Facebook Slashes Portal Video Chat Device Price by Half Amid Privacy Concerns
Facebook drops the price of its face-tracking Portal video chat camera from $199 to $99 ahead of Mother's Day. The significant discount follows a rocky launch in a highly privacy-conscious market.
Facebook slashes the price of its Portal video chat camera to $99, marking a 50 percent drop from its original $199 launch price less than six months ago. The tech giant promotes this significant discount as a Mother's Day sale, with the promotional pricing scheduled to end on May 12.
The device features a camera that adeptly tracks the faces of users during video calls, but it enters a highly privacy-conscious market that remains skeptical of the social network. Reviewers note that the Portal is actually a competent device with thoughtful design touches, but this technical proficiency does not offset the unsettling nature of inviting a company notorious for mishandling user privacy into the home.
While the standard Portal sees a major price reduction, the larger premium Portal+ with a rotating 1080p screen remains priced at $349 when purchased individually. However, customers who buy a Portal+ alongside at least one standard Portal receive a discounted bundle price of $249 for the premium device.