Google is not a hardware-led company, software is.

Use the above sentence to describe the Pixel series conference last night, which I think is more appropriate. Since the first Pixel phone, Google has been “anti-industry”, using software to upgrade the product experience, and the hardware that everyone has to talk about is designed to provide software services.

▲ Image from: CNET

This product policy that feels “less than half the time of other phones”, even in the latest Pixel 4 series No exception. In this “good orange” (In the appearance of Oh So Orange, the phone uses the Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of memory and the IMX 363’s main camera.

So in the first batch of foreign media that contacted Pixel 4, there were mainly three key evaluation areas: newly added The camera with gesture control and new algorithm support also has a new 90Hz screen.

More elegant air handling

Is the hardware service software or the software service hardware?

In the era of cell phone people, Pixel 4 has a face that is different from other phones. This face has no bangs, no openings or curved surfaces, but because Google did not use Pixel 4 to design a high-screen ratio, it made it a “special ordinary person.”

▲ Image from: CNET

But actually, there are 8 parts in the broad forehead of Pixel 4. In addition to conventional earpieces, cameras and optical distance sensors, there are several infrared cameras and gesture radars for face recognition and Project Soli. These new parts are the key to Motion Sense gesture recognition.

According to this perspective published by Google, from left to right, the eight parts are as follows:

  • Face unlock IR camera: infrared camera
  • Front facing camera: front camera
  • Ambient Light / Proximity Sens: Optical Distance Sensor
  • Audio port: earpiece
  • Soil radar chip: Project Soli attitude radar chip
  • Face unlock Dot Projector: dot matrix projector
  • Face unlock IR camera: Another infrared camera
  • Face unlock Flood IIIuminator: Floodlighting Module

In theory, if you used Moto X Style in 2015, you will find that Motion Sense is actually with Moto X. Style’s air-space gesture is very similar. Both functions are based on infrared cameras to recognize gestures, achieve gesture wake-up and control the effect of the phone..

Moto X Style has infrared sensor detection on both the top and bottom of the screen. Image from: TechAdvisor

But this time Pixel 4 uses a more advanced Project Soli gesture recognition radar, the recognition basis is upgraded from infrared to millimeter wave signal. In a nutshell, this sensor will continue to work while the radar is not working continuously.The electromagnetic wave signal is emitted outside, and when the user makes an action within the signal range, the system judges the operation according to the millimeter wave signal reflected by the action.

▲ Radar detection gesture principle

Because the millimeter wave radar can track high-speed motion with sub-millimeter accuracy, it is more efficient than infrared detection, so in attitude radar After joining, Pixel 4’s gesture recognition accuracy and response have been greatly improved, and the sliding screen and cut songs have become easier and more elegant.

▲ Use the gesture of the space to “tune” Pikachu. Image from: AndroidPIT

Engadget’s editors said after the experience:

The principle of the Soli system is similar to the previous LG G8 gesture (AirMotion), the difference is that Soli’s interaction with the space will not make me crazy. Compared to LG’s gesture control, Soil is a good way to identify the user’s movements in front of the phone.

This kind of feeling of “crazy” is actually a deep experience when I use a flagship that can operate in the air. . Although some mobile phones can realize gestures by means of the infrared principle, in fact, this recognition methodThere will be intermittent failures in the palms that pass quickly, and the practical value is greatly reduced. The role of the Soli radar is to enhance the recognition of gestures, making this feature more practical.

▲ Image from: Lifewire

Experienced the operation of the space9to5Google Editor thinks:

Although the role of gestures in everyday life remains to be seen, when we get started, This feature is very accurate in tracking gestures.

It is worth mentioning that , Soli radar can also be used to detect if the user is preparing to activate the phone (based on the use of motion detection), so that the phone can When the user faces the mobile phone, the camera is automatically called for face recognition, and the user can complete the unlocking without lifting the mobile phone or the power button to wake up. If no one is detected nearby, the phone will automatically go out of the screen.

From this point of view, Pixel 4 gave up the screen share that Volkswagen pursued, leaving the headspace to the sensor. It does match Google’s view of the product – let the hardware work with the software features, rather than let the software follow the hardware to optimize.

The camera is still taken to AI to optimize

The other aspect that reflects Google’s “everything is AI” is the camera.

▲ Image from: AndroidPIT

Although this time Pixel 4 is finally matched12MP+16MP dual camera, but the essence of the camera is actually on the software algorithm level, super zoom, Live HDR+, white balance correction, night mode… These are actually based on the IMX 363 that domestic manufacturers have used in the thousand yuan machine. CMOS implementation.

▲ Left: Pixel 4; Right: iPhone 11 Pro. Image from: The Verge

The editor of The Verge is very efficient with Pixel 4 and iPhone 11 Pro sample comparison, found that both phones can be used in daytime outdoor scenes A very good imaging effect.

▲Left: Pixel 4; Right: iPhone 11 Pro. Image from: The Verge

But in a more complex lighting scene, Pixel 4 performs better than the iPhone 11 Pro in exposure and white balance control. . Subjectively, the iPhone’s performance will be more eye-catching, because its overall brightness and color are stronger than Pixel 4, but in terms of detail and exposure control, Pixel 4 after HDR+ blessing will be more stable.