Pixel 4 won’t include free full-resolution storage on Google Photos

Google is quietly getting rid of one of the original reasons for owning a Pixel smartphone: free full-resolution photo and video storage on Google Photos. 

While previous Pixel handsets have come with the inclusion of the cloud storage perk at launch, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL will only be eligible for the same Google Photos plan as all other phone users.

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In a disclaimer for the Pixel 4’s official product page, Google says that the latest Pixel will have free Google Photos backup for photos and videos uploaded in “high quality”, which means images will be compressed as they are stored on the cloud. 

Google has confirmed with Expert Reviews that free full-resolution storage will not be included with the Pixel 4. 

The original Pixel came with unlimited compression-free cloud storage, and was one of that phone’s unique selling points, but Google began tightening the offer with subsequent handsets. Pixel 3 owners can still enjoy the perk, but only until the end of January 2022. 

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL didn’t come with free full-resolution Google Photos storage, but those were substantially cheaper handsets than the other Pixel flagships. The Pixel 4, on the other hand, can run up to £769. 

Tellingly, Google is bundling in three months free of its Google One 100GB cloud storage plan with the Pixel 4. For users that need to keep the original quality of images stored on the cloud, the subscription model is being presented as a tantalising, if paid, alternative.