Google Pixel 8 gets a second life with certified refurbished units

In early October, Google stopped selling refurbished Pixel 6 on its online store, marking the end of an era. Now, the company is filling their void by selling refurbished Pixel 8 units through its Certified Refurbished Pixel store in the US.

You can get a refurbished PIxel 8 from Google with 128GB storage for $489 — down from its original price of $699. Upgrading to 256GB storage will cost you an additional $50. If you want the Pixel 8 Pro, it’s listed for $699, $300 less than its launch price (via @9to5Google).

These prices make the Pixel 8 family the most expensive device currently on sale in Google’s refurbished store. Pricing for the Pixel 7 range varies from $339 (Pixel 7a) to $539 (Pixel 7 Pro).

Right now, the store only lists the Pixel 8 256GB variant for sale in Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose colors, while the 128GB configuration is available in Mint. The Pixel 8 Pro is currently out of stock in all colors.

Launched in October 2023, the Pixel 8 was Google’s first phone to debut with a promise of seven years of software updates. That means the phone will get Android updates until 2030.

Buying a refurbished Pixel 8 from Google isn’t worth it

From a software perspective, it then makes sense to buy a refurb Pixel 8 at an inflated price from Google’s online store. However, the phone’s hardware has not aged as well, with the Tensor G3 chip and Exynos 5300 modem sticking out like a sore thumb.

The Tensor chip overheats easily and guzzles power under load, while the Exynos modem struggles to maintain a stable 5G connection in areas with spotty coverage and consumes a lot of battery power on mobile data.

So, paying almost $500 for a refurbished Pixel 8 in 2025 makes almost no sense. Instead, you are better off buying the Pixel 9a, which retails for the same price. It features a newer Tensor G4 chip, which runs cooler, and delivers longer battery life. Or if you are fine with a non-Pixel device, the OnePlus 13R for $600 delivers excellent value for money and packs more powerful internals.