Right now is probably the best time in months to snag a Google Pixel phone at a great price. With the Pixel 10 launch event officially set for August 20, Google and retailers are rolling out some serious discounts on current models to clear inventory. If you’ve been eyeing a new Android phone, these deals might be exactly what you’re looking for.
What’s Actually on Sale Right Now
The discounts are pretty substantial across the board. The Pixel 9 is seeing $150 off, bringing it down to $649, while both the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are getting the same $150 discount to $849 and $949 respectively. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google’s premium foldable, has a hefty $300 discount dropping it to $1,499.
But here’s where it gets really interesting for budget-conscious shoppers. You can find renewed Pixel 8 Pro models for as low as $340 on Amazon, which is an incredible deal for what’s still a fantastic phone. Even a standard Pixel 8 can be had for around $299 in renewed condition. That’s getting into budget phone territory for what was a flagship just over a year ago.
The Pixel 8a, which has been one of the best values in Android phones since its launch, is now available for $399 after a $100 discount. For anyone who wants Google’s excellent camera system and clean Android experience without breaking the bank, this might be the sweet spot.
Why These Deals Make Perfect Sense Right Now
The timing isn’t coincidental. Google has officially announced its Made by Google event for August 20, where the entire Pixel 10 lineup will make its debut. The new phones will start shipping on August 28, which means retailers and Google itself want to move current inventory before the new models arrive.
This creates a perfect storm for deals. Google needs to clear out Pixel 9 stock, retailers want to avoid being stuck with older inventory, and consumers get to benefit from the competitive pricing. It’s the kind of win-win situation that doesn’t come around too often in the smartphone world.
The discounts we’re seeing now are deeper than what we typically get during regular sales events. These summer deals coinciding with Amazon’s Prime Day are offering some of the deepest discounts to date on the Pixel 9 series, with Amazon even boosting the discounts by an additional $50 in some cases.
Should You Buy Now or Wait for the Pixel 10?
This is the million-dollar question, and honestly, it depends on what kind of phone user you are. Let me break down both sides to help you decide.
The case for buying now: The current Pixel phones are genuinely excellent. The Pixel 9 series brought significant improvements in design, camera quality, and AI features. The phones feel premium, take stunning photos, and will receive Android updates for seven years. Plus, you’re saving real money – sometimes hundreds of dollars compared to launch prices.
For many people, a Pixel 8 Pro at $340 could actually be a better package than waiting for the base Pixel 10, which will likely start at $699. You’re getting flagship features including an incredible camera system, larger battery, and beautiful display for less than half the price of a new flagship.
The case for waiting: The Pixel 10 will feature Google’s new Tensor G5 chip, which represents a major shift for the company. It’s the first fully in-house design that will be produced by TSMC using a 3nm process, promising significant improvements in performance and efficiency over previous models.
The Tensor G4 in current Pixel phones, while capable, has been criticized for throttling under heavy loads and not quite matching the raw performance of competitors like Snapdragon chips. The G5 could finally address these concerns.
The Pixel 10 is also rumored to get a telephoto camera even on the base model, which would be a significant upgrade for photography enthusiasts. Current Pixel 9 models only get telephoto cameras on the Pro versions.
What We Know About Pixel 10 Pricing
Here’s something important to consider: early rumors suggest that Pixel 10 pricing will largely stay the same as current models, with the base Pixel 10 expected to start at $799. However, the Pro XL model might see a $100 price increase. There is some good news for foldable fans – the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be $200 cheaper than the current model.
This means the price gap between current discounted models and the upcoming Pixel 10 will be even wider than usual. You’re potentially looking at $150+ in immediate savings by going with current models, plus whatever additional deals retailers offer.
The Sweet Spot for Different Types of Users
Photography enthusiasts: The current Pixel 9 Pro or 9 Pro XL deals are fantastic. Google’s computational photography is already industry-leading, and the improvements coming with Pixel 10 are likely to be incremental rather than revolutionary.
Budget-conscious buyers: Those renewed Pixel 8 Pro deals at $340 are almost impossible to beat. You’re getting 90% of the flagship experience for a fraction of the cost.
Tech enthusiasts who want the latest: If you’re the type who always wants the newest chip and latest features, waiting for the Pixel 10 makes sense. The new Tensor G5 and potential camera improvements could be worth the wait and extra cost.
First-time Android users: The Pixel 8a at $399 is perfect for anyone switching from iPhone or upgrading from an older Android. It gives you the pure Google experience without a huge financial commitment.
Making the Decision That’s Right for You
Think about how you actually use your phone. If you’re taking lots of photos, streaming video, and using your phone for basic tasks, any of the current Pixel models will serve you excellently for years to come. The camera systems are already outstanding, the software experience is clean and fast, and you’ll get security updates for a long time.
On the other hand, if you’re into mobile gaming, video editing, or other processor-intensive tasks, the improved performance of the Tensor G5 might be worth waiting for. The question is whether that performance boost is worth paying potentially $200-300 more when you factor in current discounts.
The smartphone market has reached a point where even phones that are a generation or two old can handle everything most people throw at them. Unless you have specific needs that require cutting-edge processing power, the current deals represent incredible value.
Big Discounts on Pixel 9, 8 Pro
These Pixel discounts represent some of the best smartphone deals we’ve seen this year. Whether you should jump on them depends on your specific needs and budget, but for most people, the current Pixel phones offer everything they need at prices that are genuinely hard to pass up.
The Pixel 10 will undoubtedly be impressive, but ask yourself: is incremental improvement worth several hundred dollars more? For many buyers, the answer is probably no, especially when current models are this heavily discounted.
Whatever you decide, don’t wait too long if you’re interested in the current deals. Many of these summer promotions have specific end dates, with some ending as early as July 13. Once the Pixel 10 launches and current inventory dries up, these prices probably won’t come back.