The Google Pixel 4 was one of the most innovative Android phones of its time.
When it launched in 2019, it introduced features such as a smooth 90Hz display, Google's industry-leading computational photography, and Face Unlock technology.
Even today, many people still remember the Pixel 4 as one of Google's most unique smartphones.
However, a lot has changed since then.
In this guide, we'll break down:
No — we do not recommend buying the Google Pixel 4 in 2026.
While the Pixel 4 can still perform basic tasks such as calling, texting, web browsing, YouTube streaming, and photography, it is simply too old to be a smart long-term purchase.
The biggest reason is software support.
Google officially ended support for the Pixel 4 in 2023, which means the device no longer receives Android updates or security patches.
For a smartphone that may store:
ongoing security updates are extremely important.
The second issue is availability.
There is very little Certified Used / Refurbished Pixel 4 inventory available in 2026.
Most remaining devices are nearly seven years old and may have:
Instead, we recommend the Google Pixel 8, which starts around $180+ in the Certified Used / Refurbished market.
The Pixel 8 was the first Google phone to receive the company's 7-year software support commitment, giving buyers support until around 2030.
It also offers:
One practical issue with buying a Google Pixel 4 in 2026 is availability.
Because the Pixel 4 was released in 2019, most Certified Used / Refurbished sellers no longer carry reliable inventory for this model.
That means shoppers are more likely to find Pixel 4 units through private-party marketplaces instead of trusted refurbished retailers.
This creates several risks:
Even if the price looks low, the long-term value is weak.
A nearly seven-year-old phone is much more likely to have battery degradation, charging port wear, display issues, and reduced overall reliability.
For most buyers, it makes more sense to spend more on a newer Certified Used / Refurbished Pixel with better support and reliability.
The biggest reason we do not recommend buying the Google Pixel 4 in 2026 is software support.
Google officially ended software support for the Pixel 4 in 2023.
That means the Pixel 4 no longer receives:
This does not mean the phone suddenly stops working.
A Pixel 4 can still turn on, make calls, send texts, browse the web, take photos, and use many apps.
However, using an unsupported phone becomes riskier over time.
Without security updates, the Pixel 4 may become more vulnerable to:
This is especially important if you use your phone for online banking, work email, password managers, or mobile payments.
In 2026, software support is one of the most important factors when buying a used smartphone.
Since the Pixel 4 has already been unsupported for several years, it is simply not a smart long-term purchase.
The Google Pixel 4 was an impressive flagship phone when it launched in 2019.
It introduced a smooth 90Hz OLED display, one of the best smartphone cameras of its time, and Google's innovative computational photography.
However, technology has advanced significantly since then.
Compared to the Google Pixel 8, the Pixel 4 falls behind in almost every area that matters, including software support, performance, AI features, battery life, and long-term reliability.
For most buyers in 2026, the Pixel 8 is the clear winner.
| Category | Google Pixel 4 | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2019 | 2023 |
| Launch Price | $799 | $699 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Display | 5.7-inch OLED, 90Hz | 6.2-inch OLED, 120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | ≈450 nits | Up to 2,000 nits |
| Rear Cameras | 12.2MP Wide + 16MP Telephoto | 50MP Wide + 12MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 10.5MP |
| Battery | 2,800mAh | 4,575mAh |
| Charging | 18W Wired, Wireless Charging | 27W Wired, Wireless Charging |
| 5G Support | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Face Unlock | Yes (3D Face Unlock) | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor | No | Under-display |
| Operating System | Android 10 (Ended at Android 13) | Android 14 (Upgradeable to Android 16) |
| Software Support | Ended in 2023 | Until around 2030 |
| Google AI Features | Limited | Latest AI Features & Feature Drops |
| Starting Refurbished Price (2026) | Very Limited Availability | $180+ |
This is by far the most important difference between the two phones.
The Pixel 8 was the first Google phone to receive the company's 7-year software support commitment.
That means buyers continue receiving:
For a phone purchased in 2026, this alone makes the Pixel 8 a far better investment.
The Pixel 4 uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855, which was a flagship processor in 2019.
It is still capable of handling basic everyday tasks, but it lacks the advanced AI capabilities found in Google's newer Tensor processors.
The Tensor G3 inside the Pixel 8 offers:
For most users, the Pixel 8 simply feels much more modern.
Although the Pixel 4 introduced a smooth 90Hz OLED display, the Pixel 8 improves almost every aspect of the viewing experience.
Compared with the Pixel 4, the Pixel 8 offers:
Battery life is one of the Pixel 4's biggest weaknesses today, especially after nearly seven years of battery aging.
The Pixel 4 still takes surprisingly good photos thanks to Google's excellent computational photography.
However, the Pixel 8 introduces significant improvements, including:
For photography enthusiasts, the Pixel 8 is clearly the better camera phone.
Even if you wanted to buy a Pixel 4 today, finding one in good condition is difficult.
Certified Used / Refurbished inventory is extremely limited, and most available devices are nearly seven years old.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 is widely available from trusted Certified Used / Refurbished sellers starting around $180+.
Considering its newer hardware, much longer software support, and stronger long-term reliability, the Pixel 8 offers significantly better value.
💡 Overall:
For almost every buyer in 2026, the Pixel 8 is the clear choice.
No — we do not recommend buying the Google Pixel 4 in 2026.
The Pixel 4 was an excellent flagship phone when it launched in 2019. Its camera, clean Android experience, and 90Hz display were among the best available at the time.
However, in 2026, the Pixel 4 is simply too old to recommend.
The biggest reasons are:
Although the Pixel 4 can still handle basic tasks such as web browsing, streaming, messaging, and photography, its remaining lifespan is limited.
Instead, we strongly recommend the Google Pixel 8, starting around $180+ (Certified Used / Refurbished).
Compared to the Pixel 4, the Pixel 8 offers:
For only a modest increase in price, the Pixel 8 provides several additional years of software support and a much better overall ownership experience.
💡 Our recommendation:
For most buyers shopping for a Certified Used / Refurbished Android phone in 2026, the Pixel 8 is one of the smartest long-term purchases available.
The Google Pixel 4 was released in 2019, making it around seven years old in 2026.
No. Google officially ended software support for the Pixel 4 in 2023. It no longer receives Android OS updates or security updates.
Yes. The Pixel 4 can still make calls, send texts, browse the web, stream videos, and take photos. However, because it no longer receives security updates, it is not recommended as a primary phone.
Yes. The Pixel 4 still takes excellent photos thanks to Google's computational photography. However, newer Pixel models offer better cameras, AI editing features, and improved video quality.
The Pixel 8 offers Google's 7-year software support commitment, newer Tensor G3 hardware, better battery life, modern AI features, a brighter 120Hz display, and support through around 2030.
The Snapdragon 855 can still handle many popular mobile games, but newer games run better on modern processors like Google's Tensor G3. Battery life and thermal performance are also much better on newer Pixel models.
We strongly recommend buying the Google Pixel 8. For around $180+, it offers significantly longer software support, newer hardware, modern AI features, and a much longer usable lifespan than the Pixel 4.
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