The new Pixel 9 lineup took center stage at the Made by Google 2024 event on Tuesday morning. Alongside the unveiling of the Pixel 9 Fold Pro, the company also announced three additional size options: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The Pro has the same 6.3-inch display as the base-model Pixel, but with a higher resolution (1280 x 2856 instead of 1080 x 2424). The new Pro XL model is essentially an updated version of last year's 8 Pro, with a 6.8-inch display (1344 x 2992 pixels).
It's good to have another option. The Pixel 9 lineup is similar to what Apple offers with its iPhones, with a split of Pro devices giving you a high-spec option that's not too bulky. The display is about 35% brighter than its predecessor, peaking at 2,700 nits, and is covered in Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Another key thing to note here is, naturally, Gemini: Through a beta program, users can assign the Pixel 8a's power button to launch the platform. On the Pixel 9 series, the generative AI will become the default assistant, replacing Google Assistant, which the company has come to call “legacy assistant” in the Android context.
Google Image Credit: Google
If you find the new features disappointing or half-baked, you can switch back to Google Assistant on your devices (though as we said last week, the old Assistant will still work on Google Home and Nest devices).
The industrial design has also been overhauled here, with sharper corners and a more prominent rear camera bar. The Pixel 9 has two rear cameras, while both 9 Pros have the same three-camera setup. The base device has a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with 8x Super Resolution Zoom and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The Pro adds a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Resolution Zoom. The Pro also has a 42-megapixel selfie camera.
Google continues to add to its impressive collection of AI-based editing tools: Add Me lets you take a group photo and then edit yourself into the photo by merging the two images, while Magic Editor also auto-reframes images, suggests crops, and lets you zoom in on images.
Where Google differs from Apple is its decision to equip the entire Pixel 9 series with its new Tensor G4 chip, which is paired with the Titan M2 security chip. The Pixel 9 comes with 12GB of RAM and 128 or 258GB of storage, while the Pro has 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. Both 6.3-inch models have a 4700 mAh battery, while the XL has 5060 mAh. Google says all three models can last 24 hours on a single charge, or up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode turned on.
Pro devices come with a one-year Google One AI Premium plan that includes access to Gemini Advanced, Gemini on Gmail and Docs, and 2TB of Google Cloud storage. All new devices come with seven years of OS and security updates, in addition to the new features included in Pixel Drops.
Pricing for the Pixel 9 starts at $799, the Pixel Pro at $999, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL at $1,099. Preorders begin on Tuesday. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL will ship on August 22. A ship date for the Pro has yet to be determined.