Google’s Pixel Phone Pricing Strategy
The Original Price of a Google Phone
Google’s first Pixel phones were premium devices that sold at a premium price. They were well worth it despite some flawed hardware. An IP68 water resistance rating, a cracking screen, and Google’s software made them compelling purchases.
The new Pixel 7 offers a similar experience, but at a more affordable price. It’s a top performer that rivals the likes of the iPhone 14 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Original Pixel
Google has tinkered with pricing strategies over the years to bring Pixel phones in line with their flagship competitors. This chart compares the original prices, adjusted for inflation, of all Pixel devices to date and reveals that Google has been able to bring its flagship phones in line with competitors in recent years.
The first Pixel debuted with a price tag that seemed relatively low, but that $649 price tag put it directly in the crosshairs of Samsung’s eyewatering Galaxy S7 flagship at $689 and ill-fated, combustible Galaxy Note 7 at $850. The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, saw a $80 price hike that brought it up to a competitive range with the $849 iPhone 13 and $799 Galaxy S21 5G.
This year, Google’s flagship Pixel 3 was priced at $799, which put it in the high-end range with the likes of Apple’s $999 iPhone 13 and Samsung’s upcoming $1,799 foldable Z-series device. Google’s more affordable Pixel 4a is a crisp $50 cheaper than the Pixel 3a, but comes with much-improved hardware and all of the software excellence that made its predecessor a tech-enthusiast favorite. A better P-OLED display, a better wide-angle selfie camera, an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, and more are just some of the highlights.
The Pixel 2
Google kept its Pixel 2 price at a reasonable $649 for the 64GB model and $749 for the 128GB version. It did this by focusing on making the hardware more competitive and keeping the software features that set the Pixel series apart from other Android phones.
The result is a phone that does its job very well and undercuts most of the competition by a significant margin. It has a brilliant camera, an advanced chip that makes everything work smoothly and quickly, wireless charging and the latest IP68 water resistance rating. It also looks like a premium smartphone, with a slick design and high-quality materials.
The only real downside is the lack of a headphone jack, which is fine if you’re ready to upgrade to wireless headphones but not if you still use wired ones. Despite this, the Pixel 2 is still an excellent choice.
The Pixel 3
When Google introduced the Pixel 3, the company was still a little uncomfortable charging premium Android phone prices. The Nexus line was never synonymous with super-premium hardware and the first Pixel’s metal body chipped easily, didn’t have an IP68 rating or even a wide-angle selfie camera. However, software features like HDR+ photography and Google Assistant won the Pixel phone series some early fans.
The Pixel 3 was a hit, and Google’s pricing strategy finally made sense in the context of a growing market for high-end smartphones. It started at $599 and competed with the $799 iPhone 13 and $799 Galaxy S21 5G.
Unlike the flagships from Apple and Samsung, though, Google didn’t hike Pixel 3 prices this year. It kept the price exactly the same and focused on a premium look and competitive hardware.
The Pixel 3 offers truly amazing cameras, a superb P-OLED display and wireless charging. It’s a great value, though it doesn’t have a headphone jack or expandable storage and its shot-to-shot camera delay can be a little sluggish in certain modes. Still, it’s one of the best Android phones on the market and is backed by solid customer support and frequent feature drops. You can get a Pixel 3 from Verizon, Project Fi, T-Mobile and other US carriers.
