Yes, the deal was real—but only as a limited August 2024 preorder promotion. Best Buy offered up to $799 in trade-in credit toward the Pixel 9 and up to $1,099 toward the Pixel 9 Pro XL, plus a promotional Best Buy gift card. A qualifying recent iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or other eligible phone was required, so this was not a no-strings-attached free-phone giveaway. The promotion should be treated as expired; current Best Buy listings are paid, refurbished, Marketplace, discounted or unavailable.
What the Best Buy promotion included
Contemporary coverage published on August 15, 2024 described a Pixel 9-series preorder offer with three separate benefits:
- Up to $799 in trade-in credit toward a Pixel 9.
- Up to $1,099 in trade-in credit toward a Pixel 9 Pro XL.
- A $100 Best Buy gift card with the Pixel 9 and a $200 gift card with the Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The trade-in figures and preorder terms were reported by 9to5Google and Android Headlines. They were promotion-period values, not a permanent Best Buy policy.
Which phones could receive the maximum credit?
The following table reproduces the reported August 2024 values. Each amount was an advertised maximum for the specified promotion and phone; the actual quote depended on the exact model, storage, condition and applicable terms.
#1 Best Overall
- The power behind AI on Google Pixel - Google Tensor G4 is Pixel’s most powerful chip yet.
| Trade-in phone | Pixel 9 Pro XL credit | Pixel 9 credit |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Up to $1,099 | Up to $540 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | Up to $1,099 | Up to $630 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | Up to $1,099 | Up to $720 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | Up to $799 | Up to $799 |
| iPhone 13 | Up to $535 | Up to $799 |
| Pixel 8 | Up to $440 | Up to $440 |
| Pixel 8 Pro | Up to $625 | Up to $625 |
These historical figures came from 9to5Google’s original trade-in table. Trade-in prices change, so do not use this table as a current quote.
How a phone could be “free”
Pixel 9 example
If the Pixel 9 was priced at $799 and Best Buy assigned your phone $799 in trade-in credit, the advertised device price could be reduced to approximately $0 before tax. The separate $100 gift card was promotional store credit, not an instant $100 cash reduction.
Rank #2
- 6.8" LTPO OLED, 486 PPI, 1344x2992 px, 120Hz, HDR10+, Bluetooth 5.3, 5060 mAh battery, Android 14, with 7 Major Software Updates.
- 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, Google Tensor G4 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520), Mali-G715 MC7
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.7 (wide) + 48MP, f/2.8 (telephoto) + 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), Front Camera: 42MP, f/2.2
- 3G: HSDPA 800/850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 5G: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint., Etc. For Developers, Carrier Unlocked models will not allow an Unlocked Boot Loader.
Pixel 9 Pro XL example
A Pixel 9 Pro XL priced at $1,099 could similarly reach approximately $0 before tax with a qualifying $1,099 trade-in credit. The additional $200 gift card improved the overall economics for someone who would shop at Best Buy, but it did not make the transaction cash-free.
Costs that “free” did not necessarily cover
- Sales tax, which varies by jurisdiction and transaction structure.
- Shipping, activation or financing charges.
- Cases, chargers, protection plans and other accessories.
- The value you might have received by selling your old phone privately.
In practical terms, you exchanged a valuable existing phone for a new one. Best Buy was not giving every customer a Pixel without consideration.
Rank #3
- The power behind AI on Google Pixel - Google Tensor G4 is Pixel’s most powerful chip yet. It’s built for advanced AI like Gemini, cutting-edge photos and videos, and smarter ways to help all day.
- Gemini. Your built-in AI assistant - Gemini helps you supercharge your ideas. Hold the power button to start writing, planning, learning, and more.
- Pro-level photos and video - The triple rear camera is the most powerful Pixel Camera ever. Get up close with 30x Super Res Zoom. And it has super sharp, high-res video quality, even in low light and from far away.
- A first for video zoom - Pixel 9 Pro XL combines a powerful telephoto lens and advanced video processing to give you smooth, high-quality video up to 20x with Super Res Zoom Video.
- Brilliant and bright Super Actua display - With the brightest, most immersive Pixel display yet, you’ll see true-to-life colors, even in sunlight. And it runs up to 120Hz, for smooth gaming and scrolling.
Condition and inspection risks
The maximum credit assumed an eligible device that met the promotion’s condition requirements. A cracked display, nonworking buttons, water damage, an activation lock or an incorrect model selection could reduce or eliminate the expected value. Treat an online quote as provisional until Best Buy accepts the device.
- Back up the old phone and securely erase it.
- Remove Apple Find My or Android account/device locks.
- Photograph the device and its condition before shipment or handover.
- Keep the quoted value and trade-in confirmation.
- If the phone is still financed, check the original carrier’s remaining obligations.
Returning the new phone can also affect the trade-in credit or promotional gift card. Review the transaction’s specific return terms before completing a trade-in.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
Was Best Buy better than Google Store?
Contemporary reporting said Google Store trade-in values were generally slightly higher in many cases, while Best Buy had exceptions and added its own gift-card incentive. There was no universal winner. Compare the final offer for your exact phone, the value and restrictions of any gift card, return logistics, support, and whether you prefer retailer pickup or direct Google purchasing. The historical comparison is discussed by 9to5Google.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the original deal still exist?
There is no evidence in the available current snapshot that the August 2024 preorder offer remains active. Best Buy pages checked in August 2026 showed paid listings instead, including:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- 512gb of storage
- Excellent cosmetic condition
- Includes charging cord and box with phone
- A refurbished-excellent 256GB Pixel 9 Pro XL in Hazel listed at $699.97: Best Buy product page.
- A 128GB Obsidian listing at $749.97, shown as sold and shipped by a Marketplace seller in the captured result: Best Buy product page.
Those are dated snapshots, not guaranteed prices or stock. Check the seller, condition, storage, warranty, return policy and availability at checkout. A Marketplace or refurbished phone is materially different from new Best Buy inventory.
What to check before buying a current listing
- Confirm whether the SKU is unlocked or carrier-specific.
- Verify storage capacity and whether the phone is new, open-box or refurbished.
- Identify the actual seller and shipping party.
- Read the return and warranty terms.
- Check the live trade-in quote for your exact device rather than relying on the 2024 table.
Google’s product page currently presents Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL purchasing and advertises a Google AI Pro/2TB benefit, but eligibility and expiration must be confirmed in the live offer terms: Google Store Pixel 9 Pro page. Older promotional language shown on a Best Buy listing referenced eligibility ending in 2025, so it should not be treated as an automatically available benefit.
When the promotion was—and was not—a good deal
It was attractive if you:
- Owned a phone receiving the maximum or near-maximum promotional value.
- Already wanted to switch to a Pixel.
- Would use a Best Buy gift card.
- Preferred an unlocked phone or Best Buy pickup.
Compare alternatives if you:
- Could sell the old phone privately for more after fees, shipping and risk.
- Wanted to keep the old phone as a backup.
- Preferred a direct discount rather than surrendering a recent flagship.
- Could buy a later-generation Pixel at a lower cash price.
How to evaluate a new trade-in promotion
Start with Best Buy’s current site at Best Buy and obtain a quote for the exact model and condition. Then compare the net private-sale proceeds and the Google Store offer. Separate the phone’s trade-in credit from any gift card, calculate tax and fees, and decide whether store credit has real value to you. Do not assume that a headline “free” price includes tax or optional purchases.
The Bottom Line
The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL could be effectively free at Best Buy during the August 2024 preorder period for customers trading in qualifying high-value phones. The required trade-in, inspection conditions, taxes and gift-card restrictions mattered, and the specific promotion is not a current standing offer. Treat any new Best Buy deal as a separate promotion and verify its live terms.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
