4 Reasons Why Apple Needs a Google Pixel 3a Rival Right Now

This week, Google announced a slew of new hardware and software products at its annual Google I/O conference. While the company made great strides in software technology, it debuted some new physical devices, too. Enter the Google Pixel 3a. It's essentially a lower-cost Pixel at the stunningly low price point of $399. While it's too early to tell how successful that device will be, there are still plenty of reasons why Apple needs its own competitor in the same price range. Continue reading to learn 4 Reasons Why Apple Needs a Google Pixel 3a Rival Right Now.

The iPhone XR Is Hardly 'Budget'

Apple does technically have a new, lower-cost handset available, but the iPhone XR is hardly a budget device. At $749, the iPhone XR is actually just shy of Google’s flagship starting price. But although it’s cheaper than an iPhone XS Max, it’s still not anywhere in the same range as the Google Pixel 3a.

The iPhone XR is a great and capable device for the price, but Apple is really leaving a huge portion of the market untapped by not going after the $300 to $500 price range. Of course, you could argue that Apple does have devices in that range in its lineup. But that brings us to our next point…

Apple Is Better Than Aging Hardware

The iPhone 7 currently retails for $449 — which is only $50 more than the Google Pixel 3a. But there’s a key difference between the two devices. One is a modern, entry-level handset, and the other is an aging flagship device that Apple has kept selling to fill our the lower-end of its price range. The difference is striking.

Compared to the Google Pixel 3a, the iPhone 7 is still a capable device. But consumers deserve better. The Pixel 3a’s strength is that it isn’t just an old device at a reduced price point. While it has pared-down features and specs, Google’s lower-end handset is still incredibly modern. What Apple really needs is a device designed from the ground-up to be current yet affordable — and it’s done this before.

It Was Apple’s Idea Originally

Back in 2013, Apple stirred up its usual smartphone strategy and released two devices: the iPhone 5s and the lower-cost iPhone 5c. Both were thoroughly modern smartphones at the time, only the cheaper of the two made some minor compromises and swapped out premium materials for a lower-cost case. Sound familiar?

The Pixel 3a is basically Google’s answer to the 5c, just five years later. But Apple set a precedent back then and it can do it again. Just look at the surprising success of and continued demand for the iPhone SE when it launched. A successor to the iPhone SE that was purposely redesigned (instead of being an afterthought) is basically exactly what Apple needs for the iPhone to stay competitive in the foreseeable future.

Price Drops Work

When Apple reported its fiscal results for Q2 2019, it revealed something interesting. Namely, the company was doing better in China — both compared to the previous quarter and analyst expectations. While Apple CEO Tim Cook attributed this to a variety of factors, one thing stuck out: “price adjustments.” He didn’t explicitly say it, but the results illustrated that price drops work. Apple needs cheaper smartphones, especially in a slumping global smartphone market.

There’s a reason why Huawei is quickly gaining ground — its devices are cheap. In the two most important smartphone markets in the world, China and India, Apple’s devices are out of the price range of the majority of consumers. Apple needs to adjust its “premium-first” strategy and release smartphones in the Google Pixel 3a range. That'll help it compete in China and India, and it could also undoubtedly help Apple stay relevant in other markets, too.