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| Pixel Pass combines phones and Google services |
Google announced Pixel Pass, a new subscription package designed to allow US customers to pay for a Pixel phone in monthly installments while also accessing the company's premium subscription services such as 200GB of Google One cloud storage, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium and Google Play Pass.
The Pixel 6 starts at $45 per month and the Pixel 6 Pro starts at $55. The company said these phones can be unlocked and work with all major carriers.
The company said Pixel Pass subscribers are eligible for a two-year upgrade, and the subscription also includes a one-year extension of the manufacturer's standard one-year warranty (aka Preferred Service).
The Pixel Pass, released with the company's new Pixel 6 phone, appears to include elements of the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program (which allows customers to pay for an iPhone monthly and offer an extended warranty) with the Apple One Service Pack integration.
Apple One currently includes subscriptions to Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus, Apple Fitness Plus, and iCloud.
However, the main difference is that the Pixel Pass doesn't offer an upgrade until after two years. Apple offers users individual upgrades in its upgrade plan.
Use Pixel Pass to get a new Google phone, etc.
Google said subscribers who cancel before the end of two years will have to pay up front for the remaining cost of the Pixel at the regular non-discounted price and won't be able to use the bundled service. The company warned that upgrading your hardware at the end of the two-year period could change the price you pay.
The company noted that in addition to its store, you can also subscribe to Pixel Pass via Google Fi. After subscribing to Pixel Pass, Google Fi subscribers can save an additional $5 on their monthly Google Fi plan.
The new Google subscription includes:
- YouTube Premium is ad-free and plays in the background when other apps are used.
- YouTube Music Premium has no interference with ads and is free to listen.
- Google One has 200GB of secure and reliable cloud storage that can store HD photos and videos, as well as automatic phone backups.
- Google Play Pass gives you access to hundreds of games and apps without ads or in-app purchases.
- Preferred Care can cover minor accidents with simple equipment repairs.