Pixel Google phone is designed for an economic downturn

 

Head of Google's hardware has said the new flagship smartphone is designed to be sold during the economic downturn.

As a result, Pixel 5 has left some key features of its predecessor and runs at a slower chip that can be sold at a lower price.

However, do not get 5G connectivity and some new photographic skills.

Experts say it will face stiff competition from the mid-range of other Android handsets, but a bundle of services including Google can help.

"To not bring to market a true flagship shows Google is now thinking about the market in a way that is very different than last year," commented Ben Stanton of technology consultants Canalys.

"And on the basis of price-specification itself, Google will probably lose to Samsung and Chinese competitors.

"The main selling point, however, remains of which offer stock Android experience with a superfast update."

This is a reference to the fact that many other decisions Android devices lining their own user interface on top of Google's operating system, and it usually takes longer to update the software offers.

The Pixel 5 would cost $ 699 / £ 599, and has a 6in (15.2cm) screen and 128 gigabytes of storage. That compares with a price of $ 999 / £ 929 of last year's top-end 6.3in Pixel 4XL.

Google also launched 5G-enabled versions of existing Pixel 4a, which will cost £ 499.

age coronavirus

smartphone designs are usually locked in place months before the product is sold, in order to secure the necessary components and perform tests.

Google senior vice president of devices and services admit that feature the Pixel 5 coronavirus had been decided before the pandemic starts.

But he said a deliberate choice has been made to offer 5G-capable phones at "an affordable price".

"What the world does not look like it needs now is the $ 1,000 that other mobile phone," said Rick Osterloh.

"Obviously no one anticipated pandemic, but we really think that the world economy may be headed for decline ... and just emphasize our point that this is the right thing."

Tech disposed of Pixel 4 including Soli radar chip, which Google has taken five years to develop. Automatically turn the screen older phones when the owner approached and allows control of movement.

face-unlock sensor last year also had to throw away, with a return to the fingerprint sensor on the back of the Pixel 3 Pixel 5.

"This technology will be used in the future, but they are very expensive," Osterloh said.

The Pixel 5 Snapdragon chip 765G is also rated as slow and have lower performance graphics processing than 855 Snapdragon last year, although Mr. Osterloh said he did not believe consumers will see.

The devices benefit from some improvements, including being able to produce the effect of shallow focus in the "super low light conditions".

One rear camera now has a wider angle lens than before. And there is a new video stabilization mode selection.

In addition, the RAM memory has been boosted to 8GB, which should help to switch a call from the task-to-task faster.

And Google bundling several subscription service that includes three months of its streaming platform game Stadia and 100 gigabytes of online storage.

"Bundling three months Stadia Pro cloud gaming with Pixel 5G smart phones, because gamers in particular benefit from the experience 5G," said Ian Fogg of OpenSignal.

"But cloud gaming is still 'preliminary' to mobile technology."

Competition Pixel 5 would include the Samsung Galaxy S20FE and upcoming OnePlus 8T - which is also being targeted at the "secondary market".

Google shipped 4.6 million smartphones during the 12 months leading Pixel July 2020, according to research firm IDC.

That marked a decrease of 37% compared to the same period the previous year. However, the decline in broader demand for smartphones means that the brand is still up from being ranked 16th to 12th in terms of market share for the final quarter of each period.

Google TV

Other products unveiled at Google's virtual events including Nest Audio - a redesigned version of the smart speaker Google Homepage, which now promises more bass and loud volume.

Google is the second best-selling brand of smart speakers in Western markets. But is still expected to sell about a third of the number of speakers in the UK Amazon Echo this year, according to research firm eMarketer.

Google also showed off a new version of its streaming TV dongle, which is now called Chromecast with Google TV.

Unlike its predecessor, the device comes with its own remote control, which allows users to control their TV and soundbar via the keypad or voice commands as an alternative to using a smartphone app.

It also brings together movies and TV shows from a variety of applications each user subscribed to to make its own recommendations.

Apple TV set-top box and TV for Amazon Fire remains well bid the same function.