November 9, 2024
The Google Pixel 8 on a table.
Andy Boxall / Digital Developments

We’re rapidly nearing the top of what was a (principally) unbelievable 12 months for Google’s Pixel units. From glorious flagship telephones, an amazing first folding telephone, and a vastly improved smartwatch, Google did lots proper with the Pixel model in 2023.

With 2024 proper across the nook, I’ve been fascinated with what I would like from Google Pixel within the new 12 months. Ought to Google play it protected? Make drastic adjustments? Create new merchandise? Possibly kill some much less profitable ones?

I believe it’s a mixture of every little thing, and if Google performs its playing cards proper, 2024 might be an even higher one for Pixel followers.

Don’t mess with the Google Pixel 9

Someone holding the blue Pixel 8 Pro outdoors.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments

My first request for Google is an easy one: don’t do an excessive amount of with the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional.

I’m all for Google innovating with the Pixel collection, however I don’t suppose the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional are the units that want drastic adjustments subsequent 12 months. Why? The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional are already two of one of the best telephones you should buy in the present day. Certain, there are upgrades I hope Google makes, however the basis we’ve proper now’s as near excellent as Google has ever gotten.

There are delicate adjustments I’d like to see subsequent 12 months. I hope the common Pixel 9 will get a higher-quality ultrawide digicam, because the one on the Pixel 8 is displaying its age. Equally, I’d like to see the Pixel 9 Professional get a extra highly effective telephoto digicam — presumably with a 10x optical zoom vary. Google must also use the Pixel 9 collection to extend its charging velocity and enhance battery life to match competing Android telephones.

These are my solely complaints with the present Pixel 8 household, and so they shouldn’t be troublesome points to handle with the Pixel 9. If Google fixes these items and retains every little thing else that works so nicely, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional are all however assured recipes for achievement.

Tensor G4 must be the actual deal

Google Pixel 6 Pro tensor silicon
Google

The Google Pixel 9 collection will presumably be powered by Google’s next-generation Tensor chip — possible referred to as “Tensor G4.” Tensor G3 did job of addressing overheating and efficiency problems with earlier Tensor chips, however it’s nonetheless noticeably behind competing chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek.

Google remains to be within the early days of making in-house silicon, so it’s maybe naive to suppose that the Tensor G4 will go toe-to-toe with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300. I’m positive with one other 12 months of efficiency variations and decrease benchmark scores, however Google has to make its Tensor G4 chip as polished as may be. Eradicate the overheating points for good, enhance the ability effectivity so two-day battery life can turn out to be a actuality, and fully thwart the continued cell reception points that also plague some Pixel customers.

Google’s Tensor chips are the explanation Pixel telephones have so lots of the spectacular AI options that simply aren’t attainable on different Android telephones. However additionally they persistently drop the ball in different departments, and that’s not one thing Google can afford in 2024.

Give the Pixel Watch 3 an enormous refresh

The Google Pixel Watch 2 resting on a stone fireplace.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments

The Google Pixel Watch 2 was an enormous shock. I didn’t suppose I’d just like the Pixel Watch 2 one bit, however as destiny would have it, it really ended up being one among 2023’s greatest smartwatches. Google listened to (most) our complaints in regards to the first Pixel Watch and addressed them head-on — and the year-over-year enhancements are straightforward to see.

However Google’s work for the Pixel Watch isn’t carried out. As a lot as I just like the Pixel Watch 2, there are a whole lot of adjustments I’d prefer to see for the inevitable Pixel Watch 3.

The principle factor Google wants to handle is the Pixel Watch’s measurement. The 41mm case is nice you probably have small wrists or favor compact watches, however watches are very a lot not one-size-fits-all merchandise. The answer? Make a bigger model of the Pixel Watch. Apple does this with the Apple Watch. Samsung does it with the Galaxy Watch. Most smartwatch makers do that. Google is the outlier on this regard, and there’s no motive for it to not repair this in 2024.

One thing else that wants fixing is the Pixel Watch’s show bezels. The gargantuan bezels from the primary Pixel Watch didn’t shrink in any respect on the Pixel Watch 2, and whereas not a deal-breaker, they do severely influence how a lot you possibly can see on the display directly. I believe the Pixel Watch 2 seems to be good, however having numerous UI components minimize off by giant, chunky bezels is the other of trendy.

These received’t be straightforward adjustments to make, however they’re ones that have to occur for Google’s third-generation smartwatch. They arguably ought to have occurred with the Pixel Watch 2, so Google has its work minimize out for it right here.

What in regards to the Pixel Pill 2?

Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments

It’s fairly clear-cut what Google must do with the Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 in 2024. However what in regards to the Pixel Pill 2? What in regards to the Pixel Pill 2, certainly.

There’s a lot mistaken with the present Google Pixel Pill. The 60Hz LCD show doesn’t look significantly nice, the audio system are too straightforward to distort, the Tensor G2 processor heats up rapidly, and the charging dock doesn’t at all times do job of holding the pill in place. And that’s to not point out the myriad of software program points with the pill. On paper, I like the concept of a pill and good show hybrid machine. However, no less than with the Pixel Pill, it finally ends up not being significantly good at both one.

It’s exhausting to say if we’ll get one other Pixel Pill in 2024. The Pixel Watch has turn out to be a yearly launch for Google, however Google’s good residence units are up to date far much less ceaselessly. If Google does launch a Pixel Pill 2 in 2024, I desperately hope it finds a solution to improve the {hardware} specs and repair the continued software program points with out rising the already steep $499 asking value. However I additionally wouldn’t be devastated if Google cooled off on the Pixel Pill for a 12 months, took a while to regroup, and actually considered whether or not it is a product line it desires to decide to. I believe there’s a world the place the Pixel Pill can succeed, however a rushed successor isn’t the way in which to go about it.

Make the Google Pixel Flip

The Motorola Razr Plus with its display half-shut.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments

The Google Pixel Fold was an enormous step for Google. Not solely did it present U.S. consumers with a correct various to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, however it additionally confirmed techies that — sure — Google nonetheless is aware of methods to have enjoyable and innovate within the cellular tech area.

I’m positive Google will proceed to refine the Pixel Fold with future generations to return, however I additionally hope the corporate finds the time to go in the wrong way and launch a Google Pixel Flip. Flip-phone model foldables had an enormous 12 months in 2023 due to releases just like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus. Google was compltely absent from the flip-phone dialog, and I’d prefer to see that change subsequent 12 months.

The Pixel Fold was a powerful first foldable from Google, however it may attraction to a completely totally different demographic with a Pixel Flip. Google would have a foldable choice that’s extra fashionable and inexpensive, and it’d give U.S. consumers but one other folding telephone to select from. I could also be bias as somebody who prefers the flip-phone type issue, however I’d like to see what Google may do right here.

2024 will probably be an fascinating one for Google

Made by Google logo at an event venue.
Andrew Martonik / Digital Developments

Whether or not these requests come true or not, it’s protected to say that 2024 will probably be an fascinating one for the Google Pixel model. 2023 was a a lot stronger 12 months than 2022 for Google in additional methods than one, and the corporate has a chance to maintain using that momentum and make 2024 much more noteworthy.

Will that be what really occurs? Will Google discover a solution to fall on its face as a substitute? It’s not possible to say for sure. No matter occurs, I’ll eagerly be ready with a entrance row seat to see what goes down.

Editors’ Suggestions






Supply Hyperlink : melanierechter.com