Google's Pixel 8 series has been making waves in the smartphone market since its launch last October. Notably, Google has been consistently reducing the price of its flagship devices, and it seems there is no end in sight.
Initially, a discount of $150 and $200 was offered on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, respectively, starting from January 24th and ending on February 3rd. However, Google extended this offer immediately on their online store. Customers can now enjoy the same deal from February 3rd to February 24th.
It is quite uncommon for Google to offer consecutive and significant discounts on their flagship phones. In addition to the price reduction, Google has been giving away $125 gift cards to select YouTube Premium and Google service subscribers to be used towards the purchase of Pixel phones.
Furthermore, Google has extended its enhanced trade-in prices until February 24th. Customers who trade-in their used handsets may receive up to $750, but this offer is only applicable when trading in an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Notably, Google is offering more for the same iPhone model compared to Samsung, which currently offers $550. In fact, even Galaxy S24 buyers can only obtain up to $750 for their used iPhone 15 Pro Max, whereas Google does not accept any iPhone 15 models for trade-in during this sale period.
This strategy of repeated discounts, surprise gift card promotions, and high-value trade-in prices is typically associated with Samsung. However, Google appears to be adopting a similar approach, possibly due to the transformative potential of generative AI in the smartphone sector. Both companies are striving to attract users to their hardware ecosystem and entice them with subscriptions to next-generation AI features. In the future, there is a possibility that Google might charge for select features of its AI service, Bard.
For potential Pixel 8 buyers, this ongoing sale presents a rare opportunity to purchase the phone at a significantly reduced price. Typically, such deals are reserved for the holiday shopping period. However, given Google's recent trend of continuously lowering hardware prices, it wouldn't be surprising if more discounts surface in the future.
Update: Google has not only extended the discounts to several other devices but also introduced additional price cuts. The Pixel Fold, for instance, now enjoys a $400 price reduction, bringing the current price down to $1399. The enhanced trade-in prices mentioned earlier also apply to the Pixel Fold until February 24th. Other devices, such as the Pixel 7a, Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Watch 2, FitBit Charge 6, and Pixel Tablet, have also received price cuts. The Pixel Fold discount is particularly noteworthy, considering its more advanced life cycle compared to the Pixel 8. As Google gears up for the potential launch of the Pixel Fold 2 in June, it is likely that more discounts will be offered in the coming months to clear existing stock.
In conclusion, Google's ongoing sale, featuring significant price reductions, surprise gift card offers, and attractive trade-in values, presents an excellent opportunity for potential buyers. Whether you have been eyeing the Pixel 8 or considering the other discounted devices, now is the time to make your move. Keep an eye out for further discounts as Google continues to make its mark in the smartphone market.
