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It's a bit like the car market, where there are only a few Tesla models, and hundreds of models from other manufacturers. Google is hamstrung in not wanting to
by xnx 9mo ago
It's a bit like the car market, where there are only a few Tesla models, and hundreds of models from other manufacturers. Google is hamstrung in not wanting to compete too fiercely against other Android phone manufacturing partners.
- hangonhn 9mo agoDoes Google have the hardware design expertise needed to compete? If they don't already posses that then it is quite a dilemma because they would need to either buy a top notch handset maker and hope that can be competive with the other Android makers. Or build it up themselves. And all this has to happen while competing with other Android makers, who will be very wary of Google. I also don't know that Google needs specific Android phones to be the best or most popular to win the things they care about. Phones are just platforms for them. Android ensures no one has a chokepoint on that.
- Shalomboy 9mo agoGoogle bought out HTC 8 years ago to the day, and if I recall correctly that exacerbated a lot of the tension in the Android OEM space that the original Google Pixel rollout caused in the first place.
- xnx 9mo agoThey also bought (and sold!) Motorola.
- xnx 9mo ago> Does Google have the hardware design expertise needed to compete? Yes Google Pixel devices are well made and took 4 out of 10 Editor's Choice picks here: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-android-phone/ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-android-phone/
- jp191919 9mo agoI only buy pixel phones for my family now. Never had any issues with them, plus I can run Graphene OS
- danpalmer 9mo agoI have had recent iPhones, Pixels, and a Samsung phone, all high end. I'm a bit biased, but I do honestly think that Pixels are better or the same build quality compared to Samsung. The software is better for me too, but I accept that's a lot of personal preference. I think the iPhones are out in front a little, but in a way that I'm not sure really matters. I loved the iPhone hardware I've owned, but the difference in build quality isn't noticeable unless you look carefully and isn't noticeable in a case. The only way I'd say it's noticeable is if you're a hardware nerd who knows how the things are manufactured, or if you get a repair bill. What Apple have done with iPhone hardware is a huge achievement, but said as someone who likes owning nice things, I'd happily take a Pixel 10.
- MBCook 9mo agoAre they? Or are they just not willing to put in the resources to fight to get a bigger share? It’s been more than long enough that I suspect no one could launch a third phone. If it doesn’t have iOS or Android it probably just won’t fly. So I’m not sure how much they have to worry about.
- bombcar 9mo agoI can think of one company that could launch a phone with some success, if they wanted to. Nintendo. Nintendo Switchphone2 - it is a Switch that can make phone calls. Microsoft could do it if they wanted to, and didn't bungle it like the last three times. (lol) The key in my mind is to NOT compete for the high-end, but as a feature phone.
- netsharc 9mo agoFrom the same site: https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/global-smartphone-shipments-grew-2-percent-YoY-in-2025 https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/global-smartpho... 20% of all phones sold are iPhones, and 80% are Android (or not 80%? Some small percentage is probably neither). Yeah, considering the iPhone has maybe 3-5 models, and across all the Android brands, maybe 500 models? 32% are other brands... interestingly Google belongs in said "other".