In the case of the tech area, our collective eyes are nearly all the time seeking to the long run, fast to neglect about what we have already got. It occurs yearly every time a brand new telephone is rumored, spinning up sufficient mud about whether or not stated gadget will probably be, objectively, good or unhealthy.
For a very long time, this was simply the way in which that the world labored, as there have been sufficient compromises and caveats that made us need one thing new. However perhaps it’s time to face again and say “hey, my telephone is nice, do I really want an improve?” That is how I really feel in regards to the Pixel 8, and truthfully just about each different telephone that’s more likely to be launched all through the course of 2023.
There are some exceptions to that rule, as identified in Michael’s roundup about “how we hope the Android world will enhance in 2023.” As somebody who beats the foldable telephone drum as loud and as typically as doable, the actual fact stays that there’s plenty of room for enchancment throughout the board, which is the place the exception is available in.
The market is struggling
As a substitute, I’m extra targeted on the state of the “slab telephone” market, and the way Google could be higher served by holding off on the launch of a Pixel 8. A latest report from Canalys gave us a greater understanding of how the smartphone market regarded on the finish of 2022. And truthfully, the outcomes have been fairly damning.
In accordance with the report, “worldwide smartphone shipments fell 17% yr on yr in This autumn 2022.” Whereas “full-year 2022 shipments declined by 11% to fewer than 1.2 billion, reflecting a particularly difficult yr for all distributors.”
Google’s Pixel sequence could maintain a particular spot in our collective hearts, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not making a lot of a dent available in the market. As has been the case for years, Apple and Samsung proceed to battle it out to the highest, whereas persevering with to select up an increasing number of of the market share. Contemplating that there merely aren’t as many smartphone makers any longer, it doesn’t come as a lot of a shock. However the actual query is why are total smartphone shipments down so dramatically in comparison with 2021.
A part of this may be attributed to the sensation of a significant financial downturn (learn: recession). Up to now in 2023, we’ve seen Microsoft lower 5% of its workforce (about 10,000 workers), Amazon is claimed to be shedding 18,000 people, and Twitter is, properly, Twitter. Google is even rumored to start shedding employees, which may whole round 11,000.
You do not want an improve yearly
And whereas the doable incoming recession is a method to take a look at why folks aren’t spending as a lot cash, there’s one other side to contemplate. Lots of the greatest Android telephones, are extra highly effective than the computer systems that you just may use every day. These beasts are filled with upwards of 16GB of RAM and configurable with 1TB of storage, full with beautiful shows, and additional options akin to having the ability to use your telephone as a pc.
When Google launched the Pixel 6, the corporate was lauded for getting in a very totally different path, as this was the primary Pixel to make use of Google’s in-house processor. Nevertheless, there have been loads of bugs and points that prompted many publications to principally preserve a operating tally. The Pixel 7 has largely fastened these issues, with out truly introducing too many new issues, culminating in a sequence of dependable telephones which have lulled us again to sleep.
Apple and Samsung are simply throwing lipstick on a pig with their 2023 flagship telephones.
The Tensor G2 won’t supply efficiency positive factors just like what we noticed when Apple went from utilizing Intel chips to its personal silicon within the newest Mac computer systems. Nevertheless it’s offered a secure expertise for, seemingly not less than, the vast majority of its customers. And even nonetheless, it falls just a bit bit behind the likes of the newest Snapdragon smartphones, however Google makes up for that in issues like glorious digicam {hardware} and on-device picture processing.
If we actually need Google to succeed and find yourself battling it out with the likes of Apple and Samsung, now could be the time for Google to take a yr off. The Galaxy S23 lineup is more likely to launch in simply a few weeks, dominating the primary half of the yr, earlier than the Fold 5 and Flip 5 arrive this summer season. Then, Apple will slap lipstick on a pig and launch the iPhone 12 15.
However we’ve additionally already seen Apple and Samsung each battle with gross sales throughout the flagship traces. Apple determined to ditch the iPhone Mini in favor of the iPhone Plus, whereas Samsung is rumored to be eliminating not less than one of many Galaxy S24 fashions subsequent yr. And regardless of all of that, each firms managed to realize market share between 2021 and 2022.
The place does Google fall into the situation?
So the place does that depart Google? Properly, regardless of claims that the Pixel 7 is the “greatest promoting Pixel ever,” it’s nonetheless lumped in with the “Others” class in Canalys’ report. Google continues to be trailing the likes of Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo. And that’s largely to be anticipated provided that these firms supply gadgets in additional areas than Google.
My prepare of thought is that Google ought to take 2022 off fully, not less than in terms of the smartphone market. As a lot because it pains me to say this, push the Pixel Fold again even additional as a result of now’s not the time to launch a brand new $1300-$1500 telephone in a distinct segment market. Maintain again the Pixel 8 till the Tensor G4, and simply let the dominoes fall the place they may.
As a substitute of falling in keeping with the infinite churning of gadget releases, give us the breath of recent air that we’ll want in 2024. Hell, Google may even swap up its launch cycle, and as a substitute of being a tease, simply launched its new lineup of {hardware} at I/O as a substitute.
Arguably one of the best
The Pixel 7 from Google is not overly flashy and won’t characteristic probably the most highly effective {hardware}. Nevertheless it will get plenty of issues proper, and will probably be greater than dependable for the following few years.
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