Apple iPhone vs Google Pixel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple iPhone had more branded searches than Google Pixel among smartphone brands worldwide. Apple iPhone had about 26.4 million branded searches, while Google Pixel had 4.2 million. Apple iPhone made up 58.6% of all smartphone brand searches we track, and Google Pixel accounted for 9.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about smartphone brands, Google Pixel appeared in all five answers and Apple iPhone in four. Apple iPhone was mentioned before Google Pixel in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Apple iPhone, about 6 searches for every 1 for Google Pixel
Who does AI mention more?
Google Pixel, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple iPhone, named ahead of Google Pixel in 3 of 4 answers
Follow Apple iPhone vs Google Pixel and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top smartphone brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Pixel appeared in all five answers. Apple iPhone was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple iPhone was listed before Google Pixel in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Apple iPhone1st
Samsung2nd- Google Pixel3rd
OnePlus4th
Xiaomi5th
OPPO–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Google Pixel5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Samsung5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Apple iPhone4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- OnePlus4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Xiaomi1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- OPPO0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about smartphone brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which smartphone brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best smartphone brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best smartphone brand for a new phone?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best smartphone”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best android phone”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Apple iPhone or Google Pixel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple iPhone and Google Pixel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six smartphone brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Apple iPhone, Google Pixel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple iPhone | Xiaomi | Google Pixel | OPPO | OnePlus | Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 44.2% | 25.7% | 8.9% | 12.9% | 7% | 1.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.4% | 25.4% | 9% | 12.9% | 7.1% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.7% | 25.9% | 9.1% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 44.8% | 25.1% | 8.9% | 13% | 7.1% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.4% | 22.7% | 9.8% | 11.7% | 5.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.5% | 23.5% | 8.4% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 1% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.8% | 21.6% | 9.4% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 52.8% | 20.1% | 8.8% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 0.96% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.8% | 19.5% | 8.6% | 12.4% | 6.8% | 0.94% |
| Jul 2026 | 50% | 18.8% | 10.1% | 12% | 8% | 0.99% |
| Aug 2026 | 49.7% | 18.6% | 12.2% | 11.9% | 6.5% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 58.6% | 17.3% | 9.3% | 9.1% | 5% | 0.69% |
How has the Apple iPhone and Google Pixel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apple iPhone was ahead of Google Pixel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple iPhone’s share of searches among smartphone brands worldwide moved from 44.2% to 58.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.1M to 26.4M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Pixel’s share of searches among smartphone brands worldwide moved from 8.9% to 9.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.8M to 4.2M.
How did search popularity change for smartphone brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apple iPhone gained share of searches among smartphone brands worldwide, from 49.7% to 58.6%.
In September 2026, Google Pixel lost share of searches among smartphone brands worldwide, from 12.2% to 9.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple iPhone’s and Google Pixel’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple iPhone
2 branded search terms
- apple iphone
- iphone
Google Pixel
2 branded search terms
- google pixel
- pixel phone
Other head-to-heads among smartphone brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.