Google Discontinues Pixel 4 and 4 XL After Just 10 Months
Google announced the Pixel 4 and 4 XL late last year with much fanfare, but reviews of the devices were mediocre. Google never talked about sales, but we can safely assume they were equally disappointing because the Pixel 4 is no more. Just 10 months after release, . It’s full-steam ahead with the Pixel 4a and upcoming 5G phones.
The devices recently went out of stock on the Google Store, a condition which doesn’t last long when Google intends to continue selling a product. Several publications reached out for comment, and now Google has released a statement: “Google Store has sold through its inventory and completed sales of Pixel 4 [and] 4 XL.
As 2019 flagship phones, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL have a Snapdragon 855 ARM chip, but they have just 6GB of RAM. That’s a bit on the low side for a high-end device, and these phones did cost $900-1,000. Likewise, the base storage was a measly 64GB, and the battery capacity lagged behind even cheaper phones. Google took flak for those decisions, but it did focus on several areas to great effect. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL were the first Pixel phones to have an optical zoom sensor, which boosted the Pixel line’s already amazing photography. The UI smoothness and design are also a cut above other Android devices.
Still, the bad seems to have outweighed the good — after all, Google wouldn’t stop selling the Pixel 4 and 4 XL so early if people were buying them. Usually, Google keeps its last-gen Pixels around for a few months after the new version launches, selling off excess stock at a lower price. The early disappearance from the Google Store suggests Google scaled back production months ago, probably due to lackluster sales.
The Pixel 4a is the only Pixel on sale at the Google Store right now.
If you still want the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, says some third-party sellers still have units — you can still get the devices on Amazon, for example. That won’t last long, though.
Even though the Pixel 4 is no more, Google says it has not changed its update plans. The Pixel 4 is still guaranteed over two more years of system updates, which is longer than most Android phones. While there are no flagship Pixels available from Google right now, there’s the excellent budget Pixel 4a for $350. Google should also be launching the more capable Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G in the coming months.
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