Since 2016, Google has been producing Pixel-branded smartphones, and in recent years, the company has significantly upped its game in the smartphone market, delivering some of the finest Android phones available. A recent report confirms that Google’s smartphone sales are on an upward trajectory, defying the current industry trend of shrinking sales.
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A report from Canalys revealed that in 2023, North American smartphone shipments saw a 12% decline, despite substantial investments and returns in premium devices. Apple continues to dominate the North American market, shipping more than 14.8 million devices. However, even Apple experienced a 20% drop in shipments compared to Q2 2022. Samsung shipped 6.6 million units, witnessing a 27% decrease in shipments. Motorola shipped 2.3 million devices, marking a 25% decline in shipments compared to the previous year, while TCL’s shipments dropped by 30%.
Remarkably, Google managed to ship 1.2 million devices, a significant increase compared to the 800,000 units in Q2 2022, representing a 59% growth. This achievement reflects Google’s heavy investment in the Pixel lineup and its commitment to producing some of the best affordable devices, such as the Google Pixel 7a and the Pixel 6a.
In contrast to other manufacturers facing declining shipments and likely sales, Google stands out as a success story, demonstrating consistent growth and year-over-year improvements aimed at capturing a broader audience. Google continues to focus on converting Apple iPhone users to the Pixel lineup.
Canalys anticipates a strengthening market and an upturn in numbers as the holiday season approaches. The analysis predicts that the new iPhone 15 series, the latest Samsung Galaxy foldable phones, and the upcoming Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will dominate the market.
Despite Google’s smartphone business gaining momentum, the company must exercise caution. Google has encountered hardware and software issues with its own devices since its debut in the smartphone arena. Nevertheless, Google has expanded its ecosystem to include smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, and even laptops, signalling its commitment to providing a diverse range of tech products.
