Earlier we wrote about the opinions of Google’s VP of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer, who believes that the new higher pricing of the Nexus devices will help to boost sales of the Google Nexus 9 and the Google Nexus 6, which is a belief that I too personally share. Part of this can be attributed to the inclusion of higher end specs which does come with higher price, the other factor is that now Google will finally be offering the Nexus devices on multiple major carriers. Here in the U.S., the Nexus 6 will be offered on all four major wireless networks with Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint, and even the smaller national carrier U.S Cellular. That brings us to the point about pricing from the carriers.
Our own Alex Maxham was at the Google event for the Nexus devices yesterday in New York, where he was able to get some hands on time with the devices and speak to some of the Googlers about the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. During our time there, we had come to the understanding from a Google employee at the event that the Nexus 6 will in fact cost $199 on a contract with carriers. No specific carriers were mentioned in regards to the $199 price tag, but we did also learn that if subscribers choose not to go with a contract the phone price would be $0 down(well qualified buyers of course)and the retail cost would be then broken up over the course of the bill in 24 monthly payments. Simple math of dividing up the retail cost would tell you what each of those monthly payments would be.
What’s likely is that Google will have the $199 price set through all five carriers we have mentioned above. As for those who choose to break up the payments, that upfront price will likely be the same too, provided you’re a customer who qualifies for the $0 down when you activate or upgrade. Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint all offer some sort of cost breakup for devices, and how you choose to pay will depend on if you have a contract or not. You could of course just decide to pay full retail too once the stores get their stock in, but we’re confident many would probably rather pay less for the phone over all and choose to sing up for 2 years. How will you be picking up your Nexus 6? Which carrier do you plan to use it with?