Have you ever wondered how to get a good deal on a Google Pixel?
There are three ways to purchase Google Pixel: as part of a contract with a carrier, purchasing the device alone from a carrier, or purchasing the device alone from a third party.
If you purchase it as a set with a line contract with each carrier, you may be able to purchase it at a lower price as campaigns for new contracts and switching carriers will apply.
However, you may be required to sign up for a pre-determined plan to receive the discount, or you may not be able to choose the plan you want.
In such cases, we recommend purchasing just Google Pixel device.
If you purchase only the device, you can choose your carrier according to your preferences, which means you have a lot of flexibility in your plans and can easily save on communication costs.
Many people may wonder if purchasing just the device is more expensive than purchasing it as a set with a line.
In this article, we will explain the benefits of purchasing just Google Pixel device, the recommended purchasing method, and points to note when purchasing.
We will introduce the benefits of purchasing just Google Pixel device.
Some people may think that the price of Google Pixel is high if you purchase just the device, but that's not actually the case.
When purchasing just Google Pixel device, you can get a better fees than through a carrier by choosing Google Store.
| Model | Where to buy | Sales price (main unit only) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 10 Pro 256GB |
Rakuten Mobile | 194,810円(税込)～ |
| docomo | 194,920円(税込)～ | |
| au | 184,900円(税込)～ | |
| SoftBank | 174,960円(税込)～ | |
| Google Store | 174,900円(税込)～ | |
| Google Pixel 10 128GB |
Rakuten Mobile | 143,550円(税込)～ |
| docomo | 138,930円(税込)～ | |
| au | 128,900円(税込)～ | |
| SoftBank | 129,600円(税込)～ | |
| Google Store | 128,900円(税込)～ |
*The above table shows the unit price as of September 29, 2025, before any discounts are applied.
As shown in the table above, if you compare only the device's sales price, you can see that it is cheaper to purchase from Google Store than from a carrier.
Reference: Google Store official website
Also, if you want to use the "Device Purchase Support Program" offered mainly by major carriers, you can purchase Google Pixel device alone.
The "Device Purchase Support Program" is a system in which you set up a long-term installment payment plan for the cost of your smartphone, and if you "return the device after the ◯th month," the remaining repayment amount is waived.
It's similar to a residual value plan when buying a car, so in exchange for returning your smartphone, you'll be exempt from the remaining repayments, and you'll always have the benefit of using the latest smartphone.
This program can be joined regardless of a line contract, so it also applies to those who purchase only the device.
In other words, even if you purchase only Google Pixel itself, you can actually own the device for less than the original price.
It may seem surprising, but buying just Google Pixel itself is actually not as expensive as you might think.
We'll introduce you to a smart payment method when purchasing just Google Pixel device.
Google Store has partnered with Splitit, a service that offers installment payments via credit card.
If you purchase any smartphone in Google Pixel series, you can pay in 24 installments, or if the total amount of items in your cart exceeds 20,000 yen, you can pay in 12 installments.There are no fees or interest, so you can pay without any stress.
It's easy to use in 3 steps.
・Step 1
Select the "Pay in installments" payment method during checkout for your desired Google Pixel product.
・Step 2
Choose a credit card you already have on file or add a new Visa/Mastercard credit card to apply for Splitit installments.
・Step 3
Confirm your purchase and pay.
According to the "Guidelines for Ensuring Smooth Distribution and Use of Mobile Terminal Equipment" revised in August 2021, models released on or after October 1, 2021 are in principle unlocked from the SIM lock.
SIM lock is a condition in which the handset is locked so that a SIM card other than that of the carrier with which it is contracted cannot be used.
However, now that the SIM lock regulation has been lifted, users can choose the carrier they contract with at their discretion.
Therefore, if you purchase only the Google Pixel device at a low price and combine it with a low-cost SIM, you can easily reduce your initial and monthly communication costs.
In addition, povo2.0 (*1), an online-only brand of au, features a basic fees for 0 yen (*2) and allows you to purchase data as much as you want to use when you want to use it, so if you combine it with Google Pixel body, it is easy to keep communication costs low.
povo2.0 The detailed features of the "Pixel" will be introduced later.
I found that Google Pixel itself can be purchased surprisingly cheaply.
However, in addition to the benefits, there are also some points to be aware of beforehand, so let's take a look.
Major carriers offer "device purchase support programs" that you can join even if you only purchase the device itself without signing a contract for a line.
A portion of Google Pixel's price will be set aside as residual value, and if you return the device within a set validity, you will be exempt from the final payment.
While it's a great deal to get the expensive Google Pixel, it's not suitable for those who want to keep their device for a long time, as the carrier will have to collect the device after using it for two years, for example.
If you want to use your Google Pixel for a long time, consider purchasing it from Google Store instead of through the Device Purchase Support Program.
If you purchase just the Google Pixel device, even if you purchase it from a carrier, you will not be subscribed to a specific plan, so you will not be able to receive comprehensive support such as data transfer services and inspections.
Some carriers offer a service (which may require a fee) where staff will come to the store to help with any problems you may have, which is useful for people who are not good at setting things up.
However, if you are unable to receive such services and would really like thorough support, it would be better to apply for a line contract as well as purchasing the device alone.
On the other hand, Google Pixel comes with a USB cable that makes it easy to transfer data.
Reference: Upgrading from an old Android smartphone to Google Pixel was thought to be difficult, but data transfer was possible with just one included cable.
If you purchase Google Pixel as part of a contract with one of the carriers, you can take advantage of special campaigns when signing up for a new contract or switching carriers, making it possible to own the device at a low cost.
However, there may be restrictions, such as not being able to choose the plan you want in order to apply the discount.
Also, even if you get a good deal on Google Pixel itself, there is a chance that the line you sign up for may end up being more expensive than expected.
To avoid this situation, it's best to purchase just the Google Pixel device at a low price and then combine it with a low-cost SIM card.
In particular, we recommend "povo2.0" for those who want to get the most out of their Google Pixel.
povo2.0 (※1), au 's online-only brand, features a basic fees of 0 yen (※2) and Topping (plans) that allow you to purchase only the amount of data you want, when you want it.
For example, you can choose from options such as "Unlimited data (※3) (24 hours) 330 yen/time including tax included" or "Data Top-up (30 days) 2,780 yen/time including tax included" depending on your usage, from occasional use to Topping-term use.
One of the most recommended options is the One Year Topping, which you can purchase all at once for a year.
The "Data Top-up 360GB (365 days) for 26,400 yen/ tax included)" option allows you to use 30GB per month for 2,200 yen/month, which is more economical than the "Data Top-up 30GB (30 days) for 2,780 yen/time (tax included included)" option.
As mentioned in this article, Google Pixel itself can also be purchased online at Google Store, and with povo2.0, you can complete both new and upgrade applications online, eliminating the need to go to a store.
The biggest advantage is that it is easy to use, simple and cost-effective.
Many people seem to have the impression that the price of the device from Google Store is only worth it if you purchase it as a set with a carrier's line contract.
However, this is not actually the case, and as introduced in this article, there is a way to purchase at a discount just from Google Store itself.
Also, if you purchase it as a set with a carrier line contract, there is a concern that you may not be able to use the line you want, but if you purchase only Google Store device, you can freely sign up for a great low-cost SIM such as povo2.0.
If you are thinking about making a new purchase or changing your phone model at Google Store, please consider povo2.0 as well.
*1: As this is an online-only plan, all procedures and support will be handled online. Please contact us via the povo2.0 app or official website. For reference, "What is povo2.0?" (povo2.0)
*2: [Common] ・If you do not purchase any paid Topping for 180 days or more, your service may be suspended or your contract may be terminated. ・When the data plan is 0 yen and 0 GB, the maximum sending and receiving speed is 128 kbps.
[For Data Only] - An initial Topping purchase is required when signing the contract.
For Calls＋Data】 ・Domestic calls: tax included 22 yen/30 seconds Some calling rates may differ, such as calls to satellite phones. See here for details. In addition, designated calling rates will be charged for calls to phone numbers set by other companies to fees. Sending domestic SMS: tax included 3.3 yen/text (up to 70 characters) Receiving: Free Up to 670 full-width characters can be sent depending on the model. However, up to 134 characters will be charged for two SMS, and after that, one SMS will be charged for each additional 67 characters.
※3：ネットワークの混雑時や動画・クラウドゲームなどの利用時に通信速度を制限する場合があります。
