The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL are both now available. As far as where you’ll be able to get Google’s 2018 flagship smartphone, availability is much more limited compared to the likes of Samsung or Apple’s products. That’s because Verizon, for the third year running, is Google’s exclusive carrier partner for the Pixel 3 series. And it’s celebrating the occasion in a strange way: by charging customers $30 more for the Pixel 3 XL than other retailers.
Verizon has a lock on selling Google’s phone, so if you were hoping for the usual battle between US carriers to secure the best upfront offer for customers, that won’t be happening. However, the device itself will be unlocked to work with other major carriers like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and most MVNOs. Additionally, Google, Target and Best Buy will be selling the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. So here’s more information on how much the new Pixel device will cost you at the stores you can buy from.
Buy it outright: The base model with 64GB of storage costs $799. For an extra $100, you can double the onboard storage. This is in line with pricing you’ll find elsewhere.
The Pixel 3 XL starts at $929 on Verizon, which is $30 more than it costs at Best Buy, Project FI, or the Google Store to buy it outright. We asked Verizon to explain why it’s charging a premium for the phone but a spokesperson declined to elaborate, telling The Verge that the carrier “can’t comment on sales or pricing strategy.”
Monthly installments: Starting with the smaller Pixel 3 in the 64GB variant, you’re looking at $33.33 per month for 24 months, which totals to just a few cents under the $799.99 mark. For the Pixel 3 XL, Verizon offers it at $38.74 per month, and again puts the total at within the dollar of the cost at buying it outright.
Special offer: Verizon is currently hosting a buy-one-get-one offer for the Pixel 3 for both new and returning customers, so long as you add a new line. You can pay for both phones upfront or with monthly payments, then Verizon will pay your back via credits on your statement.
Buy it outright: The base model Pixel 3 with 64GB of storage costs $799. If you want 128GB of storage, you’ll need to shell out an extra $100.
Through Google, the Pixel 3 XL starts at $899 with 64GB of storage. Doubling the storage to 128GB takes the price up to $999.
Monthly installments: For the 64GB Pixel 3 model, the Google Store undercuts Verizon ever so slightly, costing $33.29 per month. This totals out to $798.96.
For the larger Pixel 3 XL, monthly installments will start at $37.46, but keeps the same total you’d pay for the phone outright.
Buy it outright: The base model Pixel 3 with 64GB of storage costs $799, and the 128GB models costs $100 more.
The Pixel 3 XL starts at $899 with 64GB of storage at Best Buy. Doubling the storage to 128GB takes the price up to $999. Even though the retailer activates on Verizon’s network, it doesn’t charge customers a $30 premium to do so.
Monthly installments: The 64GB Pixel 3 model costs $33.34 per month, which is just a penny more per month than Verizon. This totals out to $800.16.
Monthly installments for the Pixel 3 XL start at $37.50, amounting to $900 flat.
Special offer: Best Buy offers the same buy-one-get-one promo as Verizon, and the same restrictions apply: it’s only valid if one of the phones goes to a new line, and you’ll be paying for both either upfront or with monthly payments, then paid back via credits on your monthly bill. Currently, preorders at Best Buy are eligible for a $100 gift card.
Buy it outright: The base model Pixel 3 with 64GB of storage costs $799. If you want 128GB of storage, you’ll need to shell out an extra $100.
Through Google’s Project Fi service, the Pixel 3 XL starts at $899 with 64GB of storage. Doubling the storage to 128GB takes the price up to $999.
Monthly installments: For the 64GB Pixel 3 model, Project Fi charges the same amount as the Google Store at $33.29 per month. This totals out to $798.96 after 24 months
For the larger Pixel 3 XL, monthly installments start at $37.46, keeping the same total you’d pay for the phone outright — again, just like the Google Store.
Special offer: Project Fi currently offers a $799 service credit (paid back in bill statements) if you purchase two Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL phones. The caveats here are that one of the phones must be activated with a new member, and that both phones activated on Fi must be used on the service for a total of 30 days before 60 days since its shipment have passed.
Buy it outright: Target offers both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL at their usual prices: $799 to start for the smaller phone, and $899 for the Pixel 3 XL.
Monthly installments: At the cheaper end, Target charges $33.33 per month for the Pixel 3. If you want the Pixel 3 XL, you’ll be paying $37.50 per month for 24 months.
Special offer: Target will offer a $150 gift card for those who order and activate the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL on Verizon’s service. There’s no buy-one-get-one deal here, though some may prefer getting a Target gift card upfront. This offer comes to an end on Saturday, October 20th.
Updated at 9:20AM ET on October 18th: Target has been added to the list of retailers that offer Google’s new phone.