Pixelated Episode 120 Celebrates a Decade of Google Smartphones with the Definitive Pixel Tier List

Welcome to a milestone edition of the Pixelated podcast. In episode 120, hosts Abner, Damien, and Will gather to celebrate a full decade of Google’s hardware evolution by looking back at the entire lineage of Pixel smartphones. To mark ten years since the search giant first ventured into designing its own branded smartphone lineup—moving past the legacy Nexus program—the trio takes on the ultimate challenge of ranking every single Pixel device released over the past ten years into a definitive tier list.

This celebratory episode also marks a major production milestone for the show. After more than two years of audio-only broadcasts, Pixelated has officially made the jump over to video, allowing fans to watch the hosts debate, negotiate, and occasionally argue over where iconic handsets like the original Pixel, the budget-friendly Pixel 3a, and the modern Tensor-powered flagships ultimately belong in the hierarchy of mobile technology.

For dedicated listeners who want to dive even deeper into the weekly discussions, the show continues to offer its members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episodes. Fans can gain access to this exclusive weekly content by signing up for 9to5Google Pro for just $5 per month, which breaks down to about $1 per episode.

This week’s episode is made possible by the support of its sponsor, Proton Unlimited. Listeners of the podcast can take advantage of a special promotion, saving 30% on an annual subscription to Proton’s comprehensive suite of privacy-focused digital services by signing up through the designated partner link. The podcast team extends its thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the show and supporting independent tech journalism.

Subscribe

As Pixelated expands its reach into video and continues its weekly audio broadcasts, fans have multiple ways to tune in, catch up on past episodes, and ensure they never miss a conversation about the fast-paced world of Android and Google hardware. The full video version of episode 120 is now available to stream directly, offering a visual window into the tier list debate as the hosts place each phone into its respective category.

Hosts

The lively debate over the past decade of Google hardware is driven by familiar voices from the 9to5Google ecosystem. Abner, Damien, and Will bring years of collective experience covering Android, consumer electronics, and the shifting strategies of Silicon Valley tech giants. During their discussion on the historical performance and reliability of Google devices, the hosts touch upon broader industry milestones, pointing back to notable pieces of mobile reporting, such as Rita El Khoury’s comprehensive 2022 coverage on the Pixel 6 Pro connectivity and signal history, which highlighted the complex engineering hurdles Google faced during its transition to custom Tensor silicon.

Listen to More 9to5 Podcasts

For listeners who enjoy deep dives into the broader consumer technology landscape beyond just Google’s smartphone ecosystem, the 9to5 network offers a robust lineup of companion podcasts. These shows cover everything from Apple’s latest product launches and software updates to broader developments in the electric vehicle and smart home sectors, providing tech enthusiasts with a comprehensive audio companion for their daily routines.

Feedback?

The conversation doesn’t stop when the recording ends, and the Pixelated team always welcomes thoughts, critiques, and counter-arguments from the community regarding their controversial tier list rankings. Listeners who want to share their own thoughts on how Google’s smartphones should be ranked can drop a line directly to the editorial team, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to the show’s producer. Furthermore, for those who want to engage in ongoing discussions about Android news, software betas, and hardware leaks, the official 9to5Google forums remain open for community-wide debate.