2023 was a strong 12 months for Google because it expanded its ecosystem of cell units. The Pixel 8 sequence introduced some key upgrades that helped proceed Google’s ascension within the premium smartphone market. Pixel Fold marked Google’s first foray into the foldable world whereas the Pixel Pill was the ultimate piece in Google’s cell ecosystem.
It wasn’t all clean crusing for Google although so let’s have a look at each the positives and negatives from the previous 12 months.
Winner: Pixel 8 sequence
The Pixel 8 duo are Google’s best flagships up to now. Each telephones bought some notable {hardware} upgrades like brighter shows with slimmer bezels, new Tensor G3 chips and up to date ultrawide lenses. The signature Pixel design was barely revised with the visor on the 8 Professional now housing all three cameras and each telephones did obtain a bump in battery capability although their endurance continues to be behind that of Samsung and Apple flagships.
Pixel 8 lastly bought a 120Hz refresh charge and the added temperature sensor on the 8 Professional is a pleasant celebration trick however two issues separate Pixel from nearly every other Android telephone – cameras and software program.
The Pixel digital camera expertise is arguably the killer function right here and it bought higher in each {hardware} and software program with the brand new ultrawide cameras and expanded AI options like Finest Take, Magic Editor and Picture Unblur. The AI capabilities additionally expanded to the software program facet with the brand new generative AI wallpaper creation instrument in addition to Pixel staples like name screening, real-time translation, and voice-to-text dictation.
One other key addition with the Pixel 8 sequence is their assured 7 years of spare components and software program updates which might set a brand new benchmark for smartphone help. Extra on that later.
The Pixel 8 and eight Professional tick plenty of the appropriate bins for a flagship system. We hope Google will cease limiting its software program options exterior its core markets and increase to extra areas within the coming 12 months.
Winner: Longer software program and {hardware} help
Backing up your new units with longer software program and {hardware} help is one strategy to stand out though that is now required by legislation in Google’s house state of California. With the launch of its Pixel 8 units, Google formally expanded its software program help to 7 years. Meaning Pixel 8 and eight Professional will probably be eligible for as much as 7 Android OS updates – that’s Android 21 or no matter it finally ends up being known as in 2030.
It is a main win for shoppers world wide and we are able to solely hope extra Android OEMs will comply with the same strategy with their upcoming flagships. The one disadvantage is that older Pixels gained’t get the identical 7-year promise because the new software program help is for units working the Tensor G3 chip.
The correct-to-repair motion additionally led Google to vow 7 years of spare components availability for its newest flagships. This deserves reward, particularly since extra customers are sticking to their telephones for longer they usually can now achieve this figuring out repairs will probably be available.
Loser: Tensor G3
Regardless of all the hassle Google places into its customized Tensor chips, they’ve traditionally fared worse in efficiency and energy effectivity in comparison with their flagship Qualcomm and Apple counterparts. Whereas the Tensor G3 is Google’s greatest chip but, it nonetheless falls behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple A16 chips from final 12 months and that distinction is barely extra noticeable with the newer crop of competing SoCs.
Because it stands, Tensor G3 is the Achilles’ heel on the Pixel 8 sequence with sustained CPU and GPU exams present throttling in mere minutes and performing even worse than earlier generations Tensor chips. Hopefully, Google will treatment its errors with the Tensor G4.
Winner: Pixel Fold
After years of ready, Google lastly delivered its first foldable telephone in 2023 with the uninspiringly named Pixel Fold. The system not solely licensed Google’s dedication to the way forward for foldables but it surely additionally confirmed how one ought to look from the Android maker’s personal perspective.
Pixel Fold is among the most stunning telephones to launch prior to now 12 months bringing that signature Pixel design to a compact “book-type” folding telephone. Regardless of its 5.8-inch diagonal, the huge cowl display makes typing and navigating the UI that a lot simpler when it is folded whereas its 7.6-inch primary display leaves loads of room for multitasking and media consumption.
The trio of cameras on the again might not be on the extent of the Pixel 8 Professional or its predecessor however you continue to get three significant lenses with a large, ultrawide and 5x telephoto. You additionally get the clear Google software program expertise with particular optimizations for the foldable type issue and the promise of being first in line for main Android OS updates.
Pixel Fold It does include the older Google Tensor G2 chipset which might be thought of a serious disadvantage and that steep price ticket is one other huge deterrent. Nonetheless, now we have to present credit score to Google for an ideal first chapter into its foldable telephone journey.
Loser: Pixel Watch 2 charging state of affairs
Pixel Watch 2 is a notable enchancment over its predecessor with a sooner chipset and improved battery endurance however Google determined to go for a completely new charging answer making older chargers non-compatible.
Google opted for a brand new pogo-pin charger for the Pixel Watch 2 which whereas shared with Fitbit units continues to be as proprietary because it will get. Proprietary charging options are fairly frequent within the smartwatch and smartband market however not providing help for the frequent Qi wi-fi commonplace is a giant disappointment in our eyes after we know that smartwatches from different manufacturers can simply high up their batteries with Qi wi-fi chargers.
