Google Pixel Phones Keep Unlimited High Quality Photo Uploads Perk
  • Posted byby Kellen

Google Pixel Phones Keep Unlimited High Quality Photo Uploads Perk

Everyone is (rightly) pissed about the Google Photos news from this morning, but if you own a Pixel phone, life might not be so bad. Google has confirmed that the entire Pixel line-up through the Pixel 5 won’t be impacted by the change that is eliminating free unlimited “High quality” photo uploads.

In our lengthy write-up on the change I pointed this out, but figured it should be clear that Google Pixel phones are exempt (for now). Google said specifically that “If you have a Pixel 1-5, photos uploaded from that device won’t be impacted” and that “Photos and videos uploaded in High quality from that device will continue to be exempt from this change, even after June 1, 2021.”

To further clarify, depending on your phone, “Original quality” photos uploads might still be available, but at some point will count against your free 15GB of space. Each Pixel phone from 1-3 has a different date for when that unlimited perk ends. To view those for your Pixel phone, take a look at this Google Support page. Google did away with free unlimited “Original quality” uploads back with the Pixel 4 and 3a, yet did keep the unlimited for “High quality.”

While all other Android phones will lose unlimited Google Photos uploads in June of next year, the Google Pixel line won’t.

Hey, might be a reason to buy a Pixel 5 or Pixel 4a?

Written by

Kellen

It’s not often that you get to merge personal passions into a professional life, but that’s what Kellen did when he launched Droid Life in 2009. After working years of unsatisfying jobs in the medical and property management fields, he took a risk to try and create an online community while playing with the coolest gadgets on the planet each day, a risk that has turned out to be incredibly rewarding. Outside of Droid Life, Kellen is your typical Portlander who drinks way too much good beer, complains often about the Trail Blazers, and can be found out on the streets for a run, rain or shine.

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32 Comments

  • Here’s the thing: They still get access to the full quality version then they convert it to the lower one. So they basically have figured out they can mine all the data from your photos no matter what quality they allow you to get access to on their service. Smart move on their part, straight out of their playbook – offer something free as long as they can gain something by mining it, the just drop it when they have learned what they want.

    Oh, well – their 2TB plan is still the best deal out there for cloud storage, by far. At least until they decide they don’t need to mine your stuff there either and it goes away.

  • Google Photos was the only reason I stayed with Android and Pixel phones. With all these benefits leaving I have no incentive to stay with Google which I have since Smart Phones began.

  • This is so stupid Google. Guess I’ll start using my Amazon Photos Unlimited Back up with a Prime Membership.

  • The end storage estimate tool in the original Google press release is pretty good in case anyone wants to estimate how long they have until they reach the 15 GB of free storage….4 years for me.

  • Google only exists to make money. All that cloud storage isn’t free for them. There’s no money to be made by perpetually hosting 15+GB of pictures of your cat unless you are buying a pixel because then you’re actually giving money to google. You know, aside from them selling your data and generating profit from your clicks.

  • I mean, I guess what do you expect from a company that has given a lot for free? I mean, free as in we don’t have to pay any extra for it, they just make money by selling our data.

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