Users opening the US Play Store today may notice an unexpected carousel titled "Devices from the Google Store." The first product promoted is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, alongside the Pixel Watch 4 and Fitbit Air. This is a surprising move for the Google Store, which has traditionally focused on first-party Made by Google hardware.
An Unexpected Offer from the Play Store
The promotion allows customers to purchase the Galaxy Watch 8 directly from the Google Store with a $20 discount off the $400 list price. The offer runs until July 14. Clicking through leads to the standard Google Store checkout flow, complete with product images, size options (40mm at $399.99 and 44mm at $429.99, both LTE), and financing choices. Notably, the product name includes a "Play" badge, indicating the initiative originates from the Play Store ecosystem.
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A Deepening Google-Samsung Partnership
This move is unusual for the Google Store, which has exclusively sold Pixel, Home, Nest, and Fitbit devices. However, Google and Samsung share a long-standing partnership across the Android ecosystem, from security updates to joint marketing. Selling a Samsung watch on the Google Store could be a test for future integrations, such as Android XR glasses or Googlebooks. For users, the benefit is clear: the checkout process leverages existing carts, saved addresses, and payment methods, including Google Store credit. It remains to be seen whether this is a one-time trial or the beginning of a broader retail strategy.
Comparison with Other Tech Initiatives
Cross-company collaborations are not unprecedented in tech. For instance, Anthropic recently unveiled Claude's hidden space, while OpenAI pushes toward a super app. Similarly, Google's decision to sell a Samsung product may signal a new level of cooperation. According to 9to5Google, the deal is not particularly good in terms of savings, but the channel is what matters. No dedicated product page exists yet on the Google Store for the Galaxy Watch 8, but the checkout integration is seamless. This promotion could foreshadow a broader inclusion of Samsung devices on the Google Store, potentially reshaping how Android users shop for wearables.
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Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/07/08/google-store-samsung-galaxy-watch
