Finding its Footing? Google Has Shipped Over 40 Millions Pixel Phones Since 2016

In the grand scheme of the global smartphone market, Google Pixel may still be a minor player, but its journey is one worth noting. With the recent launch of the Pixel 8 series, it’s evident that Google’s place into the smartphone world continues to gain momentum no matter how little. As we explore Google Pixel’s remarkable journey, the numbers and trends unveil some intriguing insights.

Since the inception of the Pixel lineup in 2016, Google has shipped approximately 40 million phones worldwide said IDC VP Francisco Jeronimo. These figures showcase a substantial leap, especially when we consider that nearly 10 million of these shipments occurred in the last year. This surge in sales is impressive and points to Google’s growing presence in the smartphone industry.

. @Google is about to announce the #GooglePixel8 Series, another important group of devices for its portfolio. Sales have been growing double digits in the last years, with total sales reaching nearly 40 million units since its launch in 2016 #TeamPixel #GooglePixel… pic.twitter.com/bq9Axozzqp

— Francisco Jeronimo (@fjeronimo) October 4, 2023

While 40 million might pale in comparison to the smartphone giant Apple, which ships over 224 million iPhones annually, it’s important to remember that every success story has its beginnings. Back in 2018, during the Pixel lineup’s first year, Google’s shipments almost doubled, nearly reaching four million units. This marked the initial spark of Pixel’s journey.

Google continued to build on this early momentum, with 2019 seeing the company move 7.2 million Pixel units within that year alone. By the end of 2022, Google was on the cusp of achieving the 30 million milestone, with 27.6 million units sold just before the Pixel 7’s launch. The remarkable aspect is that, in this short span, Google managed to ship approximately 10 million Pixel phones in the past year, marking a pivotal moment in its growth story.

This achievement doesn’t merely boil down to numbers. It reflects Google’s active pursuit of a stronger foothold, particularly in the US and Japan. Recent data showed Google Pixel’s upward trajectory in the US, while a Q2 report indicated its market growth as other Android players faced setbacks. Notably, Japan has emerged as Google’s most substantial market for Pixel phones. A subsequent report highlighted how Pixel is steadily chipping away at the iPhone’s market share in Japan. To add to this success, Google was the only smartphone brand in North America that didn’t witness a year-over-year decrease in shipments.

What all of these says is that Google even though a late comer into the gadgets space, is steadily finding its own footing and may finally be on its way to becoming a real competition even in a crowded space. Google is one of the biggest brands in the world but if there is anything we have learned, it is that big names sometimes may not matter especially if you are late to the game. 

Google is arguably the underdog in this case and looks like the David and not the Goliath even with its big brand. But one thing is sure looks like a good trend for the internet company, it is now on its way to competing with other big names like Samsung.