If history repeats itself, the Google Pixel may end up in the graveyard
Can we trust Google to make good on its promise?
Beyond the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world both inside and out of the confines of Mountain View.
Looking past the ever-growing list of projects, products, and services being added to the Google Graveyard, it seems as though Google has finally hit its stride. At least when it comes to the smartphone, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro almost feel as though they are completely different compared to their predecessors.
For years, we've seen, experienced, and heard all of the various problems that have plagued different Pixel devices. Making matters worse, the issues that some people had are wildly different than others, despite everyone using the same phone. Arguably the biggest example of this, or at least the one that caused the most headlines, was the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
There wasn't anything fundamentally wrong with the design, as it ushered in a new generation of Pixel phones. Instead, all of the problems were found with the "meat" of the Pixel's glass and aluminum chassis. As my colleague Namerah points out in a recent Pixel 6 retrospective, of sorts, you'll still find issues with the fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and so much more.
The Pixel 7 solved some of those problems but arrived with a few more of its own, and it's frankly too soon to tell with the Pixel 8 series. There's one common denominator, and that's the Google Tensor chip. Even still, something hasn't exactly felt right considering how many problems continue to plague owners of a device that's not even three years old.
So when Google came out and promised seven years of software support for the Pixel 8, I had mixed emotions. On one hand, this is something that Google should have done from the beginning, instead of letting Samsung steer the ship for years. And, I couldn't be happier to see Google make this kind of commitment, even if that means that the $1,800 Pixel Fold won't be officially supported for as long as the $699 Pixel 8.
On the other, Namerah's recent piece about the Pixel 6 serves as an enormous warning sign of what could come. While there haven't been quite as many reports surrounding issues with the Pixel 8, that doesn't mean they aren't just lying in wait. The Tensor G3 is manufactured on a newer 4nm process compared to the previous two iterations. This promises better performance, along with improved efficiency, but is still essentially a custom version of a Samsung Exynos chip.
All of the problems suffered by the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 were also the same issues found when some of the best Samsung phones were powered by Exynos chips. Usually, these problems "only" appeared in different areas of the globe, as Samsung would rely on Qualcomm chips for North American models. Nevertheless, understanding a bit of the background might give you a better idea of where to point the blame.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android
I'm not here to say that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will suffer the same fate. Nor am I saying that you should just snicker and roll your eyes when Google says it will support its latest phones for seven years. What I am saying is that you should temper your expectations, and maybe come up with a backup plan if something does happen with the latest crop of Pixel phones.
I'm still hoping that Google can, one day, take on the latest Snapdragon chips, and more importantly, take on the iPhone. Without compromise. We're probably still at least another year away from that happening, as Google is rumored to be making the move to TSMC with the Pixel 10. That decision might end up opening a completely separate can of worms, but I'm not going to put the cart before the horse.
The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we can actually trust Google to make good on its promise. You can already buy authentic replacement parts from iFixit, if you're feeling bold enough to repair your phone. But, that won't help you if the internals of the phone can't even last two or three years, let alone seven.
Andrew Myrick is a Senior Editor at Android Central. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is collecting different headphones, even if they all end up in the same drawer.
-
samcrowjax If the past is a crystal ball, we might be attending the farewell party of the Google Pixel soon.Reply -
hmmm I wish Google would go back to snapdragon. Their custom processor are not very good. Monster Hunter is a stuttering low performing mess on the pixel 7. I watched an iPhone run it and it was like watching a PC or optimized console run a game. Their "ai" focused processor or whatever it is doesn't perform any task better than any other processor.Reply -
Stanley Kubrick While Google has had somewhat better success than Microsoft when it comes to cell phones...the fact is that BOTH companies are SOFTWARE companies and they should remain focused on what they do best, and leave the hardware to those companies that are more focused on the hardware.Reply -
deltatux Not sure why Android Central seems to be dead set on claiming that the Pixel 6 is a dud. Yes, there were people who had issues with it but there are plenty of people who don't. There are still Pixel 6 being actively used, still see them on the streets. Personally, my Pixel 6 was a pre-order unit and it has been great. Aside from the botched December 2021 update, every single other update made the device better.Reply
The Android 14 OS upgrade basically made the device feel new again as the battery drain has been significantly improved.
The fact that this device gets 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates and Google so far keeping said promise, has been a great thing. On top of that they've so far kept their update promises on Chromebooks as well so I don't doubt that they would do the full 7 years for the Pixel 8 series.
As for going back to Snapdragon, chances are low. Google has been trying to use their own NPUs for a long time. They were able to implement their own image processors on Snapdragons but couldn't put their own NPUs without at least a semi-custom design. Qualcomm isn't really in the business of allowing customization with their chips so it doesn't really match what Google wants. If anything, here's hoping Google's rumoured fully custom chip would be better than the Exynos-based semi-custom chip. -
mustang7757 I don't think pixels will end up in the grave yard , Google showcases their software, AI through pixel line and they were never meant to sell in the numbers of Samsung/Apple devices they sell well enough for extra money for Google though.Reply -
ampedup Are people that threatened by a phone they view as inferior, that they constantly have the need to dump on its succes big or small? Google sees their Pixel phone as an strategic importance: Pixel phones serve as a showcase for Google's software and hardware innovations, particularly in AI and camera technology. This can have valuable branding and ecosystem benefits beyond direct sales.Reply -
ampedup
Exactly, my mom's Pixel 6 works flawlessly with no issues. It's crazy the amount of hate the Pixel gets. I guess they feel threatened by it.deltatux said:Not sure why Android Central seems to be dead set on claiming that the Pixel 6 is a dud. Yes, there were people who had issues with it but there are plenty of people who don't. There are still Pixel 6 being actively used, still see them on the streets. Personally, my Pixel 6 was a pre-order unit and it has been great. Aside from the botched December 2021 update, every single other update made the device better.
The Android 14 OS upgrade basically made the device feel new again as the battery drain has been significantly improved.
The fact that this device gets 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates and Google so far keeping said promise, has been a great thing. On top of that they've so far kept their update promises on Chromebooks as well so I don't doubt that they would do the full 7 years for the Pixel 8 series.
As for going back to Snapdragon, chances are low. Google has been trying to use their own NPUs for a long time. They were able to implement their own image processors on Snapdragons but couldn't put their own NPUs without at least a semi-custom design. Qualcomm isn't really in the business of allowing customization with their chips so it doesn't really match what Google wants. If anything, here's hoping Google's rumoured fully custom chip would be better than the Exynos-based semi-custom chip. -
fuzzylumpkin
Hey man, you're the one that's Ampedup.ampedup said:Are people that threatened by a phone they view as inferior, that they constantly have the need to dump on its succes big or small? Google sees their Pixel phone as an strategic importance: Pixel phones serve as a showcase for Google's software and hardware innovations, particularly in AI and camera technology. This can have valuable branding and ecosystem benefits beyond direct sales.
I'm not sure how I would feel threatened by a phone... maybe if the battery was very swollen and likely to catch fire? Regardless, I would argue that whether you love or hate the Pixel it is at least partially bad for the Android ecosystem as a whole. Although it has potentially had some positive effects as well.