Google launched the Pixel 9 series at the Made by Google 2024 event Tuesday. The series includes the standard Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The company also presented the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2.
The Pixel 9 series features a significant redesign with durable materials, curved edges, and different color options.
The Pixel 9 lineup features the new Gemini voice assistant aiming to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Apple's AI integration in iPhones. The phones are equipped with Google's Tensor G4 chip for enhanced AI capabilities, including Pixel Studio image generator, "Magic Editor" for photo editing, and "Add Me" camera feature.
The series has a redesigned modular-looking camera bar, with the standard model sporting a 6.3-inch OLED display, Google Tensor G4 processor, 12GB RAM, storage options, dual camera system, and support for Super Res Zoom, 4K video recording, and Android 14 with seven years of updates.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a $1,799 foldable smartphone with a larger internal display, high refresh rate, vibrant colors, and smooth performance. It includes 16GB of memory, competing with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro boast advanced camera features, including optical zoom, sophisticated image processing.
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL offer larger displays, upgraded specs, better cameras, with the Pro models featuring LTPO displays, a triple-lens camera array with a 50MP main camera, and improved front-facing cameras.
The Pixel 9 Series offers camera upgrades like improved HDR+ pipeline, Video Boost, revamped Panorama, 10X "optical-like" zoom, 42-megapixel selfie camera, and features like Call Notes, and Satellite SOS. The Pro models have additional camera features like improved light sensitivity and autofocus on the selfie camera.
While Google claims Gemini can handle the same instructions as the previous Google Assistant, according to a report by Fast Company the Gemini often fails at basic tasks and some Assistant actions are not working properly.
Gemini, powered by a large AI language model installed on the devices, enables natural interactions, overlay features, and integration with Google Calendar for scheduling tasks. Google's image analysis for Pixel Screenshots remains on the phones without sending data externally.
Google also unveiled the Pixel Watch 3 with improved OLED displays, battery life, and features like Auto Bedtime Mode, Google Maps integration, fitness tracking, heart rate variability, cardio load, and "Loss of Pulse Detection" to alert emergency services.
The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes with a brighter display, advanced fitness features, 5 ATM water resistance, multiple color options, and runs on Wear OS 5.0.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer incremental improvements like wider noise-canceling range, AI-powered Conversation Detection, and are the first to run Gemini Live for audio conversations with an AI chatbot.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature 11mm drivers, conversation detection mode, Find My Device support, automatic device switching, and noise cancellation powered by the Google Tensor A1 chip.
Pixel 9 starts at $799, Pixel 9 Pro from $999, Pixel 9 Pro XL from $1,099, Pixel 9 Pro Fold from $1,799, Pixel Watch 3 from $349, and Pixel Buds Pro 2 at $229, with pre-orders open and in-store availability in August and September.
Google held its "Made by Google" event earlier than usual, putting a heavy emphasis on its AI software and the integration of AI into its devices, aiming to compete with Apple, Samsung, and others in the smartphone and wearable market.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Mobile Time, CBS News, PBS, Fast Company, The Guardian, Axios, The Washington Post, CNBC, Bloomberg, Business Insider, Wired, The New York Times, Forbes, The Independent, CNN.