The Pixel 9 Pro arrived this year for users looking for a compact flagship. Previously, fans of the Pixel lineup had to turn to the less capable vanilla models if they wanted a phone with a smaller screen. Buyers of the device seem happy so far, with generally positive reviews. A new report claims that the Pixel 9 Pro’s cost of materials is just over $400.
After the release of new smartphones from big brands, the Bill of Materials (BOM) usually comes out, giving an idea of how much it costs to manufacture it. However, it is important to note that the bill of materials does not factor in several additional expenses associated with the commercialization of a device. This includes local/regional taxes, logistics, licensing, and more. You must also take into account the necessary margin for future discounts and offers.
It costs Google about $406 to make the Pixel 9 Pro, report claims
According to Nikkei, the cost of materials for the Pixel 9 Pro totals $406. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM is around $485, according to analysts. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro’s BOM is around 11% lower compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. However, the Pixel 8 generation did not feature a compact-sized Pro model. Components like the display and battery on the new-gen model are smaller, which can influence the cost. A more fair comparison for last year’s Pro model would be the BOM of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is not available yet.
According to the report, the new Tensor G4 chip costs Google around $80. This is significantly less than what other brands pay for the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which costs nearly $200. This is one of the advantages that brands that design their own chips have. The Samsung M14 display on the Pixel 9 Pro costs $75, the source claims. On the other hand, the camera hardware costs around $61.
Google optimizing production costs of Pixel devices
It would be nice to see the BOM of the Pixel 9 Pro XL emerge as well. This way, we could make a fairer comparison with the previous-generation Pixel 8 Pro. In any case, it appears that Google is also striving to optimize the production costs of its mobile devices. For instance, the camera hardware of the new model is reportedly cheaper than that of its predecessor.
