This $424 Pixel 8 deal is so good I'd buy it over the Pixel 9
by Taylor Kerns · Android PoliceGoogle's latest Pixel 9 phones launched just weeks ago in late August. I've spent time using every mainline Pixel phone released to date, and the Pixel 9 series is the best yet — but their collective edge over the previous-gen Pixel 8 series is pretty slim. For Prime Day, the whole Pixel 8 series is discounted, with the standard model going for a record-low $449. They're not quite the latest and greatest anymore, but there's never been a better time to buy a Pixel 8, 8a, or 8 Pro.
Google Pixel 8 is a steal at $424
The Pixel 8 for $424 is one of the best deals you'll find during this Big Deal Days event. The Pixel 8 was a solid phone when it launched at $799 — when then-Google Editor Manuel reviewed the phone last year, he praised its display quality, battery life, and especially its software update lifespan.
The Pixel 8 is the first Google phone to carry a guarantee of seven years of software updates. We're now one year into that timeline, but six years of software support on a $249 phone is still an unbelievable value.
With excellent cameras, strong performance, and a design and build that puts the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 to shame, the Pixel 8 is the phone to buy right now. Yes, the Pixel 9 is a bit better in every way — but its advantages aren't worth the extra $375 the Pixel 9 will cost you today.
Google Pixel 8
$424 $700 Save $276
Google's last-gen Pixel phones are all great prices for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, but the standard 8 is looking especially appealing at $424 — $276 off retail and a whopping $376 under what you'll pay for the Pixel 9 today. Only the Obsidian colorway is available right now — and at this price, it seems likely to sell out fast.
Pixel 8a is down to $380
There are no two ways about it: between the $424 Pixel 8 and the $380 Pixel 8a, I think most people would be better off going for the standard 8. Still, the 8a is $100 off for Prime Big Deal Days, going for $380. With the Pixel 8a, you're getting the same Tensor G3 chipset, eight gigs of RAM, and 128 gigs of storage as the Pixel 8, plus a similar 1080p, 120Hz OLED display.
The Pixel 8a charges slower, has thicker display bezels, and has a plastic rather than glass rear panel. Its smaller primary camera sensor means its low-light camera performance is a bit worse than the Pixel 8's. I think the Pixel 8's advantages are worth the extra $44 it costs right now, but if you don't mind missing out on those niceties, the Pixel 8a is still a great deal at $380. It should see software updates until spring of 2031.
Google Pixel 8a
$380 $500 Save $120
The Pixel 8a is very nearly as good as the standard Pixel 8 it's based on. I'd recommend springing for the $449 Pixel 8 if only for faster charging and marginally better camera performance, but the 8a is a great deal at $399.
Pixel 8 Pro sold out at $599
If you're a big-phone person, the Pixel 8 Pro at $599 may be up your alley. It's got more RAM than either of the other Pixel 8s (12 gigs to the 8 and 8a's eight gigs), plus a 48-megapixel telephoto camera — the smaller 8-series Pixels only come with standard and ultrawide shooters.
At $599, the Pixel 8 Pro is a record $400 off MSRP. It carries the same seven-year update promise as the smaller Pixel 8, so it should stay up to date until October 2030. A large-screen flagship that you'll safely be able to use into the next decade for 600 bucks is a hell of a bargain.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
$600 $1000 Save $400
The Pixel 8 Pro is Google's 2023 flagship. It's not quite as snappy as the Pixel 9 Pro and misses out on a few AI bells and whistles, but the 8 Pro is still a rock-solid big phone — especially on sale for $599. As of writing, it's sold out at this price, but it could get restocked before the event is over.
There are other Google deals, too
The Prime Big Deal Days deals on the Pixel 8 series are far and away the best bargains you'll get on Google hardware this week, but there are other noteworthy Google deals, too.
The Pixel Buds A-Series — Google's cheaper earbuds that I think are about due to be replaced — are approaching impulse-buy territory at just 59 bucks. If you need a cheap pair of buds and you don't care about sound isolation, the A-Series are a fine pick.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
$59 $100 Save $41
The Pixel Buds A-Series aren't very competitve today at their $99 MSRP, but a price cut down to $59 makes their shortcomings a lot easier to look past. If you're in the market for a pair of cheap earbuds but you still want a polished experience, consider the A-Series this Prime Day.
The Google Pixel Tablet is also $100 off, with or without the dock. The whole package is down to $399; the tablet on its own with no dock is $299. I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Pixel Tablet at $299 over an entry-level 10th-gen iPad on sale for the same price or less, but if you've been looking to try Google's latest tablet, now's a good time.
Google Pixel Tablet
Looking for a smart home hub that can double as a gaming tablet? Google's Pixel Tablet fits the bill. It flaunts a 10.9-inch IPS LCD screen, backed by the power of the Google Tensor G2 chipset and 8GB RAM for a snappy experience. Its camera setup includes an 8 MP rear and front camera, perfect for capturing those spontaneous moments or crystal-clear video calls.