Google is all set to host I/O 2024 on 14th May 2024 wherein the brand will not only share innovations in terms of software but also Google Pixel 8a is expected to launch officially. Post that, the company will start gearing up for its big annual launch of 2024. It was in October 2023 we saw Google Pixel 8 Series including Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro and now, months before October rumors around Pixel 9 Series have started making rounds in the market. The Google Pixel 9 Series is expected to be bigger and better this time with not just two but four-pixel models. Here in this article, we will talk about everything we know so far about the upcoming Google Pixel 9 Series. From expected launch date to specs, from pricing to design, dive in to know what Google is planning to offer this time.
Google Pixel 9 Series: Launch Timeline
Google mostly launches its annual Pixel Series in September or October every year. To find out when the Google Pixel 9 Series will be rolled out, let us first have a look at the launch dates for previous Pixel series-
- Google Pixel 5 launched in September 2020
- Google Pixel 6 launched in October 2021
- Google Pixel 7 launched in October 2022
- Google Pixel 8 launched in October 2023
Google skipped launching Pixel 4, 5, and 6 in India, post that all Pixel Series have been arriving in India alongside other countries. This year too, the Pixel 9 Series will most likely launch in October globally (including India).
The pre-orders begin on the day of the launch while the first sale takes place a few days later.
ALSO READ: Google Pixel 9 Pro Live Images Showcase Triple Rear Camera and New Camera Visor
Google Pixel 9 Series: How many smartphones?
Back in the day, the Pixel 4 series had as many as four devices- Pixel 4, Pixel 4 (5G), Pixel 4a, and Pixel 4XL post which Google launched only two smartphones in the Pixel 5 series- Pixel 5 and 5a. Right from the Pixel 6 series, the brand has been launching three smartphones Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 Series. These are the vanilla Pixel model, Pixel Pro model, and Pixel A model.
However, this time it seems Google wants to shake things up a bit. Google Pixel 9 Series is expected to arrive with not two, not three, but four smartphones. Two will be regular Google Pixel 9 and Google Pixel 9 Pro, while for the other two, various names are being speculated.
A Pixel roadmap claims that Google might launch Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 XL devices too. Some latest reports claim Google might replace Pixel Fold 2 with Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Next year, Google might launch Pixel 9a as well, thus taking the number of members in the Pixel 9 series to five.
While speculations are rife that the series will include four smartphones, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what the names of the two new devices will be. Things might get clearer as the launch date gets closer, but for now, it seems the Pixel 9 series will be bigger and better.
Google is doing this to make its Pixel Series similar to the iPhone series which comes with four devices.
ALSO READ: Google Might launch Pixel 9 Pro Fold skipping Pixel Fold 2: Details Inside
Google Pixel 9 Series: Expected Pricing
Google has established itself as a flagship that is cheaper than other brands, but slowly the brand has been increasing the price of Pixel devices as well. Google might not increase the price of Pixel 9 Series devices and one or two models might be more affordable as well, but to analyze what the price point might be, let us have a look at the pricing of past Pixel series in India-
Google Pixel 7-Rs. 59,999 | Google Pixel 7 Pro- Rs. 84,999
Google Pixel 8– Rs. 75,999 | Google Pixel 8 Pro– Rs. 1,06,999
This time, Pixel 9 might cost somewhere around Rs. 75,999 while Pixel 9 Pro will cost above 1 Lakh. Pixel 9 XL might be more affordable so it might cost around 50k while Pixel 9 Pro XL or Pro Fold 9 will be top end at around 1,20,000.
ALSO READ: Google Pixel 9 Series And Fold 2 To Feature Satellite Connectivity, Thanks To The New Samsung Modem
Google Pixel 9 Series: Design
Reliable tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer shared the first Pixel series renders via OnLeaks. He claimed them to be Pixel 9 Pro which has dimensions of 162.7×76.6×8.5mm. The renders show a fully flat design with a camera bar at the top that is more compact than before. The primary camera sensor is bigger as well and the temperature sensor is also expected to return.
Some other pixel renders from the same tipster claim to be of Pixel 9. It will be the smaller device that has a triple camera setup including a telephoto lens and a thermometer as well. Pixel 9 will have a smaller 6.1-inch display.
Some live images have surfaced online that align with the renders that came out. However, since there is still a long way to go before October, there is a good chance that these might get modified.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold renders have also surfaced online. This will be the follow-up model to Pixel Fold and if Google changes its name, it will become a part of the Pixel 9 family.
ALSO READ: Google Pixel 9 series is rumored to feature a larger displays
Google Pixel 9 Series: Expected Specifications
Google Pixel 9 series won’t be arriving without hardware as well as software updates. The Pixels of 2024 will be powered by the next-generation Google Tensor G4 chipset. Tensor G4 might continue using Exynos chipsets as the basis for its design which would be a letdown as there have been strong rumors about Google designing its own SoC from scratch (codenamed redondo).
A report by The Information claims that Google has initially planned to make its chipset but the company missed some internal deadlines which made it late to include a self-made SoC in the Pixel 9 series. The brand will continue development to include this chipset next year.
Tensor G4 has been codenamed ‘zuma’ and since G3 was also codenamed ‘zuma’, G4 will most likely be a slightly upgraded version of G3. Tensor G4 is said to arrive with a new Samsung Modem 5400 that will be faster. The software stack has been updated to improve stability and provide support for 3GPP Rel. 17 supporting satellite communication. G4 will be a part of all four smartphones so satellite connectivity will come to all the Pixel 9 devices.
Most of the previous Pixel series had the same camera specs, with the only difference being in terms of camera software. Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 7 Pro, had the same camera specs, but got updates in terms of software. The same continued for base Pixel 8 as well and chances are high that Pixel 9 will also get similar camera specs. The Pixel 8 series made the switch to the Samsung Isocell GN2 50MP snapper that came with various improvements. Pixel series will most likely retain a similar camera sensor, but the ultrawide sensor might get an upgrade. However, the cameras on Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pro Fold are still hard to predict. Google makes changes to the camera on Pro lineups every year, so this time too Pixel 9 Pro models will get some updates.
Google might even upgrade the selfie camera this time across all Pixel 9 models.
Pixel 9 Pro is expected to get 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB storage. The wireless power consortium has announced that the Qi2 wireless charging has completed certification testing and Pixel 9 Series would support it. The adaptive Touch feature comes to the Pixel lineup along with the Android 15 Powered Off Finder API. This API will allow compatible devices to be located and tracked even when they are off by using Google’s services to continue sending Bluetooth signals to broadcast locations to nearby devices.
Since this feature will need hardware updates, the Pixel 9 series will receive them if this feature is rolled out.
Google has also been working on satellite-based messaging support for Android 15. The Pixel 9 series will be the first to support Android’s native satellite communication that will be text-based. A special satellite gateway app will allow easy communications with emergency services via a feature called Emergency SOS. The app will just ask some basic questions to narrow down the situation and you will get a choice to notify your emergency contacts. The mobile devices will need precise alignment to connect and Google has made just that. It will be enabled via the Pixel app.
Is the Pixel 9 Series worth the wait?
Google Pixel 9 Series is still months away so whether you want to wait for it or not depends on your current smartphone and what you want next. If you are currently the owner of a smartphone that is one or two years old, you might want to wait till October to see what the Pixel 9 Series brings to the table.
However, if you want to upgrade your current smartphone ASAP, then there is no reason to wait. You can opt for the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro available on Amazon right now as they come with top-notch specs and refreshing colors and designs. If you don’t wait to opt for a Pixel device, you can even go for Samsung Galaxy S24 Series or OnePlus R Series.
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