According to a statement provided to 9to5Google and reported by Android Police, Google has confirmed that Pixel phone prices will increase, citing increases in RAM and storage costs that are impacting the industry.
The confirmation came from Shakeel Barkat, Google’s vice president of devices and services, who said the company would be “adjusting” pricing across the Pixel family and doing so “dynamically to match supply realities.” Google did not reveal specific prices for the upcoming Pixel 11 lineup. The Pixel event is scheduled for August 12th.
Barkat said Google has worked to protect customers from rising component prices, but is not immune from the increases affecting the broader market.
Pixel prices track component supply, Android memory usage shrinks
The central point of Google’s statement is that Pixel pricing adjustments will track supply conditions rather than being set at a fixed level.
Barakat said the changes will be made “dynamically to match supply realities,” which Android Police takes to mean that continued increases in component costs will translate into higher prices at the point of sale.
Google did not reveal pricing for the upcoming Pixel series. Behind the change is the rising cost of RAM and storage, which has largely hit the smartphone industry over the past year, and Android Police says no company is immune to the component crisis.
Some manufacturers have tried alternative methods to keep prices stable, but at the expense of other tradeoffs.
Along with pricing confirmation, Android Police reports that Google is making a “dedicated effort” to reduce memory requirements across Android.
Reducing the memory footprint of the operating system will reduce the need for RAM devices, which may partially offset the impact of higher memory component costs on future hardware.
Android Police posits this as a change that could have been adopted earlier, given that manufacturers have historically added new hardware even if previous configurations performed adequately.
What can Pixel buyers do before August 12?
For buyers considering a Pixel purchase, Android Police recommends focusing on the prices of current and future models, as some buyers are choosing discounted current-generation phones rather than newer models with iterative changes.
The added cost of a new model with incremental updates makes a discounted prior model a more straightforward value in some cases.
Practical steps for buyers facing price rise:
- Compare the launch price of the Pixel 11 to the current generation Pixel models, as steep discounts on the outgoing model may outweigh the iterative upgrades.
- Keep an eye out for retailer promotions like gift card offers with purchases from Amazon or Best Buy.
- Consider carrier discounts, which can reduce the effective cost over the life of the contract.
- Factor in the trade-in offers that most retailers and carriers offer to reduce the upfront price.
- Evaluate whether the specification differences justify the higher price for intended use rather than upgrading by default.
Google’s Pixel event is scheduled to take place on August 12, when the Pixel 11 lineup is expected to be announced. Google hasn’t confirmed final prices for any Pixel 11 models, the specific size of the increase, or how the “dynamic” pricing approach will be reflected in all regions.
Android Police says component prices are not expected to improve in the near term, leaving promotions, trade-ins, and carrier deals as the main ways to reduce costs for buyers.
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