Main topic: Sale on Google Pixel products
Key points:
1. Google Pixel 7a smartphone is currently 11% off, priced at $444.
2. The Pixel 7a offers similar features to the Pixel 7 at a lower price.
3. Other Pixel products, such as the tablet and Buds, are also on sale.
Apple's iPhone sales in China have surpassed those in the United States for the first time, contributing to Apple potentially becoming the biggest player in the smartphone market this year, despite global smartphone shipments being on track to be the worst in a decade due to economic headwinds in China and the US, according to Counterpoint Research.
The global smartphone market continues to decline, with a 6.6% drop in Q2 2023 and a 13.3% decline in the first half of the year compared to 2022, affecting different companies in different ways, with Samsung still leading but facing challenges from Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Transsion.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones from Google are expected to have a significant price increase of over $300, which may disappoint customers hoping for an affordable high-end device.
Google has revealed the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2 ahead of their upcoming Made By Google event.
Google India has announced the launch of the Pixel Watch 2, which will be available for pre-order from Flipkart on October 5, marking the first release of a Pixel Watch in the country.
Despite its age, Apple has managed to increase its share of smartphone sales by converting Android users and appealing to teenagers, with the iPhone now accounting for over 50% of smartphones sold in the US and claiming around 20% of global smartphone sales.
Google has revealed details about its upcoming flagship smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, as well as teasing the release of the Pixel Watch 2, all set to launch on October 4 with advanced cameras, AI capabilities, personalized help, safety features, and health insights.
Google is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering discounts on select Pixel phones, including $250 off the Google Pixel 7 Pro.
Apple is expected to increase its share of India's smartphone sales with the release of its high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, projecting to account for 7% of all smartphone sales in the country from July to December, according to market researcher Counterpoint.
Google will be raising the prices of its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices in the US market, with the Pixel 8 costing $699 and the Pixel 8 Pro costing $999.
Google's upcoming Pixel 8 line of smartphones may receive up to seven years of Android updates, surpassing Samsung and potentially offering five years of Android updates and two years of security patches.
Google has updated its Google Store site with information on its upcoming flagship smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, as well as leaked promo videos and photos indicating a possible free Pixel Watch 2 with pre-order of the Pixel 8 Pro.
Samsung was the second-biggest smartphone brand in the US in Q2 2023 but sold fewer smartphones than Apple, with other Android brands performing poorly.
The smartphone market in North America is experiencing a 12% decline in phone purchases, leading companies such as Samsung, Google, and Apple to focus on premium phone options to offset the overall sales decline, with Google being the only brand to see an increase in sales; however, the market is still moving towards premium smartphones as people are not replacing their devices as frequently as before.
Google has set trade-in value limits for its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones, with trade-ins of older Pixel phones or iPhones getting higher values than other devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or the OnePlus 10 Pro.
Google unveiled its Pixel Watch 2, featuring an improved heart rate sensor, personal safety options, a more powerful processor, and a longer battery life compared to its predecessor, with a starting price of $349.
Google has confirmed that it has no plans to release a low-cost Pixel smartphone in the future due to the compromises that would be required to meet that price point.
Google Pixel has shipped around 40 million phones so far, with sales steadily growing, making it a minor player in the global smartphone market.
Google's Pixel phones, despite facing some issues with bugs and hardware, have seen a rise in sales with nearly 38 million units sold since 2016 and are known for their AI-based features and software advantage.
Google has no plans to release a budget-friendly Pixel phone due to the compromises it would require, according to Google's VP of mobile business Nanda Ramachandran, but the upcoming Pixel 8a may offer a balance between price and performance.
Motorola has released the Motorola Edge (2023), a midrange device that undercuts the Google Pixel 8 by $100 with its sleek design, MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 256GB storage, 6.6-inch HDR-ready OLED display, and 50-megapixel main camera, available for $599.
Huawei is stockpiling components in order to double its smartphone sales in 2024, despite expectations of a further U.S. crackdown.
The Google Pixel 7a, with its powerful Tensor G2 chip, 64MP camera, and affordable price, is one of the best budget phones on the market, especially now that it is on sale for $400 during Prime Day.
In Q2 2023, Apple's iPhones dominated the global smartphone market with four models in the top four positions, surpassing Samsung's Galaxy phones, which struggled in the high-end segment, showing that Apple's quality outshines Samsung's quantity.
Google could be paying Apple between $18 billion to $20 billion a year to maintain its status as the dominant search engine on the iPhone, potentially generating 14-16% of Apple's annual operating profits, but this agreement may be at risk due to an ongoing antitrust suit.
The global smartphone market contracted by 8% in the third quarter, reaching the lowest level in a decade, as demand for major brands like Apple and Samsung decreased in developed markets, according to data from Counterpoint Research.
The global smartphone market experienced a contraction of 8% in the third quarter, reaching its lowest level in a decade due to subdued demand for major brands like Apple and Samsung, which could impact upcoming earnings; however, there is hope that the market could recover in the last few months of the year with the release of the iPhone 15 lineup and the festive season in various regions.
Overall global smartphone sales fell 8% in Q3, with Apple and Samsung losing market share to competing brands, but a rebound is expected in Q4 with the launch of the iPhone 15 and other holiday sales, according to Counterpoint Research.
Google's latest Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones justify their $100 price increase with significant improvements in display brightness, battery life, and extended software support.
The smartphone market is showing signs of recovery, with only a 1% decline in Q3 2023, but vendors should remain cautious due to geopolitical uncertainties and ongoing adjustments in sales channels and component inventories, according to a report by Canalys. Samsung maintained its position as the market leader, followed by Apple, while Xiaomi and Transsion experienced success in emerging markets. Huawei also made a strong comeback with the release of the Mate 60 series, although its availability is currently limited to China.
Samsung tops global smartphone market in Q3 2023 with a 20% market share, despite lower sales compared to the previous year, as the market begins to recover.
iOS accounted for 39% of all US smartphone customers in the past year, representing a slight increase from 2022 but a decrease compared to 2021 and 2020, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).
Google plans to manufacture its Pixel smartphone lineup in India, with the intention to start local manufacturing next year, in a move that supports its commitment to expanding production to meet the growing demand for Pixel devices and reinforces its commitment to the Indian market.
Samsung maintained its position as the biggest smartphone brand in the Indian market during Q3 2023 with 7.9 million shipments and an 18% market share, while most other brands experienced significant declines due to uncertain economic conditions and rising inflation.
Google's Pixel 8 Pro falls short of its competitors, including the iPhone 15 Pro series and Huawei P60 Pro, despite its impressive camera system, according to DxOMark.
Despite a decline in the smartphone market, China's shipments rose in Q3 2023, with Honor leading the market, followed by Oppo and Apple, as companies focus on closer collaborations with retailers to stimulate consumer upgrades and brand switches.
