Op Ed: Google's Looming Pixel 4 disappointment

[EMGSM]

Personally I think Google needs to step it up a little spec-wise. The battery should match the competition. I know they take real good pictures but the competition is also adding the ability to take ultra wide photos. I don't know if google will be doing that this time around.

 

[kolyan2k]

I still can't believe 2800mah battery and no wide angle lens. If its true, it will be a huge disappointment. Where is the logic behind it? I also read rumor that UFS storage is 2.1 and not 3.0

 

[onthecouchagain]

The iPhone 11 Pro reviews are earning their deserved praise, particularly for the camera (which includes video recording).

This conversation would be entirely different had Google included Ultra-wide angled lens. Imagine having 90Hz screen and the Ultra-wide to compete with. With Apple's marketing machine, they are also positioning the iPhones as incredible upgrades in battery and durability. These are the simple and important features people care about. Five additional hours of battery life in the Max is what people will remember.

I can't wait for the Pixel 4 personally, but Google just doesn't know (or want to?) truly compete -- that's where my disappoint with Google is.

 

[kolyan2k]

I simply don’t see any reason for Google to put such a tiny battery into a phone that is probably going to be more power-hungry than its rivals (90hz display, 5 cameras that rely a lot on image processing, FHD/QHD OLED etc).

Advantages of the Pixel phones compared to rivals: Stock Android, regular and on time software updates for 3 years, slightly better low light photography and better integration with Google apps.

Disadvantages: Ageing design, smaller batteries, less extra bells and whistles.

After using all Google phones since Nexus One, I think there is more negative to timely updates then positive. Google always introduces some sort of annoying bugs.

 

[dsignori]

The iPhone 11 Pro reviews are earning their deserved praise, particularly for the camera (which includes video recording). ...

Agreed. The iPhone camera examples look fantastic. Better even than the P3 in many comparison shots IMO. This is a good thing actually, and should continue to force continued innovation in the camera space on phones. We'll have to see how the pics compare with the P4.

..

This conversation would be entirely different had Google included Ultra-wide angled lens....

I'm not sure about that. I would have been good to have, but I don't think it changes the conversation that much. I'm most concerned with overall photo quality, and how well the zoom works at this point. Still, would be nice to have some video improvements. The iPhone is far far ahead with video ... :-/

 

[onthecouchagain]

Agreed. The iPhone camera examples look fantastic. Better even than the P3 in many comparison shots IMO. This is a good thing actually, and should continue to force continued innovation in the camera space on phones. We'll have to see how the pics compare with the P4.





I'm not sure about that. I would have been good to have, but I don't think it changes the conversation that much. I'm most concerned with overall photo quality, and how well the zoom works at this point. Still, would be nice to have some video improvements. The iPhone is far far ahead with video ... :-/

Yes, video improvements are now absolutely necessary from Google. You can't claim to be "best camera" if you can't shoot great video. Video is the camera, too. It worries me that there has been no rumor or leaks of major video recording improvements. Google already has the best stabilization. It just needs the rest.

 

[Golurk]

Let's face it, most of the disappointment with the Pixel is caused by it being worse than Samsung & Hauwei's best, especially the cameras.

Pixel cameras have always been more or less the best when it comes to point and shoot. Their computational photography and digital zoom is probably the best in terms of quality...although with the P30 Pro Huawei managed to come up with superior low light photos to the Pixel 3 due to an even better night mode and an RYYB camera. Their video is decent but unspectacular compared to Samsung in particular, which offers features like super-steady video and performs better in general.

The real disappointment I think is when it comes to newer features and design. With everyone (even Apple) offering wide-angle lenses on their phones seeing the Pixel 4 looking as if it will lack one is a bit disappointing. The Pixel 3 and 3XL had adequate but mediocre designs, average/underwhelming battery lives and issues with performance several months after launching.

Of course, there will be some who will say (and have said) that the Pixels shouldn’t be compared to other devices and ‘do what they do’. But at the end of the day, the Pixel 4 will be competing against the likes of Samsung and Huawei etc. It might have the edge when it comes to software updates and point-and-shoot photography, but when it comes to versatility, battery life, cool new features, performance and design etc the Pixel 4 looks pretty underwhelming compared to the competition, just like the Pixel 3 did against its rivals in 2018.

 

[anon(10092459)]

I said it on another thread and I'm saying it here too. There's difference between having to sell a device and wanting to sell a device!

If nothing else, Google understands data better than any other company in the world. They know better than me, you, any tech blog or any forum what it is that they want to accomplish with their hardware division.

For people who don't know "Other Revenues", which include Cloud (GCP), Play Store and the Hardware division made up less that 16% of total revenue for Google in Q2 this year. Anybody thinking Google is under some kind of competitive pressure in Hardware is ill-informed to say the least.

And be clear.. Pixel 4 camera will mop the floor with everything that's out right now.

 

[cardboard60]

Google wants to compete with Apple.

How.

To me they give small updates each year.
Looks like it has taken them a while to get their memory up to date.
And they need to have larger hard drives.

Used to use Photobucket.
Now they want you to pay to keep your pictures there.
When is cloud gonna do the same thing ?

it would help to have a Sd card back.
Samsung is putting more things out then google , since they are so good.

Sorry
Google wants to compete.
Compete with whom.
They are holding back
Step up on the plate and show us more.

 

[dsignori]

...

And be clear.. Pixel 4 camera will mop the floor with everything that's out right now.

Well, we’ll see. I’m getting the 4XL so I hope you are correct, but as long as it continues to improve I’ll be happy. Those new iPhone photo samples were super impressive , with further “fusion” AI improvements coming to the iPhone in the fall. So, I don’t think this is a layup by any means. Competition a great thing though.

 

[anon(10092459)]

Well, we’ll see. I’m getting the 4XL so I hope you are correct, but as long as it continues to improve I’ll be happy. Those new iPhone photo samples were super impressive , with further “fusion” AI improvements coming to the iPhone in the fall. So, I don’t think this is a layup by any means. Competition a great thing though.

I agree. Competition is pushing these developments and, really, all of these cameras are so damn good now. I mean, so much better than even just 3 years ago. What a fine time to be alive!

 

[dsignori]

I agree. Competition is pushing these developments and, really, all of these cameras are so damn good now. I mean, so much better than even just 3 years ago. What a fine time to be alive!

So true.

 

[Golurk]

I said it on another thread and I'm saying it here too. There's difference between having to sell a device and wanting to sell a device!

If nothing else, Google understands data better than any other company in the world. They know better than me, you, any tech blog or any forum what it is that they want to accomplish with their hardware division.

For people who don't know "Other Revenues", which include Cloud (GCP), Play Store and the Hardware division made up less that 16% of total revenue for Google in Q2 this year. Anybody thinking Google is under some kind of competitive pressure in Hardware is ill-informed to say the least.

And be clear.. Pixel 4 camera will mop the floor with everything that's out right now.

View attachment 310110

I understand what you are saying (I want to like Pixel devices...the 2 XL, 3 and 3a Xl were the best in my opinion). However, in consumer’s eyes this is the situation:

1. Google Pixel phones are competing with Samsung, Huawei etc. Consumers want a phone that suits their needs...from camera versatility and prowess, performance, battery life, software etc. The best and more enticing phones will be great in all of those areas.

2. Consumers don’t care that Google can afford to do whatever they want or not do well with their Pixel line of phones. They want the Pixels to be up there with the competition, rivalling them not only in software and camera abilities but also performance, battery life, design, cool features etc.

So however good the Pixel 4 is and how much we like it (we’re in the minority here), if it’s day to day usage and hardware spec sheet seems lacklustre compared to its rivals it will receive criticism and this will translate into a low market share and sales compared to rivals.

I’m looking forward to the Pixel 4 (XL in particular). It will be very interesting to see how it sells and performs, as well as its features and specs. If the 4a series are launched at the same time then it’ll be even better (I’m more interested in them).

With the Pixel 3a Google has shown that it knows how to build a solid mid-range phone whose camera makes it stand out from the competition, with an acceptable design, great software and decent performance and battery life.

Most of us understand that Google Pixels are about getting the essentials right and making them work brilliantly...function over form (with a limit). If it can get the essentials (design, battery, display, camera, software, a few cool features/extras like IP68 and 3D facial recognition) and strike the right price, the Pixel 4 should be able to compete against its rivals and sell well...while sticking to the core fundamentals that made the Google Pixel series so popular with tech enthusiasts like us

 

[cardboard60]

I don't buy be it.

 

[Mike Dee]

I don't buy be it.

Huh?

 

[cardboard60]

Huh?

Sorry if dude
Golurk gave a great speach about Google.

 

[Mike Dee]

Sorry if dude
Golurk gave a great speach about Google.

I'm referring to your comment....I didn't understand what you were saying

 

[anon(10092459)]

I understand what you are saying (I want to like Pixel devices...the 2 XL, 3 and 3a Xl were the best in my opinion). However, in consumer’s eyes this is the situation:

1. Google Pixel phones are competing with Samsung, Huawei etc. Consumers want a phone that suits their needs...from camera versatility and prowess, performance, battery life, software etc. The best and more enticing phones will be great in all of those areas.

2. Consumers don’t care that Google can afford to do whatever they want or not do well with their Pixel line of phones. They want the Pixels to be up there with the competition, rivalling them not only in software and camera abilities but also performance, battery life, design, cool features etc.

So however good the Pixel 4 is and how much we like it (we’re in the minority here), if it’s day to day usage and hardware spec sheet seems lacklustre compared to its rivals it will receive criticism and this will translate into a low market share and sales compared to rivals.

I’m looking forward to the Pixel 4 (XL in particular). It will be very interesting to see how it sells and performs, as well as its features and specs. If the 4a series are launched at the same time then it’ll be even better (I’m more interested in them).

With the Pixel 3a Google has shown that it knows how to build a solid mid-range phone whose camera makes it stand out from the competition, with an acceptable design, great software and decent performance and battery life.

Most of us understand that Google Pixels are about getting the essentials right and making them work brilliantly...function over form (with a limit). If it can get the essentials (design, battery, display, camera, software, a few cool features/extras like IP68 and 3D facial recognition) and strike the right price, the Pixel 4 should be able to compete against its rivals and sell well...while sticking to the core fundamentals that made the Google Pixel series so popular with tech enthusiasts like us

I think you think there's a greater emphasis for them in hardware then there really is. If OnePlus doesn't sell handsets, then that's problems for the business as a whole. Don't sell them for a long time and your business is over.

Google could stop selling hardware tomorrow and wouldn't miss a beat. It's practically a rounding error for accounting at this point. That's a bit of hyperbole, but you get my point. Hardware exists to extend the brand, nothing more. They aren't "living and dying" off of phone sales like other OEM's.

As enthusiasts, we may not like it, but Google is company that's more diverse than just selling phones. Phone sales are comparatively more important to One Plus or even Apple. That said, even Apple is preparing for a world where phone sales are deemphasized.

 

[mustang7757]

I guess what making LG kick , is they sell appliances

 

[anon(10092459)]

I guess what making LG kick , is they sell appliances

TV's and washing machines, Stang... That's where the big boys play.