Google's iPhone-challenging Pixel 3a XL spotted in the wild with 6-inch display
One of Google's anticipated mid-range Pixel phones, the Pixel 3a XL, has reportedly already been spotted at a Best Buy in Springfield, Ohio, setting the stage for Apple's next wave of competition.
"Purple-ish" and "Just Black" models were seen in a cabinet, also apparently confirming the phone's 6-inch display, Android Police said. Design largely resembles the Pixel 3, including a rear-facing fingerprint sensor and single-lens camera.
Prices weren't yet applied to the boxes, but recent leaks have indicated that a 64-gigabyte 3a XL will cost $479 versus the 5.6-inch 3a's $399. Google is expected to announce both phones at its I/O developer keynote on May 7.
The company is still relatively new to the world of self-designed smartphones, its older "Nexus" line having been developed in collaboration with partners like HTC. The Pixel's marketshare remains in the minority, but has already grown to become the third-most popular "premium" brand in North America behind Apple and Samsung, according to Counterpoint Research.
The Pixel line is distinct from other Android phones mainly for using a relatively "vanilla" version of the OS, whereas others often have skins, extra apps, and/or interface changes. Partly because of this Pixel phones are usually the first to get the latest versions of Android.
Google has however placed a special emphasis on photography, making the Pixel 3 one of the best-rated phones in that area. This includes technologies like "Night Sight," which brings out more details in dark images, and software-based portrait bokeh -- something the Pixel 3 had before Apple launched it with the iPhone XR.
The 3a and 3a XL could pose a challenge to Apple as without a follow-up to the iPhone SE, the company lacks any new phones below the XR's $749. The closest equivalent is 2016's iPhone 7, which still starts at $449.
Other things predicted for Google I/O include more details on Android Q and Stadia, its multi-platform cloud gaming service.
"Purple-ish" and "Just Black" models were seen in a cabinet, also apparently confirming the phone's 6-inch display, Android Police said. Design largely resembles the Pixel 3, including a rear-facing fingerprint sensor and single-lens camera.
Prices weren't yet applied to the boxes, but recent leaks have indicated that a 64-gigabyte 3a XL will cost $479 versus the 5.6-inch 3a's $399. Google is expected to announce both phones at its I/O developer keynote on May 7.
The company is still relatively new to the world of self-designed smartphones, its older "Nexus" line having been developed in collaboration with partners like HTC. The Pixel's marketshare remains in the minority, but has already grown to become the third-most popular "premium" brand in North America behind Apple and Samsung, according to Counterpoint Research.
The Pixel line is distinct from other Android phones mainly for using a relatively "vanilla" version of the OS, whereas others often have skins, extra apps, and/or interface changes. Partly because of this Pixel phones are usually the first to get the latest versions of Android.
Google has however placed a special emphasis on photography, making the Pixel 3 one of the best-rated phones in that area. This includes technologies like "Night Sight," which brings out more details in dark images, and software-based portrait bokeh -- something the Pixel 3 had before Apple launched it with the iPhone XR.
The 3a and 3a XL could pose a challenge to Apple as without a follow-up to the iPhone SE, the company lacks any new phones below the XR's $749. The closest equivalent is 2016's iPhone 7, which still starts at $449.
Other things predicted for Google I/O include more details on Android Q and Stadia, its multi-platform cloud gaming service.
Comments
In my case I've personally chosen to stick with a second hand Pixel for the updates, feature enhancements unique to the Pixel line, and security. For those things it's great. The sub-$200 pricing was a bonus. I could certainly afford a brand new premium priced smartphone, but it would not serve any particular purpose to do so. They wouldn't fill any need this older model doesn't already.
Lol oh man. Don't make me laugh. There are like 6 people total outside of YouTube idiots walking around actually using a Pixel
I suspect the carriers are also afraid that if Google got more traction, they'd behave more like Apple than Samsung w/r/t updates and keeping control of their platform. Samsung gives no fucks.
Even if the device itself goes toe to toe with iPhone in terms of functionality, the Pixel sells in such tiny numbers it is hard to argue that it is providing any sort of “challenge” to Apple’s IPhone business.
I noticed in the AI article that the Pixel line was now ranked at number three in US premium sales which doesn't seem to equate with "not selling" period.
"Does Google want significant market share? If so, is it willing to spend whatever it takes and take on Samsung, Huawei, Oppo etc etc? If not, why is it making the phone? Is it really having any real influence on the rest of the industry? Is option value enough?"
Number three in Premium sales at low volumes is a thing, I guess.
Maybe they have what they believe to be rationale plans to supplant Sammy at #2. Maybe not. Perhaps they're satisfied for now with how the line is progressing even if investors want to grumble and thus some excuse to appease them must be made. Or maybe they're not. The line isn't close to 4 years old yet, and building mindshare and relationships takes time. At this stage Apple's iPhone was playing long distance second fiddle to Nokia and essentially tied with Blackberry. The Android OEM's were even farther behind.
Things do change, sometimes for the better and sometimes for worse.
Obviously nobody has an exact idea on how many devices Google as actually sold for any of their branded models.