Google unveiled the ninth line of Pixel smartphones. Four sizes and models will be available: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This time, Google may also deliver its foldable to the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
For the latest generation of Pixel devices, Google also designed a new chip. The Google Tensor G4 will power the performance of all the different models in the 9 series. The focus of the design is on supporting AI functionalities and, more specifically, on supporting Gemini. This AI model will be available on hundreds of Android devices and later on iOS. You can read more about Gemini’s capabilities on Android in our blog.
The chip will have Gemini Nano integrated into it. This is the smallest AI model in the Gemini family. The integration makes it possible to perform simple AI tasks locally on a Pixel device. Performing an AI task should not take a long time due to the expansion of RAM memory for the Pixel 9 family. The Pixel 9 features 12 GB of RAM and with the pro variants (including Fold) this is increased to 16 GB.
Pixel 9 Pro (XL).
For the size of the Pixel 9 Pro, Google has kept roughly the same dimensions as the previous model. According to the company, this choice was deliberately made in response to user demand. However, Google couldn’t resist tinkering with the dimensions a bit anyway and is, therefore, also launching a Pixel 9 Pro XL variant. It features about the same specifications, except for its dimensions (16.28 cm long, 7.66 cm wide). In addition, the screen grows further from 1280 x 2856 to 1344 x 2992 and is an LTPO OLED. Finally, the battery is slightly more powerful so as not to have to shorten the battery life to power a larger screen (5,060 mAh versus 4,700 mAh). According to the company, the batteries can certainly last a day and charge quickly, up to 70 percent, in half an hour.
New look for the backside
The design of the Pixel smartphones remained largely the same in the past years. This year, though, Google chose to take a different approach to the camera designs. The cameras are still on top of the back of the devices but no longer run all the way from the left side to the right. However, it doesn’t make much of a difference. In addition, it has said goodbye to the rectangular bar and has extended the ellipse that already wrapped the cameras on the Pixel 8.
Source: Google
The cameras consist of a 50 MP wide angle, an ultra-wide angle that also includes the 48 MP macro lens and a 48 MP 5x telephoto lens. The front has a high-resolution camera of 42 MP but an aperture of ƒ/2.2, whereas the rear wide-angle camera has an aperture of ƒ/1.68. The standard edition of the Pixel line does not have a telephoto lens, and the selfie camera is of lower quality (10.5 MP). With the Pixel 9 line, Google also makes the autofocus feature available for the selfie camera. This makes the smartphone more suitable for participating in meetings.
The Pixel 9 Pro starts from 1,099 euros, for the XL variant you count 100 euros more. The XL can additionally be ordered with 1 TB of storage for 1,698 euros, with the Pro the maximum storage runs up to 512 GB. The XL variant is additionally available a little earlier, on Aug. 22 instead of Sept. 9.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Pixel line also keeps a foldable model in the offering. George Hwang, Product Manager at Google, announced this edition as a device with “the largest screen of any Google smartphone ever on an even thinner foldable device.” The concrete dimensions of the device are 15.52 cm long x 7.71 cm wide and 1.05 cm deep. It is also reinforced on the inside with a scratch-resistant screen that is sufficiently water-protected with an IPX8 rating.
One challenge for foldables is battery life. Powering three screens already requires a huge amount of energy, and the 2076 x 2152 oled interior screen further depletes the battery compared to a smartphone with a single narrow screen. The Fold features a 4,650 mAh battery and is exhausted after a maximum of 72 hours.
48 MP wide angle
Google does not compromise extremely on camera qualities with its foldables. A brand like Samsung has more challenges in delivering high-quality cameras. There are three cameras on the back of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: a 48 MP wide-angle, a 10.5 MP ultra-wide-angle with macro focus and a 10.8 MP 5x telephoto lens. The front and interior cameras shoot at 10 MP. Especially with the wide-angle lens, it looks like users won’t sacrifice too much in terms of performance compared to the Pixel Pro 9.
Prices for the foldable start from 1,899 euros (256 GB) an upgrade to 512 GB storage is possible for the price of 2,029 euros. From August 13 it is possible to pre-order the device. They will be available from September 4.
Source: Google
Source: Google