The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) are here, and Google is offering a pair of Bose QC35 II headphones with pre-orders in multiple countries. The reason for bundling such expensive headphones with pre-orders may owe to the state of Google's smartphone business, which has plummeted over 60% in the last year.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-5-and-Pixel-4a-5G-pre-orders-boosted-with-free-Bose-QC35-II-headphones-following-the-collapse-of-its-smartphone-business.496399.0.html
Apple also said they didn't need big screen phones, and stylus pens but look what they have. Consumer needs change, and companies adapt, it happens.
This sounded fantastic, then I read it is not available in my country. Oof.
I do seriously want a privacy-focused phone, but I have felt the reduced connectivity since I switched away from a Pixel XL to the ROG Phone II. The Asus phone does not support VoLTE nor do I have wifi calling nor visual voicemail nor spam screening though I am using Google Fi.
Even without a QC35 II, I might end up trying the following: keep the ROG phone II for personal messaging/games, Pixel 5 for business and other use (wherever I need SMS and phone), and maybe when my free-as-in-speech crowdfunded laptop arrives in December I'll be inspired to pick up a Purism Librem 5 or similar.