8 Years of Pixel: How Google's Phone Changed the Industry
The original Google Pixel launched in 2016 — that’s eight years ago, for those of you who aren’t already suffering an existential crisis. The smartphone industry looked a lot different back then. It’s safe to say that the Pixel lineup, although still not quite a global force, has been instrumental in shaping the smartphone space as it is today. From flagship powerhouses to bargain budget models, the Pixel has made its mark.
With the Pixel 9 series fast approaching, it’s time to appreciate just how far the series has come and the effect it’s had on the broader smartphone landscape.
Keeping Android in Focus
Google’s bulging product portfolio betrays the fact that it never really set out to be a hardware company. Despite years in the smartphone industry, it originally partnered with bigger Android manufacturers to produce its Nexus series of developer-focused handsets. The 2016 Google Pixel and Pixel XL were the brand’s first in-house smartphones, targeted at a mainstream consumer base. They showcased Google’s vision for Android, including Google Assistant, a comparatively pared-back Pixel UI, and a pledge of faster and more comprehensive update support. This streamlined software approach contrasted with Samsung’s TouchWiz, Xiaomi’s MIUI, and the sluggish updates of OEM and carrier certification processes.
Google never stated that it was irked by Android’s software issues, but clearly, the brand felt it could do things better. It had already tried software initiatives like Android One. The Pixel’s three years of software support wasn’t a lot by today’s standards but was a year or two better than many manufacturers. For instance, the 2016 Samsung Galaxy S7 series received just two years of OS support, though security support continued for a little longer.
Google's Pixel is almost solely responsible for the long-term updates now offered by many Android phones. The Pixel series continued to push boundaries, promising five years of support with the Pixel 6 series, thanks to its semi-custom Google Tensor processor. At the time, other major flagships offered just two or three years of updates. Google extended this to seven years of support with the Pixel 8 handsets, matching Samsung’s pledge. While not everyone has followed suit, it has set the bar and encouraged other smartphone lines to offer much longer and faster software support, at least for the most expensive smartphones.
Modern Features Shaped by Pixel
OS support hasn’t been the only modern feature shaped by the Pixel series. Google pushed USB-C support with USB Power Delivery charging, abandoned the microSD card for cloud storage with its first phone, and made the notch more controversial with the Pixel 3, which eventually led to today’s punch-hole cameras. The Pixel 6a neutered the 3.5mm headphone jack, took on iMessage with RCS support, and now the Pixel 8 series pushes on-device AI via Gemini Nano. The Pixel Fold even attempted to address issues with the current state of foldable phones.
A Few Misses Before the Hits
As successful as the Pixel range is today, it has made its share of mistakes in the pursuit of innovation. Motion Sense on the Pixel 4 series was gimmicky and had poor battery life. The Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature sensor was initially uncertified for human use and doesn’t work reliably on much else. The Pixel 2 XL had a bad display, the Pixel 3 XL had a hideous notch, and the Pixel 6 faced modem and temperature issues with the Tensor chip. Google’s handsets have rarely been at the cutting edge of mobile hardware, but they often offer more than their parts suggest.
Despite these issues, Google has delivered successful models like the affordable Pixel 5 and breakthroughs in the Pixel A series. Hardware might not always be Google’s strength, but its unique features often stand out.
Photography for the Masses
If there’s one feature that has helped the Pixel series succeed, it’s the camera. The original Pixel, though basic by today’s standards, excelled with cutting-edge computational photography. HDR+ ensured consistent snaps in both bright and low light. Unlimited full-resolution uploads to Google Photos made it a standout phone focused on photography.
Google quickly expanded its camera features, introducing portrait mode with the Pixel 2, Night Sight with the Pixel 3, and Astrophotography with the Pixel 4. While other brands had similar features, Google brought them to a U.S. audience affordably.
Today, hardware is less important than the camera features and filters a phone offers. Google’s focus on computational photography results in a feature set that few can match. Tools like Magic Editor, Face Unblur, and Best Take ensure great photos and easy editing. Although other brands have caught up, no other suite matches the Pixel’s.
Budget No Longer Means Basic
While many brands focus on ultra-premium models, Google’s success stories are often in the budget range. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, introduced in 2019, started the Pixel A series, which has consistently featured on best budget smartphone lists.
The Pixel 3a’s $399 price was a great deal, offering solid performance and advanced photography features at an affordable price. It competed well against the Samsung Galaxy A20 and the first-gen iPhone SE. The Pixel A series has remained influential in the budget market.
The $449 Pixel 6a, with the Google Tensor chip, benefited from AI, photography, and other features of flagship models. It came with three Android upgrades and five years of security patches, making it the best-supported budget model. The Pixel A series’ success has led to better long-term support from competitors, though few match the Pixel 8a’s seven years of software support.
The only drawback has been the price increase, making it hard to choose between the entry-level Pixel flagship and the latest A series model. The choice often comes down to sales and personal preference, reflecting Google’s ability to blur the lines between affordable and premium smartphones.
AI Before It Was Hot
Google was an early leader in AI, well before it became a major tech trend. Features like Call Screen and Hold For Me on the Pixel 3 used Google Assistant to manage phone calls. Gboard improved text predictions from early on. The Pixel 4 introduced Car Crash Detection, automatically calling 911 in emergencies. Google’s Tensor chipset in the Pixel 6 expanded AI capabilities, including Live Translate and advanced photography features.
Though Google has faced competition from large language models and ChatGPT, its early AI innovations paved the way for today’s suite of on-device AI features. Google Recorder’s speaker labels, Live Translate, and enhanced photography tools all showcase AI’s impact. AI has been a core part of the Pixel identity and will continue to be a key differentiator in the future.
With the Pixel 9 series fast approaching, it’s time to appreciate just how far the series has come and the effect it’s had on the broader smartphone landscape.
Keeping Android in Focus
Google’s bulging product portfolio betrays the fact that it never really set out to be a hardware company. Despite years in the smartphone industry, it originally partnered with bigger Android manufacturers to produce its Nexus series of developer-focused handsets. The 2016 Google Pixel and Pixel XL were the brand’s first in-house smartphones, targeted at a mainstream consumer base. They showcased Google’s vision for Android, including Google Assistant, a comparatively pared-back Pixel UI, and a pledge of faster and more comprehensive update support. This streamlined software approach contrasted with Samsung’s TouchWiz, Xiaomi’s MIUI, and the sluggish updates of OEM and carrier certification processes.
Google never stated that it was irked by Android’s software issues, but clearly, the brand felt it could do things better. It had already tried software initiatives like Android One. The Pixel’s three years of software support wasn’t a lot by today’s standards but was a year or two better than many manufacturers. For instance, the 2016 Samsung Galaxy S7 series received just two years of OS support, though security support continued for a little longer.
Google's Pixel is almost solely responsible for the long-term updates now offered by many Android phones. The Pixel series continued to push boundaries, promising five years of support with the Pixel 6 series, thanks to its semi-custom Google Tensor processor. At the time, other major flagships offered just two or three years of updates. Google extended this to seven years of support with the Pixel 8 handsets, matching Samsung’s pledge. While not everyone has followed suit, it has set the bar and encouraged other smartphone lines to offer much longer and faster software support, at least for the most expensive smartphones.
Modern Features Shaped by Pixel
OS support hasn’t been the only modern feature shaped by the Pixel series. Google pushed USB-C support with USB Power Delivery charging, abandoned the microSD card for cloud storage with its first phone, and made the notch more controversial with the Pixel 3, which eventually led to today’s punch-hole cameras. The Pixel 6a neutered the 3.5mm headphone jack, took on iMessage with RCS support, and now the Pixel 8 series pushes on-device AI via Gemini Nano. The Pixel Fold even attempted to address issues with the current state of foldable phones.
A Few Misses Before the Hits
As successful as the Pixel range is today, it has made its share of mistakes in the pursuit of innovation. Motion Sense on the Pixel 4 series was gimmicky and had poor battery life. The Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature sensor was initially uncertified for human use and doesn’t work reliably on much else. The Pixel 2 XL had a bad display, the Pixel 3 XL had a hideous notch, and the Pixel 6 faced modem and temperature issues with the Tensor chip. Google’s handsets have rarely been at the cutting edge of mobile hardware, but they often offer more than their parts suggest.
Despite these issues, Google has delivered successful models like the affordable Pixel 5 and breakthroughs in the Pixel A series. Hardware might not always be Google’s strength, but its unique features often stand out.
Photography for the Masses
If there’s one feature that has helped the Pixel series succeed, it’s the camera. The original Pixel, though basic by today’s standards, excelled with cutting-edge computational photography. HDR+ ensured consistent snaps in both bright and low light. Unlimited full-resolution uploads to Google Photos made it a standout phone focused on photography.
Google quickly expanded its camera features, introducing portrait mode with the Pixel 2, Night Sight with the Pixel 3, and Astrophotography with the Pixel 4. While other brands had similar features, Google brought them to a U.S. audience affordably.
Today, hardware is less important than the camera features and filters a phone offers. Google’s focus on computational photography results in a feature set that few can match. Tools like Magic Editor, Face Unblur, and Best Take ensure great photos and easy editing. Although other brands have caught up, no other suite matches the Pixel’s.
Budget No Longer Means Basic
While many brands focus on ultra-premium models, Google’s success stories are often in the budget range. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, introduced in 2019, started the Pixel A series, which has consistently featured on best budget smartphone lists.
The Pixel 3a’s $399 price was a great deal, offering solid performance and advanced photography features at an affordable price. It competed well against the Samsung Galaxy A20 and the first-gen iPhone SE. The Pixel A series has remained influential in the budget market.
The $449 Pixel 6a, with the Google Tensor chip, benefited from AI, photography, and other features of flagship models. It came with three Android upgrades and five years of security patches, making it the best-supported budget model. The Pixel A series’ success has led to better long-term support from competitors, though few match the Pixel 8a’s seven years of software support.
The only drawback has been the price increase, making it hard to choose between the entry-level Pixel flagship and the latest A series model. The choice often comes down to sales and personal preference, reflecting Google’s ability to blur the lines between affordable and premium smartphones.
AI Before It Was Hot
Google was an early leader in AI, well before it became a major tech trend. Features like Call Screen and Hold For Me on the Pixel 3 used Google Assistant to manage phone calls. Gboard improved text predictions from early on. The Pixel 4 introduced Car Crash Detection, automatically calling 911 in emergencies. Google’s Tensor chipset in the Pixel 6 expanded AI capabilities, including Live Translate and advanced photography features.
Though Google has faced competition from large language models and ChatGPT, its early AI innovations paved the way for today’s suite of on-device AI features. Google Recorder’s speaker labels, Live Translate, and enhanced photography tools all showcase AI’s impact. AI has been a core part of the Pixel identity and will continue to be a key differentiator in the future.