NEW YORK/MOUNTAIN VIEW, California—Alphabet Inc.’s Google launched more affordable versions of its Pixel smartphone on May 7 at about half the price of its current models, and dropped an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with Verizon Communications Inc, signaling a major shift in the tech giant’s hardware strategy.
Since hitting the market three years ago, the Pixel has been a slow seller compared to phones from Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Those companies spend far more than Google on advertising, offer options at multiple prices and ensure wide distribution.
