Google ignores New Zealand with phone launch

Tuesday, 16 October 2018

The 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch 3XL will cost US$799 ($1220) and US$899, respectively.

OPINION: This week it was Google's turn to announce a new range of products, just in time for Christmas. The most important new products were Google's two new high-end smartphones, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL.

The first thing you need to know about these new phones is that Google isn't planning to bring them to New Zealand. Why? Good question. I'm still waiting for an explanation from Google's New Zealand media team.

But don't be too disheartened. Google's new flagship phones aren't the mega-cheap, must-have bargains they once were.

The 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch 3XL will cost US$799 (NZ$1220) and US$899, respectively. Compare this to the $379 (US) Google charged for the Nexus 5X back in 2015 and Google's snub of NZ becomes a lot easier to swallow.

* Microsoft's Surface launch takes it a step closer to 'cool'**

Google will argue that the Pixel 3 and 3XL are competitively priced as they are top-of-the-range devices that work seamlessly with the new Android 9.0 Pie OS, which also launched this week.

Both price points feature OLED displays, 64GB onboard storage, Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipsets, dual wide-angle front-facing cameras, 4GB RAM… and no headphone jack.

The new Pixel 3 and 3XL will launch in US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, and Singapore.

Google also announced the Pixel Slate - a new high-end tablet and iPad rival; Google Home Hub - a smart display that will rival the Amazon Echo Show. Neither of which will be coming to New Zealand.

Not cool, Google.