In an alternative universe, Google is the Apple of Android. People are counting down the days until the Pixel 4 goes on sale, and forums are filled with debates over how much better the square camera bump looks in person. The question isn’t over whether the Pixel 4 is worth its price tag, but which color and how much storage to get. And the lack of earbuds in the box is courageous, not cheap.
In this reality, however, the Pixel 4’s price is just too damn high. Even though the rumors of a $100 price hike didn’t come to fruition, at $999 for the 128GB 6.3-inch XL model, it costs the same as the Galaxy S10+, and $250 more than the iPhone 11. And while it may stand up to both of those phones on the spec sheet, here's the reality: Google missed a golden opportunity to take a stand against outrageous phone pricing and position the Pixel 4 as an alternative to high-priced premium handsets, not just another option.
