With the launch of the Pixel 9a, the 7a has, as expected, left the Google Store in all regions. However, the Pixel 8a has been discounted almost everywhere except the US.
As anticipated, Google is keeping the Pixel 8a around for a year, as it did with the Pixel 7a last year and the 6a before it. Ordinarily, though, this would result in a discount on the previous-generation A-series phone to help shift any leftover stock while providing a cheap entry into the Pixel series. It also prevents the previous generation from being sold at the same price as the updated model.
While the Pixel 7a has been unlisted and removed from the Google Store, the memo about discounting the previous generation hasn’t been received for all regional stores. In the UK, the Pixel 8a now starts at £399, down from £499. In most European regions, it has dropped from €549 to €449:
However, in the US, it is still listed at $499, which matches the Pixel 9a’s $499 start price. We’re sure this is likely an oversight, but it does mean that the 8a is going to be a bad value compared to its newer sibling if you want to buy directly from Google.
Other sites already discounted last year’s midrange, but we’d expect sales and rebates to increase now that there is a brand-new phone to contend with. Maybe this is a temporary oversight, but for now, it’s a tougher sell than it was a few weeks ago.
The Pixel 9a offers an updated design, improved display, and more AI features from the Pixel 9 series. The 8a is still in line to get a further six years of OS updates and still has a solid spec sheet and impressive camera backed by Google’s computational prowess.
More on Google Pixel:
- Google layoffs impact hundreds in Pixel, Android division
- Gboard’s Assistant voice typing on Pixel becomes ‘Advanced features’
- Pixel 10 Pro XL gets price hike as Google aims for cheaper foldables, claims sketchy rumor
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