I’ve upgraded my Pixel XL every year from the 6 to the 9 (pro). Say what you will about that financial decision. Each year I’ve told myself I only did it because it was such a “great deal” either for the sale price on the pixel or the “boosted trade-in value” from the previous.

I thought it would be fun to look at the prices for each in the context of the others and see how they varied from year to year.

Each year I bought the XL model with the lowest storage space (except the 9 pro), and pro when it was offered. Only one of the years I received a promotional item and I’ll note that. The total price is listed with tax.

Pixel 6 Pro 128gb

10/19/2021
Total: $969
Trade-in: $175 (of two year old Pixel 4XL)
Pixel Buds A: $99 (retail)
Net: $695

Pixel 7 Pro 128gb

11/7/2022
Total: $968
Trade-in: $500
Net: $468

Pixel 8 Pro 128gb

12/26/2023
Total $753
Trade-in: $315
Net: $438

Pixel 9 Pro 256gb

11/6/2024
Total: $904 (with "gold" play  points discount)
Trade-in: $699
Net: $205
Net (If I had bought the 128gb): ~$105

Originally I’d planned to keep my 8 pro another year, but looking at it this way it makes more sense why I couldn’t help myself and go with the update again.

On another note, I find it annoying the way Google plays around with “boosted trade-in values.” I get that they do a lot of sales to encourage purchases, but changing around the trade-in values to create a sense of urgency and price confusion – especially on their own phones! – seems distasteful to me. They should stick with what they think is the actual value of their phones, and admit whether they do or don’t hold that value over time.