We asked, you told us: The Pixel 3, 4, and 5 cameras are too similar

There was little doubt that our Google Pixel camera showdown would involve some close, difficult comparisons. Google has used largely the same primary rear camera for generations, relying on AI and software assistants to create high quality photos that hardware alone cannot manage. The Pixels 3, 4 and 5 have their differences, but the gaps are not as large as those of other manufacturers.

However, you may not have expected the shootout to be as close as it has been before. We found the results to be very close, with Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 claiming only minor advantages and occasionally still lagging behind Pixel 3. If you’re only into photography, there’s little reason to replace your 2018 or 2019 Google phone.

And you clearly agreed. We ran a survey asking for your verdict on the pixel camera comparison and it was as close to a tie as you might expect.

Which pixel phone takes the best photos in our camera comparison?

Results

A whopping 39.5% of them stated that they could not determine any difference between pixel generations in a camera comparison. Not only that, the results were close, even among those of you who picked clear favorites. Only seven points separated the pixel 3 (16.7%) from the leading pixel 5 (23.8%), with the pixel 4 sitting exactly in the middle with 20%.

Is that a good thing? It really is a mixed bag. The camera comparison is a testament to Google’s software expertise if a Pixel 3 can still take photos that rival the latest models. At the same time, however, this suggests that Google hasn’t found much room for improvement in recent years. This is a real issue when the company is looking to upgrade, especially when competitors like the Galaxy S20 series and iPhone 12 have in some ways caught up and boasted of their own advantages.

Here’s what you had to say

• Meh …: In other words, wait for the Pixel 6 when you have a Pixel 4.
• Arsenes Zip: The [Pixel 3 XL] does everything I want very well, will get updates for at least another year, and [the cost] of contracts these days is insane. The microscopic benefits of upgrading aren’t worth the ridiculous increase in cost.
• Asmodeus: You can’t hit any of these phones for quick snap shots […] and they even talk on the phone!
• Joe Black: [I] It’s pretty hard for me to choose one that I like better – even when I’m taking a photo [with] my old Pixel 1 and compare it [to the] Pixel 5 – I kind of like both of them.
• Synthguy: I stuck to my Pixel 3 XL for this round […] Not enough of an improvement and more of a downgrade.