Google's much anticipated Made by Google event 2024 is finally happening, which was to bring about a slew of devices and revolve around hardware announcements mainly. The speculations and rumors regarding the Pixel 9 lineup being the center of attention seem to match up as the major portion of the keynote seems to revolve around the big reveal of the Pixel 9 series and all that the models would entail.
The new Pixel 9 lineup is finally here with the upgraded camera system and refined chassis
The tech community had already claimed that the highlight of today's event would be the new Pixel phones, and that seemed to be true for the show's star, which was truly the Pixel 9 model. While Google opted for four phones this year instead of its usual, including the standard model Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel Pro Fold, that is not the only change and upgrade it brought about. The Tensor G4 chipset powers the Pixel 9 lineup and is a jump from its previous models. The reason for Google opting for the same chipset overall is to maintain and allow for seamless integration of the new AI capabilities. The Pixel Pro Fold launch is discussed in more detail in a separate post.
Pixel 9
Google launched its vanilla Pixel 9 model with a dual camera setup, as previously suggested, and updated its camera to a more elongated oval shape, drastically improving the model's aesthetics. The base model features a 50MP primary camera and a 48MP ultra-wide sensor for the rear camera setup, and the front selfie camera stands at 10.5MP. It launched with a 6.3-inch Actua display size similar to the Pro version and the Pixel 8 model that came with a 6.2-inch display. The Pixel 9 has a 12GB RAM capacity that is a jump from the previous 8GB and is available in four colors: Porcelain, Mojito, Cosmo, and Obsidian. It is starting at $799.
Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, has a 6.3-inch display similar to the base Pixel 9 model's dimensions. The Pixel 9 Pro sports a triple camera setup, features a 50MP primary camera, 48MP ultrawide lens, 48MP telephoto lens, and the front camera comes at 42MP. The Pixel 9 Pro offers 128GB and 256GB with four color options: Obsidian, Porcelain, Pink, and Hazel, and it starts at $999. The Pro model comes with a 16GB of RAM storage. The outlook of the model shares striking similarities to the standard Pixel 9 model except for smaller bezels on the Pro model.
Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Pro XL was the new addition to the Pro lineup and managed to grab attention for the possible upgrades coming with the new variant. It follows the Pixel 9 Pro's triple camera layout with a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto lens. The specifications remain the same as those of the Pixel 8 Pro, but the front camera has now been upgraded to 42MP from 10.5 MP, emphasizing the prominent protrusion on the camera setup to house the larger sensors.
The most significant change is the larger super Actua display that stands at 6.8 inches, which is aimed at improving the overall visual experience of users and making it more comfortable to multi-task on the larger model. The Pro XL is packed with RAM capacity similar to that of the Pixel 9 Pro model but comes with a relatively higher price tag. It starts at $1,099, making it one of the top-tier devices in the flagship phones, although previous reports suggested an even hefty amount attached to it. The Pro XL is launched in three colors: Obsidian, Hazel, and Porcelain, with the 256GB carrying an additional Pink color.
Google has made some significant improvements with the Pixel 9 series that are not just limited to the camera setup and a new Pro model but also expand to the extended charging capabilities as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are said to charge up to 55 percent in 30 minutes while the Pro XL variant comes with a 5,060mAh battery and can charge up to 70 percent in a similarly short period.
As expected, the Pixel 9 lineup was launched with new Gemini AI-powered features, including Adaptive Touch, which adjusts the screen sensitivity according to the external environment. The new Pixel screenshot feature announced also managed to grab attention by providing snapshots of your life and letting you save, organize, and look back at anything you need. The feature is available across the Pixel 9 series.
The call notes capability added would help deliver call summaries, record interviews, and collect receipts, improving the utility aspect for users. There is also a new weather app dedicated to the Pixel 9 lineup that comes with a new minimal design that would no longer have the animation pop out and a customization option that lets you drag and change items as per your preference. AI-generated comments about the weather also follow the revamped app.
Pixel 9 Studio additionally allows you to generate images based on text prompts and is a popular AI-driven tool. The new Re-Imagine capability will enable you to highlight a feature from the picture and recreate it in a new image. The Pixel 9 lineup is packed with some significant upgrades and new AI-driven features. The Pixel 9 series will be available for pre-order starting today and will be shipped on August 22nd for those interested in getting their hands on the latest models.
