Setting expectations is a funny thing. Usually, it’s built on experiences you’ve already had, and often takes reasonable forecasting into account — the key word being reasonable. For example, if you’ve gone out and run one marathon, it’s reasonable to expect that you’d run your second one a bit better. After all, you know what the distance feels like, you know when it starts to get hard, and you know what it takes to push through.
And yet, when we try to set expectations in the world of smartphones, we’re so often left wanting more. We create lofty goals, and we’re confused and disappointed when they aren’t met. So, why do we bother setting expectations for Google when it comes to the battery life of its Pixel series? I’ve used them for years, and here’s what it will take for me not to give up.