Google did not release a limited-edition “Original Potato Chips” flavor for the Pixel 6 in Japan. The promotion that fans remember was a custom Pixel 6 smartphone wrapped in a potato-chip bag design, given away as a prize in a Japanese social media campaign, not a flavored phone or an actual snack product.
What the Promotion Actually Was
In October 2021, Google Japan partnered with the popular snack brand Calbee to celebrate the launch of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The centerpiece was a special “Original Potato Chips”-themed Pixel 6 — the phone itself was wrapped in a realistic chip bag design, complete with the Calbee logo and the words “Pixel 6 Original Potato Chips Flavor.” This was a cosmetic wrap, not a new hardware color or a chip-flavored coating.
The campaign ran on Twitter (now X) in Japan. Users had to follow the official Google Japan account and retweet a specific post to enter a lottery. A limited number of winners received the chip-bag-wrapped Pixel 6. The phone was a standard Pixel 6 (the “Sorta Seafoam” color variant underneath), but the wrap made it look like a bag of chips. It was a playful marketing stunt, not a product sold in stores.
Why It Got So Much Attention
The promotion went viral outside Japan because it was so unexpected. Tech enthusiasts and snack lovers alike shared images of the phone, which looked like a giant potato chip bag with a camera bar. The design was a clever nod to the Pixel 6’s bold new camera strip, which already resembled a snack package’s graphic element. The campaign also tapped into Japan’s culture of limited-edition collaborations and gacha-style giveaways.
It was not the first time Google Japan did a quirky phone collaboration. In 2020, they released a “Gorilla Glass”-themed Pixel 5 with a camouflage pattern. The chip-bag Pixel 6, however, became the most shared because it was so visually striking and because the Pixel 6 was a major flagship release that year.
Was It a Real Product You Could Buy?
No. The chip-bag Pixel 6 was never sold commercially. It was exclusively a prize in the Japanese Twitter giveaway. There was no retail version, no pre-order option, and no international release. The only way to get one was to win the lottery. After the campaign ended, the phone became a collector’s item, with a few units appearing on second-hand markets at inflated prices.
Google also gave away matching chip-bag-themed cases and other merchandise to some winners, but the phone itself was the main attraction.
What Was Inside the Chip Bag?
The phone came in a box that was designed to look like a giant potato chip bag, complete with a resealable zipper. Inside, the Pixel 6 was wrapped in the same chip-bag design. The packaging was a custom job, not a standard retail box. The phone’s software was identical to any other Pixel 6 — no special chip-flavored UI or exclusive features. It ran the same Android 12 with the same camera and performance.
Some fans speculated that the phone might have a unique boot animation or wallpaper, but there is no evidence of that. It was purely a cosmetic wrap.
How the Giveaway Worked
The entry process was simple:
- Follow the official Google Japan Twitter account.
- Retweet the campaign post (which showed the chip-bag phone).
- Wait for the lottery draw, which was announced a few weeks later.
Google did not disclose how many units were given away, but estimates from social media suggest it was a small number — likely under 100. The campaign was region-locked to Japan, so international fans could not enter unless they had a Japanese Twitter account and address.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the phone was flavored or had a chip-scented case. It did not. Another is that it was a special edition Pixel 6 Pro — it was actually the base Pixel 6. Some people also think the chip bag was a case you could remove; in reality, the wrap was a skin applied directly to the phone’s back, not a removable case. You could technically peel it off, but that would ruin the collectible value.
Another myth is that the phone had a different camera or battery. It was a standard Pixel 6 in every way except the exterior design.
What Happened After the Promotion
Google Japan did not continue the chip-bag theme for later Pixel models. The Pixel 7, 8, and 9 did not get similar snack-themed collaborations. The chip-bag Pixel 6 remains a one-off, and it is now a rare collector’s item. If you see one for sale online, it is likely a used unit from a winner, and it will cost significantly more than a regular Pixel 6.
Google did, however, continue to do other fun promotions in Japan, such as the Pixel 8 “Mint” colorway that was exclusive to the region. But the chip-bag phone remains the most memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy the chip-bag Pixel 6?
No, it was never sold in stores. You might find a second-hand unit on auction sites, but it will be expensive and rare. There is no official way to purchase one.
Was the phone actually flavored like potato chips?
No, the phone was not flavored. The design was purely visual. The “Original Potato Chips Flavor” text on the wrap was a joke, not a literal description.
Did the chip-bag Pixel 6 have any special software?
No, it ran the same Android 12 as any other Pixel 6. There were no exclusive apps, wallpapers, or features. The only difference was the physical wrap.
Why did Google do this promotion?
It was a marketing stunt to generate buzz for the Pixel 6 launch in Japan. The quirky design made people talk about the phone, and the limited giveaway created excitement. It also played on the Pixel 6’s camera bar, which already looked like a chip bag’s graphic element.
Is the chip-bag Pixel 6 worth more than a regular Pixel 6?
Yes, as a collector’s item, it is worth more. However, it is not an official product, so its value is determined by what collectors are willing to pay. A used unit in good condition can sell for several times the price of a standard Pixel 6.
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