Google usually reveals a new Pixel smartphone in the autumn – but this year it seems to be wasting no time to get ahead of the curve.
The tech giant has confirmed that its annual ‘Made by Google’ unveiling event will take place on August 13, where it will showcase new devices and software.
It’s expected to announce the latest smartphone in its Pixel line, the Pixel 9, which could be packed with a range of new AI features to rival Apple.
The event may even launch a successor to its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold that was released last year for an eyewatering £1,749.
A brief teaser video contains the Google Pixel branding and the number nine in Roman numerals – referring to the ninth phone in the series.
Google’s teaser video shows the outline of a smartphone with 9 in Roman numerals – a clear indication it’s preparing the new hotly-anticpated device
Fans who are signed up for Google updates are also getting emails from the tech giant telling them to put the date in their diary
The video, entitled ‘AI… meet IX at Made by Google’, confirms the date of the event in Roman numerals – VIII-XIII-MMXXIV, or August 13, 2024.
Fans who are signed up for Google updates are also getting emails from the tech giant telling them to put the date in their diary.
‘You’re invited to an in-person Made by Google event where we’ll showcase the best of Google AI, Android software and the Pixel portfolio of devices,’ it says.
Google has been packing its phones with AI features for years, but this could really ramp up following the success of ChatGPT and Apple’s big AI announcement this month.
Rumours suggest the Pixel 9 phone will have a new AI-powered assistant called Pixie that will be akin to the new ChatGPT-enabled version of Siri coming for iPhones.
The video, entitled ‘AI… meet IX at Made by Google’, also confirms the date of the event in Roman numerals – VIII-XIII-MMXXIV, or August 13, 2024
In October 2023, Google released two new smartphones – the £699 Pixel 8 (left) and £999 Pixel 8 Pro (right)
It’s also preparing a tool that uses AI to generate stickers or even emojis, according to a report from Android Authority – similar to Apple’s new ‘Genmoji’.
There may even be more AI-editing tools that Google has become known for, along the lines of Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser – dubbed ‘Orwellian’ by critics.
In terms of the hardware, Pixel 9 may offer a flatter design with a thick rear camera, according to renders leaked to 91Mobiles.
A redesigned camera bar appears to be a smaller, pill-shaped ‘island’ rather than stretching across the whole phone like on last year’s Pixel 8.
Google usually releases a standard Pixel and a more expensive ‘Pro’ model, but there’s also the possibility of a third ‘Pro XL’ version with a larger display and more substantial battery.
As for pricing, Pixel 8 started at £699/$699 and Pixel 8 Pro at £999/$999, but unfortunately for Pixel fans the new line could get a price rise.
As for pricing, Pixel 8 (pictured) started at £699/$699 and Pixel 7 Pro at £999/$999, but unfortunately for Pixel fans the new line could get a price rise
Considering there was a price jump of around £100 between the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8, experts at Digital Trends think the same will happen this year.
Meanwhile, the Pixel XL Pro could be £1,099/$1,099, according to Phone Arena.
Usually, Made by Google happens in early October and the new Pixel phone unveiled at the event goes on sale about a week later.
But Google is holding this year’s Made by Google event nearly two months earlier than usual, on August 13 – with a release date potentially later in the month.
It’s not clear why this change has been made, although the company may want to get ahead of Apple in the calendar, which holds its iPhone event in September.
Leaks suggest Apple’s next iPhone, the iPhone 16, will have a new button, rearranged camera lenses and slimmer bezels.