Why Google fans need to look beyond the Pixel Phone
I was one of the excited fanboys who put the pre-order in for a Google Pixel handset on October 4th 2016. I had been putting off a new cell phone purchase for nearly a year and had been using a Samsung Alpha phone until a new Nexus / Google came out. Before the Samsung Alpha, I had been a Nexus 4 user for two years and loved it until the softkey buttons stopped working (which is a common problem with the Nexus 4). However, my wait for the Pixel was for naught. On October 20th, I was in for a few surprises.
Problem: Quality issues on basic phone functions
I received probably one of the phones from the first few batches, however, that does not give Google a free pass with any mess ups, especially with a £599 phone. One of the first steps of setting up your new phone is to insert your network SIM card. However, I couldn't experience the joy of passing this step. The silver Google Pixel phone I received had a malfunctioning SIM card tray. After multiple attempts, the SIM card tray did not open using the key provided by Google, nor a paperclip. I was shocked and disappointed that a year-long wait ended with a whimper of having a defective phone. I contacted Google who accepted the phone back and processed my refund within one week, however, that didn't stop me from realizing the reality behind the other issues which had been consistent with Google and Android phone over the past few years: disappointment.
Problem: Android phones keep getting bigger
When the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 came out in 2013, people were saying "big and beautiful is back", I laughed thinking it was just a one-off experimental design. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Since 2012, there has been an increasing trend of Android smartphone manufacturers producing phones with larger screen sizes [1]. One can speculate on the reasons of the screen size increase, but conversely the fact that small screen sizes still matter can't be denied. That's why Apple still makes a 4.0" device, the iPhone SE, and a larger 4.7" smartphone device, the iPhone 7. I was unable to find an Android smartphone released in 2016 that had a screen size under 4.7". A 5" phone pretty much fills up 75% plus of my jean pocket, that's a no go for myself and many others who would rather sacrifice screen size for portability and ease of one-handed typing. The Google Pixel is a disappointment in that it decided not to buck the trend and offer only a "small" screen size of 5". Personally, a 4.7" is about the largest screen size I would now ever consider, and even though the Pixel is just a little larger at 5", there is wasted space in the design which makes it larger than a typical 5" phone should be.
Problem: The Pixel shows Google thinks it can bank a premium from run-of-the mill design
The Google Pixel has a considerably long bottom bezel section which seems wasteful considering it was softkey buttons on screen. Why did Google likely not work to eliminate this waste of space? Probably because the Pixel is based on the A9 frame by HTC, which manufacturers the Pixel phones for Google. The phone isn't waterproof, like its competitor the iPhone 7, and the Pixel looks like a rebranded HTC A9. How can Google call the Pixel "theirs" if it's made by HTC? The glass on the back of the phone is also unnecessary, as it allocates more surface area to a fragile material that is at risk of becoming damaged.
Problem: Google now cares less about value with its Pixel smartphones
With the Nexus line, Google was focused on providing great value with its high spec smartphone range. However, Google is probably aware that customers who want phones with the best hardware and latest software, are much less price sensitive than customers who care less about innovative characteristics and more about price. Why should Google not try to maximize profits of its first flagship phone? After all, the phone has been selling well according to various reports online [2] [3].
Although now I've switched to an iPhone SE, I can't say I am entirely satisfied. I do like using Android OS more than iOS. Although given the sizes of the latest high spec Android smartphones are above my personal limits, I am secretly wishing Google will one day see the light and think about a neglected part of the market. Otherwise, I am rooting for an Ubuntu phone to sweep me away with something cool in 2017.
[1] http://www.pcworld.com/article/2455169/why-smartphone-screens-are-getting-bigger-specs-reveal-a-surprising-story.html
[2] http://fortune.com/2016/12/09/google-pixel-phone-beat-microsoft/
[3] http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/iphone-7-top-selling-phone-us-while-google-pixel-most-promising-says-report-1595447
