Google’s flagship Pixel 9 series is arriving sooner than expected, with the company holding a “Made by Google” Pixel launch event on Aug. 13. And it’s gone further, confirming the arrival of both the Pixel 9 Pro and bendable Pixel 9 Pro Fold in social media teases. The company’s Pixel 8 and 8 Pro launched in October last year, but it looks like Google wants to get its phones out before Apple announces its iPhone 16 line. Google’s phones all offer solid performance, generous software support and innovative AI-based features, while its more recent $499 Pixel 8A pares down some of the specs to come with its more affordable price.
There are some key bits of information we’ve been able to glean about the upcoming range from both Google’s own official social media channels and the usual leaksters and tipsters who have been showing off renders and leaked specs for months now.
We’ll be updating this story as the Pixel 9 launch gets closer, so keep checking back.
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Aug. 13 2024 launch
Google usually releases its new Pixel devices in October (as was the case with the Pixel 8 series and Pixel 7 series) but the company has officially sent out invites to a Pixel hardware event on Aug. 13 and teased some of its products for the same date. It’s not clear why Google has opted to change up its launch dates, but it could well be to get its phones out into the public eye before Apple takes the wraps off its iPhone 16 line, which is expected in September.
The above teaser, posted to the company’s Made by Google YouTube channel, focuses on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, showing off the new design and camera layout before confirming the Aug.13 release date.
Even with an earlier announcement, there’s no guarantee that’s when the phones will be available for purchase. There’s a chance Google could show off its new phones at its headquarters in Mountain View, California, but they won’t hit store shelves until later in the year. Either way, we won’t have long to wait to find out.
Three (or four) Pixel 9 models
A rumor that’s persisted since Android Authority published it back in late 2022 is that there’ll be three models of the Pixel 9 phone, rather than the usual two. It’s expected that we’ll still see a base Pixel 9, but there may now be two versions of the flagship Pro range: a large model and a smaller one.
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The smaller version will reportedly be similar in size to the base model but will include the higher-performance cameras typically seen only with the larger size. The 9 Pro XL (as it’s rumored to be named) would feature the same higher-end specs but with a larger display.
This more closely mirrors Apple’s strategy, which typically includes the base iPhone models, along with two Pro phones in different sizes with beefed-up cameras.
The fourth model is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, an update to the original Pixel Fold, launched in June 2023. We expected to hear more about Google’s new foldable at I/O, but the company talked only about AI updates, with new folding hardware being conspicuous by its absence. While we hoped for some hint of the phone earlier in June, Google’s latest teaser video confirmed we have to wait a little longer for its August unveiling.
iPhone-like design
Speaking of the iPhone, the Pixel 9 range may get design changes that echo some of the iPhone 15’s aesthetics. Google’s official X account posted a video that clearly shows the back of the Pixel 9 Pro, confirming the flat, metal sides and an updated camera bar as we have seen in previous leaks. Earlier renders apparently acquired by notable tipster OnLeaks and published by MySmartPrice showed these same features, with a Pixel 9 sporting a look similar to that seen on the most recent iPhones.
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The other big physical change shown in Google’s video is to the camera bar on the back. Previously, this was one solid bar that stretched the whole width of the phone, connecting to the edges on both sides. The video instead confirms the camera bar will instead become an oval island that stands alone in the middle, with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold sporting two camera ‘pills’ within a raised island.
A render purportedly of the Pixel 9.
While the rumors haven’t been specific about what size displays we may see, most signs suggest the base Pixel 9 will remain around 6.1 inches, with the 9 Pro coming in at a similar size. The 9 Pro XL would be larger, measuring around 6.8 inches, in line with the sizing of the current Pixel 8 Pro.
Similar cameras
Full camera specs have yet to leak, so there’s little for photographers like me to get excited about just yet. The rumors regarding a third size for the Pixel 9 family suggest that this will allow Google to bring the same triple-camera setup (including telephoto zoom) to the smaller Pixel 9 Pro. Currently, that’s available only on the larger Pixel 8 Pro handset.
That’s good news for those of you who prefer a smaller phone but still want the best features. Whether Google takes a page from Apple’s book by adding exclusive features to its largest phone remains to be seen. (The iPhone 15 Pro Max, for example, has a 5x optical zoom option that isn’t available on the smaller iPhone 15 Pro.)
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have decent, but not top-end performance.
New Tensor processor
It’s pretty much a given that Google will unveil the latest generation of its homegrown processor, likely to be called the Tensor G4. Google’s Tensor processors aren’t top of the class in terms of raw power, but the company boasts they’re particularly tuned for on-device AI. We expect that’ll once again be the case for Google’s next Tensor chip.
Android 15 at launch
Google always uses the Pixel line to show off the latest that Android has to offer, so it’s safe to assume the Pixel 9 series will launch with the latest Android 15 on board. Android 15 got its second beta drop at Google I/O in May, with the early developer previews showing new settings for improved privacy and camera control.
One major new feature may be the addition of satellite messaging, according to Android Authority, helping the Pixel line compete with Apple’s Emergency SOS features that also use satellite messaging.
The Pixel 8 line launched with Android 14 on board. The Pixel 9 will almost certainly launch with Android 15.
Beyond that, it’s safe to assume there’ll be increased focus on generative AI features with Google’s Gemini expected to come as standard on all new Pixel models. We also hope to see Google continue to offer at least seven years of software support as it did with the Pixel 8. If it does, the Pixel 9 series will still be safe to use in 2031.
Higher prices
There aren’t any rumors about potential prices for the Pixel 9 series yet, but a slight price increase might be on the cards. While the Pixel 8A didn’t get a price increase in the US over the Pixel 7A (both models started at $499), in the UK, its price did increase from £449 to £499. A higher price for the 8A doesn’t necessarily mean a more expensive Pixel 9 range, but it does suggest Google isn’t shy about upping its prices, at least for those of you shopping in the UK.
