Google sunsets refurbished Pixel 6 sales in the end of an era

Google has officially wound down its Certified Refurbished Pixel experiment for the 6 series, with both the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro disappearing from the Google Store this week. The move, which was pointed out by 9to5Google, comes less than a year after Google kicked off direct refurb sales with the Pixel 6 lineup at the center, and just months after the Pixel 6a was pulled amid well-documented battery safety issues.

The short history of super-cheap Pixel flagships

Seriously good deals, with one battery-related caveat

The change makes the Pixel 7 and 7a two of the best sub-$400 phones available.

When the program launched last fall, Google pitched Certified Refurbished as a consumer-friendly way to pick up a Pixel for as much as 40% off retail, backed by a one-year warranty and the assurance of genuine parts. At the time, the Pixel 6 was the cheapest way into the Pixel ecosystem at $339, with the 6 Pro priced at $539. Now, the only devices left standing are the Pixel 7 ($359), Pixel 7 Pro ($539), and Pixel 7a ($339). To be fair, though, those are serious discounts on still-great phones that should have at least a couple of years of life in them.

The Pixel 6’s removal likely has less to do with fire risks and more to do with timing. Despite an extension, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are set to lose software support in late 2026 — barely a year from now. Google is clearly prioritizing longer-lived hardware in its refurb program, and the Pixel 7 series, which will see updates into 2027, makes for a safer bet.

Of course, it’s impossible not to view this change in the shadow of the Pixel 6a fiasco. That midrange phone was yanked from sale earlier this summer after a string of alarming battery failures, some severe enough to cause fires. While the 6a initially returned in refurbished form, Google eventually killed those listings too, leaving prospective buyers with few good options for an affordable Pixel direct from Mountain View. Plus, since then, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro models have seen at least their fair share of spicy-pillow battery expansion.

There’s one more wrinkle worth watching: the Pixel 8 Pro briefly appeared on the refurb page in early September before disappearing less than a day later. That slip-up strongly suggests newer hardware will make its way to the program soon, though the timing remains unclear.

For now, the refurb store is effectively a Pixel 7-only affair, and if you want anything older, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Just don’t expect Google to guarantee the battery on those devices — unlike Apple and Samsung, Google’s refurb program ships with whatever cell the phone came in with.