While we know that Google is a software company and they are great at that, there is a hardware division inside Google which is now known as the Pixel division. Along with the Pixel-branded smartphones and laptops and earbuds, Google also sells the Nest branded devices for Smart Home setup which is a company they recently acquired. However, the problem is that Google has not been able to make its Pixel lineup of smartphones work whatsoever. We know everyone says that hardware is hard but everyone wonders why Google with all this money can’t make good phones.
Don’t get us wrong though, because Google’s Pixel phones have the best camera of any phone, at least any Android phone so there’s that. But even in that department, the camera is great because of software and not hardware. In a few weeks’ time, we are going to see the company launch its latest flagship smartphones in the Pixel lineup. However, this year is different because Google is not going to release a true flagship like the previous years. This year, Google’s Pixel lineup will shift to upper mid-range and use a Snapdragon 700 series chipset rather than 800 series.
And this shift is not going to be easy for Google because there will be a lot of comparisons made between Pixel 4 and Pixel 5. Already, reports have started regarding how the Snapdragon 765G of Pixel 5 compared to the Snapdragon 855 of Pixel 4. It is obvious that this chipset, which is same as OnePlus Nord, is underpowered compared to the Snapdragon 800 series. Even OnePlus said that you won’t notice the difference in normal tasks while using Nord but it will be seen in multi-tasking and gaming compared to OnePlus 8 series.
Thus, it is obvious that Pixel 5 will be slower but it is also said that the phone will be a lot cheaper from last year. Other interesting factor is the cameras used inside the Pixel 5 as reported by an anonymous Redditor and picked up by XDA-Developers. As per the leaked spec-sheet, the Pixel 5 will use a 12MP Sony IMX363 even in 2020. Now, we know that Google has a lot of prowess in the camera department but using same camera sensor for four years is a long stretch.
Yes, that’s right, Google has used this same Sony sensor for the last 4 years since the Pixel 2 and with every other Pixel phone that has come out. We agree that megapixel count does not produce great photos but it does help in capturing more details and a bigger sensor also lets in more light.
Looking at the hardware, you might feel that the Pixel 5 will come at $499 and it might turn out to be true but reports suggest a starting price of $599-$699. Also, the fact that Pixel 5 will have plastic at the back makes it an obvious midrange smartphone and we feel that Google is not even trying to make a flagship anymore.
