I never thought Pixels would survive this long, but I’m glad they did

I’m going to this point myself right here — I bear in mind writing about Android effectively earlier than Google’s Pixel sequence was a factor. Wanting again, I’m a bit stunned we’re nonetheless speaking about Google telephones all these years later, and in a constructive gentle, no much less. The brand new Pixel 9 sequence is shaping as much as be one other jewel in Google’s more and more polished crown.

I’m joyful to confess I sat out the Nexus years; I spent the smartphone increase within the wonderful firm of the Samsung Galaxy S, LG G, and HUAWEI P sequence. I used to be fortunately studying complaints of doubtful Nexus battery life, overheating, and boot loops from the sidelines relatively than experiencing them myself. Whereas the Nexus line ultimately ended, it’s shocking that the {hardware} points didn’t power Google’s hand sooner. Nonetheless, Nexus followers stand by a lot of the sequence (they had been good worth for cash), seemingly joyful to take the tough with the sleek.

Gray hairs can even bear in mind Google’s short-lived stewardship of Motorola within the early 2010s. Though it purchased Motorola largely for patents and inherited in-development merchandise, few will fondly bear in mind the likes of the Google-led Moto X flagship. We will credit score 2013’s Moto G as kickstarting a rejuvenation of inexpensive telephones earlier than Google offered the portfolio to Lenovo a 12 months later, however the entire saga value the corporate a fairly penny and will have soured its pre-Pixel {hardware} ambitions.

Seemingly not content material with Nexus, Google launched different {hardware} collaboration initiatives that noticed various levels of success, when you can name it that. There was Android One certification for price range telephones and Google Play Version flagships that provided inventory Android on Samsung, HTC, and different flagships earlier than taking the axe. However who remembers these?

My level is that surprisingly, few of Google’s early smartphone initiatives had been pure gold and, if something, prompt {that a} Google telephone would most likely flop. Because it turned out, Google initially continued on this hit-and-miss trajectory. The early Pixel sequence definitely wasn’t faultless within the {hardware} division; who remembers the Pixel 2 XL’s terrible show or the Pixel 3’s horrible battery life? Worse, fixing boot loops or acquiring official repairs was tough in comparison with right now’s wider-reaching (however nonetheless removed from international) assist community. Nonetheless, by taking direct management, Google landed sufficient winners to see it by means of the dips. A lesser firm might need bailed; in reality, many greater gamers did.

Few of the main manufacturers from the smartphone increase period are nonetheless within the recreation. BlackBerry, HTC, and LG ultimately bowed out after progressively declining market shares. The aforementioned Motorola, Nokia, Sony, and the opposite hangers-on are shadows of their former selves.

The vastly aggressive market has squeezed returns to the purpose that it’s onerous to undercut Apple and Samsung, and model loyalty makes it just about inconceivable for underdogs to chop by means of regardless. And but, Google is miraculously a far greater deal now than it was when the Pixel sequence first launched. Who is aware of how a lot cash Google has made or misplaced on {hardware}, however being the Android gatekeeper has undoubtedly helped Google steadiness its coffers the place others couldn’t.

Finally, I’m glad Google has persevered with a {hardware} undertaking that it may have folded at quite a few factors prior to now ten or extra years. Google has killed extra initiatives than most firms ever begin, in any case. It’s a miracle that the unique Pixel imaginative and prescient (good software program and good pictures) has endured 9 generations intact, not to mention made it by means of the extra troubled Nexus years and different deserted initiatives.

I’ve had the pleasure of utilizing not less than one mannequin within the Pixel 4 by means of 8 sequence and am in little question that the Pixel method is indispensable when you’ve sampled it. After a protracted stint with HUAWEI’s good digital camera telephones, I ran the Pixel 6 Professional straight into the Pixel 7 Professional. The mixture of pictures prowess and software program simplicity was irresistible.

Nonetheless, I’m not as wedded to Pixels as my colleague Rita, partly as a result of I’m not invested in Google’s ecosystem. I spent a 12 months with the chic Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely over the 7 Professional and I’ll be the primary to confess that Google nonetheless has room for enchancment relating to design, battery charging, and uncooked efficiency. However I couldn’t keep away; the Pixel 8 Professional has been a loyal digital camera companion and all-round strong smartphone for the higher a part of a 12 months. It’s the little options, like Name Display screen and Fast Faucet, that I discover it onerous to dwell with out. Current advances in AI options are simply the cherry on the cake.

In an period missing true innovation, the Pixel sequence continues to search out new methods to impress, and I’m already eying the Pixel 9 Professional as my subsequent day by day driver. Like everybody else, I’m dying to get my palms on a extra compact but absolutely succesful flagship telephone from Google — it’d simply be the perfection of years of effort.