The Google Pixel 5 is rumored to lose the Soli radar chip that debuted in the Pixel 4. This means less advanced features for the next Google flagship smartphone, but it could be a move that helps the Pixel 5 challenge the best Android phones.

Stephen Hall of 9to5Google (via PhoneArena) broke the news on an episode of the site's Android-focused "Alphabet Scoop" podcast, but then tweeted the following.

The removal of the Soli radar chip means that Motion Sense (the ability to control certain movements on the Pixel 4 using air gestures) will be gone. Motion Sense also allowed the Pixel 4's face unlock to work faster.

Motion Sense and the Soli chip also likely contributed to the Pixel 4's poor battery life. Other problems with the Pixel 4 include an inconsistent 90 Hz refresh rate.

There are some advantages, however: the Soli sensor was one of the reasons for the Pixel 4's large top bezel, which made the phone look old-fashioned. However, with the absence of this sensor and the likely adoption of a punch-hole camera notch when the Pixel 4a is released in a month or so, the Pixel 5 is likely to have a similarly sleek design.

Losing the Soli chip should also help keep the Google Pixel 5's price down while allowing for longer charging times.

The Pixel 5 is also rumored to bring some other major changes: instead of the Snapdragon 865 chipset currently used by many Android flagships, such as the OnePlus 8 Pro, a less powerful Snapdragon 765 CPU It is also possible that it will adopt the less powerful Snapdragon 765 CPU. Either way, 5G capabilities are expected to be included, and another camera sensor is expected to be added to the Pixel 4's main sensor and telephoto sensor.

Like Google, we also expect that the Pixel 5 will be the first phone to launch with the latest version of the Android operating system: Android 11. After all, the Pixel line is best known for its cameras, but it remains to be seen how that will affect the Pixel 5 now that the team's camera guy has left Google.