The tech rumor mill is buzzing tonight with what appears to be concrete pricing details for Google's highly anticipated Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 4 XL. According to a detailed report published earlier today, consumers should brace for a potential price increase compared to last year's models, though enticing launch offers might soften the blow.
The Leaked Numbers:
Citing sources familiar with Google's plans, the leak suggests the standard Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi) will start at $399.99 USD. This represents a $50 increase over the launch price of the Pixel Watch 2. Stepping up to the larger Pixel Watch 4 XL (45mm, Wi-Fi) will reportedly set buyers back $449.99 USD. The inclusion of LTE connectivity is expected to add $50 to each model, pushing the Pixel Watch 4 (LTE) to $449.99 and the XL (LTE) to $499.99.
You can find the comprehensive breakdown and analysis of the leaked pricing in the original report here: Android Headlines Report.
Potential Launch Offers Emerge:
While the base prices show an upward trend, the leak also hints at aggressive launch promotions Google might deploy to drive early adoption. Similar to past Pixel launches, these could include:
- Pre-order Bonus: A substantial store credit (potentially $50-$100) for the Google Store when pre-ordering either model.
- Bundle Discounts: Savings when purchasing the Pixel Watch 4 alongside the expected Pixel 9 series smartphones.
- Trade-In Boosts: Enhanced value for trading in older Pixel Watches or competitor smartwatches.
Esteemed leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) echoed the pricing details shortly after the initial report surfaced, lending significant credibility to the leak. His confirmation can be seen on X (formerly Twitter): Evan Blass Tweet.
Context and Expectations:
If accurate, this price hike positions the Pixel Watch 4 series more directly against the likes of Samsung's Galaxy Watch lineup. The increase is likely attributed to rumored upgrades, including a newer, more power-efficient Qualcomm chipset (possibly the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1), potentially larger batteries (especially for the XL model), and iterative improvements to the health sensors and Fitbit integration. Google is also expected to debut the next iteration of Wear OS simultaneously.
Early Retail Links Appear (Placeholder):
Signaling the imminent launch, placeholder product pages for the Pixel Watch 4 have already started appearing on major retailer sites, including Amazon. While details are currently minimal, these listings serve as another indicator that the official unveiling is just around the corner, likely alongside the Pixel 9 phones in early October. You can view the emerging (but not yet live) Amazon listing here: Amazon Placeholder (Note: Link is currently inactive/placeholder).
The Takeaway:
While a $50 price jump for the Pixel Watch 4 series might give some potential buyers pause, Google seems poised to counter it with potentially valuable launch incentives. The larger XL model finally gives Android users a true large-screen Pixel Watch option, albeit at a premium. All eyes are now on Google's official Fall hardware event, expected in early October, for confirmation of these prices, the full spec sheet, and the details of those crucial early adopter offers.
