The Vergecast Google's gadgets, ranked
76 snips
Oct 14, 2025 
Joining the discussion are Victoria Song, a tech journalist specializing in wearables, and Allison Johnson, a reporter focused on phones and foldables. They dive into Google's impressive gadget lineup, ranking the Pixel gadgets from least to most impressive. Highlights include details on the improvements in the Pixel Watch 4's durability and functionality. They debate the Pixel A-series' unbeatable value, while the Pixel Tablet struggles at the bottom of the list. Plus, they explore the growing interest in minimalist phones, weighing practical steps for dialing down smartphone dependency.
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Beach Stress Test Proves Fold's Durability
- Allison tested the Pixel Fold at a beach, letting it sit in sand and getting waves partially over it.
- The phone survived after cleaning and compressed air, proving Google's IP68 claim in practice.
Incremental Fixes Yield Stronger Products
- Google products this year succeed by eliminating glaring flaws rather than adding one wow feature.
- That steady incremental improvement makes multiple Pixel gadgets feel reliably good.
Cat, Cracks, And Repairable Watches
- Victoria and crew experienced repeated durability issues with earlier Pixel Watches, including scratched and cracked displays.
- Google responded by making Pixel Watch 4 repairable with standard screws and offering repair kits.