Mid-Range Pixel Phone Could Bring Back the ‘Nexus Era’ for Google

(Left) Google LG Nexus 5 and (right) Google LG Nexus 5X.

(Photo: The Quint)

Reports suggest that Google might consider launching a mid-range Pixel phone in 2018, along with high-end Pixel and Pixel XL variants. Everyone’s loved the Pixel series phones for its camera prowess but niggling hardware issues have been a deal-breaker for many.

But the Pixels are priced in the Samsung-Apple flagship territory, and Google still has a lesson or two to pick up from the established phone makers. Granted, Google will benefit immensely from its recent acquisition of HTC’s mobile division but they’ve got other things/brands to worry about these days.

OnePlus and Huawei and other brands pose a threat to the flagship entity. And keeping that in mind, Google working on a Pixel in the 30K to 40K price bracket could be just what the doctor ordered.

It’s easy to forget that Google hasn’t been in the hardware business for long. Most of its mobile duties have been distributed to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) like Asus, LG and even HTC.

That’s how we got the Nexus tablet, as well as the Nexus range of phones.

However, that formula hasn’t worked with the Pixel series.

Google Pixel XL was a new beginning for Google. (Photo: The Quint)

In a market like India, where, according to research reports, OnePlus has gained over 40 percent market share in the premium smartphone segment, the mid-range Pixel could work a similar treat for the search engine giant.

Nexus phones had a strong recall value in the country, and if Google can position the new Pixel in the sub-40K segment, with competent hardware, there’s a winner in its grasp.

OnePlus 5T as expected gets the much vaunted 18:9 ratio screen. (Photo: The Quint)

The rumours haven’t been strong enough to suggest that the Pixel Lite (which it could be called) will launch in few months from now. October is a likelier time-frame.