Google’s New Pixel Phone Is 40% More Expensive In India Than In U.S.

Internet giant Google today unveiled the new generation of its Pixel smartphones – Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The devices will be first available in India and other markets such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany and Australia.

Indian Pixel fans can expect to get their hands on the flagship devices on November 15 but the phones won't come cheap.

The 64GB version of Pixel 2 will be priced at Rs 61,000 in India, while 128GB variant will be available for Rs 70,000. The 64GB version of Pixel 2 XL is priced at Rs 73,000 and the 128GB will be available for Rs 82,000.

Pre-orders for both devices will commence on October 26 and while the Pixel 2 will go on sale from November 1, the Pixel 2XL will go on sale from November 15 in over 1,000 stores across the country. The new Pixel devices will be available online on e-commerce platform, Flipkart.

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It turns out that both phones will be a lot more expensive in India than in the U.S. For instance, the Pixel 2 (64 GB) will cost just $649 in the U.S. (that's nearly Rs 42,233), while the same phone would set you back by Rs 61,000 in India. That's a whopping 41.8 percent higher. The story is no different with Apple's iPhone X, which is 39 percent more expensive in India. But at $999, the Apple flagship is a lot more expensive than a Pixel 2 XL in the U.S. as well.

Google said that with Pixel, it has "created the world's best smartphone camera".

“Pixel 2 is loaded with a better camera that not only lets you take great pictures but helps you understand the world around you; a battery that lasts all day; and an Assistant that helps you get more done,” it said in a statement.

During the launch event, Google also demonstrated Google Lens — a new set of visual features that builds on Google's advancements in computer vision and machine learning.

Apart from looking up landmarks, books and music albums among others from Google Photos on the Pixel handset, users will also be able to take actions like asking Google Lens to copy URLs and contact information from a picture of a poster or business card.

"The company is bringing an early preview of Google Lens to Pixel, so you can try it before anyone else," Google said.

Pixel 2 features a 5-inch display, while Pixel 2 XL has a six-inch display.

(With inputs from PTI)

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