Google has initiated a significant price reduction on its Pixel 9 series, marking the first major sale since the Black Friday shopping extravaganza. This price drop mirrors the discounts offered during Black Friday, with the notable exception of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which has received an even steeper price cut. Alongside these attractive discounts, Google has also enhanced its trade-in values for a range of devices, making it an opportune time for consumers to upgrade their smartphones.
The Pixel 9 is now available for $649, reflecting a $150 discount, while the Pixel 9 Pro enjoys a similar price reduction, bringing its cost down to $849. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold stands out with a substantial $300 price cut, making it available for $1,499. The more budget-friendly Pixel 8a is also included in the sale, with a $100 discount, bringing its price down to $399. These prices, especially for the Pixel 9 Pro, represent a compelling value proposition for Google’s 2024 technology offerings.
However, while competitive, these prices don’t quite match the rock-bottom deals offered by Amazon for the 2024 Pixel models just a few weeks prior. Notably absent from Google’s sale is any discount on the Pixel 8 range. Consumers seeking deals on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will need to turn to Best Buy, which is currently offering discounts of $200 and $350 respectively on these models.
The allure of Google’s sale is further amplified by the temporarily increased trade-in values. As is typical, Google provides the most competitive trade-in prices for older Pixel phones. For instance, the Pixel 7 Pro fetches a trade-in value of $540, the Pixel 6 Pro earns $450, and even older models like the Pixel 5 still command a respectable $245. These trade-in values significantly contribute to the overall affordability of upgrading to a newer Pixel device.
While Google shines with its trade-in offers for its own Pixel phones, the trade-in values for devices from other manufacturers, such as Samsung and Apple, are less remarkable. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra garner trade-in values of $300 and $360 respectively, while the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max offer $330 and $635 respectively. While these trade-in values are generally in line with market rates, they don’t present the same exceptional value as those offered for Pixel phones.
The enhanced trade-in values, coupled with the direct discounts on the Pixel 9 series, create an enticing opportunity for consumers, especially those within the Google ecosystem. The particularly high trade-in value for the Pixel 7 Pro is expected to remain relatively stable, given Google’s recent extension of software support for this model. This makes the Pixel 7 Pro a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a flagship Google experience with continued software updates. Ultimately, Google’s sale provides a compelling incentive for users to consider upgrading to a newer Pixel device, particularly for those with older Pixel phones to trade in.
