Google today announced the launch of several new phones in the Pixel lineup, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, all with new Gemini-powered AI capabilities, as well as the new Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds.
For the first time, Google is offering the Pro models in two sizes, with the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL coming in 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch sizes, respectively. The standard Pixel 9 sports a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with a 6.3-inch cover display that unfolds to an 8-inch display.
The Pixel 9 models have a redesigned rear camera bar at the center of the back of the device. Other design details include a matte glass back and polished metal sides, and Google says the new devices are twice as durable as the Pixel 8 smartphones. The Fold has a thinner chassis, a fluid friction hinge, and a rectangular camera setup on one half of the device.
Google is using new OLED displays it calls “Super Actua” on the Pro, Pro XL and Fold, and all three displays are brighter than the previous generation models. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 80 percent brighter than the Pixel Fold. Google is also using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The new Pixel phones are equipped with the Google Tensor G4, which Google says is custom built for Gemini-like AI, which is faster and more power efficient than Google's previous processors, and Google has also added more RAM (12GB on the Pixel, 16GB on the Pixel Pro models), improved battery life and camera tech across the board, with the Pixel 9 Pro models now featuring a 5x telephoto lens with 20x Super Resolution Zoom.
Gemini is an AI assistant on Pixel phones that supports Gemini Live on Pro models and is “deeply integrated” into Google apps. Gemini Live requires a Gemini Advanced subscription and provides a “mobile conversational experience” for “free-flowing conversations” with the AI. Pixel users can communicate with Gemini using text, images, or voice. Pixel Studio is a new app with an on-device image generator that creates stickers and images using text-based prompts.
There are several photography features, including “Add Me,” which adds you to the photo by combining multiple images using augmented reality and AI; Auto Frame lets you reframe the image for a better composition; Zoom Enhance fills in missing pixels to let you zoom in further after taking the photo; and “Magic Editor” lets you edit photos using text prompts, including adding wildflowers to a field, according to Google.
Google is using AI to complement its Weather app and provide custom weather forecasts, create lists in Google Keep, summarize emails and messages, and save, recall, and organize information through screenshots. Call notes is an option to save a private summary of your conversation after a call. Satellite SOS is a feature that has been available on iPhones since 2022, but is now available on Pixel 9 phones too.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are lighter and smaller than the Pixel Buds Pro, and Google has improved active noise cancellation using AI and a faster Tensor A1 chip. They come with built-in Gemini integration, including the Gemini Live feature that lets you talk to the Gemini AI. Other features include Find My Device integration, Clear Calling to reduce ambient noise, and Conversation Detection to disable ANC when someone is talking.
The circular Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes, 41mm and a new larger 45mm option, with smaller bezels and larger display sizes, both of which feature new display technology that's more power efficient and brighter than before.
The watch comes with new health features that can detect when a person's pulse has stopped and call emergency services for help. It also automatically detects when you're asleep and goes into Bedtime Mode to conserve battery life and last up to 36 hours. Other features include daily workout prep, Cardio Load, and Target Resistance, which are similar to features Apple will be introducing in watchOS 11.
All of Google's new devices are available to pre-order starting today, with the Pixel 9 starting at $799, the Pixel 9 Pro starting at $999, the Pixel 9 Pro XL starting at $1,099, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold starting at $1,799. Pricing for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 starts at $229, and the new Pixel Watch 3 starts at $349.99.
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