These Google Play Edition phones deserve to return in 2024

Google's Play Edition test offers a glimpse of pure Android on popular devices. These phones have a clean interface and quick updates straight from Google. The Play Edition devices were short-lived (only five handhelds and one tablet were released). But now is a great time to bring them back. Here's why.

Why Google Play Edition?

The Pixel series and their user interfaces are growing in popularity, while manufacturers like Samsung continue to offer top-notch hardware. While user interface preferences are subjective, the optimization and user experience that Pixel's software provides is superior. Many users really enjoy using apps like OneUI and ColorOS, but there's something about the Pixel that's always appealing. Part of it is the camera but the rest is the software experience.

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Customization is Android's forte. But sometimes users crave a clean, minimalist experience with all the essential features. When Pixel users switch to the Galaxy S24, they may not like OneUI because it no longer feels 'familiar'. While users may adapt, they'll miss out on the early access to new features every few weeks that's been a Pixel perk.

So what if Google partnered with major OEMs to launch Google Play Edition devices? Imagine a Galaxy S24 Ultra with Pixel UI or 'Play Edition Android'. This Play Edition will offer the same stock Android experience and feature updates directly from Google as the Pixels.

List of Google Play Edition devices

Play Edition and Android One were previously two polar opposites. But the improved Play Edition can close the gap, offering both mid-range and high-end flagship products. Think devices like Nothing Phone (2), iQOO Neo 9 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, and OnePlus 12 with clean, stock Android experiences.

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It's important that Google should manage updates directly, ensuring a minimum of 4 major Android updates and 2 years of security patches. We saw what happened when Google delegated updates to OEMs on devices like the Xiaomi Mi A series. It was a disaster.

In essence, the return of the Play Edition will be driven by cleaner software, faster updates, and allowing users to choose the hardware they like.

Google's hidden challenges

User interfaces like OneUI, ColorOS, Nothing OS, and HyperOS have matured so much over the years that companies may not want to direct their focus elsewhere. Unlike before, competition in user interface design is fierce, making Play Edition a less attractive proposition for manufacturers.

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However, there is a price potential. Since Google can handle the software, manufacturers can agree to produce limited-edition Play Edition devices at high prices. If demand for Play Edition devices increases, Google may require manufacturers to produce more such devices.

Focusing on non-Pixel phones could be a challenge, especially if the idea takes off. Like the Google and Samsung partnership we're seeing today, where features are rolled out across both Samsung and Google's flagship products simultaneously. Other OEMs could collaborate in a similar way, but this could disrupt their current phone management.

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We may never see Play Edition devices because it requires both Google and the manufacturer to spend time, making their actual business model less noticeable. Challenges may also arise in terms of phone sales and their respective ecosystems.

The bottom line here is that manufacturers have put so much effort into developing their respective OS ecosystems and user interfaces over the past decade that they may prioritize tweaking them over collaboration for byproducts. Ultimately, they want to focus on what they do best instead of investing in ideas that may not work and abandoning them. This will also affect Google's Pixel sales.

Mid-range devices will be strong contenders as Google Play Edition devices. The OnePlus 12R, for example, offers solid specs for the price and is easily one of the best devices you can buy under $600. Previous Play Edition devices like the Galaxy S4 and HTC One also had similar prices.

Google Play Edition may never appear again, but the value it brings cannot be denied. Having exceptional hardware and cameras along with well-optimized software and Google's post-processing is something many users really wish they had.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 04 April 2024