The Google Pixel 9 series of smartphones is coming next month, which is unusually early compared to the company’s usual launch schedule. I’m not complaining though. As the launch gets closer and closer, we’re obviously going to be blessed with more and more leaks.
Speaking of, an exclusive leak from Android Authority is clueing us in on major changes that might be coming to the cameras on the Pixel 9 family of devices (which is going to have a new XL model this time around). Let’s talk about it.
The Google Pixel 9 Is Getting A New Ultrawide Sensor And Finally Brings Autofocus To Your Selfies
Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 is going to be the smallest model in the new series of smartphones but part of the Pixel experience is excellent photography, so it doesn’t compromise on that. You get the same Samsung-made 50MP primary sensor as in the Pixel 8, which isn’t a bad thing. However, the ultrawide changes to a new and larger 50MP Sony IMX858 sensor to replace the older 12MP unit, which should mean better performance, especially in low light.
On the front end, it is still a 10.5MP Samsung 3J1 sensor for your selfies. The big catch here is that the base Pixel finally switches to an autofocus system like the Pixel 8 Pro, instead of a fixed focus like the Pixel 8. This is huge and should make getting a perfect selfie easier each time.
The Pixel 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Will Have Identical Cameras, With Several Big Improvements
The Google Pixel 9 Pro will be joined by the Pixel 9 Pro XL this year, marking a major change in the structure of Google’s yearly flagship series. The primary sensor and the ultrawide are the same as what you get in the vanilla Pixel 9. The addition of a telephoto camera is what differentiates these bigger models from the baby Pixel though. There’ll be the addition of a 50MP telephoto unit which uses the same Sony IMX858 in the ultrawide.
That same Sony IMX858 is the sensor behind the front-facing camera for these two phones, which means you get a selfie camera upgrade and a telephoto camera when compared to the base Pixel 9. This 50MP selfie camera will have autofocus, as expected, and should be a massive jump in quality for your selfies, as this is clearly a camera module trusted enough for rear cams.
These phones also keep last year’s infrared thermometer. You might not get much use out of it but it seems Google likes it enough to keep it around.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold Will Have Inferior Camera Hardware
Finally, there’s the Pixel 9 Pro Fold too. It seems Google intends to more clearly integrate its foldable into its main series by giving it a number instead of just making it the Pixel Fold 2. I’m personally opposed to the “Pro” tag though, as all the cameras either remain the same or are downgraded to larger sensors when compared to the previous Fold.
The main camera and the telephoto are identical to the predecessor’s, but the ultrawide moves from a Sony sensor to the Samsung 3LU. It is still 12MP, but the sensor is larger. Both selfie cameras also get downgraded. Sure, the inner selfie camera is now 10MP instead of 8MP, but the sensor is much larger (1/2.8″ to 1/3.94″). The outer selfie cam is now 10MP instead of 10.5MP and also gets a much bigger sensor.
Quite frankly, this is disappointing, though it seems like the reason Google did this was to make sure they could keep the device as slim as possible, but it seems like too much of a leap downward. If you’re concerned with picture quality, even the Pixel 9 will do better.
