In a world where the iPhone stands for reliability and Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones advocate for the feature-rich handheld device, the Google Pixel tasks upon itself the responsibility to bring fun and crucial innovations that drive the future. Whether it was the first-gen Pixel bringing the Google Assistant to the masses or the Pixel 2 championing the cause of computational photography, these phones have always been the trendsetters of their time.
Consider the Google Pixel 8 series as a recent example — it embedded generative AI into the phone’s core marking a new era for smartphones. Hence, when rumours about the next-gen Google Pixel 9 series emerge, our expectations now reach astronomical heights. What could the 2024 Pixel flagship have in store for us?
Thankfully, there’s not much to imagine. Courtesy of the earliest Google Pixel 9 leaks, we have a fair idea of what to expect from the next-gen Pixel flagship.
Since one size doesn’t fit all, Google will introduce the Pixel 9 series in three sizes, the largest of which is likely to be known as Pixel 9 Pro XL. The standard Pixel 9 will exist to provide an entry point into the flagship Pixel range whereas the Pixel 9 Pro now takes on the duty of being a feature-packed compact flagship. For those who love their phones big, the Pixel 9 Pro XL will quench their thirst for a larger screen and great battery life.
But there’s one more thing – a Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Have we got your attention? Without wasting a moment further, let’s dive into the world of Pixel 9 leaks and rumours and indulge your curiosity.
All about the Google Pixel 9 design and specifications leaks
Unlike the previous years when Google could barely withhold any information regarding the Pixel devices from the community of enthusiasts, things are relatively stricter with the Pixel 9 generation. We are yet to see a Pixel 9 prototype getting unboxed on some YouTube video or its leaked specifications sheet distributed freely on X (erstwhile Twitter).
A phone built for the Gemini era.
It can do a lot—even let your old phone down easy.Learn more and sign up for #MadeByGoogle updates: https://t.co/PUmAUi4YBe pic.twitter.com/I3EEXOkq3I
— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) July 18, 2024
However, industry insiders have somehow managed to leak the design of the Pixel 9 generation and as expected, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are going for a new look. The familiarity of the Pixel family is still present but Google is taking a bold approach to these phones’ design language in 2024.
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Pixel 9 Pro XL looks bold
At first glance, the Pixel 9 Pro XL looks unlike anything else we have seen from Google. Gone are the curved surfaces and sides from the Pixel 8 series and in its place we see the iPhone-inspired boxy profile with flat sides and sharp edges. Similar to the display, the rear panel also appears to have a flat glass back. The iconic Pixel camera bar trims some of the fat to gain an oval shape with larger camera lenses, which could only hint at significant upgrades on the hardware front.
While it is still too early to lock this as the final product design, we are digging into this bold approach that the Pixel designers have taken.
Additionally, we also get some hints about the other specifications. While the Pixel 9 Pro XL will retain similar dimensions as its predecessor, the display size will shrink to 6.5 inches. This is unlike the prevailing trend of the industry where smartphones usually grow in size. The renders also confirm three camera sensors on the back, out of which one will be a telephoto camera with a periscopic lens.
We also speculate that the Pixel 9 Pro XL will feature a new Tensor G4 chipset with more AI and raw CPU performance to back all the advancements in generative AI features.
Pixel 9 Pro is now a compact flagship
While the Pixel 9 Pro XL seems like a logical step up from its predecessor, it is the Pixel 9 Pro that could be a bargain deal in the premium smartphone space. Based on the leaked computer-aided design (CAD) renders, it seems that the Pixel 9 Pro will essentially be a compact variant of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, without compromising on any premium features.
The leaked renders show the Pixel 9 Pro as a shrunken-down replica of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, complete with flat sides and sharp edges, flat front and back and an oval-shaped raised camera hump hosting three rear cameras. We doubt whether the Bay colour variant (light blue) from the Pixel 8 Pro will make it to the Pixel 9 Pro but at first glance, it looks equally appealing.
As for the specifications, the Pixel 9 Pro will offer a compact 6.1-inch OLED display and the same Tensor G4 chipset as its XL-badged sibling. The compact size may shrink the battery capacity but Google seems to have found a way to integrate a telephoto camera on the back. Packing a telephoto camera in a compact device is unusual and it would be interesting to see whether Google gives it a compromised telephoto lens with lower zoom levels than the Pro XL variant.
Pixel 9 still makes sensible compromises
The Pixel 9 will continue to offer a no-frills premium experience at a reasonable price. While the design is largely similar to the Pixel 9 Pro, the display size is shrunken to 6.03 inches, which could be due to slightly thicker bezels. In pursuit of an accessible price, the Pixel 9 also appears to stick to a dual rear camera setup, including the main and ultrawide lenses. With no dedicated telephoto lens, users might need to rely on digital cropping to achieve the desired effects. The non-Pro tag could also result in a smaller-capacity battery.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold to make foldable phones mainstream
The Pixel 9 series is also rumoured to accommodate a foldable Pixel, thereby consolidating the Pixel Fold series into the mainstream flagship series. As the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google’s second-generation foldable will get the latest Tensor G4 chipset and all the other associated benefits, including the Generative AI features and probably the most advanced camera system from Google’s parts bin.
A foldable phone built for the Gemini era.
Out with the old. In with the Fold.Learn more and sign up for #MadeByGoogle updates: https://t.co/7zTWktAvWk pic.twitter.com/UZDudLiUWB
— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) July 18, 2024
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is likely to feature a new rear design that’s more synonymous with the Pixel 9’s design language. The overall size will shrink but Google is rumoured to bump up the main display to 7.9 inches and the cover display to 6.4 inches. Similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, the video call camera on the main display will be hidden out of sight. The rest of the details are still unknown at the moment.
What other features could the Pixel 9 series offer?
After being the first player in the industry to incorporate generative AI into the flagship Pixel 8 series, we expect Google to double down on advanced editing and camera capabilities.
The Google Gemini chatbot is already confirmed to get some serious performance upgrades in 2024 with the advanced versions of the Gemini AI model. On the Pixel 9 series, we could see the Gemini replacing the ageing Google Assistant as the new resident AI chatbot, offering advanced solutions to complex problems.
Gemini Advanced running on Google’s Gemini Ultra AI model could also be offered on the Pixel 9 Pro as a luxurious feature tied to a monthly subscription plan. The Tensor G4 could play a major role here by hosting advanced neural processing units for processing more of these special generative AI tasks on the device.
These upmarket Pixel 9 devices could also see a hike in their price tags and be presented as a feature-rich alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S24 series and the upcoming Apple iPhone 16 Pro.
Pixel 9 series release date
Bucking the traditions, Google is ditching its usual October launch event and instead, preponing the Pixel 9 series launch to August. Google is hosting a launch event on August 14 dedicated to the Pixel series and the teaser video hints at the Pixel 9 series being the star of the show.
With an early release date, the Pixel 9 series will aim to steal the spotlight of Apple’s rumoured iPhone 16 launch event in September.
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Google)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, will be released on August 14.
The Google Pixel 9 is rumoured to feature an all-new design flaunting a triple rear camera setup, a new Tensor G4 chipset and a compact 6.1-inch OLED display.
