Google recently had a trade-in promotion for their Pixel Tablet, offering a generous $400 credit when trading in a regular sixth-generation iPad. This deal made it possible to get the Pixel Tablet, which also comes with a dockable speaker hub, for half the original price. However, the offer has since been adjusted, with Google now only providing $75 for a sixth-gen iPad trade-in. To qualify for the $400 credit, you would need to trade in an eighth-gen iPad from 2020 or a fifth-gen iPad Air from 2022. Despite the changes, it is still possible to save money on the Pixel Tablet by purchasing a used eighth-gen iPad for around $150 before the promotion ends on May 20th.
Google re-entered the Android tablet market last year with the release of the Pixel Tablet, marking their return after a long absence from the sector. Prior to the Pixel Tablet, the last Google tablet was the Pixel C in 2015, running on Android 8.1. During Google’s absence, other manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, and Amazon filled the gap in the Android tablet market, with varying degrees of success. However, without strong support from Google, Android tablets struggled to compete with the iPad, which reached 40% global market share by 2022. Apple’s investment in the iPad ecosystem, making it a vibrant platform for apps, further solidified its dominance in the tablet market.
With the enticing trade-in offer, the author of the content decided to take advantage of the deal and acquired a sixth-gen iPad for $110 from a seller on Facebook Marketplace. They then visited a Google retail store in New York to trade in the iPad for the Pixel Tablet. The in-person trade-in process was smooth, with two employees verifying the iPad and applying a $400 credit towards the Pixel Tablet. After taxes, the Pixel Tablet came out to $144.29, bringing the author’s total expenses to $254.29 including the cost of the traded-in iPad. Despite the initial deal being adjusted, the overall savings on the Pixel Tablet are still significant, especially when considering the lowered price of used eighth-gen iPads online.
The Google retail store where the trade-in took place was described as quiet, with more employees than customers present. This was in stark contrast to the bustling Apple Stores found in shopping malls, highlighting the difference in consumer engagement between the two tech giants. The author’s experience at the Google store was positive, as they were able to complete the trade-in seamlessly and walk out with a new Pixel Tablet at a heavily discounted price. The deal, even after the changes by Google, remains attractive for those looking to upgrade to the Pixel Tablet and take advantage of the promotional trade-in offer before it expires.
In conclusion, the trade-in promotion for Google’s Pixel Tablet provided a significant discount opportunity for consumers looking to switch from an iPad to an Android device. Despite the adjustment in the terms of the deal, there are still savings to be had by trading in eligible iPads and purchasing the Pixel Tablet at a reduced cost. The return of Google to the Android tablet market with the Pixel Tablet signifies a renewed effort to compete with Apple’s dominance in the sector. By offering compelling incentives like trade-in credits, Google aims to attract customers and establish a presence in the tablet market. The success of such promotions and the overall reception of the Pixel Tablet will be crucial in determining Google’s position in the competitive tablet industry.
