If you’ve been waiting patiently to upgrade your phone then this week could be the perfect time. Google is taking the wraps off its new Pixel 9 range, which we know because the firm opted to tease images of the devices to stem the flow of leaks appearing online and set the announcement date of Tuesday 13th August.
Google has posted images of both the Pixel 9 Pro and foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold, confirming their existence and imminent full unveiling. But leaks and rumours point to there being four Pixel phones overall, with a larger Pixel 9 Pro XL joining the 9 Pro – if correct it will be the first time Google has offered regular and XL models of any Pixel since the Pixel 4 and 4 XL in 2019.
There will likely also be a regular Pixel 9 model, the one constant when it comes to every Pixel ever. This phone is the cheapest of the flagship phones, with the Pro and Fold variants there to offer more cameras, better specs and, of course, higher prices.
Unusually, Google is opting to launch the Pixel 9 phones just ten months after the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were unveiled in October 2023. Express.co.uk gave both those phones positive reviews but clearly Google thinks it needs to ramp up choice for phone buyers by doubling the number of Pixel 9 branded phones on offer this week. There’s also speculation that Google is trying to make a splash before the iPhone 16 comes out, rumoured to be in September.
Google also released the Pixel 8a earlier this year, so you’ll have seven recent Pixels to choose from come Tuesday.
According to reliable leaker OnLeaks, the Pixel 9 series will all ship in similar colours, with dark grey, light grey, off white and pink models. Two of these could well be the Obsidian and Porcelain colours Google has used since the Pixel 7.
Meanwhile the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are said to have 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch displays. We like the sound of the smaller Pro, especially if Google has made sure there are no spec compromises by going with a smaller device. Apple, for example, opted to give the iPhone 15 Pro Max a better telephoto camera compared to the smaller 15 Pro.
From the official and leaked images you’ll also notice Google has redesigned the look of the cameras once again. The Pixel 6, 7 and 8 all had a camera ‘bar’ that spread the width of the phones, whereas the Pixel 9 appears to have a rounded off camera module.
Pricing rumours are harder to come by, but a leak (via TechRadar) suggests the Pixel 9 Pro will cost $999.99 in the US, and the 9 Pro XL will go for $1,199. A $200 increase for the XL seems steep, but that’s what Apple asks for its 15 Pro Max. We hope the Pixel 9 sells for the same £699 as the Pixel 8.
Expect the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to cost a lot more, most likely in the same ballpark as the £1,749 of the original Pixel Fold.
We’ll have all the official Pixel 9 details for you on Tuesday when Google reveals all.