Google’s Pixel lineup safe a cushty spot within the U.S. smartphone development competitors

This progress places Google simply forward of TCL, which had beforehand edged out Pixel in cargo volumes. TCL’s presence declined considerably this quarter, dropping 23% yr over yr to round 700,000 models. Different smaller manufacturers additionally noticed a steep drop, with shipments down 34%.

Google now sits simply behind Motorola, which stays in third place with a 12% share and three.2 million models shipped. Whereas Motorola’s development this quarter was solely 2%, it nonetheless far outpaces Google in scale. On the high of the market, Apple stays the US chief with 13.3 million iPhones shipped, though that determine represents an 11% decline in comparison with the identical interval final yr. Samsung, in distinction, noticed the largest leap: a 38% improve, transport 8.3 million models and capturing 31% of the market. Canalys credit this to the success of Samsung’s Galaxy A-series.

Canalys Smartphone Market Pulse Q2 2025. | Picture credit score — Canalys

Nonetheless, breaking into the US smartphone market at scale stays tough. Over 90% of all smartphone shipments within the US are managed by Apple, Samsung, and Motorola. This leaves little room for different gamers to develop. Canalys notes that manufacturers like OnePlus and Nothing are taking a distinct strategy, specializing in unlocked gross sales by way of their web sites and retailers like Greatest Purchase and Amazon, as a substitute of counting on service offers. However this technique hasn’t led to main market share positive aspects but.

General, Google’s regular rise is a vivid spot in a difficult surroundings. In comparison with Samsung’s aggressive development and Apple’s dominance, Pixel stays a small however rising various that’s slowly carving out an area of its personal — and I am positively right here for it. Carry on extra competitors!