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Comment: Google played their Pixel 9 hand early and it was a great decision

Google's early Pixel launch felt out of sync, but with a lackluster iPhone 16 launch, did the Mountain View firm basically hit a home run?

Whether it was the late entry into the “premium” space or some misfires in the early phases of the Nexus and Pixel lineup, it means that at this point in time, Google has a literal mountain to climb to get remotely close to the sales figures boasted by Apple execs. The confidence to do this with hardware that technically isn’t even as powerful as last year’s best Android flagship chip hints that Google had the perfect playbook for this specific moment in time. Aiming squarely at the consciousness of the end-of-year smartphone buyer, the Pixel 9 series has gained more plaudits, and at least judging by recent online reactions, people are taking notice.

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