Google’s Pixel lineup is to that company what Surface is to Microsoft. And Google has a lot of work to do to make its next Pixel handsets a more viable alternative to iPhone.
And yes, I’m aware that my opinion here is somewhat controversial. It seems that the entire Android fan base has decided that Google really nailed it with the first Pixel and Pixel XL. But I am comfortable with my position, which is outlined in my review of the Pixel XL. I have tons of experience with this device, and with virtually every iPhone ever made.
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And the Pixel is lacking. Here are a few ideas for fixing it.
Offer bigger displays. One of the strangest things about the Pixel XL, in particular, is how small the 5.5-inch display appears next to other phablets, like the iPhone 7 Plus. My recommendation is to bump it up a notch, to 5.7 inches, matching the screen size of the Nexus 6P. Big screens are a premium feature, and a big area of smartphone growth in an otherwise flattening market.
Improve the camera. The Pixel/Pixel XL camera is superior to that in the iPhone 7 Plus is most respects, but there is still room for improvement. Key among these improvements are optical image stabilization—a very curious omission—and optical zoom capabilities of at least 2X-4X. I also recommend allowing for more aggressive HDR+ settings to match how the Nexus 6P worked.
Stereo speakers. Speaking of curious omissions, the Pixel and Pixel XL shipped in 2016 with a single mono speaker when the previous Nexus 6P had stereo speakers (as does the iPhone 7 Plus). Bring back stereo sound, Google.
Wireless charging. The Pixel does support fast charging, but not wireless charging. Surely it’s time for Google to put its backing behind a wireless charging standard and make this a default feature.
Waterproofing. Ever dunk your phone in a toilet? No? Then you’re lucky. But you shouldn’t have to be lucky, as waterproofing is a feature on most other flagship phones already.
Stop forking Android. Fragmentation is arguably Android’s biggest problem, but Google has made this situation even worse by putting a special Android version on Pixel that has unique Pixel-only features. This is a mistake. Like Surface, Pixel should be aspirational, and that means that everything it offers should be available on other Android devices too. And that includes the Android OS itself.
Improve Google Assistant. To make this personal assistant technology more useful and even necessary, it will need to improve a lot. To be fair, Google is doing that by allowing third parties to improve its intelligence with more skills. This can’t happen quickly enough.
Stop copying the iPhone. The Pixel and Pixel XL are among the blandest smartphones ever launched, and that they so closely ape the style of Apple’s iPhone should be an embarrassment to this company. I don’t have any thoughts on how Google should design its phone, but surely there are other ideas out there. Even Samsung, a perennial and pathological copier, has innovated with curved screens and other unique ideas.
Adjust the pricing. Google simply doesn’t have the pedigree to charge iPhone prices, and yet it does so with Pixel. Since I don’t see the firm stepping back from this particular cliff, I advise at least offering a mid-tier model as well so that non-one-percenters can afford a Pixel too. OK, a price cut would be even better.
To be clear, Google did get some aspects of the original Pixel handsets right. The rear-mounted fingerprint reader works quickly and accurately, and is easy to use. The Pixel displays are bright, contrasty and clear. The battery life seems excellent, and performance has been mostly good over time with little of the normal Android rot. It’s a good phone. It’s just not the best phone.
Maybe the next one will be.
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<blockquote><em><a href="#39394">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/Youssef">Youssef</a><a href="#39394">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>LOL…Excellent point. That is a very good point. The Surface Pro 1 with minimal specs and tremendously bad battery was (at least) $900. That "ultraportable" (Paul’s words), didn’t have the pedigree of the "Macbook Air," yet he didn’t complain about it’s over-pricing. </p>
<p>OMG….does Paul even think about what he writes before he does so?</p>
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<blockquote><em><a href="#39396">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/markiehill">markiehill</a><a href="#39396">:</a></em></blockquote>
<p>2) Sounds like the solution is easy. Buy a new car or a better car stereo. HA!</p>
<p>It displays correctly in my car (2013) and the phone asked to set it up as a trusted device and while it’s in proximity it keeps it unlocked, so the holder would not even be an issue.</p>
<p><em>**NOTE**</em> I’m kidding by the way. While the above is true with my Bluetooth experience, my son’s S7 Edge does show up just MAC and struggles to connect as did the 5x and 6P I tested for a while. It’s not just the XL. The above sarcastic suggestion was due to some of the ‘advice’ I got when I posed the same issues on forums (not on this site) a while ago.</p>
<p>Say what you will about Apple/iOS, but it does tend to be more predictable/consistent.</p>
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<p>Huh? Pixel doesn’t have the pedigree? The quality of the phone is on par with the iPhone. The Google services and apps ecosystem that consists of the #1 browser, #1 email , #1 maps, etc….comes native with this phone. The phone comes with the fabulous Daydream VR. Of course, there is the camera, which is bests the iPhone in so many categories. </p>
<p>Pedigree? PEDIGREE?! LOL…..Has Paul ever heard of the phone called Vertu? Does that phone have the "pedigree?" LOL….OMG….! Paul just wishes, he knew how real business run.</p>