Since Apple’s release of its first iPhone in 2007, the tech giant has been dominating the smartphone market—until early October 2016. On October 4, 2016, Google launched its first self-branded smartphone, the Pixel. The creation of the Pixel is groundbreaking as it is Google’s antidote for troubled Android users as well as Apple’s main competition against the iPhone 7.

In Parker’s blog post, she discusses the different outcomes that could result from the release of the Pixel and points out two distinct paths this could take; the Pixel could either achieve great success and win over iPhone users, or it could experience a downfall similar to that of Blackberry’s decline in the smartphone market. Parker identifies the main obstacle that Google must anticipate is the constant pressure to improve the hardware, software, and applications of their product. In other words, if a smartphone producer is unable to generate innovative concepts at the same pace as its competition, the company will inevitably fall behind and face a recession in sales. Additionally, Parker goes on to highlight the features that the Pixel possesses that could potentially lure iPhone users away from Apple. She notes that the Quick Switch Adapter^[1] feature creates a streamlined method to transfer data from iPhone directly to the Pixel. This feature is particularly significant as it eases the concerns that iPhone advocates may have about switching away from Apple products, and it also combats the strong barrier to entry into the market that Apple has created over the years.

To further analyze Google’s entry into the smartphone market, examining points of parity and points of difference form a deeper understanding of how the Pixel instantly became the iPhone 7’s most noteworthy competitor. The Pixel possesses a slight sense of familiarity that allows potential customers to be comfortable and undaunted through its physical hardware. In terms of design, the Pixel is similar to iPhones in the way that the Pixel has a 5-inch or 5.5-inch display^[2], a sleek aluminum and glass body, a fingerprint sensor, and a headphone jack^[3]. All of these characteristics attract all customers, but the software is what sets this new smartphone apart. The unlimited photo and video storage and Google Assistant are the key components that really differentiate the Pixel. Therefore, although its external features sets the Pixel on par with Apple, its internal features are the true focal points of Google’s new phone.

Overall, the Google Pixel is well-designed and well equipped to challenge the iPhone 7. As Parker has previously mentioned, Google has the potential to achieve great success with this smartphone, and over the next few years the Pixel could develop to be the new frontrunner in the smartphone market.

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1. “Meet Pixel, Phone by Google.” N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
2. “Google Pixel Pixel XL Review | Android Central.” N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.
3. Villas-Boas, Antonio. “Google Just Announced Its First Smartphone, Called Pixel — Check It out.” Business Insider, 4 Oct. 2016. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.