It’s clear Google put a lot of work into its latest flagship phone.
What’s less clear is whether anyone will care.
In a world dominated by iPhones and Samsung phones, Google isn’t a contender.
Apple’s no slouch, having shipped 235 million phones in the same period.
The Pixel has long been a paradox of the mobile handset business.
Thursday’s event was solely focused on the Pixel name.
But here are some of the reasons why Google is playing catch-up now.
That limited reach has kept Pixels far from consumers' minds as the field of phone brands has dwindled.
Moreover, the company seems split on whether its Pixels offer serious value or push the limit as flagships.
“Part of Google’s challenge is that smartphones are a mature market, and consumers are – understandably!
– happy with Samsung and Apple,” said Avi Greengart, analyst at Techsponential.
Unseating Samsung may not be Google’s goal, Greengart explained, since doing so could destabilize Android.
So long as Pixel phones sell well enough to be profitable, Google will probably keep making them.
The US market is the most promising for Pixel sales.
“Pixel is still not a household brand like Galaxy,” said Anthony Scarsella, analyst at IDC.
