Google’s decision to ditch the iconic camera bar on the Pixel 9a has sparked a heated debate among enthusiasts and consumers alike. The phone’s utilitarian design, featuring an almost-flat camera bump, is intentionally bland and unremarkable – exactly what some people have been clamoring for. However, many others are not pleased with the trade-offs that come with this design.
According to Google product manager Soniya Jobanputra, the company aimed to create a “physical interpretation” of the device’s personality through its design. The camera bump is now referred to as a “dome,” resembling a water droplet in shape. While industrial designer Yomi Matsuoka notes that adding a case eliminates the bump altogether.
Google conducted experiments testing various shapes, including those with raised cameras, to see how they would withstand drops and impact. Ultimately, the company settled on the current design, which has sparked criticism from some users who describe it as looking like a “colored brick with a weird camera shape.”
Interestingly, this design aligns with a trend that has been circulating on social media for years: making phones thicker to incorporate more features and longer battery life. Google listened to consumer demand by adding more battery capacity and creating a utilitarian design that prioritizes functionality over aesthetics.
While the Pixel 9a’s design may not be perfect, it satisfies a long list of requests from smartphone buyers who have been clamoring for such a feature for years. By sacrificing character and personality for a more practical design, Google has delivered on consumer expectations – even if they didn’t explicitly ask for it.
Source: https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel/googles-ugly-pixel-9a-design-is-exactly-what-you-wanted