Wave7 Research have reported that the Google Pixel smartphone family have continued to sell well in Verizon Wireless stores through into the New Year. Wave7 conducted a survey of fifty Verizon Wireless carrier stores last week and state that their results show that almost 10% of smartphone sales for December were attributed to the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL smartphones. However, although Verizon Wireless is the only American carrier able to sell the device, it also stated that in AT&T, T-Mobile US and Sprint stores, 13 representatives “are aware of an average of 2 Pixel activations.” Wave7 also highlighted that most models of both the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL are showing as out of stock and are not shipping until March. This, according to Wave7 Research, shows that demand for the new Google smartphone is greater than Google anticipated. Demand for the device has been helped with Verizon Wireless’ initial $25 million marketing campaign and the carrier continues to advertise the device with prominent in-store signage.
The Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL devices are both based around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 System-on-Chip, backed up by 4 GB of RAM. The smaller Google Pixel uses a 1080p resolution 5.0-inch AMOLED panel whereas the larger Google Pixel XL uses a 1440p, or QHD, 5.5-inch AMOLED panel. Each device has at least 32 GB of internal storage and runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat, the very latest version, which comes with a number of Google Pixel exclusives including free unlimited photograph storage, the Google Assistant and the Google Pixel Launcher. The Google Pixel and larger Google Pixel XL appear to be Google’s take on the Apple iPhone as the devices came with the necessary hardware and integrated software to allow customers to easily migrate their information from an iPhone to the new device. Both handsets use the same camera, which has independently been rated as the best in the industry. However, Google realized that having a technically strong device was simply not enough and has promoted the handset together with Verizon Wireless, for the American market, and EE in the United Kingdom. Wave7 Research noted: “Along with Apple, Samsung, and Droid, the Pixel/XL continues to be heavily advertised – on an equal footing with top OEMs – at a price point of $10 (Pixel) or $15 (XL) per month with trade-in of a high-end smartphone.”
Wave7’s observations were that the larger Google Pixel XL has been selling relatively better than expected. This is something that has been mirrored with the Apple iPhone 7 and Apple iPhone 7 Plus: as supplies of the larger iPhone 7 Plus have been restored, although the smaller iPhone 7 is selling in higher volumes, “the gap narrowed significantly from prior months.” Wave7’s research seems to show that consumers still want larger smartphones than ever before.