Home Google launches Pixel 9 with new sizes and advanced AI

Google launches Pixel 9 with new sizes and advanced AI

TLDR

  • Google unveiled Pixel 9 series with three models, including a smaller Pixel 9 Pro.
  • New AI features include Gemini assistant, AI image editing, and an upgraded Pixel Weather app.
  • Pricing starts at $799; preorders begin August 20, with shipping on August 22.

Google has unveiled its new look Pixel 9 phones at its latest Made by Google hardware event. While many of the leaks were already confirmed, the tech giant revealed some unexpected additions.

What features to expect with Google Pixel 9

New hardware

There are now officially three phones in the Pixel 9 lineup, alongside the Pixel 9 Fold Pro. The standard model has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch screen, and a new, smaller Pixel 9 Pro version measures 6.3 inches. The devices also come with a redesigned oval-shaped camera housing.

In terms of hardware, the phones now include a G4 Tensor chip, Titan M2 security chip, better battery life, and a new satellite SOS feature. The displays are said to be around 35 per cent brighter than their previous models, peaking at 2,700 nits. They’re also covered with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The Pixel 9 has two rear cameras, while the 9 Pro models keep the same three-camera configuration. The standard model includes a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera with 8x Super Res Zoom and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The Pro versions have a 48-megapixel telephoto lens that has a 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Res Zoom. The Pro models also come with 42-megapixel front-facing cameras.

The Pixel 9 also includes 12GB of RAM and offers storage options of either 128GB or 256GB. While the Pro models have 16GB of RAM with storage capacities of up to 1TB. Both models have a 4700 mAh battery, while the XL version has a 5060 mAh battery. Google claims that all three models can last 24 hours on a single charge, or up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode activated.

AI features

Each Pixel model comes with Gemini as the default assistant, as well as a year of the Google One AI Premium plan. Users will get access to Gemini Advanced, Gemini in Gmail and Docs and 2TB of Google Cloud storage.

The Pixel 9 series also introduces two new AI applications. Pixel Screenshots uses on-device AI to enable searching within saved screenshots for information, and Pixel Studio, a text-to-image generator.

Google has added AI image editing alongside the upgraded cameras of the Pixel 9 lineup, including an “Add Me” feature that merges scenes together to include someone in a group photo. The Magic Editor in Google Photos now allows users to use generative AI to replace entire sections of an image, such as the sky.

The Gemini assistant uses multimodal models, which means users can communicate with it through text, images or voice.

Weather app

The new Pixel Weather app also uses AI to improve its traditional weather reporting so Pixel 9 users get even more accurate forecasts, like when the rain is going to start and stop.

Gemini Nano also generates a custom weather report so you won’t have to scroll through a bunch of numbers to get a sense of the day’s weather. Plus users will be able to customize the app based on their needs.

Pricing starts at $799, with the Pixel Pro expected to sell for $999 and Pixel 9 Pro XL at $1,099. Preorders open Tuesday, August 20. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL will ship August 22.

Featured image: Google

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Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

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