Google VP: Most Pixel users came from outgoing brands and only a small number from Samsung

Google senior vice president Rick Osterloh has said that only a small number of Pixel users have previously used Samsung devices. In a new interview, he noted that most new Pixel users are coming from brands that have left the market, such as LG, with some users switching from Apple. Osterloh emphasised that Google's main goal is to increase Android's share and improve the platform's competitiveness.

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Pixel phones have seen success in Japan, where local brands are struggling. Kyocera, for example, recently announced its exit from the consumer phone market. In the US, Pixel's rise in popularity coincided with LG's exit from the smartphone market. Google is also actively attracting iPhone users through marketing and lucrative device exchange offers.

Osterloh acknowledged that the Pixel has issues in the premium segment, such as performance and connectivity reliability. Google is working to address them, including the use of a new modem and a planned switch to TSMC chips in 2025, which should improve performance and battery life of the devices.

Source: Stratechery, 9to5Google