Exclusive: Google Confirms That Unlimited Original-Quality Storage For Pixel 2/XL Will Be Valid Only Through The End Of 2020

We published a story yesterday surrounding the ambiguity of last date until when the Pixel 2/XL owners will get unlimited original-quality storage for backing up the photos and videos taken with their device. To summarize the ambiguity, Google mentioned different last dates on different Store listings for the Pixel 2. The non-country specific product page of the Pixel 2 states "unlimited original-quality storage for photos and videos taken with the Pixel until 15 Jan. 2021 and high-quality storage for all later uploads," whilst the listing of the Pixel 2 on the US Google Store mentions "free, unlimited original-quality storage for photos and videos taken with Pixel through the end of 2020, and free, unlimited high-quality storage for photos taken with Pixel afterwards."

To clear out the apparent confusion, we reached out to Google. A Google representative got back to us with the following statement.

For absolute clarity, Pixel 2 users will get free, unlimited original-quality storage for photos and videos uploaded through the end of 2020, and free, unlimited high-quality storage for photos uploaded afterwards. After 2020, there is no change to the photos you took before 2020 and you will always have access to those in original quality.

The statement is quite detailed and doesn't require elaboration on my end. By high quality images and videos, Google is referring to an image having the resolution of 16MP and 1080p videos. This means that a 4K video captured on a Pixel 2 post 2020 will be backed up to Google Photos for free after it has been reduced to 1080p. If a Pixel 2 owner wants to backup the video in its full resolution (afer 2020), then they will have to make use of their Google Drive storage quota. Once all the storage in Drive has been used up, additional storage space can be bought (rates vary as per location, minimum rate stands to be $2/month for 100GB). The non-country specific listing of the Pixel 2 still mentions the last date as January 15, 2021. We will update this space as and when Google updates the product page on the Store.


[Featured image credit: Google]

Krittin Kalra

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.