After collaborating on Nexus devices with other phone makers for years, the big G decided to go it alone and manufacture its own phones, starting with the first Pixel in 2016.
Since then, the company has gradually pumped out more models each year, offering would-be upgraders more choice across a range of budgets.
As the clock ticks down to Google’s big Pixel 9 reveal, we’ve collected the essential info you need to know about the new phones, which have been laid bare in a series of massive leaks.
How many Pixel 9 phones will there be?
Leading the pack is the standard Pixel 9 and its souped-up sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro.
But the tech giant may not stop there, with a larger Pixel 9 Pro XL and a foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold also reportedly in the line-up. And for those on a tighter budget, the Pixel 9a is expected to arrive next year, following the main Pixel 9 launch this August.
When is the Pixel 9 range coming out?
Google has already teased the appearance of both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro Fold at its upcoming Made by Google event on August 13, where it’s almost guaranteed to unveil the entire line-up of four new models.
Going on past releases, the Pixel 9a should arrive between spring and summer next year.
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Display: 6.3-inch “Actua” display (vs 6.2-inch prev)
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Processor: Tensor G4 (vs G3)
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RAM: 12GB (vs 8GB)
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Storage: 128GB and 256GB options
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Main camera: 50MP / Ultrawide camera: 48MP
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Selfie camera: 10.5MP
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Battery: 5,000 mAh (vs 4,575 mAh)
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Display: 6.1-inch or 6.3-inch “Super Actua” display
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Processor: Tensor G4
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RAM: 16GB
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Storage: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options
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Main camera: 50MP / Ultrawide: 48MP / Telephoto: 48MP
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Selfie camera: 42MP
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Dimensions: 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm
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Display: 6.8-inch “Super Actua” display
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Processor: Tensor G4
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RAM: 16GB
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Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options
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Camera: Same as Pixel 9 Pro
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Outer display: 6.3-inch “Actua” display
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Inner display: 8-inch “Super Actua Flex” display
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Processor: Tensor G4
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RAM: 16GB
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Storage: 256GB and 512GB options
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Main camera: 48MP /Ultrawide: 10.5MP / Telephoto: 10.8MP
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Selfie camera: 10MP
What are the biggest upgrades this year?
Leaked Pixel 9 renders show the phone’s flatter and rounder design and that new camera bump
Onleaks
Google looks set to ditch its signature camera bar design with the Pixel 9 range. The distinctive horizontal strip, which has been a hallmark of recent models, is reportedly being replaced with a shorter, rounded camera module.
Although Google touts the Tensor G4 chip powering the entire series as “game-changing” in leaked promotional materials, in reality, it may be a more incremental improvement over last year’s version.
However, the real star is the memory upgrade. The standard Pixel 9 will up its RAM to 12GB, likely to accommodate the demands of Google’s AI features. The Pixel 9 Pro duo and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold will go even further with a hefty 16GB of RAM.
Speaking of AI, the new Pixel phones could feature a suite of new machine learning tricks, including a tool that could rival Microsoft’s controversial Recall function. This feature, dubbed Pixel Screenshots, reportedly allows users to search through their screenshots using AI, similar to how Recall works with documents.
Additionally, Google is introducing a new perk called Add Me, designed to enhance group photos, much like the divisive Best Take feature on Pixel 8 that can change people’s expressions and merge images with different people in them. Meanwhile, a tool called Studio could be a potential photo-editing powerhouse.
The Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL were leaked in March of this year by a Russian tech news site
Rozetked
Camera improvements are also on the cards. The Pixel 9’s main camera is still a 50MP sensor, but the ultrawide jumps to 48MP. The Pro models will boast a triple camera setup with two 48MP sensors alongside the 50MP main shooter.
Display sizes are also growing, with the Pixel 9 offering a slightly larger screen than its predecessor, and the brand new Pixel 9 Pro XL stretching to 6.8 inches. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, on the other hand, will feature a 6.3-inch cover screen and an 8-inch inner display (which could be the largest for a foldable).
Google is bucking its own trend by launching the Pixel 9 series on Android 14, rather than the upcoming Android 15 operating software, according to Android Headlines.
The unorthodox move means the new Pixel phones will probably need an update shortly after release.
While this might disappoint some early adopters, Google’s commitment to seven years of software support for the Pixel range should ensure the phones receive regular updates and security patches well into the future.
How much will the Pixel 9 range cost?
Google’s Pixel 9 range could see significant price hikes this year. Leaked details out of Europe suggest the standard Pixel 9 could cost around £100 more than its predecessor, bringing it in line with the £799 iPhone 15.
Although its starting price could remain unchanged at £999, the Pixel 9 Pro is expected to see hikes of around £30 to £40 for added storage. By comparison, the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL sounds like Google’s answer to the £1,099 iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a price tag to match.
We’re big fans of Google’s first foldable, but its follow-up could be just as expensive. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is rumoured to cost almost £1,749 for 256GB of storage. As usual, you’ll have to fork out extra for increased storage space.