By Google it’s disappointing if you’re expecting a major Android upgrade to address deep-seated issues, at least based on the details shared so far. The company didn’t spend much time discussing Android 13, and most of the updates announced are known, minor, or both. They are mainly defined by media and privacy controls. Release as-is will not be a disclosure unless you are . While we may not have seen all the features of Android 13 yet, there have been some really useful improvements (such as The status quo will largely remain intact.
And that’s unfortunate. While Android is a very capable platform with some particularly well-suited hardware, no one device can consistently create every experience. Buy a powerful phone and you may end up with weird software; Get the Android variant of your dreams and you might have to arm yourself with a mediocre camera or chip. It’s time for Google and manufacturers to work together to produce devices that you can more easily recommend to others.
Software: Too much or not enough?
Sam Rutherford / Engadget
To be fair, Google is only partially responsible for the current state of affairs. The very beauty of Android is the potential for vendors to add their own software – a unified experience created by Google defeats this problem.
However, the company still plays an important role and it is increasingly clear that they can do more. Use one or another phone with ‘pure’ and you’ll realize the stock OS, although visually cohesive and fluff-free, is still relatively simple. You won’t get the enhanced camera app, multimedia integration, special browser features, or other clever tricks you normally get with a customized Android experience. Polisher isn’t always available either – it’s just . Apple has shared confusing updates over the years, but it seems to have solved the glitches that Google occasionally leaves behind.
You can install apps, launchers, and other add-ons to complete things, but that’s not practical for some users. I wouldn’t hand the Pixel over to newbies or anyone who wants out-of-the-box capabilities. Google can continue to improve its functionality and quality to compete more directly with partners beyond a handful of (usually) temporary (usually) temporary Pixel exclusivity. While the company has recently veered more towards the usual feature drops than massive OS revisions, Android 13 as we know it is still a bit disappointing in this respect.
It’s not about letting those partners off the hook. While phone makers don’t abuse customization as much as in previous years, some Android experiences that aren’t available still include their share of custom tweaks. Samsung is a prime example. Although One UI is much cleaner and more third-party friendly than , it still tends to copy Google features or push services that you probably won’t use. Do you really need two good browsers to buy apps from the Galaxy Store? You will also see some top Android implementations from Chinese brands, although we note that Xiaomi has improved MIUI.
And the situation seems to be getting worse in some cases. OnePlus initially appealed to enthusiasts precisely because its customizations were limited and often very useful, but there is evidence of the growing influence of parent company Oppo’s flagship software-heavy design. on devices like . For example, the OnePlus Price pop-up menu got in the way during our review. Likewise, update policies sometimes take a step back, as Motorola still doesn’t guarantee more than one major OS upgrade for some phones. It would be nice to see OnePlus and other vendors strike a more delicate balance, adding thoughtful touches without fiddling around with excessive or restrictive software updates.
Hardware: Flies in ointment
Igor Bonifacic / Engadget
Software glitches wouldn’t be so much of an issue if the devices were more mature. It’s all too common to find an Android phone that performs great in most respects, but has at least one weak point that affects the experience or even proves a problem.
A quick survey of the major Android phones made this clear. Regularly series is one of the best on the market today, but it has modest, non-expandable storage, a 1080p display (which is fine, but not the 1440p some people covet) and other features. features are reduced in its smallest version. Pixel 6? An outstanding value, but fingerprint readers are notoriously picky and limited storage can kill interest quickly. The OnePlus 10 Pro is only a small improvement over its predecessor and still suffers from lackluster camera quality. You can get around some of these limitations with free flagships like or from Sony but then you might end up spending more than $1,000 on the privilege.
It becomes even more of a challenge with more affordable models. Motorola is increasingly popular among the average user, but and missing features (like NFC) create serious problems for shoppers. Samsung’s mid-range phones can be slow or uninteresting, and even feels like a step backwards. Handsets like Poco F4 GT and upcoming offers high-end processing power at a low price, but you can rest assured that you’re making compromises in areas like camera technology. And don’t get us started with those companies that offer large screens, but with low resolutions that can prove to be an eyesore.
To be clear, every phone has its compromises. It is unrealistic to expect a perfect product from any brand, including those outside of Android. Apple is often conservative with iPhone design and has been slow to adopt popular Android features –120Hz and USB-C, whoever? More often than not, however, you’re choosing an Android device based on the major flaws you’re willing to tolerate, not because it’s clearly the best you can get for your money. . Combine that with the software dilemmas mentioned earlier and a truly complete Android phone can be hard to find.
The glimmer of hope
This is not to say that the Android phone industry is in bad shape. It is the highlights at the heart of this section that emphasize how far the foundation has come. Android 12 (and soon 13) will certainly be more polished than previous versions. Once-obnoxious brands like Samsung have shown some limitations, and it’s much easier to buy a cheap phone that will leave you really satisfied, even if there are obvious flaws.
You can also point to some devices showing the road ahead. While Sony’s recent Xperia phones have been increasingly expensive and targeted at niche consumers, they tend to offer powerful performance, good cameras, high-end displays, and well-customized software. right. And if can solve some of the glitches of its predecessor, it might just be the Android phone to beat in the second half of this year.
Instead, the concern is that there is plenty of room for growth. Companies should take a more holistic approach to phone design, where there are few obvious sacrifices in the name of price, bragging rights, selling more storage or peddling service. . Google can do more to lead, such as incorporating more advanced software features of its supplier allies. It’s entirely possible to create a superior phone simply without its weaknesses – it’s just a matter of finding a solution to make it happen.
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