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Google is launching four phones, including one foldable, two smartwatches and a set of earbuds powered by its latest AI technology, including the new Gemini Live advanced conversational experience, as the Android maker tries to overtake Apple and Samsung.
The new Pixel range of products, announced at an event in California, marks the latest evolution of Google’s own-brand Android devices as it seeks to prove its built-in AI and devices outperform rivals.
Pixel 9 Series
The new Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL feature Google’s next-generation Tensor G4 chip with a significantly faster AI processor to keep up with leading competitors.
The big new AI feature is Gemini livewhich seeks to enable fluid back-and-forth conversations with the AI assistant, similar to those seen in sci-fi movies like The Iron Man Jarvis-Javier
Other highlights include the new Pixel Studio image generator and a clever “Add Me” feature for the camera that can insert the photographer into a group photo by merging two images taken in sequence.
The Pixel 9 has a 6.3-inch display and a dual-camera system. The Pixel 9 Pro adds a telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a brighter display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display, similar to last year’s Pixel 8 Pro.
The two sizes of the “Pro” phone compete directly with Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro line and offer the same features on both models. Both Pixel 9 Pro models include one year of access to Google’s flagship artificial intelligence plan, Gemini Advanced.
All phones will include free satellite SOS messaging for two years in the United States, similar to that available on Apple’s recent iPhones.
The Pixel 9 will cost £799 (€899/$799/AU$1,349) and the 9 Pro XL will cost £1,099 (€1,199/$1,099/AU$1,849), and will ship from August 22. The Pixel 9 Pro will cost £999 (€1,099/$999/AU$1,699) and will ship from September 4.
Pixel 9 Pro foldable
Google’s second-generation foldable phone is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which is thinner, lighter, and has a larger, brighter 8-inch flexible inner display and a larger 6.3-inch outer display to use when closed.
It has the same new Tensor G4 chip and AI features as the other Pixel 9 phones, which is a significant jump from the previous Pixel Fold. The triple camera on the back has 5x optical zoom, beating out the market leader, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, while a cute new “Made You Look” feature shows animations on the outer display to catch a child’s attention while you’re trying to take photos of them.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will cost £1,749 (€1,899/$1,799/A$2,699) and will ship on September 4.
Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2
Google also announced new accessories for its phones. The Pixel Watch 3 replaces last year’s smartwatch with two sizes — 41 and 45mm — and larger, much brighter displays to better compete with Samsung’s popular Galaxy Watch offerings.
The watch offers longer battery life and enhanced health and fitness tracking features, including better measurements of training and running load without the need for a Fitbit subscription. It will also be able to detect if the user’s pulse stops, such as during cardiac arrest, and will sound an alarm and call for help.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 are 27% smaller and 24% lighter than their predecessors, and feature improved noise cancellation. The earbuds will be the first to support Gemini Live for natural conversations with the AI assistant on the go.
The Pixel Watch 3 starts at £349 (€399/$349/A$579) and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 start at £219 (€249/$229/A$379), shipping September 26.
