What you need to know Google has reportedly placed its largest order yet for its latest flagship phones. The company is said to have requested more than 8 million Pixel 7 units from suppliers. Google aims to double smartphone sales by 2023 compared to this year.
Last year’s launch of the Google Pixel 6 series was marred by delays and stock shortages just weeks after its announcement, but the search giant may be trying to avoid a repeat this year.
Citing sources familiar with the plan, Nikkei Asia (opens in a new tab) reports that Google has placed a huge launch order for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The goal is to double smartphone sales by 2023 compared to this year by requesting more than 8 million units of its Pixel 7 phones from suppliers.
The move suggests that the search giant has invested deeply in its latest answer to the best Android phones. But the lofty goals don’t end with the high-end models: The report says Google also plans to request about 4 million units for a budget Pixel phone that’s likely to launch early next year. It is unclear which model is being referred to, but it is most likely the Pixel 7a. The Google Pixel 6a was unveiled last May, so it’s safe to assume its successor will debut around that window next year.
Google’s latest Pixel phones take some design cues from the Pixel 6 series and make a few tweaks here and there. It features an enhanced Tensor chipset with enhanced machine learning capabilities for imaging. Other than that, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro feel like incremental upgrades over their predecessors, according to our very own Chris Wedel.
That said, the Nikkei report suggests that Google has very high hopes for the devices despite the economic slowdown. The big launch order means the new phones will have a larger inventory than last year’s models, which were spotty available.
If you want to be one of the first to get your hands on a unit, the Pixel 7 is now available for pre-order. The standard model starts at $599, while the Pro variant sells for a starting price of $899.
With the Google Pixel 7, Google has finally delivered a premium product at a low price, with refinements from last year’s model in the form of the Tensor G2 chipset and smarter features.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Pixel 7 Pro is built on the same platform as the Pixel 7, but has a larger 6.7-inch display with a faster 120Hz refresh rate and a higher-resolution panel. You also get a 5x optical zoom on the back and a larger 5000mAh battery that should easily last you a day.