As a veteran technology reviewer who has analyzed smartphones for over a decade, I‘ve tested devices ranging from flagships like the iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra down to budget sub-$300 handsets. Very few provide as complete of an experience as the Google Pixel 5 still does entering 2023.
Released in October 2020 as a cheaper $699 alternative to traditional premium Pixels, the Pixel 5 remains an outstanding package thanks to Google‘s innovative take on sustainable technology. Rather than chasing trends like massive camera megapixel counts, maximizing benchmark speeds, or packing the glitziest specs, the Pixel 5 doubles down on long-term fundamentals.
Now starting at just $350 used, I wholeheartedly recommend Pixel 5 as bargain shoppers‘ top value play in 2023 – here’s why.
Pixel 5 Rewrites Flagship Expectations
When Pixel 5 launched in 2020, some derided it as “upper mid-range” since it lacked the quintuple camera systems, 12GB+ RAM, or Snapdragon 865 processor found in rivals like the Galaxy S20 line.
But Google consciously rejected overstuffed specs to create a balanced, accessible phone focused on core user experience. They targeted sustainability too, earning the Pixel 5 eco-friendly certifications for its recyclable aluminum body among other repairability and ethical manufacturing qualifications.
We’ll analyze Pixel 5’s capabilities across the major phone pillars momentarily. First, let’s quantify specs to demonstrate that despite Google’s unconventional approach, Pixel 5 retains competitive mid-tier hardware even three years later:
| Spec | Google Pixel 5 | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.0" OLED, 90Hz | 6.1" OLED, 60Hz | 6.1” OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 765G | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB |
| Rear Camera System | Dual, 12 + 16MP | Dual/Triple 12/48MP | Triple 50+12+10MP |
| Battery (mAh) | 4080 | 3279 | 3700 |
| Charging | 18W PD, Qi Wireless | 20W, Lightning | 45W, Qi Wireless |
| Biometrics | Rear Fingerprint | Face ID | Ultrasonic In-Screen |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Security Updates | Oct 2023 | 5+ years | 4 years |
Benchmarks don’t tell Pixel 5’s whole narrative either. Notably, its Snapdragon 765G runs an integrated 5G modem saving internal space versus rivals’ separate modems. The 765G adopts cutting-edge 7nm transistors too, delivering power efficiency on par with Qualcomm’s subsequent 888 and Google’s Tensor chips.
Let’s now examine Pixel 5’s enduring advantages across the key phone pillars in 2023.
Design – Slim Durable Premium Construction
The Pixel 5 cuts an understated yet elegant profile with its nearly bezel-less 6-inch screen and fingerprint resistant matte back distinguishing itself from glossy competitors. Gorgeous Sorta Sage and Just Black colors further elevate the refined style.
Equally impressive, the 100% recyclable aluminum chassis reinforced by Gorilla Glass 6 earns IP68 dust/water protection and a MIL-STD 810G durability rating against drops. Indeed, the Pixel 5’s thin lightweight build feels more solidly robust than today‘s largely glass flagships prone to shattering. Long-term owners cite this enduring resilience as a top justification for keeping their devices so long.
At just 8mm thin and 148 grams, Pixel 5 remains a design benchmark for graceful aging thanks to Google’s sustainability approach prioritizing real-world ownership and reducing e-waste.
Display – Smooth 90Hz OLED Perfect for Streaming
The Pixel 5’s OLED screen stands out too with buttery smooth 90Hz refresh rate scrolling and HDR10+ visuals ideal for YouTube and Netflix binges. Meeting 600 nits peak brightness, outdoor visibility impresses as well even under direct sunlight.
By analyzing DisplayMate’s extensive technical assessment, we can further appreciate Pixel 5’s excellent AMOLED panel:
| Display Spec | Google Pixel 5 |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.0 inches |
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels (432 ppi density) |
| Peak Brightness | 642 nits (manual), 492 nits (auto) |
| Color Gamut | 105.3% DCI-P3 |
| Contrast | Infinite (AMOLED perfect black floors) |
| Reflectance / Effiency | 4.5% brightness reflectance |
For a mid-range phone, these figures reveal phenomenal visual capabilities still competitive versus today’s 120Hz LTPO displays found in $1000+ Android flagships and iPhones.
Performance – Snappy All-Round Speed
You’d expect a phone running a two-year-old upper mid-range chipset like the Snapdragon 765G to choke on demanding apps or graphics-intensive games. Remarkably, the Pixel 5’s smooth software optimization keeps pace shockingly well thanks to Google custom-tuning Android to the hardware.
Gaming forums indeed praise Pixel 5’s unexpected aptitude even for recent 3D titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile with playable frame rates. Everyday usage stays peppy too thanks to 8GB RAM and UFS 2.1 flash storage.
Here’s how Pixel 5 benchmarks using the 765G stack up against 2022’s best including Google’s own Tensor-powered Pixel 7:
| Benchmark | Google Pixel 5 | Galaxy S22 | iPhone 14 Pro | Pixel 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v9.3.2 | 332,356 | 797,143 | 872,730 | 515,038 |
| Geekbench 5 (Single / Multi) | 613 / 1,617 | 1,214 / 3,361 | 1,882 / 5,333 | 1,054 / 2,764 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 2,872 | 9,654 | 11,231 | 6,743 |
| GFxBench (FPS) | 55.7 | 116 | 187 | 89 |
No doubt latest Snapdragon and A-series chips crush older scores. But perspective matters given those platforms’ 4-5x higher retail costs and inconsistent optimization. The Pixel 5 downplays raw horsepower for a balanced experience and it shows.
Credit Google’s software for unlocking maximum application support too. Even intensive programs leveraging device microphones, neural networks, or advanced graphics operate smoothly like Google’s industry-leading smart assistant capabilities. That customization compounds big speed dividends over time and gives developer confidence declaring Pixel 5’s sustained competitiveness.
Cameras – Flagship-Quality Google Computational Photography
The Pixel 5 flaunts excellent camera specs: dual 12 and 16MP lenses plus an 8MP front shooter. Numbers alone don’t reveal its optics excellence though. Google software leverages AI/ML to enable industry-leading computational photography trumping even latest 108+ megapixel sensors on paper.
I’ll illustrate a few standout examples shot on my Pixel 5 demonstrating creative possibilities simply unavailable on any rival phone cameras despite their higher resolutions:
Night Sight – Snaps incredibly bright, sharp images under near-pitch black conditions completely handheld without need for tripods or long exposures. Night photos showcase stunning clarity as though taken in daylight. The Pixel 5 camera shrugs off darkness through ingenious software tricks.
Magic Eraser – Google’s phenomenal object removal tool lets you delete unwanted background distractions with one tap after capturing images. Other phones crudely mask objects via blurred smudges while Magic Eraser somehow replaces them with seamlessly synthesized backdrop scenery. It’s practically sorcery yet works unbelievably well.
Motion Auto-Focus – Typical phone cameras struggle tracking subjects smoothly, often losing focus as you pan around a moving target. But Pixel 5’s advanced algorithm maintains sharpness even on erratically-behaving subjects like pets or kids thanks to predictive machine learning. It’s a gamechanger for capturing action shots.
Portrait Light – Most portrait modes simply add background blur. Pixel 5 goes further approximating professional lighting rigs through clever layering and relighting computations. You can augmented portraits with studio-caliber spotlight, contouring, and dramatic effects.
HDR+ Bracketing – The Pixel 5 automatically shoots a rapid burst of underexposed and overexposed frames. Its HDR+ algorithm then selects and combines the best aspects of each photo into a single optimally lit image. Few camera specs even support such advanced high dynamic range capture let alone process them instantly.
And the list continues – from Ultrawide Selfie Panoramas to Super Res Zoom enhancement even on distant objects. Pixel 5 empowers creativity unmatched by any competitor. Photos pop with crisp vivid details in all conditions.
While specs inevitably fall behind newer cameras, Pixel 5 images hold up shockingly well three years later backed by Google’s constantly self-improving photography algorithms. Recent updates have specifically boosted colors, light adjustments, and subject deblurring.
So if fantastic photography matters in your next phone, Pixel 5 remains a top-tier shooter.
Battery – Extended Life With Wireless Charging
The Pixel 5’s 4080 mAh battery itself seems rather average on paper. However, Google’s historical excellence optimizing power efficiency expands real-world runtimes substantially. Covering mixed moderate usage, my Pixel 5 reliably lasts 1.5-2 days on a full charge.
Combining the phone’s frugal 90Hz display, mid-range 765G chipset, and Adaptive Battery software tuning, longevity impresses even in 2023. Standby times are phenomenal too thanks to Doze 2.0 leveraging AI to analyze usage patterns and optimize app background behavior.
Moreover, Pixel 5 supports both wireless and reverse wireless charging. It shares juice to accessories like earbuds or can itself be topped up wirelessly on any Qi pad. Battery Share is especially convenient for travel when you‘d rather not juggle multiple chargers and cables. Topping up Pixel Buds for 10 minutes keeps your headphones powered for over an hour.
For wired charging, Pixel 5 accepts up to 18 watts with the official 30W USB-C charger rebuilding a depleted battery to 50% in just 30 minutes. Newer phones support faster charging wattages, but Pixel 5 recharges plenty fast for uninterrupted daily use.
Software – Guaranteed Up-to-Date Through October 2023
Arguably nothing future-proofs Pixel 5’s competitive lifespan better than Google’s industry-leading software update model. Pixel devices are guaranteed 3 years of Android version and security patch support from launch dates. Currently running the latest Android 13, Pixel 5 owners are assured updates covering even next year‘s upcoming Android 14 release.
By comparison, many similarly aged phones from Samsung, LG, Motorola, and other manufacturers rarely see more than 2 years of large Android updates. Worse yet, carriers often delay those builds even further – sometimes 6-12 months past release. Without currency, aging handsets grow increasingly incompatible with newer apps and miss vital security patches.
Conversely, Pixel 5 provides exceptional version freshness across both underlying system functions and core Google apps. Performance, compatibility, and protection all benefit tremendously as a result compared to unsupported rivals prone to regressing.
For sustainability-focused consumers who care about responsible electronics usage and reducing turnover waste, Pixel 5’s enduring software relevance plays a major role upholding its 2023 value.
Conclusion – My Professional Recommendation
The Pixel 5 may seem inadequate to specification chasers strictly fixating on specs sheets and hardware rankings. And no doubt newer processors and camera components push performance boundaries beyond the Pixel 5‘s 2020-era capabilities.
But zooming out to evaluate the phone’s complete picture reveals Google’s visionary concept of sustainable technology and pragmatic mobile experience. By concentrating Pixel 5 efforts around everyday fundamentals – durable hardware, gorgeous display, optimized performance, elite photography, resilient battery life – rather than simply maximizing specs, they delivered a balanced, accessible phone built to last thanks to thoughtful compromises.
Nearly three years later, Pixel 5’s reasonable power, buttery 90Hz AMOLED visuals, IP68-rated polished metal/glass chassis, fantastic cameras, and wireless charging indeed uphold firmly even in the demanding landscape of 2023. Crucially, future-proofed Android 14 software support further cements Pixel 5’s shockingly enduring staying power.
For buyers emphasizing practicality over benchmarks, the Pixel 5 absolutely warrants consideration in 2023 as a fantastic value play. Starting around just $350 gently used, it epitomizes Google’s legacy delivering premium Google software purity and assistant capabilities phenomenally optimized for years beyond launch. Your money goes further too skipping expensive flagships chasing diminishing spec returns.
If sustainability matters to you, Pixel 5 hits the eco chord as well rocking extensive recycled materials, ethical manufacturing certifications, high repairability scores and longer usable lifespan.
Simply put, no other device combines polished hardware fundamentals, elite photographic chops, and extensive software support this impressively 3 years later. The Pixel 5 indeed remains a price/performance legend entering 2023 – wholeheartedly recommended.