Google today announced several new smartphones in its Pixel lineup, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, all featuring new AI capabilities powered by Gemini. But that’s not all, Google also unveiled the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2. We’re really getting close to Samsung’s Unpacked with the Galaxy Z 6, Galaxy Buds Pro 3, and Galaxy Watch 7.
Like Apple, Google releases 4 Pixel models
For the first time, and like Apple, Google is offering four different models. First, there are now two sizes for its Pro model, with the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL available in 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch versions, respectively. These are the exact dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max expected next month.
The standard Pixel 9 has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a 6.3-inch Cover Display that unfolds into an 8-inch screen.
The Pixel 9s sport a new rear camera bar centered on the back of the device, as seen in recent leaks and the official teaser. Other design details include a matte glass back and polished metal sides, and Google claims the new devices are twice as durable as the Pixel 8 phones. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a thinner chassis than last year, a smooth friction hinge, and a rectangular camera array on one half of the device.
Google is using new OLED displays called “Super Actua” for the Pro, Pro XL, and Fold models, which are brighter than previous versions. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 80% brighter than the Pixel Fold. Additionally, Google is using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to boost durability.
The new Pixel phones feature Google’s Tensor G4 processor, which is designed specifically for AI like Gemini. This processor is faster and more power-efficient than the previous one, with more RAM (12GB for the Pixel, 16GB for the Pixel Pro models, while Apple has planned 8GB for its iPhone 16). There are also improvements in battery life and camera technology, with the Pixel 9 Pro models adopting a 5x telephoto lens with 20x Super Res zoom.
Gemini all the way
Gemini is the AI assistant for Pixel smartphones, and it’s “deeply integrated” into Google apps with support for Gemini Live on Pro models. Gemini Live requires a Gemini Advanced subscription and offers a “mobile conversational experience” for “seamless conversations” with AI. Pixel users can communicate with Gemini via text, images, or voice. Pixel Studio is a new app that offers a built-in image generator that can create stickers and images from text commands.
Google is also using AI to augment the Weather app to get personalized weather reports, create lists in Google Keep, summarize emails and messages, and save, recall, and organize information from screenshots. Call Notes is an option that lets you save a private summary of a conversation after a phone call. Satellite SOS, a feature that has been available on the iPhone since 2022, is now available on Pixel 9 smartphones.
Photographic capabilities include Add Me, which uses augmented reality and AI to add the photographer into the photo by combining multiple images. Auto Frame crops images for better composition, Zoom Enhance fills in missing pixels for more precise zooming, and Magic Editor supports editing photos using text commands.
Price
The Pixel 9 starts at €899, the Pixel 9 Pro at €1,099, the Pixel 9 Pro XL at €1,199, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at €1,899.
Pixel Buds Pro 2
Alongside the new phone lineup, Google introduced the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds. These are lighter and smaller than the Pixel Buds Pro, with AI integration and a faster Tensor A1 chip to improve active noise cancellation. Gemini integration is also included, with Gemini Live for talking to AI. Other features include integration with Find My Device, Clear Calling to reduce ambient noise, and Conversation Detection to turn off noise reduction when someone is speaking. The other features of the first model, such as spatial audio, are still present.
Price
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are priced at €249.
Pixel Watch 3
The new Pixel Watch 3, with its circular design, comes in two sizes: 41mm and a new larger 45mm option, with smaller bezels for larger screens. The watch is more energy efficient thanks to new display technology, and it’s also brighter than before. It has a new health feature that can detect when a person loses their pulse and call emergency services. It can also automatically detect sleep and activate sleep mode. Bedtime to save battery life, with a battery life of up to 36 hours. Several new features have been introduced by Apple with watchOS 11.
Price
The new Pixel Watch 3 starts at €399.
All of Google’s new devices are available for pre-order starting today on the official website.