How Can Google Make Samsung Users Switch to Pixel?
When buying an Android phone, Samsung is the obvious choice for most of us. The South Korean giant has a hold over the smartphone market like no other—but that doesn’t make it immune. In fact, in a way, the biggest threat to Samsung right now isn’t Apple, but Google.
We know that the Pixel lineup has been gaining serious momentum since the launch of the Pixel 6 in 2021, setting record sales. But if Google wants to steal some of Samsung’s market share, just making a good phone is not going to be enough. Here are the eight ways Google can make Samsung users switch to Pixel.
1. Spec Upgrades
Compare theGalaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro, and it’ll quickly become clear that Google doesn’t care much about specs. Conversely, Samsung users (and Android enthusiasts in general) tend to pay close attention to the specs of the phone they intend to buy.
Now, we know that specs are not the only factor to consider when buying a new phone. But if Google wants Samsung users to switch to Pixel, it will have to offer at least comparable (if not better) battery life, processing power, charging speed, and other specs.
2. Keep Pixel Features Exclusive
Up until the Pixel became somewhat popular, Google had no choice but to push out new software features via Android updates if it wanted people to try them out. This meant that all Android manufacturers would benefit from Google’s work.
The good news is, now that the Pixel is slowly becoming a real competitor, Google can choose to keep some features exclusive such as Magic Eraser, Call Screen, Photo Unblur, and more. Doing so will make the Pixel stand out against its alternatives.
The bad news is that Google seems to be doing the exact opposite of this. The company is now offeringMagic Eraser on Android and iPhonevia a Google One subscription. If the Pixel keeps losing exclusive features, it can face unintended consequences.
3. Offer More Android Updates
Since people don’tupgrade to a new phoneas often these days, retaining users has become more important. To give people an incentive to stick to Galaxy, Samsung offers four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches. Google also offers five years of security support, but only three years of OS updates.
More software updates increase a phone’s lifespan, so if Google can match Samsung’s offer, it can reduce some of the resistance Samsung users feel when trying to switch to the Pixel.
4. Keep the Same Design
If a company kept changing its logo every two years, you’d have a hard time establishing a clear mental image of its brand. Similarly, the more often you change a phone lineup’s design, the harder it becomes for the average user to associate it with a single one.
Consistent design is a big reasonwhy the iPhone is so iconic. New designs are fun, but you also need to build a brand identity. This is where the Pixel has an advantage over Samsung phones; its unique camera bar design can make it more recognizable in the long term.
5. Add More Software Features
The Pixel does admittedly have some very useful features, especially in terms of photography and phone calls. But it’s still nowhere near what Samsung offers with its One UI Android skin which is filled to the brim with all sorts of features and customization options.
For instance, you’ve got the Secure Folder, the Modes and Routines automation tool, Dolby Atmos support, Edge panels, Game Launcher, Dual Messenger for cloning apps, native support for icon packs, a dedicatedcustomization app called Good Lock, and more.
We’re not saying Google should copy everything in One UI, but it would certainly make it easier to switch to Pixel if doing so didn’t require sacrificing so many good features.
6. Improve the Pixel Ecosystem
In the Android world, Samsung is the only company that has a good enough ecosystem. That means Galaxy phones, tablets, laptops, earbuds, and smartwatches can all “talk” to each other seamlessly—almost as well as Apple products do.
However, Galaxy devices require a Samsung account, a Google account, and a Microsoft account (forbacking up files and Gallery items). Pixel devices only need a single Google account for everything, and that’s a competitive advantage Google can advertise.
Currently, there just aren’t enough recommendable products in the Pixel portfolio for a Samsung user to bother ditching the mature Galaxy ecosystem. But Google is trying to expand and improve it, slowly growingthe Pixel ecosystem.
7. Advertise the Bloatware-Free OS
One of theworst things about Galaxy phonesis the number of bloatware apps they come with, many of which are just alternatives to the Google apps that most people already use.
Although some pre-installed Samsung apps can be deleted, others can only be disabled or hidden—hogging your storage. Google can use this to its advantage by advertising its clean and bloatware-free software, enticing Galaxy owners to ditch Samsung.
8. Remain Affordable and Avoid Discounts
A big reason topick a Google Pixel over a Samsung Galaxyis the amazing value the former offers. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro launched at $599 and $899 respectively. Samsung’s flagships start at $799, so the $200 delta makes a big difference.
We’re not sure how long Google can keep the same price amid rising inflation, but the longer it does, the more time it can give Samsung users to jump ship when it’s time to upgrade.
That said, Google does need to work on one important thing: resale value. Just like Galaxy phones, Pixel phones don’t retain their value for long. To reverse this, the company needs to copy a trick from Apple’s playbook: stop giving discounts.
Although discounts do temporarily increase sales, they also hurt the perceived value of a product. After all, why would you pay full price for a phone when you could expect it to go on sale just a couple of months after the initial launch?
The Grass Could Be Greener on the Pixel Side
Google currently holds a tiny part of the smartphone market. But given the advantages it has over other Android makers, it’s not too wild an assumption that the search giant is just a few good decisions away from becoming a major smartphone company in a few years.
Of course, Samsung wouldn’t just sit there silently and watch its market share dip. Although the two companies have partnered on various projects, Google and Samsung have a long history of rivalry with both going to great lengths to survive and thrive in the industry.
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