I think that's giving them a bit too much credit. Also, when I say design I don't mean they have to ditch the visor, which honestly is the only unique thing they have. I'm saying do something different with the camera punch hole like Samsung did when they put a screen in front of it, or add repairability features, or mag charging, etc.
You're right that we're in an era of every phone being a flat slab so you want some visual differentiator, and I honestly think the visor (back when it was all black like the pixel 6) looks better than the exposed grouping of cameras the iPhone has. They can keep that overall look for all I care, just… try. Try to do something interesting or novel, or don't ask flagship prices.
I think its a good indicator that Google isn't doing anything crazy with this device and trying to keep it mainstream, this suggest they are serious about it. But I get your point love the time when every one was trying something new something different
I don't share your optimism on this. I see what you're saying where some of these features can seem gimmicky, however there is quite a list of flagship features that they have excluded that are not gimmicky and in fact quite mainstream.
Qi2 (magnetic alignment wireless charging) is not gimmicky at all and is incredibly useful ever for the average person. Apple users love this and there are lots of accessories for it.
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are in most high end phones and solve the problem some people have with the optical ones Google continues to use. It also doesn't flah you in the face at night.
IR cameras for more accurate face unlock allow the feature to work in low light instead of the algorithms google is using on a regular camera.
They opted not to use the new GN2 camera sensors, instead sticking with the older model.
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Google is releasing a midrange phone with midrange specs at a flagship price, hoping their software will make up the difference. For some it will, for others it won't.
I'll be waiting to see how the 8a turns out because I am willing to accept these corner cuts at a midrange price.
Design wise they are following apple Samsung keeping same-ish design for brand recognition
I think that's giving them a bit too much credit. Also, when I say design I don't mean they have to ditch the visor, which honestly is the only unique thing they have. I'm saying do something different with the camera punch hole like Samsung did when they put a screen in front of it, or add repairability features, or mag charging, etc.
You're right that we're in an era of every phone being a flat slab so you want some visual differentiator, and I honestly think the visor (back when it was all black like the pixel 6) looks better than the exposed grouping of cameras the iPhone has. They can keep that overall look for all I care, just… try. Try to do something interesting or novel, or don't ask flagship prices.
I think its a good indicator that Google isn't doing anything crazy with this device and trying to keep it mainstream, this suggest they are serious about it. But I get your point love the time when every one was trying something new something different
I don't share your optimism on this. I see what you're saying where some of these features can seem gimmicky, however there is quite a list of flagship features that they have excluded that are not gimmicky and in fact quite mainstream.
Qi2 (magnetic alignment wireless charging) is not gimmicky at all and is incredibly useful ever for the average person. Apple users love this and there are lots of accessories for it.
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are in most high end phones and solve the problem some people have with the optical ones Google continues to use. It also doesn't flah you in the face at night.
IR cameras for more accurate face unlock allow the feature to work in low light instead of the algorithms google is using on a regular camera.
They opted not to use the new GN2 camera sensors, instead sticking with the older model.
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Google is releasing a midrange phone with midrange specs at a flagship price, hoping their software will make up the difference. For some it will, for others it won't.
I'll be waiting to see how the 8a turns out because I am willing to accept these corner cuts at a midrange price.