Google threw us a curveball this year. Instead of two Google Pixel 9 smartphones, we’ll be getting three of them. In addition to two ‘Pro’ models, the Pixel 9 will also be coming. It is codenamed ‘tokay’. Just to clear things up, the Pixel 8 will be replaced with the Pixel 9 Pro, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL will replace the Pixel 8 Pro. The vanilla Pixel 9 is a completely new addition to the lineup, and not a direct replacement to the Pixel 8. I know, it gets quite confusing, but that’s what’s going on.
Having said that, we do have separate Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL previews, in case you’re interested in those. In this article, we’ll talk about the Pixel 9, the vanilla model that is coming. That phone managed to surprise us quite a bit when it surfaced. Not much is known at this point, but we do know what the phone will look like, along with some other tidbits. So, let’s get down to it.
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel 9 (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on June 26, 2024.
When will the Google Pixel 9 be released?
The Google Pixel 9 announcement was expected to happen in early October, but it’ll launch much sooner than that. Google managed to surprise everyone by announcing that the Pixel 9 phones will arrive two months early. The company announced that the press event will take place on August 13. Google clearly indicated that the new Pixels are coming. You can check out the gallery below to see two screenshots from Google’s video teaser, it’s not exactly a secret what’s coming. Android 15 will also officially launch on that date, it seems, as all three Pixel 9 phones will come with it pre-installed.
What models are coming?
Three Pixel 9 models are coming, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. We’re here to focus on the Pixel 9, though. Not much is known about the device, and that includes what models exactly are coming. If we had to guess, however, we’d say that one RAM variant of the phone will be available. Considering that this will be the most affordable model in the series, it will likely offer 8GB of RAM. It remains to be seen where will its storage offerings start. We’re expecting one or two storage variants. You can expect the cheapest model to offer either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Let’s hope Google will use LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage, although that may be a bit too optimistic.
How much will the Google Pixel 9 cost?
This is where things get tricky. We still don’t know how much will the Pixel 9 cost, it all depends. If Google sees this phone as a successor to the Pixel 8, then we do have a price in mind. If it sees it as a new phone that is supposed to sit below the Pixel 8, then it could be cheaper. We do have a feeling the Pixel 9 Pro will be more expensive than the Pixel 8, though.
The Pixel 8 launched at $699 in the US, and we presume that Google will want to keep that price tag for one of the two phones. So either the Pixel 9 or the Pixel 9 Pro, it remains to be seen. The pricing structure is kind of a mystery at this point. We do hope that the Pixel 9 will be even more affordable than that, but that will push it into the Pixel 8a territory, kind of. It will be interesting to see what Google is planning. We’ll add more information as soon as it becomes available.
What will the Google Pixel 9 look like?
This is one detail that we have the information for. The Google Pixel 9 design did pop up thanks to CAD-based renders that surfaced not long ago, and that was followed by real-life images of the device. The Pixel 9 will be smaller than both of its siblings. It is said to include a 6.03-inch display and measure 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm (12mm including the camera bump). In terms of the overall design, it will be very similar to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, but smaller. Its frame will be made out of aluminum, while glass is expected on the back.
If you check out the images provided at the end of this section, you’ll notice that the phone has flat sides all around. Its corners are rounded, and the flat sides do curve slightly towards the edges. The phone will also include a display camera hole, which will be centered at the top. The display will be flat, while its bezels will be very thin. All the physical keys will be located on the right-hand side. Its power/lock key will be placed above the volume up and down buttons, which is how Google handles buttons on its Pixel phones.
This model will have two rear cameras, unlike the ‘Pro’ units
The Type-C port will be placed at the bottom, along with a SIM card tray. If we flip the phone over, you’ll notice two cameras on the back. Those cameras will sit inside a pill-shaped camera island, similar to the one on the Pixel Fold. That camera island will protrude on the back quite a bit, and the LED flash will also sit inside it. We still don’t know what colors will be on offer, though, nor how much will the phone weigh.
CAD-based renders:
Real-life images:
What specs will the Google Pixel 9 have?
What about the Pixel 9 specs? Not much is known thus far, but we do have several details. We can also make some assumptions at this point. When the CAD-based renders leaked, the tipster said that the phone will feature a 6.03-inch panel. That will likely be a fullHD+ display, and we’re hoping it will offer a 120Hz refresh rate. What we also know is that the device will measure 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm, that’s also something that was revealed along with the CAD-based renders of the device.
That’s basically everything we know at this point. Let’s try to figure out the rest. Considering the name of this phone, and the fact it’ll launch alongside the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, we expected it to launch with the Tensor G4 chip, and a benchmark confirmed it. Something else that Geekbench confirmed is that the Pixel 9 will include 8GB of RAM. We’re not sure about its storage options, however. The phone will come with either 128GB or 256GB of storage, maybe even in both variants. Let’s hope Google will use LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage.
The battery capacity is still a mystery
In regards to its battery, that’s a detail we don’t have just yet. The battery will likely be considerably smaller than 4,500mAh, however. The Pixel 8 included a 4,575mAh unit for its 6.2-inch panel. It would be great if Google somehow managed to include a 4,500mAh battery pack, though, the phone would almost certainly offer great battery life. The charging is also a mystery. It’s possible that the phone will support 27W wired charging, just like the Pixel 8. We’re also expecting 15W or 18W wireless charging here.
We are expecting to see the same cameras on this phone. Same as the ones that were included on the Pixel 8. A 50-megapixel main camera will likely be backed by a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (126-degree FoV). Google’s camera processing will come into play to boost their performance, of course. Android 15 will come pre-installed on the device, while an optical fingerprint scanner will likely sit under the display.
What’s also interesting is that the Pixel 9 is rumored to include a new modem, along with the Tensor G4 chip. The Samsung Modem 5400 is mentioned. That modem is not only expected to improve the reliability and connectivity in general, but also come with satellite connectivity (for emergencies).
Should you wait to buy the Google Pixel 9?
Considering how much of a mystery the Pixel 9 still is, this is a good question. We’re still half a year away from the launch of the phone, at least at the time of the initial publishing of the article. So if you really need a phone now, there are plenty of great choices, the Pixel 8 series included. If you really want a truly pocket-friendly phone, with Google’s clean software, the Pixel 9 may be worth waiting for. Based on everything we know thus far, the Pixel 9 will be great for one-hand use. It’s up to you.
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