Dear Lifehacker, How long does Telstra have the exclusivity rights for the Google Pixel for? I’m keen to get the phone on a 24-month contract but can’t afford to pay Telstra prices. Will it be coming to Vodafone, Virgin or Optus in the foreseeable future? Thanks, Manic Pixel Dream Girl
Dear MPDG,
When Google was prepping the Pixel for release, Telstra was the only Australian telco that signed on. At the time, Pixel was an untested new brand with an RRP that matched the most expensive smartphones on the market. Its only guaranteed audience were Nexus-loving techies willing to pay big bucks for a pure Android phone.
As it turned out, the Pixel was a hit with mainstream consumers and topped many critics’ lists as the best phone of 2016 – but by then Telstra was already the exclusive carrier. At this stage, it appears unlikely that the current-gen Pixel will ever be carried by other telcos in Australia. Sorry.
If your heart is set on Pixel and you refuse to join Telstra, you’ll just have to wait for the next version. (Rest assured, the Pixel’s success means that Vodafone and Optus will be keen to get hold of Pixel 2 later this year.)
Alternatively, if you don’t mind waiting a few months, the Pixel is bound to come down in price sooner or later. Our advice is to buy it outright once it hits under $500. You can then shop around for a mobile phone plan without being saddled to a contract.
Cheers
Lifehacker
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Comments
3 responses to “Ask LH: Will The Google Pixel Be A ‘Telstra Exclusive’ Forever?”
What about just grabbing one outright via credit card or buy-now pay later scheme at JB?
Then stick whatever SIM you fancy in it and off you go.
A quick search finds a Samsung Galaxy S5 is about the newest Flagship phone that retails for under $500 at present. A 3-year old phone? You might be waiting a while MPDG!
Agreed. I just grabbed one for $880 at JbHiFi (Google still have them $1000+ in its site). The old Nexus 5X is still valued at $650 by google.
Google are only making as much of these as they need. They’re still selling fine and there’s no need to discount to boost last sales. I’d imagine Google will just wind down production before announcing pixel 2 availability at much the same price (i.e. $1100 of std and $1300 for xl)
The company I work for thankfully purchased me my Pixel XL as I requested. But I am one of those Nexus-loving techies. But I went from a Nexus 6P so it just filled the “want” rather than a need.
Best phone I’ve ever owned though to be honest. Battery life is amazing.