Information, rumors, launch window, and rumored worth

With the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional having established themselves as a number of the finest Android telephones you should buy immediately, it is time to stay up for what’s on the horizon. You could possibly choose up final yr’s Google flagships — they’re fairly good, particularly on sale — however imagining what’s across the nook is extra enjoyable. The Pixel 9 can be right here earlier than it. And unsurprisingly for a model with a fame for leaks like Google, we already know quite a bit about each telephones, with loads of thriller ready within the wings. This is all the things we all know concerning the Pixel 9.

Google Pixel 9: Design and specs

We’re months — seasons, even — away from the launch of the Pixel 9, however that is Google we’re speaking about. Of course early renders of the Pixel 9 Professional have leaked onto the net, giving us a have a look at what the corporate’s subsequent flagship smartphone will appear to be. And whilst you’ll need to maintain ready to see what the model intends to do with the smaller mannequin, this offers us a reasonably good thought about the place the model’s design traits are headed.

One have a look at these renders tells you all you’ll want to know: Google is following within the footsteps of Apple and Samsung alike. These flat edges have been the iPhone’s signature play for the reason that iPhone 12 in 2020, whereas Samsung adopted absolutely flat sides on the Galaxy S24 and S24+ simply this yr. Mixed with the rounded corners — the same look to our earliest glances of the Pixel 8a — and the Apple comparisons actually do write themselves.

Nonetheless, it is a Google cellphone, and which means the digicam bar is right here for one more technology. This time, it seems to be in keeping with what we noticed on the Pixel Fold final yr, presenting a big bump that does not join instantly with the body of the cellphone. I really fairly preferred this model on Google’s first foldable, and I am joyful to see the model carry it over to regular slab telephones, although your mileage might differ.

This leak additionally specified a smaller show measurement — 6.5-inches, versus 6.7-inches — however we would take that with a grain of salt. The leaked dimensions are 162.7 x 76.6 x 8.5mm, practically equivalent to the Pixel 8 Professional in all the things however thickness. Until Google’s about to place some mighty chonky bezels on its flagship cellphone, we’re most likely taking a look at one other 6.7-inch display screen. For what it is value, Ross Younger — somebody with expertise within the show trade — stated that each Pixel successor in Google’s subsequent technology may have bigger screens than what got here earlier than, together with the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional.

You understand what’s much more curious than this Pixel 9 Professional leak although? The Pixel 9 renders that adopted carefully after. For probably the most half, these photographs present a design language in keeping with the adjustments made to the bigger Professional mannequin — with one very thrilling new inclusion.

The digicam bar adorned on the again of this Pixel 9 features a telephoto lens, making 2023 doubtlessly the primary yr the flagship Pixels are this comparable. Now, this suits the earliest phrase on the Pixel 9 sequence, courting all the way in which again to December 2022 when a leaked roadmap dished all of the filth on Google’s handset lineup by 2025. This is what we wrote in our protection of that leak:

In the meantime, the Pixel 9 sequence is ready to increase. Alongside the common Pixel 9 (no codename on this) and the Pixel 9 Professional (“komodo”), Google desires to launch a small model of the Pixel 9 Professional. At 6.3″ this mannequin (codenamed “caiman”) would successfully be the dimensions of the present Pixel 7, however with the entire extras that usually depart customers choosing the bigger mannequin. It is yet one more Apple-inspired transfer, as Google seems to be to chase the success of telephones just like the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max.

Other than some pricing inaccuracies, this authentic report has confirmed to be true all through 2023. As we get additional into the long run, it is simpler for sure parts of telephones to be modified or canceled. Might this be the smaller Professional mannequin we have been in search of? Might the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional be comparable in all however measurement, leaving budget-minded customers to think about the Pixel 8a as a substitute? Massive issues are afoot for Google’s smartphone lineup, and I am unable to wait to see the way it shakes up.

As for specs, the Tensor G4 is all however sure to be the brains behind Google’s subsequent smartphones. Initially meant to be the corporate’s first customized in-house chipset, latest experiences delayed these plans into 2025 with the Pixel 10. The Tensor G4 will function a small bump over the Tensor G3, one thing made obvious by its “Zuma Professional” codename. Relatively than utilizing TSMC’s 3nm node as anticipated, the G4 will proceed to behave as a modified Samsung Exynos chipset, proper all the way down to utilizing Samsung’s foundry, as we have seen up to now.

If uncooked efficiency is essential to you, it could be value holding out to see if the Pixel 10 will get that long-rumored, absolutely customized, in-house chip. Google’s {hardware} has by no means matched the powerhouse efficiency of Apple or Samsung. That would change in 2025 if this present schedule holds out.

2024 is at present set to be the yr of Qi2, a giant improve to everybody’s favourite charging normal that provides MagSafe-style pucks into the equation. We’re nonetheless ready for the primary handsets to reach with an ideal match for Apple’s personal inside {hardware}, however the Pixel 9 feels like an seemingly contender in that house.

Google Pixel 9: Software program

Very like how the Pixel 8 sequence ushered within the period of Android 14, count on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional to be the primary two telephones to launch with Android 15 out of the field. It is too early to know what to anticipate from the subsequent main improve to our favourite cell OS — developer previews often begin in February — however we must always get loads of clues all through 2024 main as much as the Pixel 9 launch occasion. Anticipate Google to avoid wasting one of the best options as exclusives for its {hardware}.

One of many areas we actually count on to see Google working laborious to show its experience in 2024 is AI, with its efforts already ramping up on the Pixel 8 Professional. The Pixel 9 sequence may leap even additional forward than the competitors, including a brand new Gemini-powered assistant referred to as Pixie. Early experiences point out Pixie is designed to select up the slack for Assistant, working offline whereas working on-device with Gemini Nano. Simply needless to say Google has already held again Gemini Nano from the smaller Pixel 8 as a consequence of {hardware} restrictions — seemingly a scarcity of RAM. If the Pixel 9 would not embrace greater than 8GB of RAM, it would as soon as once more be ignored of Professional-exclusive options.

As with the Pixel 8, the Pixel 9 sequence appears more likely to obtain seven years of OS updates, which means help as much as 2031. That would current a number of the finest worth in smartphones. If you cannot wait a yr, Google’s present smartphones assure practically as lengthy of a lifespan.

Google Pixel 9: Cameras

The largest shakeup this yr may doubtlessly be the addition of a telephoto lens to the smaller Pixel 9, presumably matching up spec-for-spec with the bigger mannequin for the very first time. Google may comply with Apple’s lead right here, utilizing a much less highly effective telephoto lens within the smaller, extra reasonably priced flagship to distinguish these two telephones additional, however we’ll have to attend for extra rumors to search out out.

The Pixel 9 lineup might get some new {hardware}, however what makes this sequence shine is what Google has cooking within the software program. Search for Google to focus extra on AI-powered processing and software program tips than uncooked {hardware} relating to making a number of the finest digicam telephones obtainable. Google upgraded the sensor lineup within the Pixel 8 sequence with some slight adjustments. The corporate has been unwilling to debate what’s new in its newest {hardware}, although most experiences level to the most recent important digicam being an ISOCELL GNV from Samsung.

Google Pixel 9: Worth and launch date

With the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional receiving $100 worth will increase, we count on the Pixel 9 sequence to stay to those worth factors for no less than one technology extra, as we noticed with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7. Something is feasible, and international inflation raises the danger of upper costs year-over-year. With none proof on the contrary, $700 and $1,000 worth factors for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional, respectively, seem to be straightforward guesses.

That stated, the potential for a Pixel 8a worth hike complicates issues. Ought to the Pixel 8a arrive at $850, it is attainable the Pixel 9 sees the same rise in its MSRP. And contemplating the {hardware} adjustments have been anticipating to see, a bump as much as $800 would not appear utterly out of query.

The discharge date is simpler to foretell. Google locked down the primary week of October as its devoted house for launching new Pixel {hardware}. We do not count on that to vary any time quickly. Search for an early October date for Made By Google 2024, adopted by availability on retailer cabinets per week after the official announcement. If you cannot wait that lengthy for brand spanking new {hardware} — otherwise you need one thing extra reasonably priced — the Pixel 8a will seemingly arrive earlier within the yr.

One other technology of Pixel awaits

This far out, it is laborious to suggest anybody await the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Professional, particularly for those who want a brand new smartphone proper now. For those who’re rocking a contemporary smartphone that does not should be changed, it is enjoyable to have a look at what’s on the horizon. In Google’s case, it looks like it is nothing however blue skies (or, , no less than blue telephones) from right here on out.

We have up to date this information to incorporate context surrounding Google’s rumored worth enhance for the Pixel 8a and the choice to not deliver Gemini Nano to the Pixel 8, and the way each of these tales may issue into the Pixel 9.