Is a cheaper Pixel 3 incoming as Pixel 2 disappears?

Image Credit: TechRadar

Rumors of Google releasing a more affordable entry in the Pixel 3 range of phones have been circulating for a while, and the latest evidence of that may have come directly from Google.

The company has stopped selling both the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL on its official website.

That may not sound surprising considering the latest flagship phones from the company are the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, but this seems remarkably early for the company to stop selling those devices.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are little over a year and a half old, so it may be the company is making way for its Google Pixel 3 Lite that is rumored to sport similar specs to the Pixel 2 range but at a lower price than the Pixel 3.

It may be that Google sees the Pixel 2 and 2 XL as competing devices for the upcoming mid-range Pixel 3.

This comes a few days after Google's SVP, Hiroshi Lockheimer, teased that he is using an as yet unreleased phone. That's unlikely to be the Pixel 4 this early in the development process, so many have speculated it's the mid-range Pixel 3 model.

Rumors have suggested it will either be called the Pixel 3 Lite or Pixel 3A. It's expected to have the same camera as the Pixel 3, but will likely opt for a less powerful chipset than the flagship in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670.

Other sources suggest it will cost somewhere between $400-$500 (roughly £315-£390, AU$550-AU$690).

Google pulling the Pixel 2 range from its online store doesn't mean you can't still buy them from third-party retailers. Wherever you live you're sure to be able to find the two phones on sale from other sources, but those wanting to buy directly from Google are now out of luck.

Via Android Police

James Peckham

James is Managing Editor for Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.