Best Buy is offering their Google Pixel 8 Unlocked Smartphone (2023) (various colors) on sale listed below after trading Apple iPhone 11 Smartphone Device (in a form of a refund for$415 Off). Shipping is free.
Thanks to community member karthekean for finding this deal
Note, trade in device must be in good/working condition. Damage will incur reduced value.
This collaborative space allows users to contribute additional information, tips, and insights to enhance the original deal post. Feel free to share your knowledge and help fellow shoppers make informed decisions.
Best Buy is offering their Google Pixel 8 Unlocked Smartphone (2023) (various colors) on sale listed below after trading Apple iPhone 11 Smartphone Device (in a form of a refund for$415 Off). Shipping is free.
Thanks to community member karthekean for finding this deal
Note, trade in device must be in good/working condition. Damage will incur reduced value.
Deal History includes data from multiple reputable stores, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The lowest price among stores for a given day is selected as the "Sale Price".
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
I was not already a Verizon customer. I picked the lowest-cost plan ($75 w/o autopay) when ordering the phone on Best Buy web site. When I picked up the phone, a Verizon SIM was attached to the box, without any kind of instructions to activate. But I got some helpful info from member ProudToBeAnIdian on how to proceed. Here's how it went.
* I created a Verizon account on Verizon web site. They asked for my name, address, email, etc but the SS# and DL info were already provided when ordering through Best Buy in order for Verizon to check my credit. Then it asked me to provide my new Verizon phone number or accout number. I checked "I'lll do it later", then logged out.
* I put the SIM in an unlocked old phone (because I want to sell the Pixel 8 as new-in-box). The SIM was automatically activated and assigned a new Verizon phone number.
* I logged back into my VZ account and linked the new phone number to the account. I looked at a preview of the 1st bill and it was $126.86 including taxes & fees and $35 activation fee. Each month after that is $81.37. Damn, they're expensive for just one line.
* I selected Chat while logged in, told the bot that I wanted to cancel service, it gave me the option to cancel service myself or via a rep, I chose to do it myself WHICH WAS A BAD DECISION. The bot submitted the cancel request but said service would be disconnected on Aug 17, that means I have to pay the full 1st month. That's NOT what I wanted.
* I started a new Chat and asked for "Agent". A live agent connected (without a name, let's assume it was a female) and asked what I needed. I told her that I wanted to cancel because the VZ signal is so weak at my location. She wanted to try some trouble shooting first. I said OK. She told me to do a Network Reset on the phone and let her know if it got better. I did the reset and told her that I still got only 1 bar with VZ but the same phone got 4 bars with T-mo. She said she needed to get a supervisor to cancel the pending request that the bot submitted.
* After 5 minutes or so, she said she got the pending request deleted and was ready to cancel service right away. I asked her to proceed which she did. After that, my account showed service disconnected and the bill preview showed an expected bill of $7.56 (for one day of service + taxes & fees I guess). Since the account shows No Payment Method On File, I guess they'll mail me a bill, but I plan to log in after a few days and pay the bill online if I can.
The issues with the phone come with cellular usage. The modem is weak, so it doesn't latch on to 5G very well in low coverage area. The phone keeps on getting warm and loses battery rather rapidly. Also in general, the Tensor thermals are poor. So on a hot day in the car, the phone will overheat even when used normally to do VOIP calls, play music etc without even using GPS. If using GPS, it is even worse.
Unfortunately the first thing that the Pixels do on overheating is shut down the cellular signal. The phone is then totally crippled until you switch it off and let it cool down. Had some rough experiences on the road with the phone overheating and needing to shut it down and having to disconnect calls.
On a cool day or while being indoors with strong wifi signal, the phone will do well. It is otherwise pretty smooth with great software. All in all, a nice phone with excellent software is hampered badly by a mediocre processor with awful thermals and a very inferior modem.
If you plan to use the phone for yourself, I would honestly wait till Pixel 10 where the processor would be TMSC based vs the current Tensor projected to be used in Pixel 9.
I have the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 8 Pro both. Google's Tensor G2/G3 is significantly inferior to the Qualcomm's Snapdragon chip in terms of performance, thermals and battery life. To add insult to injury, the model in the Pixel phones is by Samsung and really does a bad job in low signal areas and with 5G. So you have the phone with weak signal, constantly overheating and losing battery.
Google always has trade in deals where they give a lot of $$ for older iphones but very little $$ for their own Pixels. So I'm sure you will find similar deals with Pixel 9 as well. Keep in mind the Pixel 9 is 6.03" screen size, so smaller than the Pixel 8.
For those that did this deal in store and used Verizon/AT&T - how did you cancel the line?
Did the bestbuy rep give you a username password for the Verizon account? Thanks.
Not that great a deal really. An iPhone 11 64gb costs around $200+$135 to BB+NYC tax, thats closer to $400. For $400 its possible to buy a used Pixel 8 in good condition and not deal with any tradein BS shenanigans.
If you're OK with spending the same $400 but get a used Pixel 8 instead of a brand-new one, go right ahead.
Most of us got our iPhone11's for less than $100 each from Metro, Total Wireless, etc. Paying $135 + taxes on top of that only adds up to about $250. Getting a brand-new Pixel 8 for $250 is a pretty good deal. Trading in a phone in a Best Buy store is hassle-free.
Last edited by hpham_53 July 21, 2024 at 01:12 PM.
For those that did this deal in store and used Verizon/AT&T - how did you cancel the line?
Did the bestbuy rep give you a username password for the Verizon account? Thanks.
There have been at least 6 posts from people who chatted with Verizon to cancel the line. Some (like me) said the signal was poor, some said dowload speed was slow.
You pick your userID and password when creating your Verizon account at verizon.com.
For those that did this deal in store and used Verizon/AT&T - how did you cancel the line?
Did the bestbuy rep give you a username password for the Verizon account? Thanks.
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Even if you go with get a line with Verizon, pay the first month $75 + $35 act fee and $45 at checkout total will be $155 still cheaper if you go with connect provider later ($170-$180 after tax)
Sad thing is that in the US for whatever reason people don't use WhatsApp. In other countries they do but in the US people just don't.
WhatsApp is a Facebook (Meta) company. Some have issues with this fact, often for ethical reasons. This is why I personally use the open-source Signal app.
Even if you go with get a line with Verizon, pay the first month $75 + $35 act fee and $45 at checkout total will be $155 still cheaper if you go with connect provider later ($170-$180 after tax)
Most people are canceling the line right after picking up the phone, which cancels the activation fee, and you pay prorated for a day or 2, so usually less than $10.
WhatsApp is a Facebook (Meta) company. Some have issues with this fact, often for ethical reasons. This is why I personally use the open-source Signal app.
Signal is good, just nobody uses it. WhatsApp on the other hand is used a lot in the EU, India, and most of Asia I believe(with obvious exception of china).
Even if you go with get a line with Verizon, pay the first month $75 + $35 act fee and $45 at checkout total will be $155 still cheaper if you go with connect provider later ($170-$180 after tax)
For me
* trading in an iPhone11 and buying the Pixel 8 with no carrier sign-up costs $134 + $12.53 tax (9.35%) = $146.53.
* trading in an iPhone11 and buying the Pixel 8 with Verizon service costs $34 + $3.18 tax, and $126.86 for 1st month of Verizon service (including activation fee) = $164.04.
* But if you manage to get the line cancelled on the same day, the cost for Verizon service is only $7.56, for a total of $34 + $3.18 + $7.56 = $$44.74.
So, the best deal is to sign up with a carrier then cancel in the same day, if you want to go through the hassle of cancelling.
Most people are canceling the line right after picking up the phone, which cancels the activation fee, and you pay prorated for a day or 2, so usually less than $10.
I know I did it too, but I think Verizon could blacklist your ssn if you do it x amount of times… just my theory
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* I created a Verizon account on Verizon web site. They asked for my name, address, email, etc but the SS# and DL info were already provided when ordering through Best Buy in order for Verizon to check my credit. Then it asked me to provide my new Verizon phone number or accout number. I checked "I'lll do it later", then logged out.
* I put the SIM in an unlocked old phone (because I want to sell the Pixel 8 as new-in-box). The SIM was automatically activated and assigned a new Verizon phone number.
* I logged back into my VZ account and linked the new phone number to the account. I looked at a preview of the 1st bill and it was $126.86 including taxes & fees and $35 activation fee. Each month after that is $81.37. Damn, they're expensive for just one line.
* I selected Chat while logged in, told the bot that I wanted to cancel service, it gave me the option to cancel service myself or via a rep, I chose to do it myself WHICH WAS A BAD DECISION. The bot submitted the cancel request but said service would be disconnected on Aug 17, that means I have to pay the full 1st month. That's NOT what I wanted.
* I started a new Chat and asked for "Agent". A live agent connected (without a name, let's assume it was a female) and asked what I needed. I told her that I wanted to cancel because the VZ signal is so weak at my location. She wanted to try some trouble shooting first. I said OK. She told me to do a Network Reset on the phone and let her know if it got better. I did the reset and told her that I still got only 1 bar with VZ but the same phone got 4 bars with T-mo. She said she needed to get a supervisor to cancel the pending request that the bot submitted.
* After 5 minutes or so, she said she got the pending request deleted and was ready to cancel service right away. I asked her to proceed which she did. After that, my account showed service disconnected and the bill preview showed an expected bill of $7.56 (for one day of service + taxes & fees I guess). Since the account shows No Payment Method On File, I guess they'll mail me a bill, but I plan to log in after a few days and pay the bill online if I can.
I hope all that was helpful to someone.
Unfortunately the first thing that the Pixels do on overheating is shut down the cellular signal. The phone is then totally crippled until you switch it off and let it cool down. Had some rough experiences on the road with the phone overheating and needing to shut it down and having to disconnect calls.
On a cool day or while being indoors with strong wifi signal, the phone will do well. It is otherwise pretty smooth with great software. All in all, a nice phone with excellent software is hampered badly by a mediocre processor with awful thermals and a very inferior modem.
I have the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 8 Pro both. Google's Tensor G2/G3 is significantly inferior to the Qualcomm's Snapdragon chip in terms of performance, thermals and battery life. To add insult to injury, the model in the Pixel phones is by Samsung and really does a bad job in low signal areas and with 5G. So you have the phone with weak signal, constantly overheating and losing battery.
Google always has trade in deals where they give a lot of $$ for older iphones but very little $$ for their own Pixels. So I'm sure you will find similar deals with Pixel 9 as well. Keep in mind the Pixel 9 is 6.03" screen size, so smaller than the Pixel 8.
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talking iphones always give highest trade-in during new pixel release. Iphone 11 was $500 last year when pixel 8 released.
Did the bestbuy rep give you a username password for the Verizon account? Thanks.
Most of us got our iPhone11's for less than $100 each from Metro, Total Wireless, etc. Paying $135 + taxes on top of that only adds up to about $250. Getting a brand-new Pixel 8 for $250 is a pretty good deal. Trading in a phone in a Best Buy store is hassle-free.
Did the bestbuy rep give you a username password for the Verizon account? Thanks.
You pick your userID and password when creating your Verizon account at verizon.com.
Did the bestbuy rep give you a username password for the Verizon account? Thanks.
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* trading in an iPhone11 and buying the Pixel 8 with no carrier sign-up costs $134 + $12.53 tax (9.35%) = $146.53.
* trading in an iPhone11 and buying the Pixel 8 with Verizon service costs $34 + $3.18 tax, and $126.86 for 1st month of Verizon service (including activation fee) = $164.04.
* But if you manage to get the line cancelled on the same day, the cost for Verizon service is only $7.56, for a total of $34 + $3.18 + $7.56 = $$44.74.
So, the best deal is to sign up with a carrier then cancel in the same day, if you want to go through the hassle of cancelling.
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