Google’s announcement of its upcoming Pixel and Pixel XL phones prove that the future is now. This phone boasts the highest-ranked camera of any current Smartphone, a personal assistant similar to Siri, and that’s not to mention the best part. The Google Pixel is virtual reality (VR) compatible.
These all sound great, but the question is, will people buy it? After all, it’s a risky move by Google to go head-to-head with other giants in this saturated market.
As we can see, only 13% of people are likely to buy either the Pixel or Pixel XL. So, it may be an uphill battle for Google to convince buyers to switch from their current phones.
The Potential Buyer
Those who answered that they are either somewhat or very likely to purchase the new phone are more than twice as likely to be under 18. They are less likely to live in a rural area. Additionally, 59% of this group consists of men.
Lastly, this group is more likely to go the movies at least once a month, and they are also likely to follow music trends.
The Skeptics
87% of people we asked say that they are not at all likely to purchase one of the new phones. When we take a deeper look into the VR attitudes of this group, maybe we can see why.
Those who are likely to purchase one of the new phones are already big fans of Virtual Reality. 15% of them own one or more VR products, and 29% don’t own one but plan to buy one.
However, it’s evident that VR isn’t a hit among everyone. 46% of those who aren’t likely to purchase the new phone do not own a VR product and do not plan to buy one. Only 3% of this group answered, “I don’t own one of these types of products, but plan to buy one.”
Winning Over the Masses
There are different avenues Google could take if it hopes to win over a portion of people who are not planning to buy the Pixel. First, they can emphasize other features and capabilities of the new phones besides for their VR capabilities, which as we’ve seen, do not resonate as highly with this group. So, what might?
Those who do not plan on buying the phone are more likely to prioritize price than those who are likely, as well as carrier availability. Given that these phones cost upwards of $749, Google might have to figure out another way to win over those price-conscious folks if the phone price remains the same. Maybe a family discount?
Lastly, another way to approach these folks might be to target the 47% who have never heard of VR products. Maybe if these folks knew about VR, or at least knew more about it, they would be more likely to pick the Pixel.
