The state of Google’s hardware program in 2020 - Android

Following the Pixel 5 launch, we take a look back at Google's most recent successful and failed hardware ventures.

Google is still best known for its search engine and Android operating system. However, the company is swiftly becoming a major hardware player too. Between smartphones, smart home, and IoT ventures, Google is building hardware in the biggest and fastest-growing market segments. Although it might not be shipping the volume to worry some of the biggest tech brands, Google is clearly steering development in its preferred direction.

Despite some production delays, 2020 has seen the launch of a range of new Google products. The list includes the flagship Google Pixel 5 and more affordable Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G smartphones. There’s also a new Chromecast with rebranded Google TV software. Not forgetting the company’s growing range of smart speakers and hubs, Pixel Buds 2, and partnerships with smart TV sets and Chromebook manufacturers.

Google wants to be everywhere. Let’s dive into the state of Google hardware products and the company’s ever-expanding ecosystems.

Google Pixel smartphones

Previous years have seen Google compete with the very premium tier of smartphone brands, but 2020 has been very different. Building on the success of 2019’s budget Pixel 3a series, Mountain View’s latest smartphone releases are all reasonably affordable, including its Pixel 5 flagship. There’s definitely been a shift in the Google hardware strategy towards mainstream products at lower prices.

To accomplish this, Google ditched bleeding-edge processing capabilities for a mid-tier chip in the Pixel 5. This “good enough” approach to processing brings costs down while still allowing the Pixel 5 to offer competitive hardware features. Those include 5G networking, wireless charging, and industry-leading photography capabilities. It’s a compelling package.

Our verdicts: Google Pixel 5 review | Google Pixel 4a 5G review | Google Pixel 4a review

This just works mentality started with the Pixel 3a, big G’s first majorly successful smartphone, and has been honed for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G. Stripping out the bells and whistles from its flagship handsets still allows Google to offer top-tier photography and solid day-to-day performance at very competitive prices. Arguably, these budget options are the best Pixel phones ever produced.

While Google’s hardware may not be anything too special, software remains one of the brand’s biggest strengths. Google Assistant, machine learning, and imaging techniques continue to separate the company from the competition. Promises of three years’ worth of Android and security updates hold major appeal too. That is especially true in the more affordable market segments that are often quickly forgotten by high-end manufacturers. This is gradually having an effect on other manufacturers too, with Samsung now also offering three years of support for new handsets.

Google is pursuing a more affordable smartphone strategy in 2020

Software remains just as, if not more important than hardware in Google’s ecosystem. It’s the stepping stone to other Google products. Smartphone users are not so subtly encouraged to use Google’s extended software ecosystem, especially Photos and Drive cloud storage. But it’s Google Assistant that’s the major unifying force, running as it does across Google’s smart home, TV, and automotive products.

	Pixel 5	Pixel 4a 5G	Pixel 4a
Display	6-inch OLED 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 90Hz refresh rate	6.2-inch OLED 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 60Hz refresh rate	5.81-inch OLED 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 60Hz refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 730
RAM	8GB	6GB	6GB
Storage	128GB No microSD card slot	128GB No microSD card slot	128GB No microSD card slot
Camera	Rear: Main: 12.2MP, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixels, optical + electronic image stabilization Secondary: 16MP, f/2.2, 1 micron pixel, ultra-wide (107 degree FoV) Front: 8MP sensor, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixels, fixed focus, 83-degree field-of-view	Rear: Main: 12.2MP, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixels, optical + electronic image stabilization Secondary: 16MP, f/2.2, 1 micron pixel, ultra-wide (107 degree FoV) Front: 8MP sensor, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixels, fixed focus, 83-degree field-of-view	Rear: 12.2MP, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixels, optical + electronic image stabilization Front: 8MP sensor, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixels, fixed focus, 83-degree field-of-view
Battery	4,080mAh	3,800mAh	3,140mAh
Software	Android 11	Android 11	Android 11
Price	$699	$499	$349

Google’s affordable smartphone push coincides with dwindling enthusiasm for its Android One initiative. At the time of writing, are just three handsets released under the Android One scheme in 2020, down from 13 in 2019 and 22 in 2018. Although part of this falling interest may simply be because it’s easier for manufactures to quickly update their versions of Android these days. Perhaps Android One has simply outlived its usefulness in light of update-oriented initiatives like Project Treble and Project Mainline.

The Android Go OS and app ecosystem for very low-end devices are fairing a little better, with a selection of new phones arriving in 2020. Pixel smartphones haven’t eaten into Google’s commitment to the broader Android ecosystem. Instead, they remain a showcase for the company’s idealized vision for Android OS features and product support.

The smart home and Google TV

Smartphones are just one in a range of Google hardware products, many of which span the smart home ecosystem. 2020 has seen a new Chromecast powered by the rebranded Google TV software. It combines the ever-popular Chromecast with Android TV technology and a remote powered by Google Assistant. This is a big play for the home entertainment market. Old Chromecasts were good but a bit basic. At $49.99, this new device gives Google’s TV ecosystem a decent shot in the arm. It offers some more serious competition for Amazon and Roku too.

The Google TV overlay is also set to hit Android TV smart TVs and streaming devices in the future. Updates will roll out over the course of 2021. Those that don’t see a full update may receive a few of Google TV’s new features in smaller updates too. The old Android TV is on the way out.