Google's loophole: How a decade-old smartphone saves consumers thousands of shekels
Thanks to a forgotten marketing promise from 2016 for unlimited cloud storage in original quality, original Pixel devices are being snatched up on secondhand marketplaces.
In 2016, Google released its first Pixel smartphone, offering users a unique promise: unlimited, free cloud storage on Google Photos for life. This seemingly generous offer has turned out to be a valuable revenue driver for the tech giant, as many consumers are now purchasing used Pixel 1 models on secondhand marketplaces like eBay, saving thousands of dollars in storage costs.
The secret behind this cost-saving measure lies in the Pixel's ability to maintain original-resolution, uncompressed photos and videos, eliminating the need for expensive cloud storage subscriptions that typically cost hundreds of dollars annually. However, using the Pixel as a personal cloud server comes with its own set of challenges, as the device's aging lithium batteries can swell and pose safety hazards.
To solve this issue, tech-savvy users have begun modifying the phone by removing the original battery and connecting it to a power cable or DC converter. Despite Google's initial 2018 attempt to end the free storage promise, backlash from customers forced the company to reverse its decision and keep the unlimited storage offer alive for original Pixel users.
While the exact financial impact of this generous policy remains undisclosed, it is clear that the cost of this practice is minimal compared to Google's projected half-trillion-dollar revenue for 2026.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post Tech & Start-Ups's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
