Google’s having quite the moment with its Pixel phones. Fresh data from Counterpoint Research shows that Pixel has become the fastest-growing premium smartphone brand globally, which is pretty impressive considering it’s competing against the likes of Apple and Samsung.
The premium smartphone market (anything above $600) actually hit record highs in the first half of 2025, but Pixel managed to grow faster than everyone else. That’s no small feat when you consider how crowded and competitive this space has become.
What’s interesting is that this growth comes at a time when Google’s been pretty aggressive with pricing and deals. We’ve already covered some insane deals here on PiunikaWeb in the past year. But now Google is stepping things up a notch in India as well.
Take the upcoming Flipkart Big Billion Days sale, for instance. The Pixel 9 is getting some serious discounts that could make Google’s flagship way more accessible to Indian buyers. The phone launched at an eyewatering INR 79,999 (~$907), but will now be available for as low as INR 34,999 (~$397) during the sale.
Even other Pixel models will be bagging heavy discounts like the Pixel 8 Pro, which will be on sale for just INR 44,999 (~$510). These kinds of deals probably aren’t hurting Pixel’s growth numbers.
Meanwhile, the company also just published a blog post detailing how it built Satellite SOS for the Pixel Watch 4, which launched earlier this year. The amount of testing Google put in to make sure that it works in various weather conditions is also commendable.
It’s becoming clear that Google wants to build a complete ecosystem, not just sell individual devices. That said, the real test will be whether Google can sustain this momentum. Premium market leadership isn’t just about one good quarter or year. It requires consistent innovation, strong retail partnerships, and compelling value propositions.
It’ll be interesting to see how things play out, especially with the launch of the iPhone 17 series. I mean, the base iPhone 17 now beats the base Pixel 10 in just about every aspect – maybe apart from AI smarts. But it all boils down to whether one prefers a sprinkle of AI or the best hardware and arguably more optimized software.
Yes, I said that. Now, before you come at me with pitchforks, check out our dedicated section where we’ve highlighted a number of major bugs with the Pixel 10 series and other Pixels. Don’t get me wrong, I’m rooting for Google to succeed, but for that to happen, Google needs to get a grip on its software, which was, and still is, a major selling point.
Dwayne Cubbins
1731 Posts
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.