Google is selling Pixel and Samsung phones inside the Play Store

Google is no stranger to using the Play Store to sell hardware. Earlier this year, the company started showing banners for the Galaxy Watch 8 inside the Play Store. However, if you thought that was all Google would do, you were wrong.

Google has quietly added a new “Shop devices” option in the Play Store’s account switcher (h/t Telegram user catat2am). The tip we originally received showed Samsung devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 alongside Google devices.

However, when checking on our own devices, we can only see options such as the Pixel 10a, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 5, and Pixel Buds Pro 2. Tapping on one of the devices opens the Google Store, where you can configure and purchase it.

Google’s support page does state that users can now shop for hardware devices from the Play Store. However, it doesn’t mention a dedicated “Shop devices” section. The page also states that the Play Store will show Google and Samsung devices that are listed for sale on the Google Store, which is even more confusing because Google doesn’t sell Samsung phones on the Google Store.

When the Galaxy Watch 8 was listed on the Play Store, it included a $20 discount. Devices listed in the new “Shop devices” section, however, don’t seem to have any discounts or offers and are listed at their regular prices. This might simply be a way for Google to funnel users from the Play Store to the Google Store. Curiously, other Android brands are not part of this deal so far, even though they could also use the help.