Survey reveals why Google's Wicked Pixel Drop was a total letdown

[ad_1] Pixel Drops was once one thing to get enthusiastic about, particularly for those who had the most recent Google handset, however not anymore. These software program updates introduced unique options to Pixel telephones, giving customers extra toys to play with than different Android customers. Nonetheless, because the November Pixel Drop got here and went, the play chest was empty, save for a “function” that’s annoying our Pixel customers and plenty of readers.

My colleague Rita El Khoury obtained nearly not one of the new options on her Pixel 10 Professional and XL, apart from the Depraved theme pack. Equally, Joe Maring took concern with Google’s aggressive advertising, which paints a relatively dim image of future Pixel Drops and the infusion of promoting materials inside them.

“If Google had launched its theme pack system with a number of ‘regular,’ non-branded choices together with the Depraved ones, that will be one factor. However in selecting to debut theme packs completely with the Depraved themes, it’s straightforward to think about these theme packs getting used as nothing greater than an promoting machine going ahead,” he wrote.

I couldn’t agree extra, however that’s simply my opinion. What do you — our readers — take into consideration Google’s November Pixel Drop? We put this query to a ballot throughout each articles, and the outcomes are stark.

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<img class="e_Gg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_Gg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> What do you consider the brand new Pixel November Drop?

Readers forged over 2,400 votes on this ballot, and it’s clear that Google’s effort disgruntles the bulk. How so? Effectively, ~59% of the votes forged had been for “It’s disappointing. There’s nothing right here I need.” That’s fairly telling.

Some liken Google’s new theme pack to adware. “It’s bloatware in an costly cell phone. Interval. This isn't a Xiaomi. Worst needs to the Google crew that [brought -ed] us this,” wrote reader alfredosoro.

“The Depraved theme pack looks like Google is making an attempt to make a fast buck off a preferred IP. The truth that many of the updates weren't included for the 9a additionally leaves a foul style in my mouth,” penned Notna.

Notably, these sentiments are shared elsewhere on the web. On a Reddit thread, u/purpleblossom referred to as out the true concern with the Depraved theme pack: “I’m upset that they don’t have ANY OTHER themes, making this entire theme function ONLY an advert.”

Nonetheless, it’s clear that the issue doesn’t merely hinge on the dealing with of theme packs, however relatively Google’s promised function listing not materializing when the replace rolls round. A number of of our readers referred to as this out within the feedback.

“Google ought to merely launch all of the options it claims with the replace,” wrote fuertegollito.

Reddit person u/toumei64 summarizes the issue completely: “They’ve been doing this for a minimum of a number of years now. They hype up these ‘function drops’ after which drop nothing however trash themes and new bugs. I’ve been having points ever for the reason that November replace. It sucks.”

<img class="e_Gg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="november 2025 pixel drop wicked theme hero 3" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-1000w-562h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="A promo page for the November 2025 Pixel Drop on a Pixel phone." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/november-2025-pixel-drop-wicked-theme-hero-3-scaled.jpg"/> Joe Maring / Android Authority

Apparently, a surprisingly giant portion of Pixel customers weren’t even conscious of the Pixel Drop. In our survey, ~12% voted “Wait, there’s a November Drop already?” which actually highlights Google’s downside with staggered regional rollouts of Drops.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Google, although. ~16% of customers mentioned they’d “reserve judgment” till they obtain the whole listing of options Google has promised, which additionally speaks to the truth that not everybody has obtained the total vary of guarantees but.

Lastly, a mixed ~13% of readers seen the Pixel Drop in a optimistic gentle, with 6% describing the replace as “superior” and the rest as merely happy.

Judging by the survey outcomes and the general sentiment on-line, Google is juggling one thing of a scorching potato. It needs to push Pixels together with the promise of unique options, however then fails to ship when the rollout date comes round, nicely… besides for those who’re a Depraved fan. Let’s hope that the corporate’s subsequent Drop makes good on its guarantees far ahead of this month’s effort.