05 October 2023 , 13:12
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If you're looking to upgrade to a new Android phone, the latest models from Google and Samsung both arrive with a generous freebie – a pair of noise-cancelling wireless earbuds worth £200 or more. Yes, the Google versus Samsung rivalry continues.
Yes, Google's newest Pixel 8 handset was announced this week and all preorders ship with a pair of Pixel Buds Pro worth £199 at no cost. For a limited time, Galaxy S23+ shoppers can get a similar deal, bagging a pair of Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for just £1, as the £219 buds are thrown into one network monthly contract.
Both of these flagship Android smartphones arrive with a speedy processor, expansive high-resolution screen for bingeing boxsets and playing games on-the-go, brilliant cameras, and a pair of wireless 'buds for your favourite tracks and podcasts.
But the most affordable choice between the Galaxy S23+ and the Google Pixel 8 is a real shocker.
It's all thanks to O2, which is throwing in a free pair of rival earbud brands, either the Pixel Buds Pro with a Pixel 8 purchase or the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for Samsung shoppers, but it's not offered on the standard S23 price. In fact, those who end up clicking on O2's S23 model will end up spending £48 more in total and not walk away with a free pair of the Buds accessory.
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O2 Pixel 8 shoppers will walk away with a £300 saving and bag a free pair of earbuds
This is because the freebie deal is only offered on the S23+ model, which is usually more expensive, but as the tech industry is blown away by Google's new Pixel 8 device it's left the competition open for rival brands to compete.
As Google and Samsung go head to head all Pixel 8 shoppers and Galaxy S23+ shoppers will walk away with a free pair of buds, so how much will it cost you? We've done some digging below.
O2 offers free wireless earbuds to Google and Samsung fans
Weighing up which of the two phones to buy is a tricky task, especially as O2 will throw in a multi-hundred-pound pair of earbuds on both devices. As the brands compete with freebie deals one device's contract deal will save you £379.
Despite O2 offering free gadgets on both flagship models, Pixel 8 shoppers will walk away with a £300 saving compared to Galaxy S23+ shoppers. At O2, the Google Pixel 8 costs £1,418.64 in total across a three-year plan compared to the Galaxy S23+ price of £1,797.72, and both rates come with unlimited data.
And if O2's price difference hasn't convinced you which handset to go for, then you may want to take a look across some other UK networks including Vodafone and Tesco Mobile - as not everyone is throwing in a free pair of Galaxy Buds leaving the Google Pixel on top when it comes to giveaways.
Tesco Mobile
- Save £400 buying the Pixel 8 at Tesco compared to S23+
The supermarket network is only offering a free pair of earbuds on the new Google Pixel 8, Samsung S23+ shoppers here get a much more standard offer of free Disney Plus for three months - potentially a lot less inviting.
Comparing both handsets on Tesco unlimited data plans the Pixel 8 would cost a total of £1,889.64, breaking down to £52.49 a month on a 36-month contract (£22.49 for the device a month and £30 a month for the data).
The Galaxy S23+ costs nearly £400 more, coming to a total of £2,285.64 and there's no Galaxy Buds 2 Pro thrown in for free. This price is based on a monthly rate of £63.49 a month which breaks down to £33.49 for the device and £30 a month for data.
Vodafone
- Get a free pair of Pixel Buds Pro when you buy the Pixel 8 at Vodafone
Now moving onto Vodafone, which has also chosen to boycott the free Galaxy Bud 2 Pro offer on the S23+ device, although its free Disney+ handout is much better - as it offers shoppers a full 12 months of the subscription for free.
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Coming bundled in with a free pair of Pixel Buds Pro the Pixel 8 at Vodafone - again on an unlimited data plan - would set shoppers back £1,229 in total. Customers will pay £18 a month for the device on a 36 month contract (with a £29 upfront fee) followed by £23 a month for the data, on a 24-month plan.
The lonesome S23+ device (due to its lack of Galaxy Buds) comes to a total of £1,921, which breaks down to £28 a month for the device (on a 36-month plan) with £36 a month for data (on a 24-month plan) - not forgetting an initial upfront payment of £49.