The author was not initially interested in purchasing a Google Pixel Tablet, but a 50% off trade-in promotion caught their eye on Slickdeals. Google was offering a $400 credit for trading in a regular sixth-generation iPad from 2018, which originally retailed at $329. This meant that Google was giving extra credit to entice people to switch to Android. However, the trade-in offer changed, and Google began offering $75 for a sixth-gen iPad, requiring an eighth-gen iPad from 2020 or a fifth-gen iPad Air from 2022 for the $400 credit. The author found a sixth-gen iPad on Facebook Marketplace for $110 and traded it in at the Google Store in New York for a Pixel Tablet at a total cost of $254.29.
Google re-entered the Android tablet market with the Pixel Tablet last year after a long hiatus. Before that, the last Google tablet was the Pixel C from 2015, running on Android 8.1. During Google’s absence, other manufacturers dominated the Android tablet space, while Apple soared to 40% global market share in tablets by 2022. The Android tablet market was flooded with cheap, low-quality options, and without strong Google support, Apple’s iPad became the platform of choice for many users due to its vibrant app ecosystem. Google’s return to the tablet market with the Pixel Tablet was a significant move to compete with Apple’s dominance.
The author visited a Google Store in New York to trade in the iPad and purchase the Pixel Tablet. The store was quiet compared to bustling Apple Stores, with more employees than customers. Two employees inspected the iPad and offered a $400 discount on the Pixel Tablet, resulting in a final cost of $144.29 after taxes. With the $110 spent on the iPad, the author walked out of the store with a Pixel Tablet for a total of $254.29. While Google adjusted the terms of the trade-in promotion, it was still possible to save around $250 on a Pixel Tablet by purchasing a used eighth-gen iPad for approximately $150 online. The trade-in promotion was set to end on May 20th at 11:59pm PT.
Despite not planning to purchase a Google Pixel Tablet initially, the author took advantage of a 50% off trade-in promotion that caught their attention. Google’s offer of a $400 credit for a trade-in of a sixth-gen iPad from 2018 was a significant incentive to switch to Android. While the terms of the trade-in offer changed, the author found a sixth-gen iPad for $110 on Facebook Marketplace and traded it in at a Google Store in New York for a Pixel Tablet at a total cost of $254.29. Google’s re-entry into the Android tablet market with the Pixel Tablet was a move to compete with Apple’s dominance, offering a premium option for users seeking a high-quality tablet experience.
