When it comes to the tech field, our collective eyes are almost always on the future, and we quickly forget what we already have. It happens every year whenever a new phone is rumored to stir up enough dust as to whether that device is objectively good or bad.
For a long time this was just the way the world worked. Because there were enough compromises and warnings that something new was needed. But maybe it’s time to step back and say, “My phone is great. Do I really need an upgrade?” That’s how I feel about the Pixel 8, and honestly, just about any other smartphone likely to be released sometime in 2023.
There are some exceptions to this rule, as pointed out in Michael’s roundup on “How to expect the Android world to improve in 2023”. As someone who frequently bangs the drums on my flip phone as loud as possible, the fact remains that there’s a lot of room for improvement overall.
the market is struggling
Instead, I’m more focused on the state of the “mediocre phone” market and how Google can help by delaying the Pixel 8 launch. The market was looking towards the end of 2022. To be honest, the results were pretty awful.
According to the report, “Global smartphone shipments fell 17% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2022.” It reflects what has been a very difficult year for vendors.”
Google’s Pixel series may hold a special place in our hearts, but it still hasn’t made much of a market impact. Apple and Samsung continue to battle for the top spot as they continue to gain more and more market share. Not much of a shock, considering there are fewer and fewer smartphone makers out there.But the real problem is why Compared to 2021, we are seeing a dramatic decrease in overall smartphone shipments.
Part of this can be attributed to the feeling of a massive recession (read: recession). So far in 2023, Microsoft is said to be cutting his 5% of its workforce (about 10,000 employees), Amazon is laying off 18,000 of him, and Twitter is, well, Twitter. Google is even rumored to be laying off employees, which could total around 11,000.
No need to upgrade every year
A possible recession is one way to look at why people aren’t spending as much money, but there’s another aspect to consider. Many of the best Android phones are more powerful than your everyday computer. These beasts come with over 16GB of RAM, configurable with 1TB of storage, gorgeous displays, and extra features like turning your phone into a computer.
When Google released the Pixel 6, it was the first Pixel to use Google’s in-house processor, so the company was hailed as going in a completely different direction. However, there were a number of bugs and issues that basically prompted many publications to continue tallying. The Pixel 7 fixed those issues to a large extent, but without actually introducing too many new issues, it produced a series of reliable phones that lull us to sleep.
Apple and Samsung are throwing lipstick to the pigs with their 2023 flagship smartphones.
The Tensor G2 may not offer the kind of performance boost Apple saw when it moved from using Intel chips in its latest Mac computers to its own silicon. But at least it seems to provide a solid experience for the majority of users. Still, it’s a bit behind the likes of his latest Snapdragon smartphone, but Google makes up for it with things like better camera hardware and on-device image processing.
If you really want Google to succeed, and you’re going up against the likes of Apple and Samsung, now might be the time for Google to take a year off. The Galaxy S23 lineup is set to launch just weeks before the Fold 5 and Flip 5 arrive this summer, and could dominate the first half of the year. put on sale 12 15.
But we’ve also already seen both Apple and Samsung struggling to sell their flagship products: Apple decided to ditch the iPhone Mini in favor of the iPhone Plus, while Samsung plans to launch a Galaxy S24 model next year. Despite this, both companies managed to gain market share between 2021 and 2022.
Which scenario does Google fit into?
So where does that leave Google? Despite claims that the Pixel 7 is “his best-selling Pixel ever,” Canalys’ report puts it under the “Other” category. Google still lags behind Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo and others. Given that these companies offer devices in more regions than Google, this is largely to be expected.
My view is that Google should take off completely in 2022, at least when it comes to the smartphone market. It pains me to say this, but now is not the time to launch a new $1300-$1500 phone in a niche market, so we’re pushing the Pixel Fold back even further. wait for the to drop.
Give us the fresh air we need in 2024 instead of tuning in to an endless stream of device releases. Google can even switch release cycles. Line up the hardware with I/O instead.
definitely the best
Google’s Pixel 7 isn’t too flashy and may not have the most powerful hardware. But it does a lot of things right and will be reliable for years to come.
