As 2024 unfolds, Google has continued to refine and expand its product lineup, especially with the launch of several Pixel devices and advancements in artificial intelligence. However, while some offerings shine bright, others have dimmed in user approval and technological prowess. Let's dive into the standout products and those that fell short this year.
Highlight: Pixel 9 Pro XL
Leading the charge for Google's mobile innovations is the Pixel 9 Pro XL, an impressive upgrade over the previous Pixel 8 Pro. With its enhanced features, it stands out as the best Pixel phone released to date.
Featuring a larger, brighter display, improved selfie capabilities, extended battery life, quicker charging, and a switch from an optical to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivers one of the most compelling big-screen Android experiences available now.
Disappointments: Pixel 9 and 9 Pro Fold
The standard Pixel 9 appears to be an afterthought this year, echoing concerns that have plagued other brands' base models. Although it maintains a similar size to the Pixel 9 Pro, its lackluster hardware puts it at a disadvantage, making it a less attractive option just as the upcoming Pixel 9a looms on the horizon.
In the foldable market, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold struggles to measure up. While it does show improvements over the original Pixel Fold, it still falls short against competitors, lacking in key areas like charging, performance, and camera features. Despite improvements, its design, characterized by thick bezels and asymmetrical corners, raises eyebrows.
Worthy Mention: Pixel 9 Pro
Aside from the larger model, the Pixel 9 Pro itself is also garnering praise as a well-rounded compact flagship. It matches its larger counterpart in powerful features while maintaining a more portable size.
Shortcomings: Gemini
On the AI front, Google's chatbot Gemini seems rushed, lacking the finesse and utility of established competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT. Despite Google's ambition to integrate Gemini within Android, it still lags behind, leaving users preferring more reliable alternatives.
As development continues, it remains to be seen how Google will improve this promising but currently lacking service.
Success: Pixel Buds Pro 2
This year, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have emerged as a fan-favorite, delivering significant enhancements over their predecessors while remaining competitively priced. With superior audio performance, improved active noise cancellation, and comfort, they are a fantastic addition to Google's ecosystem.
Letdown: Pixel Watch 3
Disappointment struck with the release of the Pixel Watch 3, which many anticipated would showcase major upgrades. However, only minor changes have been implemented—such as a slightly larger display and unimpressive battery life—leaving many users feeling underwhelmed.
For its price point, there are better smartwatches on the market that utilize Wear OS effectively.
As we look forward to Google's 2025 developments, there is hope that they will align more closely with market expectations, particularly regarding the Fold, the Pixel Watch, and the anticipated Tensor G4 chipset, which again fails to impress in terms of performance and thermal efficiency.
