We’ve simply tuned into the Google Pixel 9 collection launch, with the Made by Google occasion detailing the bottom mannequin, 9 Professional, 9 Professional XL, and most excitingly, the 9 Professional Fold, plus the brand new Pixel Watch 3. It wasn’t all {hardware}, although, with Google eager to proceed bringing AI magic to cell, even when it nonetheless feels barely extra like sleight-of-hand methods than correct sorcery.
There are many {hardware} upgrades throughout the board, with all Pixel 9 gadgets getting the most recent Google Tensor G4 chipset, a 20% battery life increase, and Satellite tv for pc SOS. That makes the 9 collection the primary Androids to supply emergency satellite tv for pc communication, following in Apple’s footsteps. In line with Google, every telephone from the Pixel 9 collection additionally has improved cameras and video recording software program. Nonetheless, we didn’t get a lot in the best way of specs to again up the declare that the gadgets are the very best Android telephones for recording video, so we might should do some digging for the specs.
After concurrently introducing all 4 new telephones, it was clear that the tech big was most eager to indicate off the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Not solely is the 9 Professional Fold the thinnest foldable on the planet, surpassing the remainder of the very best foldable telephones, nevertheless it additionally has the most important show, and, in line with the model, the very best cameras. In fact, we’ll should get our arms on one to do that out, with some severe competitors to beat within the OnePlus Open and new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
On condition that we’d already coated a lot of the specs as a result of vital pre-launch leaks, the most important reveal of the night time was the Pixel 9 collection pricing. The Pixel 9 begins at $799, the 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL at $999 and $1,099, respectively, whereas the premium flagship 9 Professional Fold is available in at $1,799. That sounds costly as a result of it’s costly, however admittedly, it’s in keeping with the opposite big-name foldables, launching on the similar worth because the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Like final 12 months’s Pixel 8 collection, all 4 new gadgets provide seven years of software program and safety updates, carrying you thru till 2031. Pre-orders for all the brand new Pixel 9 telephones at the moment are dwell, with the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional XL transport later this month, earlier than the 9 Professional and Professional Fold start rolling out in September.
By way of the brand new AI options, Gemini Reside appears probably the most revolutionary of the bunch. It’s a strong voice assistant device, frighteningly harking back to the AI girlfriend from Spike Jonze’s Her. Nonetheless, as bizarre because it might sound, it’s helpful, with a dwell demo displaying a presenter brainstorming social gathering concepts with Gemini. It’s value mentioning that Gemini Reside isn’t unique to Pixel gadgets, with the software program coming to different AI-capable Androids later this 12 months. Weirdly, although, it’s not coming to the Pixel 9 base mannequin, so that you’ll should go for a Professional mannequin if you wish to strive Gemini Reside.
Whereas Gemini Reside may need been the star of the present, Pixel Screenshots looks like a extra on a regular basis device. Because the title suggests, this Pixel-exclusive characteristic makes use of AI to look via your screenshots to discover a particular picture primarily based on a search immediate, saving you from endlessly flicking via your images to search out one thing you screenshotted. Fortunately, this characteristic is coming to the Pixel 9 base mannequin.
All 4 gadgets additionally get Pixel Studio, an AI picture generator akin to what we count on from Apple Intelligence’s Picture Playground however with fewer stylistic limitations. I’ve to confess, the video game-style picture proven throughout the presentation was fairly spectacular, even for an AI cynic like me.
Talking of pictures, we’re getting extra AI digicam enhancements, together with higher low-light sharpness and an Add Me operate to, sure, you guessed it, add your self to group images. Basically, you may take a snap of your loved ones, then hand the gadget to somebody to take a second one with you within the body, and the telephone combines the outcomes to get everybody within the shot. Like Finest Take, it’s each neat and a bit creepy.
Earlier than wrapping up, we acquired yet one more huge reveal with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s the model’s first watch to come back in two completely different sizes, with the choice to decide on between the traditional 41mm show or an even bigger 45mm various. Google has additionally boosted the brightness to a brand new peak of two,000 nits, making your display screen simpler to learn in direct daylight.
Most significantly, although, the Pixel Watch 3 now has what Google calls Lack of Pulse Detection, which contacts emergency providers in case your coronary heart ever decides to cease beating for a protracted interval. I joke, however it is a unbelievable characteristic on paper and makes for a doubtlessly life-saving promoting level. Nonetheless, I did discover a disclaimer on the backside of the display screen suggesting the Pixel Watch 3 won’t register a lack of pulse each time, which is a bit worrying. I don’t wish to be macabre, however this kind of app not working as soon as is the definition of a life-or-death state of affairs.
These are the highlights from the Google Pixel 9 collection launch throughout the newest Made by Google occasion. As ever, we’ll be trying to get our arms on all the brand new tech to place it to the take a look at ourselves and see if any of the contemporary handsets are worthy of our checklist of the very best Google Pixel telephones.
