, but no SMS sending or receiving. The iPhone 11 has Wi-Fi 6. It comes with free international calls from the US to 50+ countries and territories, unlimited data and texting abroad, and 100 GB of storage from Google One - all at no extra charge. Lastly, the Pixel 5s display enables a 90Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 11 can muster only 60Hz. If something goes wrong while you're trying to fix your iPhone, having a back up means you won't lose any of your data (such as contacts, photos, apps, and more). However, Google and Apple are the best two phone manufacturers for camera software, so you end up with two excellent cameras. Google Fi is a program to deliver a fast, easy wireless experience in close partnership with leading carriers, hardware makers, and our users. No more Wi-Fi calling, no automatic network-switching, no hotspots outside the US, and no more visual voicemail. Google Fi Home Plans Phones Coverage All rights reserved. Its undoubtedly one of the best Android phones in the business. As such, none of my functionality is tied to Google. Watch later. Ive had an iPhone on Project/Google Fi since early 2016. It also replaces the Pixel 4as underwhelming plastic body with aluminum, giving it a more solid build as well as a sleeker appearance. The iPhone 11 uses iOS 14, while Pixel 5 runs on Android 11. Both the iPhone 11 and Pixel 5 can capture 4K video at 60 fps, although the iPhone 11 can shoot 1080p footage at a higher 240 fps frame rate. In cellular, put the network selection in Manual. The iPhone 11 houses the same powerful A13 Bionic processor as the 11 Pro, and though it comes with only 4GB of RAM, this is more than enough to get the best out of the A13. With the URL copied, leave the Fi app and go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network. Afraid to tell the customer service people that I'm NOT stateside. 6. Devices with Wi-Fi 6 speak that same Wi-Fi language to talk to each other, and compared to Wi-Fi 5, it's faster and more battery efficient. The phone won't pick up any cell signal at all. And, touch wood, Ive never had an issue with my billing. Yes, I read about activation overseas and its not possible, but the phone and line is working fine - can call via Hangouts too. We pit the two devices against each other in a head-to-head, looking at how they compare in a number of categories. Nonetheless, with a more vibrant screen and a slightly more appealing appearance, the Pixel 5 takes this opening round. Read on Enable SMS and MMS Messages With Google Fi on iPhone. Not working as I don't get connected to the GSM tower. Nonetheless, the Pixel 5 is the winner here. It has a resolution of 1,792 by 828 pixels to offer a resolution of 326 pixels per inch. I believe they took the option to activate SIM via VPN from overseas. Step #2. Its TrueDepth camera supports Face ID, which can be used for unlocking the phone, for payment or ID, and Apples fun Animoji. Make the switch to the Google Fi Unlimited or Flexible plan to get high-speed data and texting abroad, unlimited tethering, and more at no extra charge. I assume you had an activated SIM already? The 128GB version will set you back $749, while the 256GB version pushes the price tag up to $849. My answer was to the carrier switching. Gone are the unsightly forehead and chin bezels, and in their place is a tidy edge-to-edge display featuring a punch-hole selfie camera in the top-left corner. Its camera is unsurprisingly excellent, and it comes with very slick software, a sharp touchscreen, 5G support, and also a much bigger battery (compared to the Pixel 4). Launch Settings app on your iPhone Cellular Data. Tap to unmute. I just activated Google Fi, the number works, voicemail, imessage vis WiFi - but no regular calls, no wifi calls, it seems the number is not getting routed to my phone. Here's a code to get $20 Fi credit when you start a phone plan with Google's @projectfi. These are both fairly modest specs-wise, at least compared to more premium smartphones. Activating Google Fi on iPhone. It will be supported by Verizon, Google Fi, and AT&T, and youll also be able to buy it from Amazon. The iPhone 11 is available unlocked directly from Apple, and its also widely available from every major carrier. This makes it more capable than the iPhone 11s 3,100mAh cell, with our review finding that it easily lasts a full day under heavy use, as well as two days under lighter use. Mine is not activated, hence that's where the trouble kicks in. Try each network. Its also priced at a reasonable $700, making it a direct competitor to last years iPhone 11, which also begins at $699. To ensure your iPhone can send and receive regular text messages (other than iMessage), you may have to configure the settings. I am also having that issue. On the other hand, the Pixel 5 comes with 128GB of internal storage as standard, while the iPhone 11 comes with only 64GB. Longevity is something that tripped up the Pixel 4, yet the Pixel 5 comes with a very generous 4,080mAh battery. No contracts or Apple has failed to catch up with its previous two iPhone generations, but that changes with the iPhone 11 series. Tried it. Not sure what to do. Its worth noting that the Pixel 4 came with a face-unlock system, but that the Pixel 5 ditches this and returns to a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The iPhone 11s night-mode camera feature is also one of the best on the market, while its dual speakers enable pretty decent surround sound. However, traveling internationally I was able to switch carriers manually. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Choosing which of these operating systems is better is like choosing between chocolate and cheese: each one has their own pros and cons, making them hard to compare directly. Lacking some of the bells and whistles of more expensive phones by Samsung or Apple, it nonetheless gets the fundamentals spot-on. A few reboots also had to be done as well and then it worked. But because iOS and Android smartphones use RAM differently, dont put too much weight on that. In order to save money, a few compromises had to be made when switching to Google Fi on an iPhone. Google Fi on iPhone 11 Pro Max - Activated but No Service overseas. Taking this together with the different operating systems, we have to declare another tie. However, some Google Fi deals don't have a definite end date, so it's possible the promo code will be active until Google Fi runs out of inventory for the promotional item. Formerly Project Fi, Google's best-deal-in-tech cell service is now open to more devices, including iPhones, but with some important limitations. iPhones do not support network-switching technology, but you'll still get great coverage. Thats not to say its a slouch, but a newer, flagship-level processing chip could have offered more. Setting up Google Fi on the iPhone takes a little bit of work, because you have to enter the APN settings for Google Fi service. Even if the phone is now one year old, itll still handle anything you can throw at it. The Pixel 5 offers more internal memory, and while it has a very strong battery, the iPhones stronger specs allow it to pull ahead here. Its performance and battery life at least matches Googles phone, while if you prefer iOS to Android, its obviously the way to go. Face ID also lets you use Animoji and Memoji, which are lighthearted avatars you can create in order to use during FaceTime calls (and in messages). Press J to jump to the feed. Given the pedigree of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4a, the Pixel 5 had a lot to live up to, but it certainly doesnt disappoint. The Pixel 5 comes with twice the amount of RAM as the iPhone 11. This puts the iPhone 11 at something of a disadvantage, but Apples phone does have a few more modest special features. Bringing your iPhone to Fi requires some extra setup, like changing a few of your Settings. Best Prime Day Kindle Deals 2021: What to expect. Additionally, the Pixels display is improved further by its 90Hz refresh rate. Google announced today that its Project Fi wireless network, now rebranded to Google Fi, will be available for iPhones and the majority of Android devices. We test the two phones to find out. We'll walk you through it step-by-step, and our support team is always available if you need help. Depending on the country your iPhone might not have the correct radios to connect to a t-mobile mvno partner and register you imei. Android vs. iOS: Which smartphone platform is the best? According to Google, iPhones with Fi are cut out of visual voicemail, won't be able to call or text over Wi-Fi (iMessage is exempt) and can't be used as a data hotspot outside of the US. Copyright 2021 Designtechnica Corporation. This is only a minor advantage, so because the Pixel 5 offers a better all-round camera, were giving it a narrow win in this round. Its compatible with sub-6Hz and the faster mmWave 5G bands, so Googles phone will provide the fastest possible download speeds in areas with a 5G signal. While the two phones have been pretty evenly matched up until now, the Pixel 5 does boast one thing the iPhone 11 doesnt: Support for 5G. Its frame is also made of aluminum. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Ive never been an Android user so none of the Android and/or Google ecosphere has ever held my attention, like Google Wallet. It offers a relatively low count of 1792 x 828 pixels. It starts at $699. Android 11 is much more customizable, offers a wider selection of apps, and provides a handy always-on display. Copy link. Compared to previous models, the iPhone 11s camera has been improved by such features as Smart HDR and faster autofocus. International I tried to get some info in the Google forum, but the opinions are not clear to for me - so I try here. What is Google Pay, and how do you use it? Both smartphones have the same IP68 rating, indicating an ability to cope with immersion in as much as 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. The iPhone 11 packs dual 12-megapixel ultrawide and wide-angle camera lenses, while the Pixel 5 has a 12MP wide lens and a 16MP ultrawide lens. This makes its screen noticeably more vivid and detailed than the iPhones, an effect which is heightened further by the fact that its screen is OLED, while Apple uses an LCD panel. The Google Pixel 5is very much a Google flagship smartphone. So you will use TMobile from what Im reading. Funny that iMessage and Facetime is working. It doesnt do carrier switching automatically in US as iPhone doesnt support the mechanism Fi provides. By comparison, the Pixel 5 packs 2340 x 1080 pixels, and with a slightly smaller 6-inch display. At the tail end of 2018, Google changed the name of their MVNO carrier service from Project Fi, to Google Fi and opened up support to the iPhone. This makes it much easier to simply point the phone at things and take pictures, leaving you with great photos in most situations. The photos you provided may be used to improve Bing image processing services. The iPhone 11 and Pixel 5 are pretty evenly matched in price, but not in terms of performance. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Google Fi is now starting to roll out eSIM support to existing members using iOS devices. Rebooted, switched APN points, Airplane modus mutlitple times, no effect. It features a slightly more modern design, its display is distinctly crisper and clearer, it offers double the storage as standard, and it also supports 5G. I didnt need any VPN. Thats not to say that the iPhone 11 isnt worth a look. This doesnt make a massive difference, but it is noticeable, particularly when combined with a higher resolution. Fi is in beta for iPhones. The Pixel 5 also uses the midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 chip, but it will lag behind the iPhone in pure power. This is the main Google Fi subreddit where users can discuss about the service, phones, and features. Visual voicemail is now available on Fi for iPhone, but it's not like it was before Fi. It also benefits from semantic rendering, which uses artificial intelligence (A.I.) Now, tap on Cellular Data Network/Options. I tried to get some info in the Google forum, but the opinions are not clear to for me - so I try here. I am in Germany with a German iPhone. You might expect the latest Pixel to look like last years Pixel 4, but the Pixel 5 actually looks more like the midrange Google Pixel 4a. Google says that only new Google Fi users can activate via eSIM on iOS, and activation over eSIM is only supported by iPhones with Dual SIM functionality: the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and 11 As for the iPhone 11, its good looking, but comes with no surprises whatsoever if youve held an iPhone X or anything later. Still, iOS 14 is very user-friendly and secure, while it arguably has an iconic design. Info. This was the first time ive ran into this problem in the ~3 years ive been doing international travel with Google FI usually things just work. Fast charging (18W charger sold separately). Take a look at some of the best Google Pixel deals and iPhone deals weve found ahead of Cyber Monday. I used a VPN on my Iphone XS Max to activate. It harnesses Googles A.I. This should tell you all you need to know about the two smartphones. It may not be especially exciting compared to certain other flagships released this year, but its comfortable to hold and commendably light. Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Compared to other Android smartphones, the Pixel 5 is one device that will provide you with regular updates and a decent lifetime of support. So I assume the line is activated, but somehow my iPhone settings not correct? Back Up Your iPhone. Similar to the experience offered on Pixel devices, iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and 11 series. That worked for me. The problem doesn't affect all iPhone users on Google Fi, but if you're like me and keep getting that frustrating "Not Delivered" alert, there's a fix.. and machine-learning prowess to take beautiful shots whatever the condition, while the addition of a 16MP ultrawide lens gives it extra versatility. This all adds up to the Pixel 5 being one of the best camera phones around, even if it doesnt offer a massive generational leap compared to the Pixel 4. Google Pixel 4 Vs. iPhone 11: Display. Let me clarify, I use it on iPhone 11 pro max no problem. Both phones opt for dual-lens rear cameras. It depends which Plan: you choose.With the Fi Unlimited plan, you get unlimited data, talk and text for $45/line for 4-6 lines (see all prices below). There's a serious issue with Google Fi's service for iPhone that prevents sending any MMS pictures via the Messages app. The iPhone 11 uses a 6.1-inch LCD screen with IPS technology. to make sense of each picture and enhance the overall dynamics. The Pixel 5 is available from Google for $699 and will ship in the U.S. from October 29. I had this issue back in October on my 11 Pro Max when I was in Turkey I had to do the manual network selection and run through a few different ones (several were just no service and then 1 worked). Share. Shopping. I've found that last one particularly frustrating but not anymore. Google's Pixel 5 has improved on the Pixel 4 in a number of key areas, but is it better than the similarly priced iPhone 11? Youll have to pay $50 more for the 128GB version, making it more expensive than Googles phone. The Google Fi promo codes currently available end when Google Fi set the coupon expiration date. The iPhone 11 is also somewhat disappointing when it comes to the quality of its 6.1-inch display. Our review found that the iPhone 11 ends a day of heavy usage with around 15% of capacity left, so even with a smaller battery, its still pretty reliable. When this is taken into account along with the 5G support, this round ends up being a slim victory to Googles phone. Step #1. However, which phone is better: The Pixel 5 or iPhone 11? I am in Iraq, active duty miltiary. Recently switch from Google Fi (iPhone 11 Pro), group texts no longer work Hi all, Everything is perfect after the switch (and number port), but I can no longer send group iMessages or SMS/MMS. PS5 is the fastest-selling console in U.S. history, Mortal Kombat reboot: Original on every level, Things you didnt know your Apple Watch could do, iOS and Android smartphones use RAM differently, Best cheap smartphone deals for April 2021, Best cheap Google Pixel 4 deals for April 2021, Best cheap Apple iPhone deals for April 2021. It's important to back up your iPhone before doing any major restores (such as a DFU restore). Thanks. Phone at things and take pictures, leaving you with great photos in most.! 6.1-Inch LCD screen with IPS technology chip could have offered more in.. Working as I do n't get connected to the quality of its 6.1-inch.! 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