• The Pixel 9 series is coming in August.
  • The new Pixel 9 series features upgraded hardware and enhanced photography capabilities.

OUR TAKE
Google’s Pixel devices have increasingly asserted their dominance, emerging as the top Android brand in Japan and making notable inroads in North America and Australia. The upcoming Pixel 9 series exemplifies this progress with its advanced hardware and photography enhancements. Comprising the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, this series not only elevates user experience but also underscores Google’s commitment to cutting-edge AI integration, showcased by the new Gemini AI. This advancement represents a pivotal moment in Google’s hardware evolution.
— Yasmine Luo, BTW reporte

What happened?

Before the August Made By Google event, Google confirmed the Pixel 9 Pro smartphone following recent leaks of its images and videos.

A promotional video, possibly set for 13 August, reveals some features of the phone and confirms a major suspicion: the Pixel 9 Pro has a massive camera bump that will leave an imprint in pockets. The bump, resembling Bender’s head from Futurama, means buyers will need a new case as old ones won’t fit.

The video also hints at deep integration with Google’s Gemini AI models, with marketing copy stating “oh hi, AI,” and shows a chatbot answering queries, reflecting 2024’s AI emphasis.

Users can sign up for phone updates directly from Google. While specific specs are unavailable, the large camera bump suggests a powerful camera system.

Other leaks indicate that Google will also release the standard Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and a foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

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Why it’s important

Google’s Pixel devices have struggled to compete with Apple and Samsung, despite being top Android phones. However, in 2023, Pixel became the leading Android brand in Japan and expanded in North America and Australia.

The first Pixel launched in 2016, focusing on computational photography but had relatively weak hardware. Google’s shift to internal hardware development faced high costs and slow iterations, impacting its market position. Hardware remains crucial for Google’s AI strategy.

The upcoming Pixel 9 series shows hardware improvements and continues to focus on photography enhancements. The Pixel 9 features a 6.1-inch display, a notable camera bump, and dimensions of 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm. The Pixel 9 Pro adds a telephoto sensor and a 6.2-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL, a successor to the Pixel 8 Pro, offers a 6.7-inch display. The series emphasises advanced AI integration, highlighted by the Gemini AI in a mid-July teaser, marking a significant step in Google’s hardware development.