What would you get if you mixed a high refresh rate QHD+ display with a small battery? The answer is probably the Google Pixel 5.

According to a tech leaker on Twitter going by the name ImJustSayingJC, the Pixel 5 will have a 6.67-inch display with a pixel density of 540 PPI, a QHD+ resolution and higher density than the Pixel 4 XL. However, the battery is only 3,080 mAh, which seems unusually small for a phone with a QHD+ display in 2020.

It was previously thought that the Pixel 5, which may come in an XL model, would have a 120 Hz refresh rate in order to keep up with models like the OnePlus 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and the upcoming iPhone 12 Pro. However, ImJustSayingJC said that "depending on battery performance" Google could give the Pixel 5 a 90Hz refresh rate to conserve battery power.

And with a 3,080 mAh battery capacity and a QHD+ screen, it could be argued that a 120Hz display is too heavy for a fairly midsize battery; the Pixel 4 has a 2,800 mAh battery and the Pixel 4 XL a 3,700 mAh battery but both have 90 Hz refresh rate displays and failed to impress us with their battery life.

However, according to ImJustSayingJC, Google is planning significant battery optimization for the Pixel 5 so that it can have a smaller battery, similar to what Apple is supposedly doing with the iPhone.

The iPhone 12 model is rumored to have a much smaller battery, with only the iPhone 12 Pro Max having a battery over 3,000 mAh. However, Apple has an excellent battery optimization track record and is expected to get a lot out of its meager battery pack. Google's track record is no doubt less impressive, partly due to the Pixel 4's disappointing battery life.

But if the Pixel 5 will only come in an XL version, why a smaller sized battery? The answer is a matter of speculation, but it may be that Google will use the extra space under the hood to add special features to the Pixel 5, just as the Pixel 4 had the Soli radar chip. Alternatively, the space could be used to add more hardware, such as an improved image signal processor, to enhance the Pixel 5's camera capabilities.

The Pixel 5 is expected to have a trio of rear cameras, adding a wide-angle lens in addition to the main and telephoto cameras. With more hardware-accelerated image processing, the Pixel 5 will gain an edge to fight back against the iPhone 11 Pro, which arguably offers the best smartphone photography.

The Pixel 5 is expected to use the mid-range Snapdragon 765G, which does not have a particularly power-hungry chipset and could help reduce battery life.

Currently, a smartphone must last at least 11 hours in in-house battery tests to be on our list of devices with the best battery life. No Pixel model is on that list, and the Pixel 5, with its 3,080 mAh battery, is unlikely to make the list unless Google does some clever optimization.

Time will tell on this one. And since the Pixel 5 is expected to arrive in October, we may not have to wait that long to see it.