Google Pixel 9: news, rumored price, release date, and more

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google’s latest and most powerful devices, but it won’t be that way for long. While the more recently released Pixel 8a is the latest addition to the Pixel 8 lineup, it isn’t quite as powerful as its siblings. Regardless, the Pixel 9 series is just a few weeks away, and it will supplant the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro as the “most powerful” Pixels yet.

The Pixel 9 family looks to be a quadruple threat that’s sure to be a big hit. Leaks for the Pixel 9 family have been trickling in at a steady pace, and it seems like Google is planning on making some big changes this time around. If leaks are correct, we expect a new look and some exciting new AI features that go beyond what we’ve seen before.

Here’s everything we know about the upcoming Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google Pixel 9: release date

Google has confirmed its next Made by Google event will be on August 13 in Mountain View, California. This is much earlier than we originally thought, as last year, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launched in October.

When Google sent out press invites for its upcoming event, it included the line “the best of Google AI, Android software, and the Pixel portfolio of devices.” So, we’ll definitely see some new AI and software features, but we’ll also see the next generation of Pixel devices, which includes the Pixel 9. It’s also safe to assume that there will be a new Pixel Watch, too.

Google Pixel 9: price

Pricing is a bit more of an unknown. Last year’s Pixels increased their prices by $100 — meaning $699 for the Pixel 8 and $999 for the Pixel 8 Pro. Our initial reaction is Google would be unlikely to do the same two years on the trot.

However, if Google incorporates heavy AI elements into its new phones, that could push the phones’ prices up again. We’ll have to wait and see if this is true, though, as there have been no rumors about this so far.

There’s something else to consider, and that’s the reintroduction of the XL model this year. Google may release four versions of the Pixel 9 in 2024, including the Pixel 9 Pro XL and a folding Pixel 9 Pro Fold, on top of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

There are many variables that could impact Pixel 9 pricing this year, so we’ll have to wait for additional information before speculating too much. But I think we can expect the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to be the most expensive one, as foldables are never cheap.

Google Pixel 9: design and display

It’s been a couple of years since Google updated the Pixel’s design, so the Pixel 9 is ripe for a refresh. It seems Google agrees, as leaked renders of the Pixel 9 family have revealed some drastic design changes. Even Google itself revealed a first look at the Pixel 9 Pro, a month ahead of schedule, in a teaser video called “Introducing the Google Pixel 9 Pro.”

The first and possibly the most obvious change is the new camera visor. Rather than a bar that stretches across the back of the phone, the Pixel 9’s camera visor ends before the phone’s sides, with rounded edges that bend gracefully around the camera lenses. Just like the Pixel 8, it looks like the Pixel 9 is sticking with two rear cameras.

Google — like Samsung and Apple — has also embraced flat sides. The Pixel 9 has abandoned curved sides in favor of flat ones, and it’s likely to be a significant change — and a positive one, too. As far as the phone’s size is concerned, 91Mobiles reports that it’ll have a 6.03-inch display with dimensions of 152.8mm x 71.9mm x 8.5mm.

Next, we have the Google Pixel 9 Pro. It looks very similar to the regular Pixel 9, save for a few key differences — namely the cameras. Instead of two rear cameras, the Pixel 9 Pro will have three. If it’s anything like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, we can expect both upcoming phones to have primary and ultrawide cameras, while only the Pixel 9 Pro gets a telephoto camera.

The dimensions of the Pixel 9 Pro are expected to be very similar to the regular Pixel 9, though the Pro model will have a slightly larger 6.1-inch display. The renders don’t do a good job of showing this, but this likely means smaller bezels on the Pixel 9 Pro and larger ones on the base Pixel 9.

Something else that’s on the Pixel 9 Pro, but not the Pixel 9, is what appears to be a temperature sensor below the LED flash. Google introduced the temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro last year, and considering its limited functionality and little fanfare from Google, it’s interesting to see it returning for another year. These renders were originally believed to be the regular Pixel 9, but it’s since been corrected to clarify that this is actually the Pixel 9 Pro.

But wait — we’re not done yet. In addition to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, Google will apparently release another Pixel alongside them. The phone above was previously thought to be the Pixel 9 Pro, but now, it’s known to be the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The name “Pixel 9 Pro XL” also seems to be confirmed in a new Geekbench run.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL shares the three cameras and temperature sensor of the Pixel 9 Pro. However, it has a significantly larger 6.5-inch display.

Assuming reports of a Pixel 9 trio are accurate, this would mark the first time Google has used its “XL” branding since the Google Pixel 4 XL launched in 2019. It’s an interesting change, to say the least, and it could pave the way forward for Google to kill off the Pixel A-Series in the next year or so.

For the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it sounds like the cover display will go from 5.8 inches to 6.4 inches, and the inner display will be bumped up to 7.9 inches from 7.6 inches.

Another report that recently popped up in July is that Google may also be using a new Samsung OLED display for the Pixel 9 series. This would be the same panel that Apple plans to use for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max coming in September. This panel, the “M14,” is said to be brighter than previous versions and have an improved lifespan.

The rumor of three slab models seems increasingly likely with the latest case leak from accessory maker Thinborne, which shows case listings for three models: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The case leak also lines up with previously leaked photos of the Pixel 9, showing a phone that’s flatter than the Pixel 8 and a departure from the camera bar design on the back in favor of a more oval camera module pictured above.

Finally, if there was any doubt about the three Pixel models, that disappeared when Rozetked shared hands-on images of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL all lined up next to each other. This particular leak revealed numerous hands-on photos of the entire Pixel 9 series, including some with the new phones next to some competing phones. It’s our best look yet at the Pixel 9 series, confirming the big design changes previously shared in the above renders.

As of July 16, a major leak from the NCC regulatory agency (the Taiwanese FCC, basically) confirmed what all of the Pixel 9 devices look like, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Though this leak focused more on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, showing that it has a redesigned camera module and can finally open flat with a new hinge design, it also confirmed previous rumors and renders of the rest of the Pixel 9 family. That is, all three Pixel 9 models will have a redesigned camera bar to be an elonged capsule, along with flat sides.

Another more exciting leak reveals that the Pixel 9 will come in a vibrant Barbie pink color. This pink would join a possible blue color, as well as your typical shades like black and white.

Google Pixel 9: specs

As spotted in a recent benchmark test, the Pixel 9 will have at least 8GB RAM. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, however, seems much more impressive with 16GB RAM. It has been confirmed that the new Tensor will be based on the 4nm Samsung Exynos 2400 and will not be a custom chip designed entirely by Google.

Still, it’s not a bitter pill to swallow, as the Exynos 2400 appears to be a solid chip. It’s the same processor powering the Samsung Galaxy S24 range in most countries other than the U.S., and Samsung has been testing a new packaging method that may reduce heat levels in the chip, hopefully boosting its performance and efficiency.

With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Tensor G4 has a 1.30GHz prime core, three 2.6GHz performance cores, and four 1.95GHz efficiency cores. The regular Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro should also have the same CPU cluster. The G4 should offer up to 10% better performance than its predecessor.

According to a recent report, there’s also an indication that the Tensor G4 will come with a new modem. Android Authority first reported that the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL would be equipped with a Samsung 5400 modem paired with the Tensor G4 (up from last year’s 5300 G3). The modem should include improvements in software, along with the 3GPP Rel. 17 5G spec, which supports satellite connectivity. Pixel users can connect to the “Satelite Gateway” app, which will allow them to send emergency messages, perhaps in the form of multiple choice and yes/no questions. This is a feature that we’ve already on the iPhone 14 and 15, and it’s great to see its lifesaving potential make it to the Pixel 9 as well. 

Google Pixel 9: cameras

Google is expected to make some big changes to the cameras across the entire Pixel 9 lineup.

On the standard Pixel 9, Google will replace the Sony IMX386 ultrawide lens that was used in the Pixel 8 with the new Sony IMX858. This is a bigger lens that is much more versatile than its predecessor, and it should work especially well in lowlight conditions. And while Google plans to keep the same primary sensor and front-facing camera, there is another change — the selfie camera will now be autofocus-enabled for the first time. This makes it similar to the fixed-focus selfie camera that was found on last year’s Pixel 8 Pro.

With the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, it appears that the ultrawide lens will also use the Sony IMX858 sensor. This will also help improve the front-facing camera, though minimal changes are expected on the ultrawide and telephoto cameras.

The new Sony sensor is primarily designed for rear-facing cameras, but since it will be in the front-facing cameras, it helps give the Pixel 9 series a leg-up on competitors by providing a larger field of view than most competitors’ selfie cameras.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will have an improved sensor for the ultrawide camera, but the selfie cameras will be downgraded due to the foldable being 2mm thinner.

Google Pixel 9: software and updates

It’s traditional that the new flagship Pixels launch with a new version of Android, so we fully expect the Pixel 9 to debut alongside Android 15. But what might we be expecting outside of a fresh new version of Android? Quite a bit, it turns out.

The first new software trick potentially planned for the Pixel 9 is “Adaptive Touch.” Seemingly based on the “screen protector mode” feature introduced on the Pixel 8, Adaptive Touch will change your touchscreen’s sensitivity depending on the outside environment. So if it’s cold, it might ratchet up the touch sensitivity to account for you wearing gloves, or if it detects water on the screen, it’ll adapt the sensitivity level to stop accidental touches from droplets. It’s not the first time we’ve seen something like this, as the OnePlus 12 has something similar called Aqua Touch.

Of course, we also expect AI to be a big deal for the entire Pixel 9 series. We’re hearing whispers saying this could be in the form of a Gemini Nano-powered assistant called “Pixie.” It’s hard to say how much this will differ from the current Gemini experience available on Android phones today, but it’s something we’ll be keeping a close eye on.