The Google Pixel 5 could be a more affordable phone for the masses

Google's Pixel series is widely considered to offer some of the best smartphones on the market; however, a theme with most reviews of the phones is the poor value they offer at MSRP. That could change with the Pixel 5, if recent reports are anything to go by.

Recently, it was revealed that Mario Queiroz and Marc Levoy had left Google, the latter being one of the most important factors in Google's photography prowess. Supposedly, Rick Osterloh, SVP of Hardware at Google was unhappy with the Pixel 4 launch, and the company could take a step back to the drawing board with the Pixel 5.

According to Steven Hall of 9to5Google, Google will ditch the Soli Radar chip for the Pixel 5. The company offered it on the Pixel 4 and it was always a tad questionable, as it, at best, offered extremely niche utility. Most users seem to have just turned off the feature in an attempt to conserve battery life—Osterloh's major source of consternation on the Pixel 4.

The Pixel 5 is expected to skip the Soli chip instead, which will undoubtedly cut costs. Recent reports also claim the Pixel 5 could eschew the expensive Snapdragon 865 in favor of the more affordable Snapdragon 765G—or perhaps, the new Snapdragon 768G. 

As hinted, these changes will see the Pixel 5 carry a less ostentatious price tag compared to the Pixel 4. There are already rumors of the Pixel 4a undercutting the iPhone SE in pricing, and that trend could continue with the flagship Pixel 5, especially considering leaked iPhone 12 pricing.

The Pixel 4 has sold a lot less than the Pixel 3 over the same period. While the pandemic is a factor, there's little doubt that the Pixel 4 was overpriced. A cheaper Pixel 5 would be a bold step forward and would make the Pixel series a more attractive option to potential buyers.

Buy Google Pixel 4 XL now on Amazon