Google had perfect timing
With Samsung potentially having round two of their Note 7 PR mess on their hands, a lot of Note 7 buyers will be looking at alternatives. And hey here's a phone that's the same size, same screen, same performance, same price which has a chance of actually getting updates beyond the end of 2017.
I think the Pixel is going to be a hit, not because it converts iPhone buyers but because it steals customers from Samsung!