Google, We Have a Pixel Problem (Premium)

It's like watching a horror movie that unfolds in slow motion. Google's second-generation Pixel smartphones, unveiled just two short weeks ago, are already the subject of an incredible number of complaints and concerns. What the hell is happening?

To be clear, it's not just Google. Let's call this malaise Samsungitis, named after last year's disastrous Note 7 launch. Consider the following.

In May, Andy Rubin's Essential announced its first handset, the PH-1. It was promised in a few months, was delayed at least twice, and then shipped to lackluster reviews, especially for the camera, and it allegedly has sold very poorly. So poorly that the company just dropped the price by $200, to $499, a far more reasonable price for an unproven device and company. But there are now questions about Essential's long-term viability. Oops.

In June, OnePlus released its long-awaited OnePlus 5, and the firm was at least smart enough to keep its sweet-spot pricing, undercutting the market leaders by hundreds of dollars. But the OnePlus 5 features an old-fashioned design with massive "forehead" and "chin" bezels, and the company is now rumored to be replacing this design, already, with a new 5T model that mimics the many other bezel-less (or at least bezel-light) designs that have shipped this year. Oops.

In September, Apple announced three new iPhone models for the first time ever. But thanks to a staggered released schedule and lackluster iPhone 8 handsets, the company is now expected to sell fewer iPhones, year-over-year, than it did with the prior iPhone launch for the first time ever. And the design of Apple's iPhone X, with its unnecessary notch blocking the top of the screen and obvious bezels otherwise, has been panned even by the firm's biggest defenders. Oops.

And then there's Google.

Two weeks ago---and seriously, it feels like two months ago for some reason---Google announced the second generation Pixel handsets. Since then, early reviews have panned the PixeL 2 XL display for being washed out and, more recently, for already suffering from burn-in. The thing isn't even broadly available yet and it's already a disaster.

Oh, and I have one on pre-order.

In fact, I ordered one during Google's presentation at which I believe to be the earliest possible time. I know that some early orders are already shipping, but mine is still listed with a mid-November delivery date. It's fair to say I am watching the news around this device very carefully.

As you may recall, I revealed last month that I was switching to Android. But that statement---"switching to Android"---is a bit simplistic. What I really switched to was a combination of things: Android, yes, but also Project Fi for connectivity and communications. And a Pixel, specifically, because it offers a clean Android experience, works with Project Fi, and provides a superior camera.

Now, I already have a first-generation Pixel XL. And I have to be honest here, had I purchase...

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