Google Pixel 8 Smartphone and India’s First Smartwatch Launched
On Wednesday, Google launched the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones at its annual event. They are priced starting at ₹75,999 and ₹1,06,999, respectively. At the same time, Google also launched the Pixel Watch 2 at a starting price of ₹39,900. This marks the company’s first smartwatch debut in India.
Google promises to support these phones for up to 7 years, meaning until 2030. This support includes OS updates, security updates, feature enhancements, and AI innovations. Google claims to be the first company to provide such extended updates over such a long duration. Google devices are available on Flipkart in India.
In the Pixel phones, there will be a 50MP rear camera. The Pixel 8 features a rear camera setup consisting of 50MP + 12MP cameras, along with a 10.5MP front camera. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro boasts a rear camera configuration of 50MP + 48MP + 48MP, along with a 10.5MP front camera. Both phones will be powered by the Tensor G3 processor, and there have been design changes in their appearance.
As for the smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch 2 will offer personal health, fitness, safety, and productivity features. It includes sleep tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, daily readiness scores, fall detection, and emergency SOS features.
It will also provide access to Google services like Google Assistant, Gmail, Calendar, and other Google apps. There have been improvements in its battery life, lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge while maintaining consistent performance. Along with the watch, you’ll receive a free 6-month Fitbit Premium membership.
Google took a playful jab at Apple’s event before launching the iPhone 15 series. In their “Best Phone Forever” advertising campaign, Google discussed Apple’s event, claiming that Apple is nervous about the launch of Pixel devices.
In a video titled “Scare Stories,” Google’s Pixel mocks the iPhone, saying, “I’m scared about my future. You have a big launch event coming up. You’ll attract everyone’s attention. People will talk about your AI capabilities and design. They’ll also debate who has the best camera and AI.”
This playful banter highlights the competitive spirit between Google and Apple in the smartphone industry.
Apple did not respond to Google’s earlier jests. Until now, Apple has not offered any reactions to Google’s recent advertising campaigns that playfully mocked Apple’s design and features. Google has been poking fun at Apple’s designs and features for the past three months, even after the launch of the Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a.
The “Made by Google” event happens every year in October. Each year in October, Google launches its Pixel phones at the “Made by Google” event. The first Pixel phone was launched in 2016. This year’s Made by Google event took place in New York on October 4th, according to Indian time, starting at 7:30 PM. The event was live-streamed on Google’s YouTube channel, “Made by Google.”
According to IDC’s 2022 data, Google has lagged behind Apple and Samsung. Since the release of the first Pixel phone in 2016, Google has sold a total of 27.6 million phones. In contrast, Samsung sold 272 million phones in 2021. During this period, Apple sold 2.35 billion phones. This shows that Google is still trailing behind these companies in terms of smartphone sales.
There are several reasons why Google Pixel phones have not been as successful as they could be:
- Limited Availability: Pixel phones are not available in all countries, and even in countries where they are sold, there may be limited availability. This can be frustrating for potential customers.
- High Price Tag: Pixel phones tend to be more expensive compared to many other Android phones with similar specifications. This high price can deter price-sensitive consumers.
- Lack of Marketing: Google’s marketing efforts for Pixel phones have not been as aggressive as those of other companies like Apple and Samsung. As a result, they may not be as well-known or visible in the market.
- Identity Crisis: Pixel phones have struggled to establish a unique identity or brand image that sets them apart from other Android devices. They often face comparisons to iPhones and flagship Samsung phones, which have strong brand identities.
- Software Bugs: While Google uses pure Android in its Pixel phones, they have been known to have software issues and bugs that can affect the user experience.
Despite these challenges, Google has been expanding the availability of Pixel phones to more countries and continues to innovate in areas like AI and camera technology. With improved marketing and a stronger brand identity, Pixel phones may have a better chance of success in the future.
