I’m impressed with Google’s new Pixel 9 telephones. Like, actually impressed. Last yr, Google caught my consideration with the superb Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel Fold — whereas not excellent — was a really attention-grabbing first foldable from Google. I even actually loved my time with the Pixel Watch 2.
The complete Pixel 9 collection seems to be like a well-deserved improve. The new designs are beautiful, the spec upgrades are promising, and a number of the new software program options are actually cool. The Pixel Watch 3 additionally has the potential to be the most effective Pixel Watch but. There’s loads to get enthusiastic about, however it’s additionally met with an sudden and looming challenge that I can’t fairly recover from.
Confusing and sophisticated launch dates
Google introduced all of its new Pixel {hardware} throughout its August 13 Made by Google occasion, and every little thing went up for preorder on that very same day. That’s the best strategy to do a launch occasion. So far, so good. However, issues begin to get messy as soon as we take a look at the precise launch dates for these preorders.
It begins with the Google Pixel 9 and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Regular gross sales for each of those telephones start on August 22 — somewhat over every week after they have been introduced. That’s fairly normal for a significant smartphone launch and about what I had anticipated. However, of all the new Pixel gadgets introduced, these are the solely two releasing/delivery on August 22.
If you preorder a Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold or the smaller Google Pixel 9 Pro, you’ll have to attend till September 4 for normal gross sales and shipments — nearly two weeks later than the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL launch date. You might argue {that a} folding telephone is tougher to ship and wishes extra time. That’s truthful, however it’s nonetheless not splendid.
But we’re not performed but. What concerning the Google Pixel Watch 3? Google received’t ship its latest smartwatch till September 10, one other week later. And don’t overlook concerning the new earbuds, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Seriously, you’re going to should actually attempt to not overlook about them as a result of they don’t launch till September 26 — over a month after they’re introduced.
Hey, Google, this can be a mistake
Dragging out launch dates like that is by no means good, because it makes the complete launch cycle unnecessarily sophisticated. But it feels particularly complicated when Google is saying all of those new devices without delay after which staggering every little thing out all through August and September.
Someone seeking to purchase a Pixel 9 will probably additionally think about getting a Pixel Watch 3 or a pair of Pixel Buds Pro 2. They have been all introduced on the identical time and are being promoted collectively, but they’ll get their telephone weeks earlier than their watch or earbuds are prepared. It’s not a superb shopping for expertise, irrespective of the way you take a look at it.
There’s one other drawback for Google, and its identify is Apple. Although Apple has not formally introduced its subsequent {hardware} occasion, the corporate is extensively anticipated to announce the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10 in early or mid-September — proper across the time Google will nonetheless be rolling out the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google is an enormous firm, and its Pixel telephones draw a good quantity of buzz, however making an attempt to compete with Apple for headlines and a focus is a dropping battle — particularly when Apple is saying new iPhones and Apple Watches.
What makes this all of the extra irritating is the truth that this entire scenario might have been averted. For the final a number of years, Google has launched new Pixel telephones in early October. When Google announced its August 13 event, it caught everybody abruptly. Why did Google transfer up its launch occasion by two months sooner than we thought it might occur? That’s what I needed to know.
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Now that the occasion has come and gone, I’m nonetheless undecided what Google was considering. It’s apparent that a lot of the corporate’s lineup isn’t able to ship, therefore the delayed launch occasions. But if that’s the case, why not maintain an October occasion like regular and launch every little thing collectively in a clear and arranged method? Why rush to carry an August occasion after which put prospects via delayed delivery occasions?
The upside for Google is that every little thing in its new lineup of Pixel {hardware} seems to be legitimately nice, and delayed launch timing or not, I’m nonetheless desirous to get my palms on every little thing. It’s simply irritating that what seems to be like such a promising launch is burdened with a foul delivery/launch technique that didn’t should occur.