We’ve just tuned into the Google Pixel 9 series launch, with the Made by Google event detailing the base model, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and most excitingly, the 9 Pro Fold, plus the new Pixel Watch 3. It wasn’t all hardware, though, with Google keen to continue bringing AI magic to mobile, even if it still feels slightly more like sleight-of-hand tricks than proper sorcery.
There are plenty of hardware upgrades across the board, with all Pixel 9 devices getting the latest Google Tensor G4 chipset, a 20% battery life boost, and Satellite SOS. That makes the 9 series the first Androids to offer emergency satellite communication, following in Apple’s footsteps. According to Google, each phone from the Pixel 9 series also has improved cameras and video recording software. However, we didn’t get much in the way of specs to back up the claim that the devices are the best Android phones for recording video, so we may have to do a little digging for the specs.
After simultaneously introducing all four new phones, it was clear that the tech giant was most keen to show off the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Not only is the 9 Pro Fold the thinnest foldable on the planet, surpassing the rest of the best foldable phones, but it also has the biggest display, and, according to the brand, the best cameras. Of course, we’ll have to get our hands on one to try this out, with some serious competition to beat in the OnePlus Open and new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Given that we’d already covered most of the specs due to significant pre-launch leaks, the biggest reveal of the night was the Pixel 9 series pricing. The Pixel 9 starts at $799, the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL at $999 and $1,099, respectively, while the premium flagship 9 Pro Fold comes in at $1,799. That sounds expensive because it is expensive, but admittedly, it’s in line with the other big-name foldables, launching at the same price as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Like last year’s Pixel 8 series, all four new devices offer seven years of software and security updates, carrying you through until 2031. Pre-orders for all the new Pixel 9 phones are now live, with the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL shipping later this month, before the 9 Pro and Pro Fold begin rolling out in September.
In terms of the new AI features, Gemini Live seems the most revolutionary of the bunch. It’s a powerful voice assistant tool, frighteningly reminiscent of the AI girlfriend from Spike Jonze’s Her. Still, as weird as it might seem, it is useful, with a live demo showing a presenter brainstorming party ideas with Gemini. It’s worth mentioning that Gemini Live isn’t exclusive to Pixel devices, with the software coming to other AI-capable Androids later this year. Weirdly, though, it’s not coming to the Pixel 9 base model, so you’ll have to opt for a Pro model if you want to try Gemini Live.
While Gemini Live might have been the star of the show, Pixel Screenshots seems like a more everyday tool. As the name suggests, this Pixel-exclusive feature uses AI to search through your screenshots to find a specific image based on a search prompt, saving you from endlessly flicking through your photos to find something you screenshotted. Thankfully, this feature is coming to the Pixel 9 base model.
All four devices also get Pixel Studio, an AI image generator akin to what we expect from Apple Intelligence’s Image Playground but with fewer stylistic limitations. I have to admit, the video game-style image shown during the presentation was pretty impressive, even for an AI cynic like me.
Speaking of images, we’re getting more AI camera enhancements, including better low-light sharpness and an Add Me function to, yes, you guessed it, add yourself to group photos. Essentially, you can take a snap of your family, then hand the device to someone to take a second one with you in the frame, and the phone combines the results to get everyone in the shot. Like Best Take, it’s both neat and a little creepy.
Before wrapping up, we got one more big reveal with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s the brand’s first watch to come in two different sizes, with the option to choose between the classic 41mm display or a bigger 45mm alternative. Google has also boosted the brightness to a new peak of 2,000 nits, making your screen easier to read in direct sunlight.
Most importantly, though, the Pixel Watch 3 now has what Google calls Loss of Pulse Detection, which contacts emergency services if your heart ever decides to stop beating for a prolonged period. I joke, but this is a fantastic feature on paper and makes for a potentially life-saving selling point. However, I did notice a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen suggesting the Pixel Watch 3 might not register a loss of pulse every time, which is a little worrying. I don’t want to be macabre, but this sort of app not working once is the definition of a life-or-death situation.
Those are the highlights from the Google Pixel 9 series launch during the latest Made by Google event. As ever, we’ll be looking to get our hands on all the new tech to put it to the test ourselves and see if any of the fresh handsets are worthy of our list of the best Google Pixel phones.