Google’s true “enemy” is Samsung, not Apple: Can Pixel flip into the default Android cellphone?

Maybe as a substitute of counting on totally different producers like Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG and Huawei to make what at all times ought to’ve been “the Google cellphone”, Google ought to’ve executed precisely what Apple did – be 100% self-sufficient, and take management over each the software program and {hardware} of the Nexus, which had unbelievable potential. However what’s (not) executed is completed…

Now, from the person’s perspective, the present state of the Pixel is what actually issues, and regardless of me preferring the Pixel 8 Professional over the Galaxy S23 Extremely, the reality is that there are a number of essential features of the Pixel expertise that don’t stay as much as the $1,000 beginning worth of the Pixel 8 Professional:

• Even on the third iteration of the Tensor chip, Google’s in-house SoC (made in partnership with Samsung) is clearly nonetheless the most important weak spot of the Pixel; I’m not a gamer, however you don’t must play video games to note the Pixel takes longer to finish some easy duties like enhancing and saving a photograph/video in comparison with the Galaxy S23, and particularly the iPhone 15 Professional

• However Tensor’s largest disadvantage isn’t that it’s solely as highly effective as a mid-range chip however the effectivity of the Tensor SoC; though the Pixel 8 Professional’s battery ought to final a day for most individuals, it’s noticeably much less dependable than each the Galaxy S23 Extremely and the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s, which may even push it to 2 days; the Pixel 8 Professional can also be noticeably weaker than the iPhone in stand-by mode (while you’re not utilizing the cellphone)

• Imagine it not, the Pixel’s digital camera isn’t what it was and this isn’t solely Google’s fault; certain, the Pixel takes pictures with tons of artefacts and noisy movies at night time, but in addition, the competitors has caught as much as Google huge time; if the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 may simply be certified as “one of the best digital camera telephones” of their time, that’s not the case with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional, which could not even be in prime 5 (Chinese language flagships included); I’d decide the iPhone 15 Professional Max over the Pixel 8 Professional as my main digital camera cellphone 10/10 instances – one thing I couldn’t say concerning the iPhone X vs Pixel 2 again in 2017

• And final however not least, the Pixel’s historical past of bugs will give customers a bit much less reassurance than one thing like a Galaxy or an iPhone; certain, I haven’t encountered any main bugs with my Pixel 8 Professional (particularly in comparison with my Pixel 6 Professional) however fame issues within the cellphone world, and Google’s was a little bit bit tarnished after the Pixel 6 sequence bug fiasco

Google’s actual “enemy” is Samsung – not Apple: Is the Galaxy S23 actually the default Android cellphone?

Google retains poking enjoyable on the iPhone for missing the Pixel’s AI digital camera options however (in my expertise) the iPhone takes higher pictures and movies generally.

Nonetheless, the opposite purpose the Pixel is having a tough time taking on the Android world, and one which’s not likely beneath Google’s management, is Samsung’s tight grip on the Android market.In fact, I can provide the numbers and inform you about Samsung’s 25% market share within the US versus Google’s 3%, and that Samsung is primary globally, whereas Google doesn’t even present on the charts, however that’s a given at this level.

What strikes me extra is that when asking me which cellphone I’ve, many “regular” folks say “do you’ve got an iPhone or a Samsung”, as a substitute of “iPhone or Android”. In different phrases, to many individuals Samsung equals Android and vice versa, and that’s been the case for a lot of, a few years. And it is a real-world benefit that Google could have a tough time overcoming.

What doesn’t assistance is the comparatively homogenous Android scene within the US and Europe, which doesn’t get as many superior Chinese language mid-range and flagship telephones because it used to (partly as a result of Huawei ban).

Can the Pixel or every other 2024 flagship problem Samsung’s picture as “the de facto Android cellphone”?

Shortly, sure, I do imagine Google can problem Samsung within the long-run, however as cliche as it would sound, Google has lots of work to do, as a result of it has so much to show. When you aren’t Apple, making a profitable Galaxy competitor is a sophisticated recipe that requires the fitting measures and substances.Google may must maintain its costs in verify (actually, there’s an opportunity the Pixel is already a bit too costly now); swap Tensor manufacturing from Samsung to Qualcomm; and give attention to making the Pixel probably the most secure Android cellphone on the earth.

And if I don’t see the Pixel turning into an outright higher flagship than the upcoming Galaxy S24 Extremely for most individuals, then is there a cellphone that may do this in any respect? Nicely, outdoors of China, the place Samsung falls far behind telephones from Huawei, Honor, and Xiaomi, the one actual Galaxy S24 challenger coming to the worldwide market (apart from the Pixel) is perhaps the OnePlus 12.

In fact, I’m solely referring to how good of a cellphone the OnePlus 12 is shaping as much as be moderately than gross sales. Nonetheless, when you’re looking out for the finest Android cellphone available on the market to get proper now, or in a few months time, I’d maintain my eye on each the Galaxy S24 and the newly introduced OnePlus 12.