Pixel 5 release date, specs: Reported 3,080mAh battery paired with QHD+ display makes 120Hz refresh rate questionable

Google’s Pixel 5 is one of the anticipated smartphones in 2020 to feature a 120Hz refresh rate. However, a recent report on its battery capacity and screen resolution might be suggesting that the device could still launch with a 90Hz display.

Google Pixel 5 specs

This year, several premium smartphones made the jump to 120Hz refresh rate so it was not out of place to expect Google to do the same for Pixel 5. However, known leaker @ImjustSayingJC said on Twitter that the device’s “battery will be 3,080mAh.”

That is an improvement from the Pixel 4 series, but that bump is not much when other rumored specs are considered. The same report claimed that Pixel 5 will sport a QHD+ display with 540ppi pixel density and these specs might make the slight increase from Pixel 4’s 2,800mAh battery seem insignificant.

Of course, Google can still optimize the battery performance but that capacity still appears to be too small to handle a display with QHD+ resolution, 540ppi, and 120Hz refresh rate. For comparison, OnePlus 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra have roughly the same screen resolution but have smaller pixel density at around 513ppi and 496ppi, respectively. Both these devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate but also have at least 4,500mAh battery.

Another reason to worry about Pixel 5’s battery capacity and performance is the report that it could be released with Snapdragon 765G. It is known to be the choice for mid-range smartphones, but SoCs also play an important role in battery optimization. If Google would not use a processor designed to handle demanding top-tier features, it is then interesting how the Pixel 5 will actually square up with its competitors.

With all that considered, tech fans should take the rumors of Pixel 5 having a 120Hz refresh rate with a bigger serving of salt. That also makes ImjustSayingJC’s suggestion plausible that the upcoming Google smartphone would end up remaining in the 90Hz category.

Google Pixel 5 release date

Google announced Pixel 5 earlier this year. The device, expected to have premium features and a higher price range, was confirmed to be in the pipeline shortly after Pixel 4a was announced. The specific details of its launch are still unknown, but Google promised to reveal more in Fall.