The Pixel 10 Pro now comes with a free pair of Pixel Buds Pro 2. Photo: Andrej Sokolow/dpa (Photo by Andrej Sokolow/picture alliance via Getty Images)
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
If you have held off on buying a smartphone this year, now is the time to make your move. All the major handsets for 2025 have officially been released, and manufacturers are dropping regular discounts to keep interest high. Samsung was first out of the gate with a deal that bundled a free laptop and earbuds with select Galaxy phone purchases, and now Google has joined with its own Pixel 10 freebie promotion.
Google is giving away a free air of Pixel Buds Pro 2 with all Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL purchases until October 31st in the U.K.
This is coupled with boosted trade-in prices up to £615 ($829), with the company adding £150 ($202) on top of typical valuations. This is less than the (up to) £400 ($539) Google offered on top of its regular trade-in prices during a promotion in June.
Here’s a quick selection of Google’s new trade-in prices for realistic devices compared to June’s prices:
- Google Pixel 7 Pro – June price: £454 ($612), October price: £290 ($391)
- Google Pixel 6 Pro – June price: £415 ($559), October price: £248 ($334)
- Google Pixel 5 – June price: £377 ($508), October price: £216 ($291)
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – June price: £657 ($885), October price: £493 ($664)
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max – June price: £447 ($602), October price: £297 ($400)
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – June price: £517 ($697), October price: £367 ($494)
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus – June price: £373 ($503), October price: £223 ($300)
These Are Not Google’s Best Trade-In Prices
The difference is stark and clearly shows this new promotion is far from Google’s best trade-in deal. Of course, the Pixel 10 Pro is a relatively new phone compared to when the Search company launched the above Pixel 9 trade-in offer. If you want the absolute best prices, you will have to wait until next year.
However, compared to Samsung’s current prices when buying the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google stacks up well. For example, Google will pay almost the same for a Galaxy S23 Ultra as Samsung itself (£367/$494 versus £371/$500), while it offers more for the Galaxy S22 Ultra than the Korean company (£290/$390 versus £244/$328). Considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra is near the end of its life cycle, this is a solid deal from Google.
That said, the trade-in valuations from either Google or Samsung are not the best I have seen for the same devices. It’s unclear what influences the decision to randomly raise trade-in prices to the levels seen in previous limited promotions. But make sure to hit the follow button below so you don’t miss out.