Google Pixel 9 preview: specs, release date and everything we know

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google’s current top-tier handsets, but the never-ending excitement for upcoming smartphones means the tech world started thinking about what would replace them pretty much the minute they went on sale. That meant the Pixel 9 rumour wagon hitched its horses and galloped off towards the horizon long before Google confirmed the phone was coming. Now that it has, what can we expect from the new flagship – and how will it differ from the current model?

There’s just a few weeks to go until the August 13 reveal, and Google has all but given the game away on the design front. But that doesn’t mean we know everything. Here’s everything we’ve heard so far about the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, from whispers and rumours to cold hard facts.

Google Pixel 9 release date

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There’s no speculation needed on an announcement date for the Google Pixel 9. Google will hold a ‘Made by Google’ event on 13 August, and will reveal “the best of Google AI, Android software and the Pixel portfolio of devices.” That news was followed by a teaser video for the Pixel 9, so it’s safe to say we’ll be getting some Pixel 9 knowledge on that date. The event will kick off at 6pm BST/1pm EST/10am PST, and will be live-streamed to watch at home.

Google Pixel 9 rumoured pricing

Pricing is, as ever, much harder to nail down until Google makes anything official. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro both saw price rises compared to the last-gen Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, climbing from $599/£599 and and $899/£850 respectively to $699/£699 and $999/£999.

Rumours suggesting the ‘affordable’ Google Pixel 8a would see a price hike, moving it even further out of mid-range territory, proved to be on the money. We have our fingers crossed there won’t be any further increases for the Pixel 9 generation, but equally wouldn’t be surprised if asked to spend an extra $50/£50 over the current pricing.

Google Pixel 9 hardware & design rumours

Google flat out revealed the Pixel 9 Pro ahead of time, after a series of high profile leaks and prototype devices started doing the rounds. Images posted to social media and the Google web store show even more dramatically rounded corners than the outgoing Pixel 8 Pro, along with a flatter, polished frame more in keeping with the latest iPhones than any previous Pixel handset.

The most obvious change is the camera island, which replaces the phone-spanning shelf Google has used in one form or another for multiple Pixel generations. It’s a raised rectangle with rounded edges, seemingly made from the same polished metal as the phone’s frame. The firm also made it clear Gemini AI is going to be on board in a big way.

What hasn’t been confirmed yet is exactly how many Pixel 9 handsets will be launched on August 13. We know the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, previously rumoured as the Pixel Fold 2, will appear, but our expectation of the three Pixel 9 variants is still based entirely on leaks and rumours.

Those leaks look pretty convincing, though. Onleaks and 91 Mobiles shared what is claimed to be official promo materials for the new line-up, revealing two Pixel 9 Pros – one with a 6.3in screen, one with a 6.8in panel – are due alongside a 6.3in Pixel 9. This matches and early device roadmap seen by AndroidAuthority that suggested Google was working on three Pixel 9 models. Rozetked also shared images of three Pixel phones, back when there was a chance the larger phone was going to be called the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Based on the marketing leak, Google seems to have backtracked on the XL bit.

However many models there are, and whatever their dimensions, there’s no doubt the screens will carry Google’s new Actua and Super Actua branding, indicating adaptive refresh rates and super high brightness.

According to Android Authority, an “Adaptive Touch” mode is also on the horizon. It’s already buried in the latest Android QPR betas, and will apparently “automatically adjust to your environment, activities and screen protector” when active. There’s talk about this being able to work with wet fingers or a wet screen, and the code seems to suggest it’ll be exclusive to the Pixel 9 series. It’s unclear if it relies on specific hardware, or will eventually filter down to older Pixel phones.

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Mysmartprice previously collaborated with OnLeaks to create a 3D render of the Pixel 9 Pro, which shows a more refined handset with flat sides, and a pill-shape camera cut-out on the back that’s more minimalistic than the Pixel 8 series’ rear camera bar. OnLeaks and 91Mobiles since put out additional renders showing the same design and camera bar change. Following Google’s early reveal, these renders were indeed on the money.

A trio of colour options for each model are expected, but it’s an unknown right now if Google will bring the Pixel 8 Pros frosted rear glass to both Pixel 9 models, or if the smaller handset will stick with a more reflective, mirror-like finish.

It seems like Google-designed, Samsung-manufactured Tensor silicon will make a return, rather than the purely in-house chips Google was rumoured to be working on. According to The Information, missed internal deadlines mean it’ll be at least the next generation of phones before any such CPUs arrive. The marketing leak only confirms Tensor G4 branding, not specific core counts or clock speeds. The Pixel 9 will get 12GB of RAM, while the Pro and Fold variants will get 16GB.

Tensor G4 is reportedly a minor bump on Tensor G3, similar to how Tensor G2 wasn’t a step change from the original Tensor; it will be built on Samsung’s latest 4nm process, according to Korean news site Fnnews, using Fan-Out WLP (FOWLP) technology for better power efficiency. The Exynos 2400 CPUs used in global versions of the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus were made on this process; that suggests high-end performance will be on the cards, although it’ll be unlikely to best Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips in benchmark tests. Any improvements to battery life and heat dissipation will be welcome, though; the Pixel 8 Pro can get rather toasty under load, and loses out to rivals in terms of longevity.

There’s no word on battery sizes or charging speeds, but we do know a senior Google hardware engineer is on the board of the Wireless Power Consortium; that suggests the Qi2 wireless charging standard will be making an appearance for the Pixel 9 generation. If it does, it’ll still be among the first Android phones to get it.

Camera hardware doesn’t look set for a radical shake-up, but the latest leaks do suggest some changes. The Pixel 9 will get a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide (up from 12MP on the Pixel 8) and a 10.5MP selfie camera. Both Pixel 9 Pro variants will have 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto and 42MP front cameras; only the latter is an upgrade, with the Pixel 8 Pro making do with a 10.5MP unit. We’re sure Google will have come up with some more clever AI-assisted editing tools by launch day, too.

Our feature wish list

We’re huge fans of the Pixel line here at Stuff, having awarded the Pixel 8 Pro a full five star score – but despite high praise there are a still a few places we think Google could stand to improve. The following are our top wants for the sequel… whether Google will include any remain to be seen.

Faster charging, with Qi2

Google hasn’t properly increased its phones charging speeds in what feels like forever – largely because rivals are regularly coming out with devices that can handle a triple-digit wattage. An official peak of 30W isn’t all that quick, and it’s debatable whether the latest Pixels actually even charge at that rate. We’d love to see the Google Pixel 9 jump to at least 65W, giving it a leg up over the 45W Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Qi2 wireless charging would also put Google on par with Apple for MagSafe-style accessory support.

A more power-efficient CPU

This year’s Tensor chips were a marked improvement on the previous gen, but it’s still fair to say they lag behind the latest Qualcomm silicon – for both performance and power efficiency. While we wouldn’t call the Pixel 8 Pro a slouch, it isn’t able to stretch its battery out nearly as far as Snapdragon-powered rivals. Seeing Google catch up here would be a real boon.

Greater home screen customisation

It’s been a bugbear for Pixel owners for years that Google steadfastly refuses to let them move the “At a Glance” widget from its prime position on the Android homescreen. iOS is also leagues ahead when it comes to widgets, both in terms of design consistency and the number on offer. We’ve seen hints that the former may be changing in recent mid-life Android 14 betas, but the latter will need some serious software overhauling to catch up with what Apple is doing.

A zoom lens for the Pixel 9

Now that Google has nudged the price of the Pixel 8 closer to premium territory, we think a successor needs to match its closest rival – Samsung’s Galaxy S24 – on camera lens count. The Galaxy S24 has a 3x optical zoom lens in addition to a main and ultrawide, while the Pixel 8 makes do with the latter two only. Google might say its Super Res digital zoom is just as good as a dedicated lens, but adding a third camera would help further separate the mainline Pixel and A-series devices. The Pixel 9 Pro could continue to offer greater optical zoom with a 5x telephoto, so there was still a reason to step up to the pricer model. Consider this one very unlikely.

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