Google Store now selling Pixel devices directly in India; fix out for battery drain issue on Pixels and other Android phones

Big news for Android fans in India! Google has just launched its official online store in the country, letting customers buy Pixel devices straight from the source. Plus, there’s a fix rolling out for a pesky battery drain problem that’s been bugging Pixel and other Android phone users. Here’s what you need to know.

Buy Pixel phones directly via Google Store online in India

As of today, you can head to the Google Store online and pick up devices like the Pixel 9, 9a, and 9 Pro Fold. Want accessories? The Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are up for grabs too. This is a pretty big deal for India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market.

Mitul Shah, Google India’s Managing Director of Devices and Services, told Moneycontrol that this launch took serious effort. They’ve packed the store with features just for Indian shoppers. You can pay with UPI, a huge win since it’s so popular here. There’s also a no-cost EMI option, thanks to tie-ups with over 15 banks like HDFC Bank. That makes snagging a Pixel easier on the wallet.

Trading in your old phone? Google’s partnered with Cashify for an exchange program. For shipping, they’ve teamed up with Blue Dart to cover 12,600 PIN codes, with most deliveries arriving in 24 to 48 hours. You can even handle repairs and schedule pickups right from the site. After a quick check, it seems Google is offering some fantastic exchange offers, especially on older Pixel phones. 

For instance, you can get an exchange value of up to INR 44,000 ($514.75) for a Pixel 8 when trading it in for a Pixel 9 Pro. For some perspective, a brand-new Pixel 8 will set you back INR 44,999 ($526.44) on Flipkart at the time of this writing. 

Before this, Pixels were sold through places like Flipkart or stores like Croma and Reliance Digital. Now, the online store joins Google’s growing retail push in India, which already includes over 2,000 physical spots to check out Pixel devices. And there’s talk of offline Google stores down the road — Shah hinted they’re working on more ways for customers to see and buy products in person.

Battery drain culprit found — fix rolling out

A lot of Pixel owners noticed their phones dying faster after the May 2025 update. I even wrote an article asking if readers felt the same. Turns out, it wasn’t just Pixels — Samsung users were hit too. Yesterday, I covered it on our sister site, noting Samsung’s confirmation that Instagram was the culprit.

Now, in an official post earlier today, Google confirmed that Instagram was the culprit behind increased battery drain on Android phones. The company even cleared things up in a statement to 9to5Google. The May update wasn’t to blame — it was a bug in Instagram. The latest app update, version 382.0.0.49.84, fixes it. If your battery’s been draining fast, update Instagram now. The timing of the buggy Instagram update just made everyone think the May patch was the problem.

Conclusion

This is a double win for Android users in India. The Google Store launch makes getting a Pixel simpler and more tailored to how we shop here. And the battery fix means no more stressing about your phone dying mid-day, though, this applies to Android users around the world as well.