How will tariffs affect Google Pixel devices, buy now or wait?

horde

I think everyone is now aware of the tariffs and how to increase the cost of most devices. How badly do think Google Pixel devices price will be affected? For people looking to buy a device to install GrapheneOS and already got like Pixel 7, should they buy Pixel 9 right now or for anyone that is still waiting for Pixel 10 if they are going to introduce any remarkable hardware security additions?

Wadder

horde Although I believe we can all concur with the concern raised, I don't see the point in speculating on future hardware availability or pricing due to tariffs, especially when Google's own track record doesn't offer much insight.

I should add, it's worth noting that Google has consistently been increasing the price of its new hardware. With the integration of AI, it's reasonable to assume that the cost of producing new pixels has already risen. When comparing the cost of a top-spec iPhone or Galaxy with a Pixel 9 Pro, Google appears to be operating at a loss on hardware sales. Therefore, it's likely that the price will need to increase to accommodate the growing RAM requirements for AI functionality.

Given these considerations, it's probably best to continue as usual and, if possible, contribute to GOS to support their work. We can then look forward to any new hardware releases that may come.

secrec

horde How badly do think Google Pixel devices price will be affected?

Sale price is always set to the maximum that the market will support. Tariffs don't change what the market will support. In other words, Google will suck up the difference, outside of any inflationary change that would be expected year to year anyway.

secrec

Wadder Google appears to be operating at a loss on hardware sales.

Absolutely not. I guarantee that their actual cost is a tiny fraction of what they charge for the devices. They crank the price up absolutely as high as the market will support.

grayway2

abcZ I would suggest you to buy the pixel 8/pro. Pixel 9 series are too expensive right now compare the 8 series and it's just doesn't worth it.

Once pixels 10 series will be available you can then buy 9 series at good cost. There will be probably nothing extraordinary in the 10 series pixels from a security perspective comparing the 9 series.

DeletedUser237

grayway2 just doesn't worth it.

That depends. Improved fingerprint sensor, more storage (pro xl) which in most cases is not "much" more expensive (market dependent) is imho worth it if one wants it and knows may use it.

secrec

grayway2 There will be probably nothing extraordinary in the 10 series pixels from a security perspective comparing the 9 series.

Security is a very limited perspective. Battery life is expected to improve dramatically as a result just from the switch from samsuck to TSMC.

DeletedUser203

My 6a is EOL in July 2027, and February 2027 is when I expect I will look for something newer, by then tarrifs with be history apart from the UK Govt tarrif thats VAT.
A P7 has another six months over the P6a before EOL, so why worry now.

areaman

Form a cost perspective, unless your current phone is near end of life, you probably save more by using your current phone longer and buying a 20% more expensive phone in a year than you do by getting a new phone now. Otherwise you in effect make your existing phone more expensive in $/time used. There is also the question of how long the tarrifs will stay, which I have very little idea about. Could be years, or they could go away tomorrow.

de0u

secrec I guarantee that their actual cost is a tiny fraction of what [Google] charge for the devices.

It would be great to present data supporting such a claim.

And it would be great if the data compared not just the cost of parts for one device against the retail price of the device, but also included licensing costs paid to Arm, development costs including salaries, the costs for having customer service reps, warranty replacements, etc.

Wadder

secrec My comparison was based on hardware's pricing from a consumer's perspective. As such, it was speculative in nature regarding future costs. Any to manufacturing costs would require more time and a detailed assessment , which I don't care to spend.😅

areaman

secrec It's a bit more complicated, because prices of competitor phones matter as well. Assuming phone makers are not going to opperate at a loss, some prices may have to go up. There will be somewhat fewer phones sold, but many will choose to buy at the higher price because they don't have an alternative. It is a feedback loop that will settle at a new equilibrium price, higher than the current price but probably not increased in direct proportion to the tarrif. The cost of the tarrif is split between the manufacturing company and the consumer, and a ton of factors determine what the ratio is.