Pixel 3 phones are not selling and it's probably Verizon's fault

Google says it's sold fewer Pixel phones year after year because of the fierce competition of smartphones on the high end, but this is probably not the whole story. There is a good chance that the company's agreement to make Verizon's exclusive US company the Pixel plays a role.

On Monday, Ruth Porat, chief financial officer of parent company Google, Alphabet, explained the decline in Pixel sales due in part to "an intense promotional activity across the industry" and "recent pressures in the marketplace. premium smartphones ". Even with significant discounts, people do not buy Pixel phones, despite the best camera performance and CNET's commendations and other outlets.

The Pixel 3 was CNET's first Android phone in 2018. So, why did not buyers buy it as a cupcake?

There may be several reasons for this. First, times are tough at all levels. The smartphone market is slowing down. Apple just announced that it sold less than iPhones than a year ago. People keep their phones longer between upgrades, and prices are soars year-on-year. New phones are entering the market, such as T-Mobile's OnePlus 6T "premium affordable", and buyers may be holding their breath to see how collapsible phones and 5G networks disappear in 2019. (Tip: not too good until now.)

But for Pixel phones in particular, Verizon's exclusive support could be as much a barrier to spreading information as it is to an advantage. Verizon is the largest US operator, which gives the Pixel the benefit of being discovered when shoppers go to a store or browse the operator 's website.

Reading in progress:
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Pixel 3: 6 months in

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But the Pixel is also affected by a strong misperception that Verizon is the exclusive seller, period to point. In fact, you can buy Pixel 3 phones through the Google online store for use with any US carrier, as well as with Google's own Fi hybrid network.

Limiting the visibility of the operators will certainly not help to get the message across and you would think that Google would have as much weight as Apple and Samsung in getting their phones from the wireless carrier of their choice.

Google's sales model, which is aimed directly at consumers, with the exception of Verizon, obviously does not work, and I'm not surprised. The vast majority of people – we are talking about 90% – buy their phone from an operator, not from a phone manufacturer, even though it is as popular as Google. If your operator does not have a particular phone, why not just get another very good alternative?

The rumor Google Pixel 3a It is said to come to T-Mobile as well as Verizon, which, if it is true, will put the Pixel in front of more buyers. (T-Mobile is also trying to stifle Verizon's thunder with its #GetOutofTheRed campaign.)

Leaving a exclusive contract with AT & T for its very first iPhone, helped create the boom that helped make Apple's smartphone one of the most iconic and most sought after phones in the world. Google can only hope that the extension to T-Mobile would do the same.

In the interest of Google, I hope that the procession of carriers announced by Pixel will not stop there.

Verizon would simply comment "We do not comment on future contracts or sales." Google did not immediately respond to our request.

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