Why did Google choose the iPhone 17 Pro to introduce Gemini Spark?

At I/O 2026, Google surprised many when a company representative demonstrated Gemini Spark on the iPhone 17 Pro instead of a Pixel device.

This decision has attracted particular attention, especially as Google is directly competing with Apple in the smartphone market. However, this is no coincidence, as Google is well aware that the majority of its future AI users will be iPhone and Mac users.

Josh Woodward, head of Google Labs, used an iPhone 17 Pro to demonstrate Gemini Spark at the I/O 2026 event.

PHOTO: GOOGLE

During the presentation, the audience also saw Macs running a demo of Gemini, which aligns with Google's recent efforts to expand Gemini across Apple platforms, including a dedicated macOS app.

Google shows that Gemini's future isn't just for Android.

Google understood that convincing iPhone users to use Gemini's services was much easier than asking them to switch to another device. The demonstration of Gemini Spark running smoothly on Apple hardware sent a clear message to the millions watching the event: you don't need to own a Pixel to experience Google's artificial intelligence tools.

Google also emphasized that they are listening to and addressing user feedback, focusing on products that users truly want. Currently, Apple users represent a significant opportunity for the company. According to reports, the iPhone 17 became the world's best-selling smartphone in Q1 2026, while the market share of Pixel devices remains modest.

Running on the Gemini 3.5 platform, Gemini Spark connects with applications like Gmail, Docs, Slides, and other Workspace applications to help handle recurring tasks and workflows efficiently. Google says this AI assistant will be rolled out to test users before officially launching to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US next week.

The most noteworthy aspect of this presentation wasn't just the phone, but also Google's public statement that the future of its artificial intelligence largely depends on Apple users.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-google-lai-chon-iphone-17-pro-de-gioi-thieu-gemini-spark-185260522153340198.htm