Pixel 9a’s impressive performance has raised the bar for Apple to innovate and catch up with its rival Google.

Following a few missteps and initial attempts, Google debuted its first-ever Pixel series, a flagship smartphone line entirely conceived and developed in-house by the tech giant. With its accountability for both hardware and software, Mountain View enjoyed a distinct advantage, one previously reserved for Apple’s exclusive control. Google solidified its commitment to innovation by abandoning Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors and instead opting for in-house Tensor chipsets, leading some to label the Pixel series as the “iPhone of Android”.

While Google may lag behind Apple’s level of recognition in the smartphone market, recent developments suggest it’s closing the gap, with Apple potentially losing its way.

Freshly leaked images have further cemented my conviction that Google’s willingness to take bold risks is a key differentiator between trailblazers and also-rans.

Reinventing itself

Rumors suggest that the device will abandon its distinctive horizontal digital camera bar, a feature that has become synonymous with the brand’s identity in recent years. What initially set Pixel phones apart was their instantly recognizable design, making them stand out amidst the predominantly vertically oriented camera layouts on most other devices?