Can Affordable Pixels Change the Future of Budget Smartphones?

Pixel 3a and 3a XL, the two new additions in Google's portfolio are clearly not the top notch smartphones of 2019. But perhaps it is good for Google since the infamous notch in Pixel 3 XL sucked all its positive attention like a black hole.

The new affordable Pixels look identical to high-end Pixel 3 and that is not a good place to begin with due to its outdated look and underwhelmed specs compare to its immediate competition in the category.

Other midrange smartphones are offering bezel less display, glamorous multi-colored back, more RAM in some cases and storage in other, big batteries, pop-up front facing camera and multiple lenses for the rear shooters ranging up to impressive 48 megapixels.

Google did not put any of that in their latest budget players to attract consumers in midrange market yet what Google did may change the rules of game in this particular segment.

Rules of Mid Range Smartphones

Budget smartphones are getting better in performance. The recent ones are being made in image of high-end flagship level handsets. They do look and feel premium and they have been luring consumers through impressive numbers on spec sheets users want to show off.

However we cannot expect top quality material, processing speed or display in this class of smartphones. Despite having really high mega pixel counts in their cameras that may produce decent pictures, the quality would never be as good as they are in top flagships.

And last but not least, not many OEMs are keen on pushing latest updates to their mid range handsets.

Well, that pattern is about to change, to some level at least.

How Pixel 3a can be a Game Changer

Google send this new kid in town with the biggest gun they have. The single lens shooter with all its glory that has been blowing the competition out of the water when it comes to quality smartphone photography. They fit their most advanced camera system in a $400 priced package and aim it straight at iPhone Xs in latest gigantic billboard near one of Apple stores, comparing a night scene and the prices of two.

Google's budget phones are also carrying OLED displays paired with stereo speakers. They company plugged 3.5mm headphone jack back in and the best deal of buying a Google smartphone is, first to get Android updates.

The big G is gambling on their camera to overshadow the shortcomings their new Pixels have and win general consumers' hard earned money in times when Smartphones are not selling like hot cakes anymore. Other than Huawei who is enjoying 50% year-to-year improvement in smartphones shipment and Vivo with 24% gain, sales graph of very much every other manufacturer is declining. Google, as smartphone OEM is already in a rough patch. They are tiny part of "Others" in the pie.

Will this strategy pay off for the company? Will consumer market will get to know the Pixel machines and head out to new Pixel Flagships phones after experiencing their superior camera system? We will know very soon but installing a flagship camera to a mid-tier driver is a bold move that can steer an entire market segment to a whole new direction.

According to the data, worldwide market has been favoring midrange sets more than the high-end expensive ones and a good camera is undeniably one of the top priorities for consumers. Shelves can display a new generation of affordable smartphones with essential high-end elements that may push the dying sales graph up.

Do you think Google addressed market's demand in form of Pixel 3a and 3a XL or would you want it with a better processor?