Google stops selling refurbished Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, lowers Pixel 7 pricing

Google has discontinued sales of refurbished Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices from its store, aligning with their approaching end-of-life for software updates. Concurrently, the company reduced prices for refurbished Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro models to $359 and $539 respectively, while indicating plans to introduce newer devices like the Pixel 8 Pro into its refurbished program, signaling a strategic adjustment in its product lifecycle and pricing for its Pixel smartphone line.

Analysis

Google has updated its store and stopped selling refurbished Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices, but without a newer replacement stepping in. In October of last year, Google started selling refurbished Pixel phones via the Google Store. The initial list included Pixel 6 series, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7 series devices, with Pixel 7a being added later on. Google has since removed the Pixel 6a following its battery issues. Now, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have been removed. As of today, the Google Store has removed the refurbished Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The two devices were previously sold for $339 and $539, respectively. Alongside this removal, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have received price cuts. Where they previously sold for $429 and $629, respectively, prices have now dropped to $359 and $539. The Pixel 7a is $339, and these are the only three refurbished Pixels remaining available in the Google Store. The removal of Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is likely due to the fact that, despite an extension, these devices will lose software updates next year. The Pixel 7 series, meanwhile, will still be getting updates through 2027. Shortly after the Pixel 9 launch, Google very briefly showed the Pixel 8 Pro on this page, but without any pricing details. It was pulled from the page within 24 hours and has yet to return, but the fact that it was shown suggests that Google is at least planning to offer newer devices in the program at some point. More on Pixel: - Pixel Launcher search bringing back ability to quickly open apps - Pixel Phone app rolling out Call Recording & Android Auto access, details global expansion - Google Pixel’s rope wrist straps are a fun, colorful, and delightfully simple add-on [Gallery] Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Comments Google is executing a strategic refresh of its refurbished smartphone offerings, discontinuing sales of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro from its official store. This move is directly linked to the product lifecycle, as these devices are scheduled to lose software update support next year, indicating a proactive effort to manage customer experience and brand reputation. Concurrently, Google has implemented aggressive price reductions on its newer refurbished models, dropping the Pixel 7 to $359 and the Pixel 7 Pro to $539, which makes the latter's new price equivalent to the former price of the delisted Pixel 6 Pro. This pricing adjustment is designed to stimulate demand for the 7-series. The brief appearance of the Pixel 8 Pro on the refurbished page signals a clear forward-looking strategy to systematically introduce newer-generation devices into the secondary market, suggesting a more disciplined and mature approach to hardware lifecycle management within its Pixel division.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should view this as a minor, but positive, indicator of increasing operational discipline within Google's hardware division, specifically concerning product lifecycle and secondary market management.
• The aggressive pricing on refurbished Pixel 7 models is a strategy to watch, as it could enhance Google's competitiveness in the mid-range smartphone segment and capture value from the secondary market, though its impact on overall company financials will be minimal.
• The future introduction and pricing of the Pixel 8 series in the refurbished program will serve as a data point for assessing the hardware division's ability to manage inventory velocity and margins across its product generations.