The Pixel 9 has an iPhone search for an Apple viewers

One of many first issues we seen concerning the new Google Pixel 9 collection is that its design bears greater than an insignificant resemblance to the Apple iPhone. This isn’t a design selection Google probably made by mistake and could also be a part of a technique to lure iOS customers over to Android.

A quote from Google senior vp Rick Osterloh hinted at this strategy final week. Discussing the place Pixel consumers have been coming from, the Google exec defined:

They’re coming from numerous individuals, a few of whom who’ve (sic) left the market after which additionally from Apple however finally, we predict what we’re attempting to do is we’re attempting to realize Android share general and that’s my principal aim is to attempt to enhance Android competitiveness, enhance our innovation, enhance the issues we’re capable of resolve for customers in any respect tiers. However we’ve actually had points within the premium house that we wish to attempt to handle.

The purpose about making an attempt to realize Android market share general is telling. One may interpret this as Google being extra concerned with promoting the Pixel expertise to iPhone customers than to those that are already utilizing an Android system. The remainder of the quote appears to assist that notion.

This is sensible as Google owns each Android and Pixel. Changing a Samsung consumer to Pixel provides some further {hardware} gross sales to Google’s backside line, however convincing an iPhone consumer to change additionally brings that particular person into the Android ecosystem. It’s a double win. If the latter buyer then drifts from the Pixel lineup, they could go together with an Android various and nonetheless add worth to Google.

Such a technique requires a delicate strategy. It’s no coincidence that Google’s two huge showcase occasions this yr have centered closely on software program.

Such displays used to revolve across the new cellphone being unveiled, however we’ve seen a shift on that entrance. The Google I/O occasion in Might was the debut of the Pixel 8a, however that was virtually a side-note in comparison with the Android 15 demos and AI options on present. The Pixel 9 launch at Made by Google earlier this month additionally centered extra on what the OS can be able to on the brand new cellphone than the specs of the system. Android is what Google actually needs to promote, and ideally to non-Android customers.

That isn’t to say the Pixel isn’t vital in Google’s plan. The tech large can’t management how Samsung or OnePlus deploys its software program, however the Pixel provides Google a {hardware} platform on which to display the total potential of Android in line with Google’s imaginative and prescient. The Pixel may also be molded to appear like the kind of Android cellphone any tech fan would possibly wish to use. Because it seems, that kind apparently seems to be fairly like an iPhone.

By giving an iOS consumer who’s Android-curious an iPhone-ish system, with three typical fashions within the Pixel 9 vary fairly than the normal two, Google is constructing a permission construction for them to make the leap from Apple as seamlessly as potential.

For the Apple-ites who’re nonetheless on the fence, Google is keen to throw in one other incentive. Commerce-in values for outdated iPhones are fairly beneficiant if you’re shopping for the Pixel 9, particularly in comparison with Samsung handsets. As an illustration, a base mannequin iPhone 15 instructions a better trade-in credit score than the bottom mannequin Galaxy S24, regardless that the latter is the extra not too long ago launched system. This isn’t a brand new phenomenon — iPhones are sometimes seen as slower depreciating and with a stronger resale market — but it surely actually can’t harm.

Time will inform, however our intuition is to be skeptical about how profitable this strategy will likely be. The Apple model drives fierce loyalty from its followers, lots of whom would most likely desire an iPhone to a handset that appears like one, particularly if the imitator is not any cheaper than the actual deal.

The acid take a look at would be the launch of the iPhone 16 subsequent month, together with its iOS bells and whistles. Some floating voters can have seen what Android 15 is bringing and are ready for Apple’s providing to check. Google might really feel it has opened the door, but it surely would possibly take a big misstep from Apple to persuade individuals to go together with the Pixel as a substitute. And Apple doesn’t miss too usually.