Google Launches Its New Pixel Phone & More Packed With AI

On August 13, Google held its new phone’s launch event at its company headquarters in Mountain View, California.

In addition to unveiling its new Pixel 9 series, the company also revealed a wide range of new features across the phone and other products.

So, what new features is Google bringing with its new phone series, earbuds and watch? Let’s explore!
 

What’s New With Google’s Pixel Phone?

 

• Called Google Pixel 9, the series features just one phone with that name, its base model, which begins at $799.

• The remaining series consists of Pixel 9 Pro (starting at $999), Pixel Pro 9 XL ($1,099) and the foldable Pixel Pro 9 Fold ($1,799).

• As per a blog post put out by the company, all its phones will be powered by the Google Tensor G4 chip, its brand new and most efficient chip yet.

• The chip was designed with Google DeepMind and is optimized to run Google’s most advanced generative AI (GenAI) models.

• Furthermore, it will be the first processor to run Gemini Nano with Multimodality, which will help the phone understand text, images and audio.

• To enhance the AI experience, the phones come with upgraded RAM options, bringing 12GB for Pixel 9 and 16GB for Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

• As for storage memory, Pixel 9 offers (128GB/256GB), Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Pro XL offers (128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB) and Pixel Pro Fold (128GB/256GB).

• The Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL also offers a 6.8-inch display. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s outer screen spans 6.3 inches and inside it reaches 8 inches.

• Google's new phones also offer enhanced battery life across the series.

• While pre-orders are open on Google's store, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available in stores on August 22, the Pixel 9 Pro is scheduled for a September release and the Pro Fold will begin shipping on September 4.

• While pre-orders are open, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available in stores on August 22, the Pixel 9 Pro is scheduled for a September release and the Pro Fold will begin shipping on September 4.

• Along with a sleek new look that puts the camera front and center and offers twice as much durability as its predecessor, the Pixel 9 comes packed with a wide range of AI (artificial intelligence) features.

 

What New AI Features Will Google’s Pixel 9 Phones Offer?

 

• “A phone full of firsts,” is how Google describes the Pixel 9 series on its product page and a large part of this has to do with the AI features it brings.

• Having announced numerous updates during the Google I/O event, the company is now bringing Gemini Live to its phones, enabling users to interact with Gemini in a more natural, intuitive and free-flowing manner.

• The feature allows users to choose responses from 10 different voices.

• This will be available to all Gemini Advanced subscribers, including Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold owners, who will all get a year of Gemini Advanced with their purchase.

• The company is also bringing Pixel Studio, a first-of-its-kind image generator, which is powered by combining an on-device diffusion model running on Tensor G4 and Google’s Imagen 3 text-to-image model in the cloud, operated through a seamless UI.

• Pixel Screenshots comes as an exclusive app for Pixel 9, helping users save, organize and recall important information from forgotten screenshots. The application can also analyze the content and make the information searchable in the app.

• This includes a feature where users can simply circle the object they want to search for.

• The power of AI also hits Google’s capable camera. The Add Me feature enables users to stitch or merge two photos together, adding someone who missed a group shot.

• Users can also combine similar photos to get the best group photo by picking everyone’s best expressions, while its Unblur feature allows users to sharpen new or old photos instantly.

• Photos can also be edited using Pixel’s advanced photo editing application – Magic Editor. This comes with reframing, moving people or objects and erasing them or transforming major background elements into more aesthetically pleasing ones.

• It can also produce sharp and vivid photos and videos in any light.

• Other features include audio quality improvements, a Call Notes feature (which offers a private summary or full transcript of phone calls), an updated weather app and Satellite SOS requests even when off the grid.

 

What Is Google’s New Pixel Buds About?

 

• Google also released its new earbuds Pixel Buds Pro 2, which is smaller, lighter and comes equipped with a new Tensor A1 chip.

• This helps it deliver better active noise cancellation (ANC) and up to 8 hours of audio playback (30 with the case).

• Furthermore, users can even carry out conversations with Gemini Live using their Pixel Buds.

• Priced at $229 ($29 more than its predecessor), the Pixel Buds Pro 2 starts shipping on September 26.

 

What Does Google’s New Pixel Watch 3 Offer?

 

• Google also revealed its new smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3, which comes with a 41 mm model and a larger 45 mm model.

• Among the numerous added features in it, one that’s notable is its ability to detect if a wearer’s pulse has stopped, which triggers a call to emergency services after a prompt to check in.

• Google’s Pixel Watch 3 will be available beginning September 10.

• The 41 mm model costs $349.99 with Bluetooth and the 45 mm device starts at $399.99.

Do you think Google’s new Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Watch 3 be able to challenge the likes of Apple to gain a better market share, especially considering Apple’s new phone launch is reported to be right around the corner?

Let us know in the comments below!