Google Pixel - When to buy current gen after next gen announcement/release

Chris4

Hi, I'm looking to get a Google Pixel 8, but with 9 being announced and likely released this month, I'm happy to wait if it means saving some money. It'll be my first Pixel phone. Could I please ask experienced users based on previous years if there's an optimal time to wait?

Looking at Amazon UK price tracker CamelCamelCamel for the Pixel 7 for example, I can see oddly after the Pixel 8 announcement/release in October, the price of the 7 actually went up to £550 in November, but then shot down to £370 towards the end of November, likely around Black Friday.

Given the release this year is earlier, and I don't really want to wait 4 months until Black Friday, I guess I just have to take the best deal I can find at any given time? But assume best to wait a few weeks until release as I'm sure some places will reduce the price.

MattMattMattUK

Chris4 said:

Hi, I'm looking to get a Google Pixel 8, but with 9 being announced and likely released this month, I'm happy to wait if it means saving some money. It'll be my first Pixel phone. Could I please ask experienced users based on previous years if there's an optimal time to wait?

Looking at Amazon UK price tracker CamelCamelCamel for the Pixel 7 for example, I can see oddly after the Pixel 8 announcement/release in October, the price of the 7 actually went up to £550 in November, but then shot down to £370 towards the end of November, likely around Black Friday.

Given the release this year is earlier, and I don't really want to wait 4 months until Black Friday, I guess I just have to take the best deal I can find at any given time? But assume best to wait a few weeks until release as I'm sure some places will reduce the price.

It always depends on the stock and launch dates, but usually after the release is usually cheaper, they also tend to release the "A" variant which is usually slightly lower specs, but quite a bit cheaper. If you are signed up to the Google Play Store emails you will often get a 10-20% voucher for there when they start clearing stock of the older model that is on top of the main discounts. In previous years that has meant that buying direct from Google is often significantly cheaper than the discounts offered by other retailers. 

born_again

When it's released there should be good deals on the older version.
You also have the knowledge that the older model has any issues ironed out.

MSE would say, go for the older one.

Mark_d

I don't think there's one right answer.  It really depends on what your objective is and what your priorities are.

If I wanted to replace my existing handset, my budget is around £300-£350.  Currently the Google Pixel 7a is at that price and that's the phone I'd buy. 

However if my current phone doesn't need replacing for another 12 months, I'd hold off buying a new phone.  This time next year a Google Pixel 8 might be within mu budget.

From reading your post it sounds like you know you should be waiting until Black Friday, but are just getting impatient!

Neil49

Keep an eye out on the Hotukdeals website as there are people on there who seem to monitor the situation with mobile phone deals almost constantly.

Google themselves are often very quick to release deals in the run up to a new release and combine them with trade in discounts on your existing handset. These also crop up on the John Lewis website as well (which is where I got my Pixel 7a from). 

They also offer discounts when competitors are about to have a new release (especially Samsung and Apple). 

leonj

Pikxel 8 is £400 from giffgaff now

flaneurs_lobster

leonj said:

Pikxel 8 is £400 from giffgaff now

That's a good deal, £49 cheaper than refurbed on the same site!