What you want to know
- Google launched its newest units in India, they usually appeal to a hefty premium.
- The Pixel 8 is accessible for ₹75,999 ($912) within the nation, whereas the Pixel 8 Professional begins off at ₹1,06,999 ($1,285).
- Google additionally launched the Pixel Watch 2 at ₹39,999 ($480), however there is not any LTE mannequin.
Google unveiled its newest merchandise on the Made by Google 2023 occasion, with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional providing heady upgrades throughout the board and a slate of AI-assisted options. An enormous speaking level is that each telephones will get seven years of assured Android updates, greater than every other telephone available in the market as we speak.
Whereas there’s a lot to love on each telephones — remember to undergo our Pixel 8 hands-on to see what’s coming this yr — Google additionally elevated the costs. Whereas each units value $100 extra within the U.S., there is a relatively drastic enhance in India, the place the Pixel 8 and eight Professional are seeing an enormous value hike that makes them much less fascinating.
The Pixel 8 is accessible in an 8GB/128GB configuration, and it’s set to retail at ₹75,999 ($912), a full ₹16,000 ($192) greater than its predecessor. In reality, the Pixel 7 is now promoting for simply ₹41,999 ($504), making it a downright cut price. Though Google is providing sooner {hardware}, a 120Hz panel, and new cameras on the again, the Pixel 8 feels needlessly expensive.
Then there’s the Pixel 8 Professional, which is listed at ₹1,06,999 ($1,285) for the 12GB/128GB model, which is ₹22,000 ($264) greater than what the Pixel 7 Professional launched eventually yr. I simply do not see Google’s reasoning for the worth hike, and whereas the Pixel 8 Professional has noticeable upgrades — notably with the cameras — there is a dissonance between what it prices within the U.S., different world markets, and India.
To its credit score, Google is launching the Pixel Watch 2 in India, however there’s solely a Bluetooth-enabled model for ₹39,999 ($480), with no point out of whether or not an LTE mannequin will make its debut. Google says that each one three merchandise can be found for pre-order with gross sales beginning October 12, however the retailer hyperlinks present as unavailable.
Whereas it may be argued that Google is importing all telephones bought in India — incurring import duties — that is true for the earlier era as properly, so it would not account for why the Pixel 8 sequence abruptly prices a lot extra. So for those who’re in search of a brand new telephone and had your eye on the Pixel 8 sequence, get able to pay a hefty premium in India.
The Pixel 8 Professional is available in engaging new colours and has appreciable upgrades, nevertheless it prices slightly an excessive amount of in India. For those who’re , my advice can be to attend a short while.