You’ve probably seen the headline screaming across your social media feeds: “Google Pixel 9 for just ₹35,000 in Flipkart’s Big Billion Days Sale!” Before you start planning your purchase or setting a dozen alarms, we need to have a serious chat. Stop. That deal is almost certainly fake.
Let’s Debunk That Viral “Pixel 9 for ₹35k” Rumor
Every year, right before the big festive sales, the internet goes a little crazy. We see unbelievable deals and prices that seem too good to be true. And you know the old saying: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This year’s candidate for the “No Way That’s Real” award is this wild rumor about the Google Pixel 9.
The news claims that a phone that hasn’t even been launched yet will be available for less than half its expected price. As your friendly neighborhood tech insider, I feel it’s my duty to be the voice of reason and protect you and your wallet from this kind of misinformation. So, let’s pour some cold water on this rumor and talk about what’s actually likely to happen.
The Big Problem: The Pixel 9 Doesn’t Exist Yet
Here’s the most obvious reason this deal is fake. The Google Pixel 9 has not been released. It hasn’t even been announced. We are expecting Google to officially unveil the phone in their annual “Made by Google” event in October. Today is September 10th. There is no universe where a phone that is still weeks away from being launched is already part of a confirmed sale.
Some of the articles spreading this rumor even claim the phone was “launched last August.” That’s just plain wrong. The Pixel 8 was launched last year, and the Pixel 9 is the next one. It’s a classic case of outlets mixing up information to create a sensational, click-worthy headline.
Let’s Do the Math: Why the Price Makes Zero Sense
Okay, let’s pretend for a second the phone was secretly available. The Google Pixel 8 launched in India at a starting price of ₹75,999. It’s safe to assume the Pixel 9 will launch for at least that much, if not slightly more.
No company, especially not a premium brand like Google, would ever discount its brand-new flagship phone by 50-60% just days or weeks after launch. It would be financial suicide and would destroy the value of their product.
So where does this magical ₹35,000 number come from? It’s likely a fantasy calculation. These articles often take the launch price, subtract a hypothetical bank offer, and then subtract an absurdly high exchange value for your old phone—a value you’ll only get if you’re trading in last year’s top-end iPhone in pristine condition. For 99% of people, this final price is impossible to achieve.
The REAL Pixel Deal You Should Be Watching
So, should you just ignore the Big Billion Days sale if you want a Pixel? Absolutely not! You just need to look at the right phone. Forget the Pixel 9. The real superstar of this sale will be the Google Pixel 8.
This is how tech sales always work. The moment a new model is launched, last year’s model gets a massive, permanent price cut. The Pixel 8 is still a phenomenal phone with an amazing camera, a great display, and years of software updates ahead of it. I’m willing to bet that during the sale, the Pixel 8’s price will drop to somewhere between ₹38,000 and ₹42,000. Now that is a fantastic, and realistic, deal.
So, What Should We Expect for the Pixel 9 Then?
The Pixel 9 will definitely have launch offers, but they will be sensible. Based on previous years, here’s what I realistically predict for the actual Pixel 9 launch deals:
- A Flat Discount with Specific Bank Cards: Expect something like ₹5,000 to ₹7,000 off if you use an HDFC or ICICI bank credit card.
- A Modest Exchange Bonus: Maybe an extra ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 on top of the value of your old phone.
- Effective Price: This will likely bring the launch price of a ₹80,000 phone down to an effective price of around ₹68,000 to ₹72,000. That’s a good launch offer, but it’s a world away from ₹35,000.
A Smart Shopper’s Guide to Surviving Sale Hype
- Be Skeptical of Unbelievable Headlines: If a price seems impossibly low for a brand-new product, it’s almost certainly a misleading or fake rumor designed to get your click.
- Focus on Last Year’s Flagship: The biggest and best discounts during these sales are always on the previous generation’s model. The Pixel 8 is where the real value will be.
- Read the Fine Print: A deal that screams “₹20,000 OFF!” often includes bank offers and exchange bonuses that you may not be eligible for. Always check the final price in your cart before you get excited.
- The Best Deal is on a Product That Actually Exists: Don’t get caught up in the hype for a phone that isn’t even out yet. You can’t buy a rumor.
Rumors vs. Reality: A Price Prediction
| Phone Model | The “Too Good to be True” Rumor Price | My Realistic Sale Price Prediction |
| Google Pixel 9 | ₹34,999 | ₹68,000 – ₹72,000 (with launch offers) |
| Google Pixel 8 | Not the focus of the rumor | ₹38,000 – ₹42,000 (as the main deal) |
Frequently Asked Questions
So, does this mean there will be NO deal on the Pixel 9 at all?
There will definitely be launch offers, but they will be realistic. Expect a combination of bank cashbacks and maybe a small exchange bonus that will bring the launch price down by about 10-15%, not the 50-60% the rumors claim.
Is buying last year’s Pixel 8 still a good idea in late 2025?
Absolutely. The Pixel 8 is a fantastic phone that will get software and security updates from Google until at least 2030. For a sale price under ₹45,000, it would arguably be one of the best camera phones you could buy for the money.
Why do news sites publish these fake deals?
It’s all about getting clicks. During the hype of big sales like Big Billion Days, sensational headlines with unbelievable prices attract a lot of traffic. Unfortunately, this often comes at the cost of accuracy, causing confusion for consumers like you and me.
I have my eye on the Pixel 9. What’s the smartest way to buy it?
The smartest way is to be patient. Wait for the official launch in October. See the real price and the real launch offers. Don’t fall for pre-launch rumors. Have your credit cards ready that are likely to have offers (historically HDFC and ICICI are good bets), and be ready to trade in an old device if the exchange bonus is good.
