Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance?
Smartphone GNSS technology has advanced significantly, but its performance varies considerably among Android devices due to differences in hardware and software. This study compares the GNSS capabilities of the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 9 Pro XL (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA) using five-hour st...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4452 |
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| author | Julián Tomaštík Jorge Hernández Olcina Šimon Saloň Daniel Tunák |
| author_facet | Julián Tomaštík Jorge Hernández Olcina Šimon Saloň Daniel Tunák |
| author_sort | Julián Tomaštík |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Smartphone GNSS technology has advanced significantly, but its performance varies considerably among Android devices due to differences in hardware and software. This study compares the GNSS capabilities of the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 9 Pro XL (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA) using five-hour static measurements under three environmental conditions: open area, canopy, and indoor. Complete raw GNSS data and the tools used for positioning are freely available. The analysis focuses on signal quality and positioning accuracy, derived using raw GNSS measurements. Results show that the Pixel 9 Pro XL provides better signal completeness, a higher carrier-to-noise density (C/N0), and improved L5 frequency reception. However, this enhanced signal quality does not always translate to superior positioning accuracy. In single-point positioning (SPP), the Pixel 5 outperformed the Pixel 9 Pro XL in open conditions when considering mean positional errors, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL performed better under canopy conditions. The precise point positioning results are modest compared to the current state of the art, only achieving accuracies of a few meters. The static method achieved sub-decimeter accuracy for both devices in optimal conditions, with Pixel 9 Pro XL demonstrating a higher fix rate. Findings highlight ongoing challenges in smartphone GNSS, particularly related to the limited quality of signals received by smartphone GNSS receivers. While newer devices show improved signal reception, precise positioning remains limited. Future research should explore software enhancements and the use of various external correction sources to optimize GNSS accuracy for mobile users. Generally, a shift from research to user-ready applications is needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebf7cc998b5b4928bd892a4c38290f74 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ebf7cc998b5b4928bd892a4c38290f742025-08-20T03:32:18ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012514445210.3390/s25144452Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance?Julián Tomaštík0Jorge Hernández Olcina1Šimon Saloň2Daniel Tunák3Department of Forest Resources Planning and Informatics, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 96001 Zvolen, SlovakiaDepartment of Cartographic Engineering, Geodesy and Photogrammetry, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Forest Resources Planning and Informatics, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 96001 Zvolen, SlovakiaDepartment of Forest Resources Planning and Informatics, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 96001 Zvolen, SlovakiaSmartphone GNSS technology has advanced significantly, but its performance varies considerably among Android devices due to differences in hardware and software. This study compares the GNSS capabilities of the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 9 Pro XL (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA) using five-hour static measurements under three environmental conditions: open area, canopy, and indoor. Complete raw GNSS data and the tools used for positioning are freely available. The analysis focuses on signal quality and positioning accuracy, derived using raw GNSS measurements. Results show that the Pixel 9 Pro XL provides better signal completeness, a higher carrier-to-noise density (C/N0), and improved L5 frequency reception. However, this enhanced signal quality does not always translate to superior positioning accuracy. In single-point positioning (SPP), the Pixel 5 outperformed the Pixel 9 Pro XL in open conditions when considering mean positional errors, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL performed better under canopy conditions. The precise point positioning results are modest compared to the current state of the art, only achieving accuracies of a few meters. The static method achieved sub-decimeter accuracy for both devices in optimal conditions, with Pixel 9 Pro XL demonstrating a higher fix rate. Findings highlight ongoing challenges in smartphone GNSS, particularly related to the limited quality of signals received by smartphone GNSS receivers. While newer devices show improved signal reception, precise positioning remains limited. Future research should explore software enhancements and the use of various external correction sources to optimize GNSS accuracy for mobile users. Generally, a shift from research to user-ready applications is needed.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4452global navigation satellite systemsraw GNSS datasmartphonessignal qualitypositioning accuracy |
| spellingShingle | Julián Tomaštík Jorge Hernández Olcina Šimon Saloň Daniel Tunák Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance? Sensors global navigation satellite systems raw GNSS data smartphones signal quality positioning accuracy |
| title | Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance? |
| title_full | Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance? |
| title_fullStr | Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance? |
| title_short | Pixel 5 Versus Pixel 9 Pro XL—Are Android Devices Evolving Towards Better GNSS Performance? |
| title_sort | pixel 5 versus pixel 9 pro xl are android devices evolving towards better gnss performance |
| topic | global navigation satellite systems raw GNSS data smartphones signal quality positioning accuracy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4452 |
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