Here’s how much Google Pixel phones cost in 2016 compared to 2016. 2026

In October 2016, Google discontinued its beloved Nexus program and created a new brand: the Google Pixel. This sudden change was a crucial step in the transition from Android enthusiast phones to products aimed at the consumer market. Facing Apple and Samsung, Google launched its first flagship products; the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, direct competitors of the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S7.

It was a declaration of war, as Google priced its first-generation Pixel at exactly the same price as the iPhone 7: $649. Samsung was a bit more expensive, with the Galaxy S7 retailing for $669. It was a clear sign that Google wanted market share, then dominated by the Korean giant. To capture the customer, Google has offered many lucrative features such as free Google Photos storage, exclusive access to the built-in Google Assistant, and the purest Android Nougat experience.

When that wasn’t enough, Google started undercutting the competition. Starting with the Pixel 6, Google priced its flagship at $599, when the industry standard was $799. The Pixel 7 followed suit, and suddenly more and more people were ready to make the switch. Fast forward to today, Google charges the same premium prices as Apple and Samsung. Although once marketed as budget Android phones, Pixel phones no longer benefit from the discount factor and Pro models cost over $1,000. While much of the price increase has to do with inflation and RAM shortages, Google’s strong brand also plays a role.

The original Google Pixel and Pixel XL were priced at $649 and $769, respectively. So why are the newer models more expensive? Starting with the obvious factor, there is inflation. Over the years, the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar has diminished, and even though your money looks the same, it can buy fewer things. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $649 in October 2016 has the same purchasing power as $899 in August 2026. Even if you see a nominal increase in product prices — for example, the new Google Pixel 11 costs $899 — the actual price hasn’t changed much.

Beyond that, the newer models have hardware upgrades that make them much more powerful. To put things in perspective, the first-generation Google Pixel launched with 32GB of storage, while the Pixel 11’s base storage is 256GB. Similarly, the original Pixel’s panel featured a 5-inch 1080p AMOLED display with thick bezels, while the Pixel 11 features a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED all-screen display. These upgrades aren’t just nominal; they improve the whole experience and the cost/performance ratio of the new Pixels is much higher than that of the original.

Finally, we have the current state of the technological world, where RAM is scarce due to AI. This ends up raising the price of all tech products as brands try to find an answer. However, in the meantime, consumer phone prices are reaching unprecedented levels. This is evident in the launch prices of all premium flagships, with the Pixel 11 Pro XL, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra all costing $1,299. Additionally, as Google continues to capture a respectable share of the market, it becomes more confident that it can charge a higher price, similar to its competitors.

Since Google started charging higher premiums for its flagship smartphones, going back a few generations could get you the best deal. Alongside the launch of the Google Pixel 8 in October 2023, Google has promised seven years of software updates. This meant that your phone would be upgradeable and you would only need to upgrade if you wanted to. As a result, the Pixel 9 and 10 series become valuable options for those who want to test out the Google ecosystem.

With the launch of the Pixel 11, older models can be found at discounted prices while still providing a premium experience. In fact, the RAM on the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL has been reduced to 12GB due to shortages, and you’ll get an additional 4GB of RAM on the flagship Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro. In Google’s current state, the older phones are obviously worth it, because the new line doesn’t have enough compelling qualities to warrant an upgrade.

For users who want an even lower entry-level price, Google offers budget phones like the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a. Featuring reductions in build quality, cameras, and RAM, the Pixel “A” series delivers a flagship-like experience while maintaining the reviving factor. These products, along with older models, offer much more value than spending over $1,000 on a new phone. Given how far we’ve come, users no longer need to purchase the latest flagship to get a premium experience. Instead, you can get similar performance with an older Pixel, Samsung, or iPhone, whichever you prefer.