Google Pixel 9: news, rumored price, release date, and more

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google’s latest and most powerful devices, but it won’t be that way for long. Rumors of the Google Pixel 8a mean this brace of flagships will be supplanted as the latest Google phones fairly soon — but they’ll be able to hold on to the title of “most powerful” for a little while longer. The Google Pixel 9 range, while definitely on the way, isn’t due to arrive any time soon.

But when it does, it’s sure to be a pair of blockbusters. Leaks for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but it seems as if Google is planning on making some big changes this time around. If leaks are correct, we expect a new look and some exciting new AI features that go beyond what we’ve seen before.

Google Pixel 9: release date

 

The Google Pixel 8 range debuted in September 2023 and was released in October, so it’s fair to assume Google will do the same again at a Made by Googleevent later this fall.

Google has remained very consistent with its October launches for mainline Pixel smartphones, so there’s no reason to assume anything is changing this year. It’s always possible for things to shift, but at least right now, October 2024 seems like a safe bet for when you can buy a Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 9: price

Pricing is a bit more of an unknown. Last year’s Pixels increased their prices by $100 — meaning $699 for the Pixel 8 and $999 for the Pixel 8 Pro. Our initial reaction is Google would be unlikely to do the same two years on the trot.

However, if Google incorporates heavy AI elements into its new phones, that could push the phones’ prices up again. We’ll have to wait and see if this is true, though, as there have been no rumors about this so far.

Google Pixel 9: design and cameras Next

It’s been a couple of years since Google updated the Pixel’s design, so the Pixel 9 is ripe for a refresh. It seems Google agrees, as renders from OnLeaks and MySmartPrice show a new style for the Pixel 9 Pro.

The third lens has a square outline, which indicates it’s a periscope zoom lens, so it is likely to be at least a 5x optical zoom. Hopefully, this leak is accurate, as getting three lenses would be a huge win for the Pixel 9. But as always with leaks, take it with a pinch of salt. The display is claimed to be the same size as the Pixel 8, so it should be 6.1 inches.

Unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything about RAM numbers for the Pixel 9, but there have been some rumors about the status of the Google Tensor G4 — the next generation of Pixel processors. It was initially hoped the G4 would be built on a 3nm process, but that hasn’t come to fruition. It has been confirmed that the new Tensor will be based on the 4nm Samsung Exynos 2400 and will not be a custom chip designed entirely by Google.

Still, it’s not a bitter pill to swallow, as the Exynos 2400 appears to be a solid chip. It’s the same processor powering the Samsung Galaxy S24 range in most countries other than the U.S., and Samsung has been testing a new packaging method that may reduce heat levels in the chip, hopefully boosting its performance and efficiency.