Google’s Pixel 11 is cheaper ahead of iPhone 18 Pro launch
Google has cut prices across its current Pixel phone lineup, with the discounts landing just days before Apple's iPhone 18 Pro launches on 18 September. The timing suggests a deliberate move to make Pixel devices more attractive to shoppers who might otherwise be drawn to Apple's new flagship, and it lowers the barrier to entry for Google's latest camera and AI features.
The Pixel 11 Pro sees the steepest cut, dropping to around $1,007 at Amazon across its fog, olive and obsidian colourways, nearly offsetting this year's $100 price rise given it comes with double the storage (256GB). The standard Pixel 11 is down to about $840, a $60 reduction, giving buyers access to exclusive features like Camera Looks and Magic Capture at a lower cost. The budget Pixel 10A has also returned to a discounted $424 at Amazon and Best Buy, down from its $499 list price.
- Google discounts Pixel 11, 11 Pro and 10A ahead of iPhone 18 Pro's 18 September launch
- Pixel 11 Pro now about $1,007, nearly cancelling this year's price hike
- Pixel 11 down to $840 and Pixel 10A to $424 at Amazon/Best Buy
New here? Start with this
Google has been selling its own Pixel smartphones alongside its Android software for several years, positioning them as a rival to Apple's iPhone range, particularly on camera quality and built-in AI features. Apple, meanwhile, is preparing to release its newest flagship handset, the iPhone 18 Pro, on 18 September. The two companies compete for the same pool of shoppers looking to buy or upgrade a premium phone.
Price is one of the main ways phone makers try to sway buyers between rival ecosystems, since switching between Apple's iOS and Google's Android involves few technical barriers for most users. Discounting existing models just before a competitor's launch is a common tactic in the smartphone industry, aimed at capturing attention and sales before rivals dominate the headlines.
This matters to consumers because it affects the price they might pay for a new phone this autumn, a period when many people plan upgrades. It also reflects the wider competitive dynamic between the two biggest names in mobile technology, each vying for market share in a saturated smartphone market.