Google’s $100 hike is eyewatering, but the Pixel 8 series seems worth it

Opinion post by

Robert Triggs

There’s a lot to dive into with the new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, but I’m sure everyone’s immediate attention is drawn to the new price tag. For the first time since 2021, Google has raised its smartphone prices, risking a fair bit of the goodwill it’s earned over the past two years of brilliant smartphones.

Starting at $699 for the Pixel 8 and $999 for the Pro, both models are $100 dearer than their predecessors. Price hikes are steeper elsewhere; the UK sees a £150 increase, and €200 is the toll in Europe. However, these changes appear to be down to currency rates rather than outright gouging. Still, there’s no getting around the fact that higher prices are always hard to swallow and will undoubtedly give consumers pause for thought before hitting the buy button.