One of our readers asked:
why won’t google release their phones in PH? –Mark
I also have the same question, and Google has been tight-lipped as to why its Pixel devices are not available (yet) in the Philippines.
While some local stores—such as GameXtreme 354—have managed to offer Pixel products in the country, Google has not officially entered the Philippine market with its devices.
As a result, even if a Pixel device supports 5G connectivity, it may not be compatible with the country’s 5G networks due to different network bands that are not specifically designed for the local infrastructure.
Getting answers from Google Support
Regarding this, I actually reached out Google Support to get some answers and asked if they have any idea as to why Google is not officially selling Pixel phones in the Philippines.
According to a representative from Google Store UK, Google’s product availability and marketing strategy are influenced by current market trends and can vary over time.
This suggests that the decision not to officially sell Pixel phones in the Philippines may be based on market considerations and the specific demands of the region.
Google Support suggested exploring alternative options for obtaining Google Pixel devices in the Philippines.
They recommended leveraging personal connections with friends or relatives in regions where the desired device is available, such as the US. By asking them to place an order and subsequently sending it to the Philippines.
According to another Google Support agent, it appears that the Google Store 262 is currently unavailable in the Philippines as well. I personally confirmed this when I visited their website and noticed the absence of an option to select the PH region.
While these responses provide some insight, it seems that there is more to the situation that only Google can fully explain.
Pixels have a whitelist of approved carriers for 5g – and since it’s not marketed in the Philippines, no Filipino carriers are on that whitelist. I actually have a similar issue with my Galaxy S23 from the USA, but at least it has workarounds that don’t involve rooting the phone. Pixels, on the other hand, must be rooted to unlock 5g connectivity in the Philippines. Don’t waste your money on a Pixel if you don’t want to root your phone.