Do u think the Google pixel will be a success?

[Wildo6882]

I was thinking the same. I was hoping that the Pixel would take a similar path as the iPhone (no carrier-added crap), but with Verizon tacking on it's usual bloatware it wasn't meant to be.

All three of their apps can be completely uninstalled. Two of the apps are pretty useful, if you're on Verizon.

 

[akin_t]

Since when was a third of the United States not the masses? Verizon has roughly 110 million subscribers. The United States of America has roughly 320 million people. This phone just from Verizon has the chance to reach a TON of people. With Samsung getting some bad press, this will be a GREAT option for a ton of people just on Verizon alone.

So they're missing out on roughly 66% of the customer base; look this isn't 2007 anymore, just because it worked for AT&T when there wasn't anything else like the iPhone on the market doesn't mean it will work in 2016; in fact, I'm pretty confident it won't.

People have options these days, if you want to succeed in a highly saturated market, you need to deliver a great product (preferably different and/or better than the rest), you need to market the hell out of that product, and you need to make it available to anyone who wants to buy it.

Pixel doesn't really do anything that any smartphone on the market doesn't already do; and most people are more likely to stay with their carrier than switch for a phone.

In short, if Google's end game was to get "Pixel" to become a household name like any of the other phone OEMs, then they've started out on the wrong foot.

But hey, there are smarter people than me running Google's business, so perhaps I've got this all wrong. I just hope they looked at the fate of the Droid.

 

[Richard Servello]

This phone will not reach the masses for the simple reason that it's not being sold in any store besides Verizon. If Google is serious about this phone being a commercial success and "Google Phone" or "Pixel" being a household name, they need to do away with carrier exclusivity.

You mean besides Verizon, best buy, Costco, and I think they said Walmart. You know, all those mom and pop stores.

 

[akin_t]

You mean besides Verizon, best buy, Costco, and I think they said Walmart. You know, all those mom and pop stores.

Right, when Joe Schmo wants a new phone, he goes to Costco.

 

[Richard Servello]

The biggest problem with carrier stores is the lazy staff. They suggest iPhone. That's it.

 

[Wildo6882]

So they're missing out on roughly 66% of the customer base; look this isn't 2007 anymore, just because it worked for AT&T when there wasn't anything else like the iPhone on the market doesn't mean it will work in 2016; in fact, I'm pretty confident it won't.

People have options these days, if you want to succeed in a highly saturated market, you need to deliver a great product (preferably different and/or better than the rest), you need to market the hell out of that product, and you need to make it available to anyone who wants to buy it.

Pixel doesn't really do anything that any smartphone on the market doesn't already do; and most people are more likely to stay with their carrier than switch for a phone.

In short, if Google's end game was to get "Pixel" to become a household name like any of the other phone OEMs, then they've started out on the wrong foot.

But hey, there are smarter people than me running Google's business, so perhaps I've got this all wrong. I just hope they looked at the fate of the Droid.

I'm aware that it isn't 2007 anymore. But Google is a household name. This isn't OnePlus trying the same method. Plus they're marketing the shizz out of it. I can't watch TV without seeing an ad. It's blasted all over Verizon's home page. Do I think it'll sell as well as iPhones and Samsung devices? Absolutely not. But that won't make it a flop. It easily could be the third (or second option) for a lot of people on Verizon. Which will get the ball rolling. This is year zero for Google jumping into this game. I just don't get the sky is falling attitude towards it being a Verizon exclusive and being high priced.

And I also wouldn't be so sure that the Verizon exclusive is permanent.

 

[Richard Servello]

Right, when Joe Schmo wants a new phone, he goes to Costco.

You would be surprised

 

[ricokyle]

I think it will. My gf and brother have only heard of nexus phones because of me. On the day that the pixel phones was officially announced they asked me if I will get the phone (with no references by me). So, although it won't be Galaxy or iPhone successful, it will definitely be more successfull than the Nexus line since Google is actually trying to advertise and reach people like my brother and gf.

 

[Richard Servello]

This isn't the first google device...

 

[shady195]

So they're missing out on roughly 66% of the customer base; look this isn't 2007 anymore, just because it worked for AT&T when there wasn't anything else like the iPhone on the market doesn't mean it will work in 2016; in fact, I'm pretty confident it won't.

People have options these days, if you want to succeed in a highly saturated market, you need to deliver a great product (preferably different and/or better than the rest), you need to market the hell out of that product, and you need to make it available to anyone who wants to buy it.

Pixel doesn't really do anything that any smartphone on the market doesn't already do; and most people are more likely to stay with their carrier than switch for a phone.

In short, if Google's end game was to get "Pixel" to become a household name like any of the other phone OEMs, then they've started out on the wrong foot.

But hey, there are smarter people than me running Google's business, so perhaps I've got this all wrong. I just hope they looked at the fate of the Droid.

I think you underestimate the power of marketing. Keep in mind Apple back in 2007 was tied to ATT only, you could not use it anywhere else. Period.

The pixel is not exclusive to Verizon in the sense that the phone won't work anyplace else, and you can buy it from the Google store with financing options, and just about anybody with a ~600 credit score can get approved by synchrony bank. So to say that Google is closing themselves off is silly.

If they sell even a quarter of the amount of devices as apple and Samsung did last year, they will be in good shape moving forward. I think everyone looks at this all wrong. Its a long term strategy, not a get rich quick scheme. Google knows they're not going to overthrow the larger manufactures out of the gate.

 

[gabbott]

So they're missing out on roughly 66% of the customer base; look this isn't 2007 anymore, just because it worked for AT&T when there wasn't anything else like the iPhone on the market doesn't mean it will work in 2016; in fact, I'm pretty confident it won't.

People have options these days, if you want to succeed in a highly saturated market, you need to deliver a great product (preferably different and/or better than the rest), you need to market the hell out of that product, and you need to make it available to anyone who wants to buy it.

Pixel doesn't really do anything that any smartphone on the market doesn't already do; and most people are more likely to stay with their carrier than switch for a phone.

In short, if Google's end game was to get "Pixel" to become a household name like any of the other phone OEMs, then they've started out on the wrong foot.

But hey, there are smarter people than me running Google's business, so perhaps I've got this all wrong. I just hope they looked at the fate of the Droid.

Who's to say the exclusive will be only for a short window. It is available completely unlocked directly from Google if one wants to use it with other carriers. We know T-Mobile and Sprint will carry just about anything. Verizon would probably be the toughest to get a phone on that has no carrier branding and extremely minimal bloat, wouldn't you agree? Perhaps the exclusive was one way to get them to play ball.

 

[vlok16]

I'm honestly not sure... it depends on how excited Google gets people with the fact that it is their own phone with quick updates, the hardware itself is not world beating, it's good, don't get me wrong but is it enough to make people say "I have to have that phone!"... Time will tell, I think actual reviews if they are on the very positive side might sway people's opinions but if it's "Nice phone, but..." that could make it a tough sell...

 

[akin_t]

Who's to say the exclusive will be only for a short window. It is available completely unlocked directly from Google if one wants to use it with other carriers. We know T-Mobile and Sprint will carry just about anything. Verizon would probably be the toughest to get a phone on that has no carrier branding and extremely minimal bloat, wouldn't you agree? Perhaps the exclusive was one way to get them to play ball.

Like I said, Google has multiple people working on this and have thought it through. I'm just looking at it from the outside.

If my sister saw a phone she liked on TV for instance, but learned she couldn't get it from the carrier, she will get the next best thing available.

There are more people in the USA like my sister than there are you or me.

 

[folli]

I absolutely think so, the tech is top-notch as is the design (even if a bit boring). It's too bad that the price is rather high..

 

[gabbott]

Like I said, Google has multiple people working on this and have thought it through. I'm just looking at it from the outside.

If my sister saw a phone she liked on TV for instance, but learned she couldn't get it from the carrier, she will get the next best thing available.

There are more people in the USA like my sister than there are you or me.

I do agree with your point. I'd never buy a carrier phone but I was disappointed to learn of the carrier exclusive when it was announced.

 

[Toughmn]

Not until it goes through more retail channels/providers, and the price comes down.

 

[shady195]

Not until it goes through more retail channels/providers, and the price comes down.

Its starting to get comical seeing this.

The price is only going to come down in one of two ways: 1) The phone is a major flop 2) right before a new model release

Price is going to have very little to do with decision making when it comes to the general consumer whos in the high end smartphone market, which is exactly why carriers and companies have adopted the payment plan. What sounds better? $650+ every year when you want a new phone, or 27 a month for the rest of your life and you always have the latest phone..

Carriers are just now learning they can basically get a steady source of income for the remainder of a majority of their customers lives. I saw this coming a long time ago, im honestly amazed it took this long. Carriers have been losing money on phones for a long time, these "upgrade" plans with monthly installments are a great way to make more.

 

[fury2g]

yes. it will be outstanding. once I find it on sale in 2017.

 

[Don Chill]

It will sell well enough because it's a solid phone. But it won't have iPhone-like sales volume because you really can't call the Pixel a transcendental phone.

 

[shady195]

It will sell well enough because it's a solid phone. But it won't have iPhone-like sales volume because you really can't call the Pixel a transcendental phone.

Its also somewhat hard to compare it to the iPhone in terms of sales. Overall Android has far surpassed Apple, and while I think its possible that the Pixel COULD someday become THE android phone everyone wants, because of the segmented android market It would never overtake the iPhone on its own unless other manufacturers drop Android because of the Pixel. I'm sure Google has pissed in Samsungs wheaties on this one, and there has been talk of their own OS for a few years now. Samsung is the kind of company I would not put it past to try and launch a new OS this day and age.