What it is advisable to know
- Google launched its newest units in India, and so they entice 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 another cellphone out there right now.
Whereas there’s a lot to love on each telephones — you should definitely 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 reasonably drastic enhance in India, the place the Pixel 8 and eight Professional are seeing an enormous worth hike that makes them much less fascinating.
The Pixel 8 is accessible in an 8GB/128GB configuration, and it’s , a full ₹16,000 ($192) greater than its predecessor. In truth, the Pixel 7 is now , making it a downright discount. Though Google is providing sooner {hardware}, a 120Hz panel, and new cameras on the again, the Pixel 8 feels needlessly pricey.
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 ultimately 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 every 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 offered in India — incurring import duties — that is true for the earlier era as properly, so it does not account for why the Pixel 8 sequence all of the sudden prices a lot extra. So when you’re on the lookout for a brand new cellphone 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 enticing new colours and has appreciable upgrades, but it surely prices somewhat an excessive amount of in India. For those who’re , my advice can be to attend a short time.
