Pixel devices are famous for their seamless user experience, prolonged software support from Google and their industry-leading camera software.
Although the Pixel phones have faced many criticisms for their high price, lack of performance, or choice of hardware over the years, Google has tried to answer some of those criticisms by bringing a number of Pixel devices for the mid-range smartphone market.
Some of the recent Pixel devices have earned praise for their value propositions. But these are the responses from the North-American side of the globe, and this can often be misleading for a buyer from the other parts of the world.
A phone's value may dramatically change from market to market and the Bangladeshi smartphone market can be a prime example of it.
The Bangladeshi smartphone market is a big market for smartphone makers who are trying to compete in the game by bringing out value for money devices for the South-Asian region and the pricing can be very competitive.
The POCO X3 pro, priced BDT 25,000 in Bangladesh, which is roughly USD 290, can offer features that are comparable to USD 400-500 brand devices in the North-American regions.
Since the most famous phone reviewers are from that same region, their opinions can have a significant impact in shaping our opinion regarding what a value for money device might look like.
The Pixel 4a can be a good example of this. This particular device was sold out in the USA as it offered a value for money prospect just within USD 350, with an excellent camera and Google’s stock android features.
This device costs BDT 34000 in Bangladesh. By the time of this report, Oneplus 9R is getting sold at BDT 36000.
If we compare the features, the Oneplus 9R has a better plus higher-refresh-rate display, a way faster processor, and a bigger battery. For a user, these features add substantially to the user experience.
Of course, the pixel 4A has better camera software, but it is hard to justify getting a device that is substantially slower than its competition in everyday tasks.
The recently released Pixel 5A 5G can be availed at BDT 45000. At this price point, its direct competitor would be the Oneplus 9 at BDT 42000, and there is no comparison between these two in terms of performance, speed and display; the Oneplus 9 is the clear winner.
Pixel 6 is the only high-end device where the investment seems somewhat justifiable, for a customer who’s willing to spend good money to get all the high-end features from a Google phone, the Pixel 6 does a good job.
It costs roughly BDT 68000 and even then, according to the popular Bangladeshi tech channel ATC, they have found software bugs and performance loss during gaming testing. And if anyone is willing to spend that amount of money on a phone, there should not be any sort of compromise.
Over the years, the main selling points for Pixel phones were their amazing camera software and intelligent android user experience. While they still excel at it, the industry has caught up with the pace in this time period and the gap is getting closer every day.
Especially in markets like Bangladesh, where the smartphone prices are very competitive relative to North-American pricing, it is hard to recommend the ‘overpriced’ mid-range Pixel phones to any customer who’s trying to get the best out of their investment.
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