As strategic shifts continue at Google, the recent merger of its Android and Chrome teams under the Pixel and Devices group has prompted significant workforce changes. Following this consolidation, the tech giant has announced layoffs affecting hundreds of employees within its Platforms and Devices division, which oversees crucial products such as Android, Chrome, and Pixel smartphones.
A recent report (subscription required) confirms that Google has enacted layoffs as part of a broader effort to streamline operations. Earlier in January 2025, the company initiated voluntary buyouts in line with its restructuring strategy. The unified Android and Chrome teams now report to Pixel and Devices chief Rick Osterloh, creating a workforce that initially exceeded 20,000 employees.
“Since combining the Platforms and Devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively, which included making some job reductions alongside the voluntary exit program offered in January,” said a Google spokesperson in April 2025.
While the layoffs are significant, there are currently no reports indicating that specific teams or products have been disproportionately impacted. For end users, the immediate effects of these changes are expected to be minimal.
This merger marks a shift from the previous operational model where Android and Pixel divisions functioned independently, suggesting that Google is seeking to forge a more cohesive ecosystem with an increased focus on artificial intelligence applications across both hardware and software.
Notably, Google had already reduced its global workforce by about 6% in 2023, and although further cuts have occurred, the company still maintains an employee count of approximately 180,000. This trend of workforce reductions is not unique to Google, as competitors like T-Mobile and Verizon have also announced significant layoffs, with automation and AI increasingly playing a role in these ongoing transformations.
