Pixel 5a: Google proves once again that it does not know what to do with its smartphones – 01net.com

Will Google’s strategy with its smartphones ever cease to amaze us? More than six years after entering this market with the first Pixel (if we omit the Nexus partnerships of 2010-2015), Google still does not seem able to assume its role as rival to Apple or Samsung. . Available in France for three years, Pixel smartphones only represent very small market shares today because of their limited availability and Google’s inability to make them known to the general public. It is all the more unfortunate that, according to the tests of specialized media, Pixel smartphones are among the best on the market.

While waiting for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro This fall, Google has just formalized the Pixel 5a 5G, its new mid-range smartphone designed to replace the excellent Pixel 4a 5G marketed 499 euros. Problem, this smartphone will be reserved for the United States and Japan.

An incredibly competitive product

Google had warned the potential unavailability of its new smartphone in many markets. At the time, rumors seemed to say that the Pixel 5a 5G would be a cut-and-paste of the Pixel 4a 5G, with a new name and a few small novelties.

In reality, the Pixel 5a 5G is much more than a review. While it has similar internal components (Snapdragon 765G, 6 GB of RAM, jack, wide-angle and ultra-wide angle), the new Google smartphone gains a larger screen in a similar chassis (6.34 inches instead of 6.2), a better capacity battery (4680 mAh instead of 3885 mAh) and an IP67 waterproof certification, which is quite rare for less than 500 euros. Its design, although very close, changes from plastic to metal, which is rather a very good thing in terms of handling. The only regrettable point is that Google is only planning to launch this device in one color (black).

A product that no one will know

Priced at $ 449 in the United States, the Pixel 5a 5G has everything we think is the best mid-range smartphone on the market. Well set out to be more enduring than its predecessor which was already breaking records, as dazzling in photos and endowed with very balanced characteristics, Google’s smartphone would probably be a huge hit if it was signed by Samsung or Xiaomi. Unfortunately, we are concerned that, as in previous years, Google will settle for the minimum and continue to view its Pixel business as a side business. After all, unless you’re a fan of new technology, who really thinks about Pixel 4a 5G when we talk to him about a good smartphone? However, it would be one of our first choices if we had to recommend a device to you.

This is not the first time that Google’s strategy has surprised us. With its Pixel 3, the brand had invaded the Parisian streets of advertisements … without ever showing the design of the device. Since then, all the resellers and operators with whom we speak have told us that there is demand for these products… but rarely stock. And salespeople redirect unsuspecting customers to products from bigger brands.

Is the Pixel 5a 5G likely to arrive in France one day? In view of Google’s improvisation strategy, one would have to be crazy to assert anything (questioned by our colleagues from Presse-citron, Google justifies the current unavailability by accusing the shortage of components, which seems to us a false excuse). We hope to have the opportunity to recommend this device one day in France even if we doubt Google’s willingness to really make it a benchmark product. Next up, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. With these high-end smartphones, Google can potentially prove to us that it is ready to play with the big boys. Answer in a few weeks!