The smartphone industry, for the most part, remained stagnated in 2024. There were barely any new hardware innovations, and at the same time, the software features also took a backstage due to firms pushing toward AI tools. I bid Pixels adieu and jumped to OnePlus this year and then to Apple because I was genuinely very bored with the current smartphone scene (I still am). However, if I had to pick one ecosystem out of all, the one that in my opinion did extremely well, I would say the Pixel team really outdid itself this year. There’s a lot that Pixels did right in 2024, forging a momentum that I’d only hope will help them outshine brands in 2025.
Everything Pixels Did Right in 2024
From a new form factor to an improved software experience, there’s a lot that Pixels did right this year. Besides, considering the fuss around aspects that previously got Pixels into trouble was greatly reduced, due to which Pixel sales grew tremendously, especially in the US. Here’s everything Google Pixels did right in 2024.
Addressing Connectivity and Thermal Woes
The Pixel 6 and 7 series, and to some extent, the Pixel 8 series were all plagued with cellular connectivity issues. With Pixel 9, users didn’t report any major issues with connectivity. That’s mainly due to the new Exynos 5400 modem which is a massive upgrade over its predecessor. These issues should’ve ideally been fixed with the Pixel 7 series. We believe Google lost a good chunk of potential buyers because it wasn’t solved quickly.
Image Credit: Mohit Singh/Beebom
The thermals have also been an issue on Pixels. The Tensor experience has been lackluster, and it still is with the Pixel 9 series. However, they seem to be managed much better now thanks to an improved heat management system. The heating issues mostly persist on the vanilla Pixel 9. That’s because it doesn’t have the same large vapor chamber as the 9 Pro and XL. Overall, I’m glad Google finally resolved or is trying to resolve a critical issue that has haunted Pixels’ Tensor generation.
A Refined Software Approach
One of the things that Pixels did extremely well in 2024 was to provide an excellent out-of-the-box experience to users. You see, when Google launches a new Pixel, it comes with the latest Android version. In Pixel 9’s case, even though Android 15 was at the end of the testing stages, Google decided to launch Pixel 9 with Android 14 for a more stable experience out of the box.
Android 15 was thoroughly tested and released for the Pixel 9 series soon after. The emphasis on stability was crucial and something Pixels were previously criticized for due to bugs in the latest Android versions that came in them.
Design Meets Form Factor
By far my favorite thing about the Pixel 9 series has to be the smaller Pro model. Although I wish it was a tad bit smaller, giving users a choice to choose between a larger and smaller Pro is a fantastic move. The 6.3-inch display on the Pro is a sweet spot. Although I initially didn’t like Google’s decision to make the edges sharp and iPhone-esque, the overall design has grown on me.
Image Credit: Beebom
I like it better than any Pixel but my Pixel 6. I’m being biased because I own one, and I don’t feel like letting it go because it’s extremely nostalgic. I’m hopeful Google keeps the camera visor, and I like the island-like visor design on the Pixel 9 series. It’s genuinely a breath of fresh air. The color options have also been great this year with Peony, Rose, and Hazel being my favorites. Although, I wish there was a Bay-colored Pixel because the 8 Pro looked phenomenal.
The Core Pixel Experience
Okay, this doesn’t exactly fall under Pixel phones per se but it is what completes the Pixel experience. I thought it was worth mentioning the Pixel UI here because it felt like Android 15 ( review ) released this year genuinely improved the user experience by a good margin. My experience using Android 15 on Pixels was far better than Android 14 because Google still had a few inconsistencies to iron out in the release.
As mentioned before, the Android team took its sweet time to ensure Android 15 was rock-stable out of the box. And for the most part, they succeeded in doing so. Although the new version did not bring many changes, it felt much smoother, came with really handy features and improvements, and lots of security features that make it harder for thieves to steal your device, and easier for you to track your stolen device.
Speaking of software, Google promised 7 years of updates during the Pixel 8 series launch in 2023. This made Pixel 6 and 7, and Fold users wish Google extended support for those devices as well. That finally happened. Pixel 6, 7, and Fold’s update and support window has now been extended from three to five years. I’m super glad because now I can rock my old Pixel 6 for two more years.
Image Credit: Abubakar Mohammed / Beebom
AI features were hugely marketed for the Pixel 9 series. Pixel Studio and Pixel Screenshots sound fun. However, one of my main pain points with AI features has been that they still mostly feel like gimmicks. It’s not something I see myself using regularly, like Gemini or ChatGPT besides generative AI that can summarize or write an email for me when I’m in a hurry.
Even in 2024, AI on Pixels is not at a stage where I would want to consider buying a new Pixel for it. I would buy Pixels because they’re good everyday phones that offer a clean experience and regular software updates.
A Growing Ecosystem
2024 was also the year when the Pixel ecosystem grew a bit. We saw Google knit the ecosystem with a bunch of new features starting internet and call sharing across not just Pixels but Android devices.
Image Credit: Google
Gemini came to phones and Pixel Buds Pro, and Pixel Watch got a live nest feed feature. Besides, we finally got a 45 mm version of the Pixel Watch 3. Overall, Pixels could’ve definitely done better in this regard but they’re slowly reaching there.
What I Expect From Pixels in 2025
There’s no doubt Pixels have had a relatively good year so far. But there were a few things I was expecting from them. Here are all I want from Pixels in 2025, that can genuinely be beneficial to the Pixel lineup. Starting with:
A Pixel Flip, Pretty Please
Book-style foldables look great and I’m sure many genuinely find them extremely useful. However, I still believe that a Clamshell foldable is a better upgrade from a slab device. Some of my reasons are their largely increased portability when folded and beautiful cover screens that let you do most of the things but don’t completely discourage you from unfolding. Unlike foldable where the cover screen often makes unfolding the device less necessary.
I like the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold but I adored the 2024 Moto Razr+. If Google could make a similar clamshell foldable device with a juicy, eye-candy outer cover screen, I would try it on day one. A clamshell foldable could be much cheaper and thereby more accessible.
I love what Samsung’s doing with its Flip series, although it has come to a standstill in terms of design and features. I’m rooting that Google could hopefully make or consider making a flip device.
Improving the Pixel Watch Experience
Samsung arguably owns the mantle of the best WearOS smartwatch maker. But I would like that to change with the Pixel Watch 4. I used the Pixel Watch 2 and my experience was less than ideal with its features and Fitbit integration. My ask from the future Pixel Watches is to provide a better WearOS experience, just like how Pixel phones do with Android.
Besides, I want the Pixel Watch to mimic what Samsung Health does, i.e., extremely personalized health tracking. It’s one of the best things about owning a Galaxy Watch. So, I hope Google does something similar to improve its rather basic Fitbit integration.
Finally, I know Google’s hardware game needs some more work. But I would love to see the giant make, or at least try to make the best WearOS watch in the market. Perhaps a rugged Pixel Watch with a focus on ruggedness and at least a three-day battery life.
The Need for Speed: Faster Charging
If there’s one thing I need in Pixels in 2025 above any feature right now, it’s improved charging speeds. I’m spoiled by OnePlus 12R’s 120W charging that I find the 18W on my Pixel 6 extremely slow. The increased speed on the latest Pixels doesn’t have as much of an impact because battery capacities have also increased. Pixel 8 Pro maxed out at 27W and the speeds on Pixel 9 Pro were bumped to 37W. However, I’d like to see it hit at least 65W regardless of whether Google plans on including a bigger battery.
That said, if the primary reason why Google chooses to keep charging speeds lower is for long-lasting batteries, they could include an option for users to choose between faster charging speeds and to preserve battery. This isn’t new and most smartphones already do it. Alas, improving battery charging speeds should be high above in Google’s list of things to improve in Pixels in 2025.
Feature Parity: Expanding Pixel Exclusives Globally
One of my major gripes with Pixel devices is the lack of Pixel-exclusive features. I’ve raised this point multiple times previously, but 2024 was about time Google expanded these features into other countries. Features like Clear Calling, Hold for Me, Call Screening, and Transcripts. Samsung is getting ahead in this regard by making similar features available in countries such as India, and Google needs to do something about it.
Image Credit: Google
Overall, I would like Google to figure out features in a way that they work from day one in every country where Pixels are available. Having some features work in some parts and others work in other parts makes the whole situation extremely confusing. Some of these features have existed since Pixel 3, so it’s baffling to see they still haven’t made it to users worldwide. Heck, Pixels in the subcontinent don’t even come with a call-recording feature, which is bizarre.
2025 Could Be Even Better for Pixels
Pixels have come a long way from being a phone series with an uncertain future to something that many Android users claim to be the pinnacle of a clean Android experience. The issues with efficiency are expected to be fixed with Google’s move to TSMC with the Tensor G5 next year, which should hopefully also bring better performance.
That said, I’m excited to see what 2025 holds for Pixel devices. Perhaps I’ll ditch my OnePlus 12R for a Pixel 9 Pro if Google brings some US-only features to more countries, including the subcontinent.
Abubakar covers Tech at Beebom, with his passion for technology tracing back to 2011 when he received a Dell Inspiron 5100 as a gift. He’s also a passionate advocate for the right-to-repair movement, believing in empowering users to maintain and extend the life of their devices. Outside the tech world, he enjoys watching anime and exploring his newfound enthusiasm for Japanese cars. In his free time, you’ll often find him immersed in Genshin Impact or researching his next gadget purchase. Before joining Beebom, he contributed to leading publications like Android Police, How-To Geek, and Fossbytes.
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- Android 16 DP2 on Pixel 9 adds a new Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock option.
- When enabled, it allows users to unlock their devices even when the screen is completely off.
- This should be a useful feature for those who don’t want to use AOD because of battery woes but want the Fingerprint to always be active.
Pixel 9 series was the first set of Pixel devices to get ultrasonic fingerprint sensors for faster unlock and better accuracy. However, like on most phones, users need to wake up the screen before they can use their finger to unlock the device unless the always-on display is enabled. Well, that’s changing with the Pixel 9 series as Google has added an option to unlock using their Pixel 9’s fingerprint sensor even when the screen is off.
In the Android 16 Developer Preview 2 that Google rolled out today, there’s a new Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock toggle on the Fingerprint Unlock page with the description “Use Fingerprint Unlock even when the screen is off”.
As the name suggests, this keeps the Fingerprint sensor active even when the screen is completely off. Users can then roughly predict where the fingerprint scanner is, and place and scan their registered finger to easily unlock the device without waking the screen up first.
Unfortunately, this only seems to work with the Pixel 9 ( review ) series and will probably be exclusive to the series because it sports an Ultrasonic Fingerprint sensor. However, users with older Pixel devices can still unlock when the screen is off (technically) by enabling the Always-on display from Settings > Display > Lock screen > Always show time and info . Mind you, Always-on affects battery life.
The Screen-off fingerprint unlock is definitely a great feature for those who don’t use AOD but still want to unlock the device without tapping and waking it up, especially when it’s lying flat on a table.
Abubakar covers Tech at Beebom, with his passion for technology tracing back to 2011 when he received a Dell Inspiron 5100 as a gift. He’s also a passionate advocate for the right-to-repair movement, believing in empowering users to maintain and extend the life of their devices. Outside the tech world, he enjoys watching anime and exploring his newfound enthusiasm for Japanese cars. In his free time, you’ll often find him immersed in Genshin Impact or researching his next gadget purchase. Before joining Beebom, he contributed to leading publications like Android Police, How-To Geek, and Fossbytes.
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