Google (Nasdaq: GOOGL) debuted the Pixel 7 and Pixel smartwatch at an event in New York City last week. The major takeaway from observers is that Google is attempting to replicate Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) strategy and prestige by getting more users enmeshed into the Google ecosystem with the major revenue source being software subscriptions rather than hardware.
Also like Apple, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are more evolutionary in terms of looking similar to previous models but offering upgrades in terms of a better camera, screen quality, battery life, and internal hardware upgrades. The screen is also now brighter to allow for more indoor visibility, and the battery life can last a full day on a single charge.
It's also priced at about $200 less than the iPhone 14 with a similar amount of storage. The company said this pricing strategy is deliberate to get some people to give the Pixel a try. One differentiation between the Pixel 7 vs Apple and Samsung is its always-on OLED display with widgets that provide useful, customized information, although Apple has copied this feature to some degree.
The Pixel Pro comes in at 6.7 inches and also has a more powerful camera than the standard Pixel. The camera has a 5x telephoto lens, 30x super resolution zoom, and an upgraded ultrawide lens. It also has an upgraded autofocus feature that the company is calling Macro Focus.
Both Pixel 7s run on the Tensor G2 processor which is integral to its machine learning and voice recognition features. Pixel 7 also has more options for visually impaired users to operate their phones.
Despite Google's deep pockets and Android software, Pixel only accounts for less than 1% of the global smartphone market share. One factor in its limited sales is that the phones are unavailable in many countries.
For many observers, Google's smartphone strategy seems murky given that it's quite cost-intensive but doesn't really make a dent in the company's top or bottom-line results. It's also unlikely to get market share from Apple, but it could take market share away from the companies that use Android software in their phones like Samsung or LG which could potentially feel threatened if the Pixel does get popular.