Google is expanding its Pixel phone distribution to more carriers this year, ending the exclusivity period with Verizon.
Google is launching its new Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL phones with T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, and has made its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones available through those carriers and as unlocked phones. The Pixel phones are also now available on Verizon’s Visible brand in Colorado, as well as on U.S. Cellular and C Spire.
AT&T is not selling the Pixel phones directly but will support the unlocked versions.
RELATED: Verizon retains exclusive on Google’s Pixel 3
The expansion comes as the Pixel phone sales have slumped. In April, Alphabet reported hardware sales for the company, which includes its smartphones, had declined, reflecting pressures in the premium smartphone market, Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat said during the company's first-quarter 2019 earnings call, according to a transcript provided by Seeking Alpha.
The new Pixel 3a phones, which were unveiled during the company’s I/O conference, represent a mid-range phone offering meant to combat the slowdown in phone sales. The Pixel 3a retails at $400, while the Pixel 3a XL sells for $480. That’s about half the price of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, which retail at $800 and $900 respectively. The Pixel 3a line of phones went on sale today.
Sprint is offering the new 3a and 3a XL for $100 off with an 18 month lease, and is offering $300 off the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. T-Mobile is offering up to $400 off Pixel phones when existing customers trade in an eligible device. U.S. Cellular is offering the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL for half off to new and existing customers. Verizon is offering $100 off the Pixel phones if customers add a new line, or $50 off if customers upgrade an existing line.