Google has laid off several hundred employees from its Platforms and Devices (P&D) unit, which oversees Android, Pixel, Chrome, and other hardware-software integrations. This move comes after voluntary buyouts were offered to U.S.-based P&D employees earlier in 2025.
The layoffs are part of Google's broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on efficiency following the 2024 merger of its Devices and Services team with the Platforms and Ecosystems team. The goal of this restructuring was to unify hardware and software efforts under one umbrella to deliver higher-quality products faster.
This decision is consistent with Google's ongoing cost-cutting measures. In January 2023, the company laid off approximately 12,000 employees, representing 6% of its global workforce. By December 2024, Google announced plans to reduce managerial roles by 10% to simplify its organizational structure.
The voluntary exit program offered earlier this year targeted teams working on Android, Pixel, ChromeOS, Nest, and other products within the P&D unit. Employees who accepted the buyout received severance packages, although specific details were not disclosed.
The layoffs reflect Google's shift toward a more functional organizational model and its focus on aligning resources with top priorities like artificial intelligence (AI) integration across products. In recent years, Google has also faced criticism from employees and the Alphabet Workers Union for these layoffs. The union has called the cuts "needless," especially given Alphabet's strong financial performance—reporting $80.5 billion in revenue for Q1 2024.
This restructuring follows a trend across the tech industry as companies adapt to changing market conditions and prioritize efficiency over expansion. While Google continues to invest in areas like AI and cloud computing, these layoffs highlight the challenges of balancing innovation with operational streamlining.
