Google’s Pixel lineup has by no means been higher. Proper now, you will discover the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional accessible, in addition to its first folding cellphone, the Google Pixel Fold. And for individuals who need a budget-friendly possibility, Google additionally has the Google Pixel 7a. The telephones aren’t excellent, however they’re among the many greatest Google has ever produced below the Pixel title.
Whereas rumors from final yr made us suppose that the Pixel 7a could possibly be the final of the A-series, that won’t really be the case. We’re doubtless getting a Google Pixel 8a in just some months, which we anticipate to be revealed throughout Google’s I/O convention in Could. Nevertheless, there are whispers that Google could shift away from an annual improve cycle for the A-series and as a substitute transfer to a bi-annual cycle, just like Apple’s iPhone SE.
On high of that, this yr, we may very well see three Google Pixel 9 units: a normal Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, and a bigger Pixel 9 Professional XL. Once more, this transfer would make the Pixel lineup just like Apple’s present iPhone lineup.
If these stories are true, this is able to be a giant shift in Google’s technique — and it’s one I can’t look forward to.
Upcoming adjustments for the A-series
Google first launched the Pixel collection in 2016. In 2019, it launched the primary A-series with the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL — after which continued it with the Pixel 4a, Pixel 5a, and Pixel 6a.
In 2023, Google launched the Pixel 7a. Whereas the cellphone itself was fairly stable, with first rate {hardware} and digicam specs, the value put it in a really odd place, and it actually felt like an iterative improve from the Pixel 6a earlier than it.
One in all Google’s selections with the A-series is that it appears to be like similar to the mainline Pixel telephones that come out a number of months prior. Because the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional had been launched in October 2023 with rounder corners, the Pixel 8a will look just like these, in line with the leaks we’ve seen. There might also be some upgrades to the digicam, and the Pixel 8a will doubtless have the Tensor G3 chip — the identical one within the mainline Pixel 8 collection (although it might be under-clocked).
Personally, I don’t suppose the Pixel A-series wants an annual improve cycle. The iPhone SE is Apple’s finances cellphone, and it doesn’t get a brand new model every year — the truth is, it’s extra like each different yr or extra. If Google is certainly shifting away from a brand new A-series every year, I believe it’ll be one for the higher.
It additionally by no means made sense to me that Google would launch a budget-friendly possibility in the course of the Pixel life cycle. In spite of everything, a brand new mainline collection Pixel gadget would simply come out a number of months after that.
Google may simply simplify issues or at the very least make the Pixel lineup extra streamlined if it moved to a bi-annual improve cycle for the A-series — assuming it’s really maintaining the collection round. They’re good budget-friendly choices, however we don’t want a brand new one each single yr.
The Google Pixel 9 shakeup
What’s extra fascinating are the potential adjustments to the Google Pixel 9 lineup that we anticipate within the fall.
Beforehand, we noticed leaked renders of what we thought had been the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional, with a giant digicam improve for the usual Pixel 9. It seems that wasn’t fully correct.
As an alternative, what we thought was the Pixel 9 is definitely the Pixel 9 Professional, and what we thought was the Pixel 9 Professional is allegedly the Pixel 9 Professional XL. We additionally acquired a have a look at what the bottom mannequin Pixel 9 will appear like, which has flat edges like its Professional siblings and a brand new pill-shaped digicam island module. Nevertheless, the bottom Pixel 9 appears to be like like it’ll nonetheless solely have a dual-camera system.
Okay, so let’s make clear what the Pixel 9 collection is shaping as much as be: the entry-level Pixel 9 with a twin digicam system, the Pixel 9 Professional, which is a extra compact Professional mannequin, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL, which is the biggest providing. Each Professional fashions have a triple-lens digicam module.
Subsequent, let’s speak display measurement. The Pixel 9 will supposedly be 6.03 inches, the Pixel 9 Professional might be 6.1 inches, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL might be 6.5 inches. If that’s the case, then it appears to be like like Google is definitely shrinking the general sizes this yr, because the Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display whereas the Pixel 8 Professional has a 6.7-inch one.
Followers of smaller telephones, like myself, ought to be happy with these adjustments. I additionally like the truth that Google might be providing a smaller Professional mannequin. Although I just like the simplicity of Google’s two-model providing, I’m not a giant fan of getting to have the biggest cellphone simply because I need the very best options. If Google goes to offer a smaller Professional mannequin, I’m rather more inquisitive about that one, assuming the function set is essentially the identical.
This variation would once more make Google’s lineup extra just like each Samsung and Apple’s choices. The Samsung Galaxy S24 collection consists of the 6.2-inch Galaxy S24, the 6.7-inch Galaxy S24 Plus, and the 6.8-inch Galaxy S24 Extremely.
The iPhone 15 lineup consists of the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional, in addition to the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Professional Max. Whereas the iPhone 15 Professional Max is the best possible iPhone you will get proper now, I went with the smaller iPhone 15 Professional as a result of I desire one thing manageable with one hand if want be. The tradeoff right here is that I don’t have the very best digicam system, plus a barely worse battery life.
This might even be the primary time in 5 years that Google will supply the XL measurement for the Pixel, because the final XL mannequin was the Pixel 4 XL in 2019. Particularly if Google can preserve the digicam techniques on the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL the identical, permitting those that need a smaller cellphone with out compromising on options, then this could possibly be an enormous transfer.
Pixel telephones are about to alter ceaselessly
It’s regular for Google to launch three whole Pixel telephones in a calendar yr. Nevertheless, assuming every thing above is true, this is able to be the primary time that Google launched three new Pixels on the similar time.
In brief, the Google Pixel household is about to look a lot completely different in just some quick months. With a extra targeted technique for its Pixel A-series telephones, plus a wider providing for its mainline units, the Pixel household will look lots completely different than it does at the moment. If Google performs its playing cards proper, it could possibly be top-of-the-line adjustments we’ve seen in years.
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