Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Google consumer tech devices - statistics & facts
How often do you use a Google product? For many online individuals, the answer is every day, with the company's search engine proving ubiquitous in the internet age. However, Google is much more than that. The American tech giant, one of the Big Five, has massively developed in terms of products and services and has joined new markets, remaining one of the leading tech companies worldwide. A few examples are the generative artificial intelligence (AI) industry, with their chatbot Gemini, and the consumer electronics and smart home markets, with a vast array of electronic devices empowered by their AI, from smartphones, to smartwatches, to smart speakers.
Google also plays a role in the wearable market with its Pixel Buds and Pixel Watch. Moreover, in 2021, Google acquired the fitness tacker company Fitbit, which led the market until Apple took over with the Apple Watch. Nonetheless, Fitbit devices remain popular among consumers, counting almost 40 million users.
All in all, it is safe to assume that Google will continue to develop new devices and services in coming years as it seeks to play an even bigger role in the consumer tech world.
Google joins new markets but faces stiff competition
Although Google generates income mostly from its services, the revenue from the digital content and hardware segment has been rapidly increasing, peaking at almost 35 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Google is climbing the ladder of the smartphone industry with its Pixel series embedded with new AI features, totaling shipments of almost 40 million units since its first launch in 2016. Furthermore, surfing the wave of foldables – innovative smartphones with foldable displays – Google has also released its Google Pixel Fold. However, Google faces the challenge of two other tech giants in the smartphone market, Apple and Samsung, They are, indeed, the two undisputed market leaders, counting almost 235 million and over 225 million unit shipments in 2023, respectively.Google also plays a role in the wearable market with its Pixel Buds and Pixel Watch. Moreover, in 2021, Google acquired the fitness tacker company Fitbit, which led the market until Apple took over with the Apple Watch. Nonetheless, Fitbit devices remain popular among consumers, counting almost 40 million users.
Google operating system: Android
Despite entering certain segments of the consumer hardware market later than its competitors, Google cemented itself as a pioneer in the software sector via its development of the Android operating system, first released in 2008. Not only does Android run on several device types, it is also compatible with an array of brands other than Google, such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei. In 2023, Android dominated the smartphone OS market, but saw stiff competition in the tablet OS industry from Apple iPadOS.All in all, it is safe to assume that Google will continue to develop new devices and services in coming years as it seeks to play an even bigger role in the consumer tech world.
