The new Google Pixel phones have just been announced and it is, IMHO, the biggest upgrade in both the design and hardware to date. For starters, Google has ditched the seamless visor design that has been used for two generations of Pixel—Pixel 7 and Pixel 8—for a rather pronounced camera bar module.
Even more crazy is that it has adopted a la–iPhone 15 design. I am not even kidding. Gone is the comfy curved back design with a subtle curved screen. It now has a flat display paired with a silky matte glass back and polished metal sides. The sides with their subtle rounded edges look exactly like Apple’s. I am not sure if it is a good thing or not.
But it pairs up nicely with the new camera bar. In addition to the expected Pixel 9 and the “advanced” Pixel 9 Pro, there is a new “expandsive” Pixel 9 Pro XL model. Google said the new Pixel 9 is “twice as tough as the Pixel 8”, but it did not offer further details. I guess it is for you to find out.
Pixel 9
The standard Pixel 9, available in a gorgeous Peony color, is a powerhouse with a 6.3-inch Actua display that’s 35% brighter than the Pixel 8. Its 48 MP ultrawide camera is a huge leap forward, ensuring your photos are sharper and more vibrant than ever. The front camera now includes autofocus, meaning your selfies will always be on point. Plus, the Pixel 9 offers 20% longer battery life compared to the previous model. The new Pixel 9 further boasts upgraded RAM—12 GB—to enable it to handle its newfound features and functionality.
Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL
If you’re after something bigger, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have you covered with 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch Super Actua displays, respectively. Both models share a 42 MP front camera for stunning low-light selfies, along with all the other high-end features of the Pixel 9, but with even faster charging and more power under the hood. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL also benefit from upgraded RAM—16 GB—to handle anything you throw at them with ease.
Common Features
At the heart of the Pixel 9 series is the all-new Google Tensor G4 chip, designed with Google DeepMind to elevate your everyday phone use. It’s the first processor to run Gemini Nano with Multimodality, making your phone smarter in understanding text, images, and audio.
The new Pixel 9 phones also welcome the integration of Google AI, Gemini. The Pixel 9 series is packed with features like Pixel Studio, which lets you create images from scratch with an easy-to-use interface, and Pixel Screenshots, which organizes and makes your screenshots searchable. The Gemini Live feature offers a new level of interaction, allowing you to have natural, free-flowing conversations with your AI assistant right from your phone.
Photography enthusiasts will love the revamped camera features, including Magic Editor for on-the-fly photo editing, Panorama for stunning low-light shots, and Video Boost for faster, clearer night videos. The Pixel 9 Pro models even let you record high-resolution zoom videos up to 20x, ensuring you capture every detail.
Satellite Communication Arrives On Pixel Phones
For those who need extra reassurance, the new Satellite SOS feature allows you to reach emergency services even without cellular coverage—available first in the U.S. at no extra cost for two years.
Pricing and Availability
The Pixel 9 series is available for pre-order now, with prices starting at US$799 for the Pixel 9, US$999 for the Pixel 9 Pro, and US$1,099 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL—with the first models hitting shelves on August 22, 2024.
As before, each Pixel will enjoy 7 years of OS, Pixel Drops, and security updates.
Images: Google.