It’s been a while since Google removed the covers from its latest flagship phones, so work is certainly underway on their successors.
As good as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were, there’s still room for improvement, so there’s a lot of excitement about the upcoming Pixel 9 range.
Here’s everything we know about it so far, including the rumors of a brand new third model.
When will the Google Pixel 9 be released?
At this early stage, there is no official release date for the Pixel 9 phones.
But Google has a pretty regular routine when it comes to hardware launches. October is the usual slot, as you can see from the previous models below:
We don’t see any reason why this pattern would change in 2024, so there’s a very good chance that the Pixel 9 models will make their debut in October next year, despite rumors of a possible third device being added to the roster.
However, we sometimes see the phones teased at Google’s I/O developer conference, which is expected to take place on May 10, 2024.
How much will the Google Pixel 9 cost?
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro both saw price increases over their predecessors worth $100/£100 per model.
Since Google held the prices of the previous versions for a few years, we would expect the same with the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. So you should be looking at $699/£699 and $999/£999 respectively, although there is no concrete evidence for this year.
These are the starting prices of the latest generations:
- Google Pixel 8: $699/£699
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: $999/£999
- Google Pixel 7: $599/£599
- Google Pixel 7 Pro: $899/£849
- Google Pixel 6: $599/£599
- Google Pixel 6 Pro: $899/£849
However, if the rumors of a brand new second Pro model are true, it’s anyone’s guess how much it will cost.
What features will the Google Pixel 9 have?
The Pixel 9 series won’t be released until late 2024, but there are already many major leaks and rumors.
New models
According to Android Authority, the upcoming Pixel 9 series will consist of three devices for the first time.
It was initially thought that the lineup could include the 6.2-inch Google Pixel 9, the 6.7-inch Pixel 9 Pro and a smaller Pro model, with Android Authority initially suggesting a 6.3-inch screen.
Recent renders from leaker Leaking tell a different story. It is now expected that Google will introduce a larger Pro XL model instead.
The strategy is compared to Apple’s iPhone launches, with the Pixel 9 being comparable to an iPhone 15, the Pixel 9 Pro model to an iPhone 15 Pro and the new Pixel 9 Pro XL model to an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Of course, Apple has a fourth model, the iPhone 15 Plus, for which Google doesn’t seem to be planning an equivalent.
According to another Android Authority article, Google is also turning the Pixel Fold 2 into the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. But we’ll still cover news about that device in our separate Pixel Fold 2 guide.
Design
According to OnLeaks renders (via MySmartPrice), the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL will have a smaller 6.5-inch display compared to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch panel, contradicting an earlier rumor that suggested it would be even bigger.
The front features a centered cutout for the selfie camera, surrounded on all sides by thin bezels.
The smartphone has a flat frame with the power button and volume rockers on the right side while the left side remains clean apart from antenna markings. At the bottom of the device, as usual, there are the USB Type-C port, the speaker grille and the SIM card tray.
At the top, you can expect to see the mmWave antenna cover and a microphone.
Notably, the rear camera setup will likely feature a triple camera configuration, including a periscope telephoto sensor in addition to the standard wide-angle and main lenses. The presence of a large sensor suggests possible support for a variable aperture.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL will apparently measure 162.7 x 76.6 x 8.5mm, increasing to 12.0mm including the camera bump.
The Pixel 9 Pro, while similar to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, will likely be more compact, with flattened sides similar to the iPhone 15. OnLeaks renders (via 91Mobiles) below also show a redesigned rear camera module, though it is still unmistakably a Pixel. .
The rear camera visor protrudes slightly, but is shorter compared to the Pixel 8 and doesn’t extend from edge to edge. The regular Pixel 9 Pro will apparently have a 6.1-inch screen with a punch-hole camera in the center, and dimensions of 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm (up to 12.0mm including the camera bump).
In terms of colors, only blue and black have been revealed, but there are likely alternatives.
OnLeaks has also released renders (via 91Mobiles) that are believed to be of the regular Pixel 9.
Those renders reveal a similar design to what we’ve seen before, with a flat metal frame, albeit with a new oval design for the camera bar.
Like the Pixel 8, it looks like the Pixel 9 will retain two rear cameras – likely main and ultrawide cameras.
Additionally, Google seems to be moving towards flatter sides, a departure from the rounded edges we’ve seen in recent Pixel models. It remains to be seen if this will be true, or applied to all Pixel 9 models.
Display
According to the leaks above, the Pixel 9 will feature a 6.03-inch display, likely a 120Hz OLED, compared to the Pixel 9 Pro’s 6.1-inch display and the Pixel 9 Pro’s 6.5-inch display XL.
Performance
While it’s a pretty safe bet that the Tensor G4 will power all Pixel 9 phones, it’s likely to follow previous models as it’s based on Samsung Exynos chipsets.
According to The Information, previous rumors that Google would make a brand new chipset will not come true. This is unlikely to happen until the Tensor G5 arrives with the Pixel 10.
Android Authority reports that all three phones in the Pixel 9 range will feature the Tensor G4 chipset (based on the Exynos 2400) and also claims that it will be closer to the refinement we saw between the G1 and G2, in instead of a great leap forward.
Cameras
Google tends to keep its camera hardware for a while and refine it rather than upgrading every year. Since the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro both benefited from a new 50Mp main sensor that the company claims has 21% more light sensitivity than the Pixel 7 series, it could be software where some progress is being made in the Pixel 9 cameras.
The Pixel 8 Pro received a few more upgrades, with 48Mp ultra-wide and 48Mp telephoto lenses that were more sensitive to light. There may be further improvements in this area that will make night photography even better.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Before the launch of the Pixel 8 series, 9to5 Google published a breakdown of some new features it found in the code of a Google APK, suggesting it could appear in the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
That didn’t happen, but that could be because Google is perfecting them to launch with the Pixel 9 models. These include Video Unblur, which works similarly to Photo Unblur, but for video. This allows you to sharpen images where they are not completely sharp. There are also overlay filters for video, which appear to be filters for film-like effects.
Connectivity
Android Authority has obtained insights from a Google insider on upcoming modem upgrades for the Pixel 9 series.
The Pixel line has faced connectivity issues since adopting Tensor chips in 2021, mainly due to the use of Exynos modems. Despite improvements over time, the issues persist, with recent reports from Pixel 7 and 8 users after a March 2024 update.
According to the source, the Pixel 9 series is likely to introduce the Tensor G4 chipset with a new Samsung Modem 5400, which promises improved speed, efficiency and stability. Notably, the modem supports 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), enabling satellite-based communications.
This modem will be present in all mobile-enabled Tensor G4 devices, including the Pixel 9 series and possibly the Pixel Fold 2, which will debut this year as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Google is also reportedly working on a 5G tablet codenamed ‘clementine’ equipped with the same modem, although it is still in the early stages of development.
Software
It’s Google, so at this point it’s pretty clear that the phones will run stock Android 15.
The Tensor chip’s big strength lies in its AI capabilities, such as call screening and photo editing on current Pixel 8 phones. Samsung’s Galaxy AI features, launched with the Galaxy S24 range, offer similar features but some unique additions.
Expect Tensor G4 to receive neural engine upgrades that will enable additional software features leading up to the launch of the Pixel 9.
And as far as software updates go, you can expect the Pixel 9 phones to continue Google’s industry-leading promise of seven years of OS and security updates.
We’ll update this article as more about the Pixel 9 range is revealed. In the meantime, read our reviews of the best smartphones and best Android phones to see what they’ll be up against.
