Google is offering aggressive deals with the release of the latest Pixel 8a, including a $100 store credit with pre-orders and trade-in deals for existing Pixel phones and select Samsung and Apple models, with the highest trade-in value at $499 for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Buyers have until May 19th to take advantage of these deals, with 30 days to send in their trade-in device. Additionally, Google is offering three months of Google One with 100GB, three months of YouTube Premium, and six months of Fitbit Premium for free with pre-orders of the Pixel 8a.
For those interested in the Pixel Tablet, Google is offering enhanced trade-in prices for old tablets, such as a 7th generation iPad, which can net buyers $399 off the Pixel Tablet, which itself costs $399. These enhanced trade-in prices will last until May 20th, coinciding with the company’s offer launch on the day Apple announced its new iPads. This aggressive pricing strategy is part of Google’s efforts to attract customers into its ecosystem through hardware and subscriptions.
Update on May 10th: Pixel 8a buyers will receive an instant update when they first boot up their phones, introducing an exclusive feature previously limited to the Pixel 8 series: AI-generated wallpapers. The feature will be available with the May 2024 security patch, which was announced alongside the Pixel 8a. This update comes after reviewers tested the phone with an earlier build of Android 14, indicating that buyers will need to update their phones to access the latest features, including AI-generated wallpapers.
AI-generated wallpapers allow users to create custom backgrounds based on limited prompts, with the image processing done in the cloud by Google’s servers. While this feature is not exclusive to Pixel phones, Google is likely aiming to differentiate its devices from other Android handsets by offering unique AI capabilities. Other AI features like Circle to Search, Magic Editor, and Call Assist are also expected to be available on the Pixel 8a, with Google committing to seven years of OS and security updates and feature drops for the phone.
Overall, potential buyers are advised to consider the trade-in deals and pre-order incentives carefully, as the headline price for the Pixel 8a is expected to drop over time, based on Google’s history of offering discounts on its flagship Pixel 8 models. Additionally, those with older iPads or access to affordable models may find the enhanced trade-in prices for tablets a solid deal. It remains to be seen how Google’s aggressive pricing strategy and focus on subscriptions through Google One will impact the overall value proposition for its hardware offerings.
