Google Pixel 9 Series: AI Supreme, But Hardware "Totally Lacks"?

Google Pixel 9 Series: AI Supreme, But Hardware "Totally Lacks"?Despite minimal attention from Chinese users, the Google Pixel 9 series officially launched in overseas markets on August 22nd. Looking back at recent Pixel phones, hardware configurations have consistently lacked appeal

Google Pixel 9 Series: AI Supreme, But Hardware "Totally Lacks"?

Despite minimal attention from Chinese users, the Google Pixel 9 series officially launched in overseas markets on August 22nd. Looking back at recent Pixel phones, hardware configurations have consistently lacked appeal. The entire Pixel 9 series utilizes the Google Tensor G4 processor, with the standard series offering 12GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB storage. The Pro series offers 128GB (9Pro) / 256GB (9Pro, 9ProXL) / 512GB (9ProXL) storage. In the intensely competitive domestic Chinese smartphone market, these hardware specifications wouldn't even qualify as mid-range. The former Android standard-bearer now boasts configurations that are "totally lacking".

Of course, the Pixel 9 series primarily targets overseas markets. Adhering to the philosophy of "it works, it's fine", the international phone market is truly less concerned with hardware prowess than the Chinese market. However, this "good enough" product philosophy has finally encountered problems in the Pixel 9 series.

Even before the product launch, some media outlets expressed concerns about the performance of the Google Tensor G4 processor. Feedback from bloggers who received the phones early confirms that the Tensor G4's performance can be described as "totally lacking". For instance, DameTech's testing showed that the Pixel 9ProXL's average frame rate in Genshin Impact at 720p resolution lagged significantly behind the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max equipped with Snapdragon 8Gen3, even falling behind the Pixel 7Pro with the Tensor G2 processor from two years ago a case of "reverse optimization". Beyond gaming tests, numerous benchmark tests conducted by bloggers point to the same conclusion.

This "four-sided siege" brings to mind the Pixel 8 series from a year ago. The Tensor G3 used in the Pixel 8 series also suffered from severe performance issues. Google's ultimate solution was to "prohibit Tensor G3 devices from installing benchmarking software", a move that can only be described as "solving the problem of low benchmarking scores by fundamentally preventing benchmarking".

The question is, how did Google Pixel transition from the former Android standard-bearer to its current predicament?

Two Fatal Turning Points for Google Pixel

Looking back at the development history of the Google Pixel series, two key turning points stand out. These points not only profoundly impacted the Pixel series' market positioning and user perception but also laid the groundwork for today's low-performance Tensor chip issues.

The First Turning Point: Pixel 3 Series "One-Sidedness"

Since its inception, the Pixel series has been known for its camera. With the Pixel 3 series released in 2018, Google enhanced the Pixel 3's camera performance to a new level through deep optimization of computational photography techniques and powerful post-processing algorithms. Especially in low-light conditions, the Pixel 3 series achieved photo quality comparable to dual-camera or even triple-camera phones with its single-camera configuration, quickly gaining market recognition. The success of the Pixel 3 series established the Pixel phone's leading position in the field of photography, marking a significant step towards Google's strategy of deep integration of self-developed hardware and software.

However, despite the Pixel 3 series' exceptional camera performance, its overall hardware configuration appeared relatively ordinary, particularly the battery life and screen display effects, which were consistently criticized by users. This "one-sided" product strategy, while attracting photography enthusiasts, made the Pixel series gradually fall behind other flagship phones in terms of overall competitiveness.

The Second Turning Point: Pixel 6 Series "AI Supreme"

The Pixel 6 series released in 2021 marked the second turning point. In the Pixel 6, Google decided to abandon the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors it had previously used and introduced its self-developed Tensor chip for the first time. According to Google, they aimed to leverage Tensor to create a unique AI and machine learning advantage for Pixel, achieving breakthroughs in computational photography, speech recognition, and AI.

However, this decision concealed a significant risk of one-sidedness Tensor's performance would directly impact Pixel's positioning as a high-end flagship. It's undeniable that Tensor has its advantages in certain AI computations, and the characteristics of Google's software and hardware integration maximize Tensor's strengths. However, maximizing strengths cannot obscure Tensor's very obvious shortcomings. In high-load scenarios like gaming, Tensor fails to compete with flagship chips of the same era.

The Pixel 3 series established its leadership in computational photography, while the Pixel 6 series ushered in Google's era of self-developed hardware. Unfortunately, as the market demands for phone performance and overall experience continue to rise, the Pixel series' excessive reliance on AI technology and neglect of hardware performance shortcomings ultimately led to today's subpar Tensor chip performance.

Is the Aggressive All-in-on-AI the Root of the Tensor Chip Issue?

Ultimately, the problem of Tensor's subpar performance stems from a combination of factors: limitations imposed by manufacturing processes and Google's "one-sided" approach to chip requirements. That is, Google overemphasizes the advantages of AI and machine learning while neglecting users' overall performance needs.

Everyone must acknowledge that AI is a crucial direction for future technological development. However, most users currently still prioritize the comprehensive performance of their devices, not just highlight features in specific scenarios. In this regard, Google needs to find a balance in future chip designs maintaining its AI leadership while simultaneously improving overall chip performance to gain genuine market recognition.

Google Pixel's Predicament: One Trick Pony Can No Longer "Eat the World"

From hardware optimization to core algorithms and the application of AI large language models, companies within the Android ecosystem are gaining opportunities to compete head-on with Google. Meanwhile, Google Pixel remains immersed in the pipe dream of a "one-size-fits-all global market solution."

It's undeniable that Google Pixel's software-first strategy brought a unique freshness to the Android ecosystem when it first emerged. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 also significantly advanced Android computational photography at the time. But in 2024, the "one trick pony" can no longer "eat the world". When GPT-4 and other advanced AILLMs surpass Google Gemini to become the preferred partners of phone brands, what will Pixel use to maintain its high-end positioning?

Perhaps Google's strategy is based on the belief that "AI can do everything", but clearly, user needs are not that simple. With hardware performance continuously being questioned, Google's persistence seems more like stubbornness, even a bit self-deceiving.

In the torrent of the AI era, Google attempts to prove that it still controls the future through the Tensor chip. However, faced with realistic technological bottlenecks and market feedback, Google needs more than persistence it needs a deep understanding of user needs and actual improvements to its products. After all, even the most powerful AI cannot mask a phone's poor user experience in everyday use.

Perhaps Google should reconsider its AI-first path, otherwise, what awaits may not be just a performance slump, but also the gradual abandonment of Pixel by the market.