Whatever you do, do not buy these 6 Google devices proper now

As the climate will get colder and the times get shorter, that may solely imply one factor: fall is formally right here. Not solely is that this the time for pumpkin spice lattes and haunted homes, however there’s additionally a very good probability you’re beginning to consider your upcoming vacation procuring. And in case you’re an Android fan, you’re in all probability going to do a few of that procuring on the Google Store.

Front and middle on the Google Store at present are all of Google’s newest releases — together with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel Watch 4, and the shockingly good Pixel Buds 2a. They’re the perfect of what Google has to supply, and so they’re possible what you’re visiting the Google Store for.

But if you end up digging deeper by means of Google’s catalog, you’ll come throughout loads of different devices accessible, lots of that are older however nonetheless formally offered by Google. And there are 6 of those, specifically, that it is best to keep away from shopping for.

The first of these is the Pixel Tablet. Google proudly advertises a “Tablets” part on the navigation bar of the Google Store, with the Pixel Tablet as the one accessible alternative. You is perhaps inclined to select it up for your self or as a present for another person, however I’d must advise towards it.

The Pixel Tablet already had fairly outdated specs when it launched in June 2023, and that’s solely grow to be an even bigger drawback by 2025 requirements. Its 60Hz refresh charge is sluggish and clunky, the Tensor G2 chip is now three generations previous (and exhibits it), the 8GB of RAM is simply stingy, and — most significantly — the Pixel Tablet remains to be method too costly.

For the Pixel Tablet and the included speaker dock, Google remains to be asking the total $499 retail worth that it debuted at over two years in the past. Alternatively, you should buy simply the Pixel Tablet itself for $399, however that takes away the perfect factor about it. And even in case you actually wished to purchase the Pixel Tablet, most of the 128GB fashions are out of inventory, which means you’d must pay one other $100 for the 256GB model.

Even if Google reductions the Pixel Tablet nearer to the vacations or will get extra 128GB items in inventory, I nonetheless wrestle to suggest this one. It’s not a very good sensible show and never an ideal Android pill both. It’s actually a singular machine, however not one which’s value shelling out this type of cash for at this level in its life cycle.

The different “old” Google gadget it is best to keep away from on the Google Store is the Pixel 9. Even with the Pixel 10 now accessible, the Pixel 9 retains its full $799 asking worth — the identical because the Pixel 10. Given the selection between each telephones on the identical worth, there’s no query that it is best to skip the Pixel 9 and get the Pixel 10 as a substitute.

There are a number of causes for this, one among which is the Pixel 10’s newer Tensor G5 chip. While it’s not a dramatic efficiency enhance over the Tensor G4 within the Pixel 9, it does run considerably cooler all through each day use — an enormous improve in my ebook. The new 5x telephoto digital camera is a fair greater improve, because it permits for brand new images choices you merely don’t get with the Pixel 9.

And, after all, the Pixel 10 offers you built-in magnets on the again to be used with magnetic chargers, battery packs, and different equipment. It actually is a big comfort and tough to reside with out when you’ve used it for your self.

If you discover a hefty low cost on the Pixel 9, that modifications the dialog a little bit bit. But in case you’re being requested to pay the identical worth for the Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 because the Google Store presently is, it is best to select the Pixel 10 each single time.

I’ve related recommendation for the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s additionally accessible on the Google Store for its unique $999 MSRP, which, once more, is the quantity you’ll pay for the newer Pixel 10 Pro. And in case you’re being requested the identical worth for each telephones, don’t trouble with the Pixel 9 Pro.

That’s to not say the Pixel 9 Pro is dangerous, however the Pixel 10 Pro is significantly better — and in some ways in which may shock you. Like the Pixel 10, the Tensor G5 chip and built-in magnets are additionally on the Pixel 10 Pro, and so they’re simply as nice. The Pixel 10 Pro’s display screen can also be a bit brighter, which is all the time appreciated.

What’s stunning concerning the Pixel 10 Pro is that, regardless of having the identical cameras because the Pixel 9 Pro, its pictures look quite a bit higher. I confirmed this in a Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro digital camera comparability, as did my colleague Rita in her current evaluation of the Pixel 9 Pro’s weird shade processing. Google’s up to date processing on the Pixel 10 Pro is overwhelmingly higher, a lot in order that if cameras are a precedence for you, the Pixel 9 Pro simply isn’t value it — even in case you discover it discounted on the Google Store. At least, not till Google (hopefully) releases a software program replace to repair it.

Besides the brand new Pixel Watch 4, you’ll discover a number of different smartwatches and health trackers on the Google Store. The Pixel Watch 3 is a superb deal if you’d like the Pixel Watch expertise for much less, because of a decreased beginning worth of simply $250. If you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive entry level into the Fitbit ecosystem, the Fitbit Charge 6 is an effective method to do this.

We had hassle recommending the Sense 2 and Versa 4 once we initially reviewed them, and at this level in October 2025, you completely shouldn’t spend your cash on both one. If you need a Fitbit smartwatch, each the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 3 are considerably higher — and the latter isn’t even that rather more costly. And the Charge 6, whereas not good, delivers a lot of the expertise you get on the Sense 2 and Versa 4 however for much less cash.

The Google Store usually runs reductions for the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Versa 4, however even once you see these gross sales, I’d suggest staying distant from each smartwatches.

Lastly, we’ve got the Nest Hub Max. This is essentially the most highly effective sensible show presently on the Google Store, providing a digital camera for video calling and safety monitoring, good sound high quality, and a 10-inch show. It’s a tremendous product in case you already personal one (particularly with Gemini now accessible), however shopping for the Nest Hub Max in 2025 simply doesn’t make sense.

There are a number of causes for this, one of many greatest being the worth. Given its age (launched in September 2019), the Nest Hub Max simply isn’t well worth the $229 Google nonetheless asks for it. If you’re dedicated to purchasing a Google sensible show, the common Nest Hub is a much better worth at $100. And in case you aren’t married to Google’s ecosystem, Amazon has significantly better (and cheaper) choices in its Echo Show lineup — together with a brand new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 that have been simply introduced final month.