I agree, but think of it this way: Apple needs their devices to sell in order to not go broke. Google doesn't - Pixels sales are a blip on the accounting sheet.

I agree, but think of it this way: Apple needs their devices to sell in order to not go broke. Google doesn't - Pixels sales are a blip on the accounting sheet. They do indirectly increase value of the Android ecosystem by providing new features and benchmark for other manufacturers to copy, but it is not essential.