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Google has introduced the Pixel 9 smartphone family, including a mid-size Pro model and the Pro Fold, the second-generation foldable phone.
For the first time, Google has multiple Pro-badged models. Both the base Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro have 6.3-inch screens, so you won’t have to move to a larger phone just to get advanced features. The Pixel 9 Pro XL caters to big phone enthusiasts with a 6.8-inch display. Regardless of the model you buy, the conventional devices have flatter edges, more durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass, and a jutting, rounded camera bump. A faster ultrasonic fingerprint reader eliminates a common Pixel gripe.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, meanwhile, is one of the largest book-style foldables on the market. The 6.3-inch cover display is itself larger than the 5.8-inch panel on the Pixel Fold, but there’s now an 8-inch internal screen that eclipses both its 7.6-inch predecessor and the competition. It’s also one of the thinnest such devices in North America, too, at 10.2mm when closed — though not as thin as the 9.2mm Honor Magic V3 in China.
All the Pixels use a new Tensor G4 chip that promises greater overall performance, particularly for Gemini Nano and other on-device AI tasks. You can expect 12GB of RAM on the entry Pixel 9 model, and 16GB on all Pro variants. You’ll also get satellite SOS contact for emergencies, starting in the US.
These (plus Google’s cloud services) help drive a range of new AI features. Call Notes provides a private summary of conversations, including import. Pixel Screenshots can help you find objects, people, and places in screen captures using text searches. Pixel Studio generates images based on prompts, including modifying them as you go along. There’s also a new, previously leaked Weather app that provides AI weather reports and more insights.
The cameras have received a few key upgrades as well, including a new HDR+ pipeline for better overall image quality as well as upgraded panoramas with Night Sight. Add Me can put someone into a group photo, and Magic Editor will let you reframe images and replace a picture’s background using a prompt. Made You Look, coming in a feature drop, even gets babies and toddlers to look at the camera with fun visuals.
On Pro phones, you’ll see Video Boost with Night Sight as well as twice-as-fast rendering. Google also claims the Pixel 9 Pro can combine its 5X telephoto zoom with upscaling to produce sharp 20X video footage. You can pull high-quality stills from footage, too.
Google is giving the conventional Pixel 9 models new 50-megapixel telephoto and ultrawide cameras that should perform better in low light along with a 42MP selfie shooter. The regular phone finally has an autofocusing front camera (albeit at 10.5MP). Google is prioritizing thinness for the Pro Fold, though, with 48MP main, 10.8MP telephoto, and 10.5MP ultrawide rear cameras alongside a 10MP front cam.
Google is asking a $799 price for the Pixel 9, $999 for the Pro, $1,099 for the Pro XL, and $1,799 for the Pro Fold. Pre-orders start today, with shipping starting on August 22nd. The complete lineup will have shipped by September. All phones come with a year of Gemini Advanced access.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
