These repeated sales are part of Google's aggressive pricing strategy to gain market share from Samsung and Apple. The company has also been offering high-value vouchers to YouTube Premium subscribers for the purchase of the Pixel 8, increased its trade-in prices, and given $100 store credit coupons to random Google Photos users. This strategy is also linked to changes in consumer behavior, with buyers keeping their phones for longer. To offset the cost of providing extended software support, Google is encouraging long-term users to subscribe to its various services.
Key takeaways:
- Google has extended its promotion for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro to the U.K., reducing the price by £150 and £100 respectively until February 18th.
- Google has been offering high-value vouchers and discounts on its products since October, in an effort to compete with Samsung and Apple.
- Both Google and Samsung now offer seven years of Android updates and security patches for their latest flagship phones, encouraging long-term users to buy subscriptions to their services.
- With the rise of generative AI, there is a possibility of owners paying a subscription for certain AI features on their handsets, a move that Samsung has hinted at doing.