Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL price and release date: our expectations

The Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are shaping up as two of the most interesting phones of 2019, even if not for all the right reasons. As with previous generations, the Pixel 4 has been extensively leaked months ahead of its official release, but this time around, Google has also joined in on the fun by releasing what looks like an official render of the phone. The teased design, alongside rumors that the phone is going to have a sizable top bezel, have stirred some controversy online.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are exciting as a showcase for Android Q and a wave of new software innovations, especially in the camera department. And speaking of that, the Pixel 4 is going to have two cameras, instead of just one. This may not sound all that impressive nowadays, what with all the quad and penta-camera phones around, but seeing as how well previous generations of Pixel phones fared with just a single camera, adding a second one to the equation may further improve pictures, and especially portraits.

But for all we know about the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, there’s still some questions left, like when to expect them and at what price. Today, we are going to try to answer both.

Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL expected release date

The OG Pixel phones were announced on October 4, 2016, at the Made By Google event, and launched later that same month – on October 20, to be exact, which was the second-to-last Thursday of the month. The second generation of Pixels was unveiled on October 4 the following year, and launched later on October 19, which again was the second-to-last Thursday of the month. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were revealed on October 9 2018, and launched in the US on Thursday, October 18. The rest of the world got them on November 1, the first Thursday of the month.

Going from this, we’d wager a guess that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will be announced at this year’s Made By Google event, in early October, and launch in the US on October 24, which is the second-to-last Thursday of the month.

Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL expected price

Google has been incrementally hiking the prices of Pixel phones over the years. The base models of the OG Pixel and Pixel XL had an initial MSRP of around $650 and $769, respectively. The second generation maintained the price for the small model, but the XL got its price tag bumped to $849. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were priced at $799 and $899 upon release, respectively.

This amounts to an average price increase of around $50 per year, so it would be logical to assume that Google will add another $50 on top—possibly more for the Pixel 4 XL— bringing the price of the bigger model closer to the $1000 threshold.

Of course, Google will also have to take into account the very well-priced iPhone XR and Samsung Galaxy S10e, which will have been subject to multiple discounts by the time the Pixel 4 launches. Google already has an affordable contender in the face of the Pixel 3a, but considering how well-rounded Apple’s and Samsung’s affordable flagships are, the 64GB version of the Pixel 4 XL shouldn’t break the $1000 mark.