I love my Pixel, but I’d trade it all for a modern Nexus

I want to make clear that I agree with the direction Google has taken with its Pixel smartphones over the last few years.

Despite the Google Pixel 6’s pain, I supported the company’s decision to go its own way, opting for a bold new design and equipping its devices with Tensor chipsets.

Even though it took the company a bit to smooth out the bumps, the last few Pixels have been excellent, with solid hardware and some of the best software on Android.

Still, I can’t help but remember what was left behind.

The Nexus phones were wonderful. They offered flagship-level performance and a stock Android experience at a lower price.

Pixels have lost that, and it’s a shame that no other manufacturer picked up where Nexus devices left off.

I’d like a return to the stock Android experience

Few in the US get close

There are plenty of Android options for consumers to choose from. You have Samsung’s heavily-skinned One UI 8 and Google’s Material 3 Expressive experience, with a smattering of other manufacturers in between.

But while Motorola and Sony get close, no one has recaptured the stock, near-AOSP user experience we used to get on Nexus devices and early Pixels.

It doesn’t make sense for Google to go back to that, but I’d love to see a mainstream manufacturer pick up that mantle and give buyers who don’t want a modified or AI-laden Android experience something to get excited about.

A barebones Android skin would be a selling point in 2026, as so many users are tired of lackluster AI features.

While I would not recommend you try to disable AI on your Pixel or Samsung devices for many reasons, there’s an appetite for a company to design a phone devoid of unnecessary AI features.

I’ve been using my Motorola Nexus 6 again, and there’s a magic to pulling down the quick settings and seeing that stock Android look and feel. It goes beyond nostalgia, and there’s a place for it on modern devices.

Nexus phones had flagship performance at a competitive price

We don’t see that anymore on today’s phones

While the Nexus 6 might be a poor example given its $650 price tag in 2014, Nexus phones have traditionally offered better performance than is typical at their price points.

It’s why I loved the Pixel 6a so much, as the phone reminded me of a time when I could buy a flagship chipset on a Nexus device that didn’t break the bank.

OnePlus gave me hope that it could fill those shoes, but the company has repeatedly let me down.

It’s frustrating because OnePlus phones, like the OnePlus 15 and 15R, are fantastic value, but without a carrier store presence in the US or a larger marketing push, OnePlus can’t make a dent.

I also had high hopes for Motorola, but that’s another company that can’t get out of its own way sometimes.

I love the Motorola Razr series phones, but I’m constantly stumped as to why Moto doesn’t release another flagship in the US. It laid down the groundwork and has a carrier store presence; why not take advantage?

2026 is the perfect time for a Nexus-esque device to return

People are fed up with the current choices

I constantly read about buyers’ frustration with AI and other software bloat on their devices.

While I don’t agree that Samsung’s inclusion of its own software on its phones counts as bloat, I understand where buyers are coming from.

I’ve experienced frustration with AI features firsthand. Most don’t function as advertised, or they aren’t worth the effort to use, especially since I often have to either double-check the output or alter my request a half dozen times to get what I want.

2026 is already the year of purpose-built devices, and two physical-keyboard phones are set for release. It’s a fantastic opportunity to provide an alternative, and I’d love to see a manufacturer take advantage of the current climate to buck the AI trend.

There’s a market for a stock Android experience if anyone is brave enough to build one.

Someone needs to pick up where Nexus left off

I’d love to see more smartphone variety in 2026, and we’re off to a good start. However, if I had to add to the wishlist, a Nexus-like device would be near the top.

Smartphone competition in the US is dire, and if a company could produce a powerful, reasonably priced device, it would be a hit.

It’s difficult to buck trends, but there’s a load of customers waiting for any company brave enough.