The New King of Mid-Range
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Ever since Google got into the mid-range phone game with the Pixel 3a, Google’s most affordable handsets have just been getting better and better. And when you combine all of Google’s Pixel-only software features with an even bigger screen, improved durability, and new support for water resistance on the new Pixel 5a, it really feels like Google—not Motorola or OnePlus—is the new king of mid-range handsets. And better yet, with a price tag of $450, the Pixel 5a might be Google’s best value ever.
Like previous Pixel A-series phones, the Pixel 5a couldn’t be any simpler. You get a beautiful 2400 x 1080 OLED display, stereo speakers, a punch-hole selfie shooter, two rear cameras, USB-C port, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor—basically all the standard features you’d expect on a modern smartphone. And once again, the Pixel 5a still has a 3.5mm jack for wired audio (but no microSD card slot).
I am, as you know, heavily embedded in the Apple ecosystem,
be quiet @mark.Mrs. George is one of the most basic computer users ever. She never wants to update, upgrade, etc.
"Gimme the simplest, easiest...etc" she says.
I wonder if Apple is paying attention.
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I switched over from iPhone to Pixel a few years ago. It was great. Similar experience to an iPhone for a much lower price. And it even had some nifty google-only features.
I only switched back to iPhone because my work started subsidizing phones more aggressively. (Basically, I didn't pay anymore so the premium price didn't bother me)
I will also say though - Google is horrible at selling hardware. Given the quality of their physical products, their performance in the market is crap. They know how to sell and monetize services... not products. Tech nerds "in the know" like their products - which is nice... but a pretty bad market position.
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@xenon Mrs. George is using an iPhone 8. In a couple of years I imagine it will be a "vintage" product, so I'll be looking to get something newer.
I'm thinking any of the iPhone "SE" series might be a good option for her.
For that matter, if the next-gen "SE" had a bigger screen and face-ID, it would probably be good enough for me.
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My son says they sell a butt-load of SE's. Mostly to the corporate world.
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@xenon said in The New King of Mid-Range:
I switched over from iPhone to Pixel a few years ago. It was great. Similar experience to an iPhone for a much lower price. And it even had some nifty google-only features.
I only switched back to iPhone because my work started subsidizing phones more aggressively. (Basically, I didn't pay anymore so the premium price didn't bother me)
I will also say though - Google is horrible at selling hardware. Given the quality of their physical products, their performance in the market is crap. They know how to sell and monetize services... not products. Tech nerds "in the know" like their products - which is nice... but a pretty bad market position.
If I were really good at hardware I imagine I would rather work for Apple. Even at the expense of enriching the big H.
