If a phone has already been revealed, does a leak still count as a leak? Weeks after Google took the surprising decision to reveal the Pixel 4 smartphone, the leakers have not been deterred.
Another image purportedly showing the next-gen Pixel phone – which is still months away from launch – has appeared on social media. Yes, another one.
The latest arrived this weekend courtesy of the little-known @xiaomishka Twitter account and claims to show the Pixel 4 in handsets in black and white, encased in plastic.
To be honest, although the design looks very similar to the one published by Google, we’re not so sure about the legitimacy of this one.
Related: Best camera phones
For example, there’s something weird happening with the buttons. The white version of the handset appears to have a set of buttons on each side of the handset, whereas the black device does not. The closer look at the renders appears to rule out legitimacy in this instance.
#leaks #GooglePixel4
Google Pixel 4 pic.twitter.com/cvRuOwXTnJ— Xiaomishka (@xiaomishka) June 21, 2019
If the render was the real deal, we’d be excited about the prospect of a headphone jack, which appears on the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, but not on the flagship Pixel 3 phone.
The Russian leaker in question appears to specialise in Xiaomi leaks, as the Twitter handle would suggest, but the following of just 555 (no judgement, I only have about 700) would suggest that there isn’t much of a record of accuracy here. It’s also difficult to tell whether the account is the actual source of the render in question.
Google is likely to officially reveal the Pixel 4 range in October this year. The company took the surprising step of revealing the device early amid a flurry of leaks showing the unique square camera design.
Well, since there seems to be some interest, here you go! Wait 'til you see what it can do. #Pixel4 pic.twitter.com/RnpTNZXEI1
— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) June 12, 2019
The move may have been made for a number of reasons. Firstly, Apple is likely to unveil a similar camera array with the iPhone 11 later this year, so Google gets a jump start. Secondly, the design isn’t popular, so Google is perhaps getting the most unappealing element out of the way pre-launch.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
