Introduction
The Google Pixel series is the top tier smartphone brand from Google featuring pixel innovative software, best segment camera, and always being in sync with Google ecosystem. The Pixel series started from 2016, and over the years, it has its own place in the smartphone market where you get a smartphone with stock Android, and with updates from Google directly. This article also seeks to answer questions such as; what motivated Google to develop the Pixel smartphone? what were its defining technological breakthroughs , its tough moments, and ultimately how has this smartphone affected the market?
The Birth of Pixel: searching for something beyond Nexus
Beyond Nexus: An Investigation into Place Attachment, Knowledge Exchange and the Role of University in Developing the Postindustrial City (2016). Before this Pixel device, Google has already introduced Nexus series into smartphone market, series of devices that were developed in cooperation with manufacturers such as HTC, LG or Samsung. But in the year 2016, google wanted to control its smartphone brand more and that’s why gave birth to the pixel series. The first generation of Google Pixel and Pixel XL was launched in October 2016 making the company officially a part of the premium smartphone segment.
Originally, there were Pixel manufactured by HTC but all products under this brand were built from the ground down by Google. These phones were characterised by great cameras and shortly after the Pixel would be known for offering the best smartphone photography. Being able to apply computational photography and machine learning for processing the images was what made Google’s Pixel stand out from the competition, even though Pixel was released with a single back camera at the time when it was rather popular to have two back cameras.
Innovating and Refining: Pixel 2 and Pixel 4 smartphones’ range (2017 – 2019)
Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL were released in October 2017 these phones were successors of the first generation Pixel phones the company gave a better look to the phones as well as improving its camera feature. Google brought features like the Active Edge which enabled one to squeeze the sides of the phone to invoke Google Assistant as well as Now Playing which acts as a constant feature that identifies tracks playing near you.
The next major improvement was the evolution of the Pixel 2’s camera which had even better HDR+ processing added to it and the addition of “Portrait mode” that uses software to artificially create a depth of field effect instead of using a second telephoto lens. This set a new benchmark on smartphone photography especially with regards to the ability of Google in computational photography.
At 2018 Google introduced the Pixel 3 as well as the Pixel 3 XL with the features including dual front facing camera lens for taking better selfies and Night Sight which makes nice shots in low light without using flash. The Pixel 3 series built up the rock solid foundation of Google’s flagship smartphones where mutliple critics praised for the excellent camera quality that delivered the best images especially in low light conditions.
The subsequent year, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL were launched, and presenting innovative Functionalities like “Motion Sense”, an ability to sense the hand movement of the user and “Face Unlock”, a facial recognition system for unlocking the phone. But, these changes themselves were used to initiate mixed reactions for Pixel 4 series because of issues related to battery problem and reduction in fingerprint scanner option.
Expanding the Lineup: Pixel 3a and the Start of Pixel Line’s Mid-Range Market
But in May 2019 Google did make a strategic turn bringing out the Pixel 3a & 3a XL mid ranger being a variant of the Pixel 3 series. These devices maintained flagship-leveled camera experience and at the same time cut corners in terms of processors and materials. The Pixel 3a series were applauded for delivering Pixel’s superb camera and clean software to a more affordable category and serves as Google ‘s first foray into the mid-tier smartphones.
As we analyse this move, it is evident that Google aimed at changing its positioning strategy in the market and therefore providing consumers with a better range of options in the form of brand-new premium mid-rangers that still don’t deviate from the core idea behind the Pixel series.
Redefining the Pixel: Pixel 5 and 5a for the models of 2020 up to 2021
In year 2020 google returns to more standard Pixel 5 and tried to maintain the balance of the device rather than aiming at the top tier with flagship hardware. The Pixel 5 was driven by the Snapdragon 765G, which is a mid-tier processor, yet it brought features such as 5G connectivity, 90Hz screen refresh rate and longer battery life. Regarding the Pixel 5, people appreciated the utilitarian approach, the affordability of this smartphone, and the great camera system but they complained about the loss of premium build quality and steps forward in terms of some innovations of the previous models.
Besides the Pixel 5, Google maintained the mid-tier approach that was introduced in the Pixel 4a and followed up Pixel 4a 5G with a 5G toggle, a larger display, same as a dual-camera setup. As for the audience they happily targeted consumers who are willing to buy an affordable 5G smartphone that performs well and has good cameras.
Pixel 5a 5G was launched in 2021 which held some enhancements at this price bracket with the enlarged battery and water proofing feature but Google retained the core positives from its previous Pixels in the form of the camera and the software.
A New Era: Pixel 6 and Tensor Chip which is launched in (2021 to 2022)
Google made a debut for a new line of smartphones, the Pixel 6 series in October last year, the design was informed. Google’s first-ever custom-built chip called Tensor was operational in both Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. by doing so it enabled google to focus on what it does best improving overall performance, especially in AI and ML tasks, enhancing More advanced features such as real-time translation voice typing, and computational photography.
Pixel 6 series also breaks with tradition and adopts a very ambitious look with a new photo module bar and has brought very important improvements in display, autonomy, and overall performance. The cameras were enhanced with larger sensors and enhanced low light capabilities which was the tradition Google was carving in the smartphone photography market.
Specifically, the Pixel 6 Pro placed Google back into the flagship market by introducing the company’s phones with a high-quality design, a high refresh rate of 120Hz, and a modern and powerful rear camera consisting of three modules and including a periscope telephoto lens for even better telephoto capabilities. The Pixel 6 series in particular was considered to be Google mobile device once more delivering the perfect harmony between the hardware and the software, as well as the advanced AI features.
The Latest Generation: Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold (2023 To date)
This was followed by Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro launched in 2023 and marked several steps further in the improvement of the Pixel series on which Pixel 6 was based on. These devices integrated the second-generation Tensor G2 accelerator improving AI experiences, cameras, and battery usages. Though the Pixel 7 series continues with the modernist look established with the Pixel 6, the design was polished up a bit, keeping the emphasis on that camera bar.
Pixel Fold Next to the Pixel 7 Google introduced itself to the company of foldable devices. Pixel Fold had used Google’s software capabilities and flexible OLED screen so that the foldable display phone could be used like both phone and tablet. Thus, this attempt can be viewed as a new attempts of Google to enter new form factors and assure the company’s activity towards the development of innovations in the sphere of smartphones.
Conclusion
After the release of Google Pixel series, the device has gone through multiple iterations, and with every generation it brings out features that were never seen before in the Smartphone world, especially in the photography and AI. From Gingerbread to Lollipop by sailing across the uncharted waters of Android, Google has managed to survive the cut-throat competition of smartphone market and at the same time, has not lost its track that the purest form of Android is the form closest to the user.
Google knows what it wants for the future with Tensor chips, the Pixel Fold, and more, it is here to stand not only for the smartphone market and compete with others, but also to lead them. Nonetheless, with subsequent releases in the Pixel series, it will be interesting to observe how Google utilises its capability in software and hardware synergy in establishing the course of mobile development.
