> I don't really see why it matters if your mom thinks she has a "Samsung" or an "LG".
Because when people ask if she has an Android she says "No."
> There's more to Android phones than the base OS.
I know, that's my complaint. It really adds nothing for the customer to have it be so fragmented.
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Flagship_vehicles
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taurus_(sixth_generation)
Most people would just say 'iphone', not knowing which model is the 'flagship'.
It isn't as bad as it was 2 years ago, where the main google phone would get updates, but was nigh unusable with the latest operating system. I still fully expect my nexus 6 to be basically abandoned by them within a year or so now.
What was the flagship before the Pixel? What was the flagship 2 years ago? The android market probably has a changing flagship every 6 months and even then it isn't obvious what it is.
Try typing "flagship android phone" into Google search. Pixel only comes up in 8-9 results out of 100.
However, I think most Android consumers don't care about whether a phone is flagship. I imagine most tend to be more interested in finding a comfortable balance between price and features.
http://www.sheltonbrothers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/HO...
You'll find it all around Seattle and at Costco in neighboring states. When you get off a plane at SeaTac they hand you a free sample.
Ok I was kidding about the free sample at SeaTac... Only a little...there is a Beecher's store and cafe there.
The pixel is advertised everywhere as a Google phone. Who makes it doesn't really come up in their product communication much.
And the 'flagship' label is literally in the title of the Pixel products on Amazon. And on the website it's called "Pixel, phone by Google".
> People buy a low end Android phone and hate the entire ecosystem because the phone performs like crap.
This seems like an antiquated view of Android. I don't think people see Apple as having a monopoly on luxury/quality devices anymore. And considering the heavy OS modifications made by different companies and the entire UX experience of dealing with a company (customer service, website, accessories, etc), I don't really see why it matters if your mom thinks she has a "Samsung" or an "LG". There's more to Android phones than the base OS.