After months of teasing and leaks, Google has finally launched the Pixel 9 phones, and they’re teeming with upgrades. They come with the new Tensor G4, which makes everything faster and smarter, especially when using AI features.
The cameras are also better than ever, and the battery life is longer. We get to see Pixel Screenshots and other life-saving features previously announced. The Pixel 9 phones are available for pre-order now and will hit stores later this month and in early September.
Google’s Pixel 9 Series brings next-level AI power and style
Google dropped their latest smartphones on August 13 during its Made by Google event. If you missed it, catch the highlights on the official website. The phones include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. They all run on the Tensor G4 chip, which means you’re getting the best performance and features Google has to offer yet. It supposedly runs cooler and fixes the overheating problems with the Pixel 8.
Design-wise, the Pixel 9 series has a fresh look that makes the camera stand out. The brand has updated the camera bar and used a matte glass back with polished metal sides to give the phones a glossy and premium appearance.
Before now, the Pixel Pro models have always come in one size. The ninth series is the first to introduce two different sizes for its Pro model: Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Down to the core, the phones are built to be powerhouses with AI features.
Gemini Nano is the AI brain behind Google’s Pixel 9
The Tensor G4 is specially designed to run Gemini Nano, a complex AI that can work with different types of data at once. We’re talking texts, images, and even sounds. Google has upgraded the memory to make sure that it runs smoothly on the Pixel 9 phones. The Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM, and the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have 16GB RAM.
The brand has also launched Gemini Live to help you have smooth, natural conversations with Gemini. You can ask for help with planning events, home repairs, gift ideas directly from your phone or Pixel Buds, and other things. It will be available for Gemini Advanced subscribers. You get a free year’s subscription when you buy one of the phones.
Another AI feature sharing the spotlight is Pixel Studio. It mixes on-device AI with Google’s Imagen 3 in the cloud, so you can quickly bring your ideas to life by describing them. You can edit the images, change styles, and share your creations with friends and family.
Meanwhile, Pixel Screenshots scans the content of your screenshots and makes them searchable. For instance, if you’re planning a summer vacation and take screenshots of hotel options, flight deals, and travel tips, Pixel Screenshots will search for “hotel” or “flight” and find all the relevant screenshots you saved. It also includes links to the original sources and brief descriptions of each screenshot to help you remember what each one is about.
Experience personalized weather and perfect group shots
The new and improved Pixel Weather app uses AI, too, specifically Gemini Nano. It now generates custom weather reports, making the information more personalized and useful. For your cameras, Add Me makes sure you never need a tripod or ask someone else to take group photos. It takes multiple shots and uses smart editing to ensure everyone who was there, including the person taking the photo, is in the final shot.
Finally, Magic Editor in Google Photos lets you tweak your pictures with Auto Frame and other tools. You can also type what objects you want to add to the image. Overall, these features are exciting, and we can’t wait to try them.
