Google has been making Pixel smartphones for years, but it’s only now starting to get into a sort of flow mode. After a significant change of pace with the Pixel 6 series in 2021 – making an internal chipset, ushering in a new design and finally overhauling the camera system – in 2022 it was time for some good old fashioned refinement.
As a result, the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are capable and mature smartphones, and their support cast looks almost complete with a Pixel Watch and an upcoming Pixel tablet.
Google is taking things step by step, but there is no doubt that it will be very right. So let’s take a look at Google’s winners and losers in 2022.
Winners: Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7
The Pixel 7 series may not be the best-selling flagships, but they are among the most important. That’s despite Google keeping them a bit conservative – there are no satellite communication features, no extreme zoom cameras, no folding parts. The Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 7 are really great phones, and it all starts with their software, developed by the Android manufacturer itself.
It continues with the signature Pixel camera that so many people love. Add in a dash of recognizable (possibly even iconic?) design and the enticing pre-order bonuses — free Pixel Watch with a Pro, Pixel Buds Pro with a vanilla — and these two were winners all the way.
Winner: Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a is part of an inherently winning series. The Pixel “a” devices have thrived, especially in markets like the US, where most Chinese mid-rangers are not available. But the Pixel 6a is more than just an affordable smartphone. It has character that most Galaxy A devices don’t. Like its larger Pixel siblings, the 6a features a visor design in interesting colors and brings the signature Pixel camera experience. It also uses the same internal Tensor chip as the Pixel 6 series.
A unique feature of the Pixel 6a is its size. It is one of the very few compact phones you can buy in the world. Combining that with the excellent battery life and the Pixel 6a really is a win-win for people with small phones.
Loser: Pixel Watch
The Google Pixel Watch is Google’s first smartwatch, and it debuted with a unique design, Google’s own Wear OS, and close integration with Fitbit to entice the loyal fans of the now Google-owned fitness brand.
But the Pixel Watch didn’t really leave a mark on the market. Whether it’s to do with the Galaxy Watch being people’s choice for a Wear OS watch, Wear OS being a distant second fiddle to the Apple Watch, its late arrival to the market or people not using Google Fit isn’t really important. The fact is, even with these pre-order bonuses, the Pixel Watch wasn’t very popular.
Loser: Pixel Fold
For the second year in a row, we expected a Pixel Fold to materialize, and for the second year, it didn’t. Last year the Pixel Fold went from “around the corner” to officially scrapped, this year it went from reborn to “next year, probably”. There’s no doubt that the Pixel Fold is coming, we’ve seen it tested on Geekbench and even have a good idea of what it will look like. But it did not come in 2022.
Next year for sure, right?
