Google Pixel phones haven’t been flying off the shelves like Samsung’s top-tier offerings, but there’s a renewed sense of promise to Google’s smartphone lineup in recent years. In 2023, Google appears to be making a big push into its hardware efforts and the upcoming Pixel 8 series is generating a lot of buzz.
For someone like me, a devoted Pixel fan who has experienced some frustrations with the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 7, it’s crucial that Google finally addresses some long-standing issues with its upcoming Pixel devices.
Google Pixel smartphones are known for their stock Android experience and exceptional camera capabilities. However, they have often fallen short in terms of sales compared to the giant that is Samsung. But lately, it seems like Google is preparing for a comeback, with 2023 being the year they are seriously investing in their hardware.
Rumors are abuzz about the Google Pixel 8 series, and it’s easy to see why. If Google manages to deliver on the speculated changes, these new flagships could be a game-changer for consumers like me who have been rooting for Google’s success in the smartphone space.
Now, as a long-time Pixel enthusiast who has had my ups and downs with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, I can’t help but hope that Google takes this opportunity to address some long-standing issues. After all, loyal Pixel users like me have been eagerly awaiting improvements that would further improve our daily experience with the smartphone.
1. Nicer G3 Tensor
Despite all the advanced AI and machine learning capabilities, the Pixel 6 series’ initial Tensor chip left a lot to be desired. Fortunately, Google made some significant efficiency improvements with the Tensor G2 chip in the Pixel 7 series. However, these improvements still fall short, as the Pixel 7 can heat up considerably when subjected to moderate or heavy use, making it almost unusable.
The situation worsens if you reside in a region with scorching temperatures. I have experienced first-hand cases where the Pixel 7 Pro overheated while simply browsing the internet or taking photos under the scorching Indian summer sun. I’m not alone in my complaints either: online forums are flooded with complaints from Pixel 7 users who have faced similar overheating issues.
With the increasing prevalence of extreme temperature events due to climate change, it is crucial that our smartphones continue to function in adverse conditions. While it’s understandable that phones get hot during resource-intensive tasks or when gaming in hot weather, it’s less forgivable during routine use.
The Pixel 7’s overheating issues become even more apparent compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and OnePlus 11, which offer solid battery life and tend to stay relatively cool even under heavy workloads.
With rumors circulating about the Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 chip using Samsung’s 4nm manufacturing process and featuring newer, more efficient CPU cores, there is hope that overheating issues will become a thing of the past. Frankly, it would be unacceptable for the Pixel 8 series to suffer from similar issues, especially when other major Android phones have made significant progress in this department this year.
2. Random battery drain
Pixel phones have never been known for their stellar battery life. Even with the Pixel 7, which showed some improvements over its 2021 predecessor, battery performance is still pretty mediocre. Unfortunately, exacerbating this situation are the random battery drains that have become a very common headache for Pixel users.
In April 2022, a frustrating bug in Google Messages was to blame for the excessive battery drain Pixel users experienced. More recently, in May 2023, a bug in the Google app caused Pixel phones to heat up. Then, the June 2023 feature drop ended up causing serious heating and battery drain issues for both the Pixel 6 and 7 series.
Unfortunately, these cases are not isolated incidents but rather the rule. Ask any long-time Pixel user and they’ll probably regale you with stories of how their phone suddenly consumed power for no apparent reason. Sometimes a simple restart can alleviate the problem, but in other cases, the solution depends on an operating system update or intervention from Google, especially when it comes to Google Play services.
While it’s true that poor chipsets or modems can contribute to excessive battery consumption, it’s also important to recognize Google’s role in this matter, particularly in terms of software quality assurance. As we look towards the Pixel 8, it is imperative that the company steps up its game and ensures that these annoying and unpredictable battery consumption issues are addressed more effectively.
3. Better network reception
The Pixel 6’s Tensor G1 chip had its fair share of issues, with a notable headache being the Exynos 5123 modem. It quickly gained a reputation for offering poor network reception and slow upload and download speeds. Then, with the arrival of the Pixel 7 and its Tensor G2 chip, Google switched to the newer Exynos 5300 modem, which performed better in most scenarios compared to its predecessor. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s still behind the competition, and Pixel 7 users have been quite vocal about their issues with network service on Google and Reddit support forums.
Challenges abound when it comes to network issues and call drops, especially in demanding situations. To make matters worse, using mobile data tends to drain the battery more quickly and the phone can heat up, clear signs of the Exynos modem’s inefficiency. Phones equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon modem, on the other hand, offer superior network reception, particularly in areas with weak signals. In 2023, it’s frustrating that we’re still complaining about phones having issues with network performance.
Rumors are circulating that Google intends to stick with the Exynos 5300 modem for the Tensor G3 chip in the Pixel 8 series. However, there is hope that this time it will ship with updated firmware and support for the latest 5G standard. Along with possible improvements to the antenna design and other areas, we can only hope that the Pixel 8 series manages to surpass its last two predecessors in the network reception department.
4. Release Day Bugs
It’s no surprise that launch day bugs have become quite common in the world of smartphones. Many companies usually roll out a software update on the same day the phone is released to fix numerous bugs. However, when it comes to Pixels, they seem to have a bit more than their share of bugs at launch, and Google often takes its time fixing them. Take, for example, the Pixel 7 series, which hit the market in mid-October 2022. It took several months for Google to finally fix the annoying scrolling issues that users had been reporting since day one.
But the situation was even more problematic with the launch of the Pixel 6 in 2021. That launch was plagued by a curious ghost dialing bug, issues using external DAC, Wi-Fi issues, and a variety of other issues.
In fact, bugs have become an expected part of smartphone launches nowadays. What really matters is how quickly a manufacturer can step up and resolve these glitches. While we wait for the Pixel 8 series, we hope Google takes the initiative to further strengthen its software quality assurance, with the goal of keeping those launch day bugs to a minimum.
5. Greater availability
Samsung and iPhones enjoy wide availability in almost all major global markets. However, for reasons best known to Google, Pixel phones have been limited to just a handful of markets. While this approach may have been acceptable in the past, when Google seemed to reduce its ambitions in the smartphone market, it seems that things have changed. To truly establish the success of the Pixel line, Google needs to expand its availability to more regions.
The Pixel 7 series marked progress and launched in 17 countries, a significant increase from the Pixel 6’s initial nine markets. Looking ahead to the Pixel 8, Google should build on this momentum and extend the line’s presence to even more countries. .
However, market availability is only one piece of the puzzle. Even in countries where Pixels are offered, they are often limited to specific retailers. For example, in India you can only buy the Pixel 7 through Flipkart, even though Google’s official online store is present in the country. Additionally, the Pixel 7 is only available with 128GB of storage in India, and the 256GB variant is conspicuously absent from the market. Likewise, the 512GB Pixel 7 Pro never made it to the European market. These limitations need to be addressed to make Pixel phones more accessible and attractive to a broader audience.
It’s time for Google to act
It’s clear that Google has been its own obstacle in allowing the Pixels to reach their full potential. While the company has accomplished notable feats with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series, it has also allowed certain issues to persist much longer than they should. As we anticipate the arrival of the Pixel 8 this year, there is a collective hope that Google can finally get its act together and deliver a seamless user experience by addressing these long-standing issues head-on.
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Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn