Google officially launched the new Google Pixel 9 series phones and showcased a bunch of new AI tools at the Made by Google keynote on August 12. The event started with Google’s advancements with Gemini Nano and its integration into new Pixel phones.
Although Gemini Nano was launched earlier at the Google I/O in May, this keynote primarily focused on the Gemini’s integration with the Pixel phones. The keynote also included the launch of Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 were also announced with Gemini-centric features. Here is everything that Google announced at the Made by Google Event.
Google Pixel 9
The biggest change in this year’s Pixel is its design. The familiar camera band has been replaced with an oval-oblong one that stands out from the phone’s chassis. Pixel phones are not exactly thin but this time around, the Pixel 9 is slightly thinner than the Pixel 8 with a thickness of 8.5mm.
The screen has grown slightly to 6.3 inches, up from the 6.2 inches on the Pixel 8, and is now protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The phone’s polished glass back and satin metal finish on the frame and cameras add to its premium feel.
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 is powered by the Tensor G4 chip, which is designed to enhance everyday performance while conserving battery life. Tensor G3 chip wasn’t really exciting and it was partly responsible for holding back the Google Pixel 8.
The real-world performance of Tensor G4 needs to be examined to see if it improves this time. Given the focus on Gemini and AI, the Tensor G4 must perform well.
The base model Pixel 9 now has 12GB of RAM, eliminating the previous 8GB option. This additional memory is crucial for handling the numerous Gemini integrations that are standard in Android 15.
A long press on the power button now overlays the assistant on your screen, allowing it to answer questions, extract details from other apps, and offer contextual recommendations based on the images you capture.
Pixel 9 Camera
Having a good camera is an important aspect of Pixel phones and this year’s Pixel 9 maintains the same number of cameras as last year, with two on the back and one on the front. However, the 12 MP ultrawide lens from the previous generation has been upgraded to a 48 MP ultrawide lens. The primary camera is a 50MP wide lens.
While the other two cameras retain the same specifications, the front camera now includes autofocus, ensuring better-quality selfies. To complement these upgraded sensors, Google has introduced new AI photography features such as Add Me and Reimagine, in addition to the existing Magic Editor, Night Sight, and Best Take modes.
Pixel 9 Price and availability
The Pixel 9 comes with seven years of OS and security updates and is available in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony.
Pixel 9 is priced at $799 (INR 79,999) for the 256GB model, the phone is currently available for pre-order, with all models set to hit shelves on August 22.
Also Read: Gmail will now be smarter on Android and iOS with the Gemini AI-powered Summarise feature
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL
It is good that Google understood, “Pro” users do not always need a bigger screen. Addressing this, now we have a smaller 6.3-inch Pro and a larger 6.8-inch Pro XL. The Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t only have a larger screen, it also has a larger battery of 5060mAh.
The Pro models are also powered by the same Tensor G4 chip. However, the Pro models are equipped with 16GB of RAM, making them particularly well-suited for handling advanced AI functionalities and other demanding tasks. Storage options are flexible, with both Pro models available in configurations ranging from 128 GB to 1 TB.
In terms of photography, the Pro variants distinguish themselves with an additional 48 MP telephoto lens on top of a primary 50MP lens, and 48MP ultra-wide lens on the rear. Both the models feature a better 42 MP front-facing camera, enhancing both zoom capabilities and selfie quality.
Both models come bundled with a one-year subscription to the Google One AI Premium Plan, which unlocks the full potential of Gemini’s AI features. After the trial period, the subscription costs $20 per month and includes 2TB of cloud storage.
The Pixel 9 Pro is priced at $999, while the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099. Both models are available in four color options: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz. Google promises seven years of security updates and feature enhancements for these devices.
Pre-orders for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL are now open, with availability in stores starting on August 22.
Related: Google Pixel 8a Officially Launched at 52,999 INR ($499)
Google Pixel Pro Fold
The second generation of Google Pixel Fold phone has improved quite a lot, at least on paper. It features a larger 8-inch inner screen, making it the biggest display on any phone currently available. The outer screen is also bigger, now measuring 6.3 inches, up from 5.8 inches in the previous model.
Google claims the interior screen is 80 percent brighter than before, with a peak brightness of 2,700 nits.
To address the issues with thick frame and weight, Google has made design improvements to make it as thin as possible. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold measures 10.16 mm when closed, making it the slimmest foldable on the market. When unfolded, it is as thin as the recently launched Apple iPad Pro with 5.1mm thickness.
The new Pixel Pro Fold is also lighter than the previous phone, weighing 257 grams, which is about 25 grams lighter.
Just like all the Pixel 9 devices, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip, paired with 16GB of RAM. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, catering to different user needs.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is equipped with three exterior cameras, featuring wide (50MP), ultrawide (48MP), and telephoto lenses (48MP) with 5x optical zoom and up to 20x Super Res Zoom.
For selfies, there’s a 10 MP camera on both the interior and the front of the exterior screen. The foldable design also allows users to take selfies with the more powerful rear cameras by using the exterior screen as a viewfinder.
Consistent with the rest of the 2024 Pixel lineup, the 9 Pro Fold is deeply integrated with Google’s Gemini AI features. The assistant, accessible via the power button, can be used in split-screen mode, taking full advantage of the foldable’s expansive display.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced at $1,799, matching the cost of the 2023 model, and is available in Obsidian and Porcelain. Pre-orders are now open, and the phone will be available in stores starting September 4.
The phone also comes with a complimentary year of the Google One AI Premium plan, which will cost $20 per month after the trial period.
Also Read: Google Pixel 10 to Get Tensor G5 Chip Made by TSMC, Leak Suggests
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