Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold revealed

Google showed off its next-generation Pixel 9 phone, its new Gemini AI features, the Pixel Watch 3, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 at a Made by Google presentation broadcast from Mountain View, California on August 13.

Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of platforms and devices, said at the event that the technology represents Google’s efforts to strengthen its ecosystem with AI.

Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available on August 22

The Pixel 9, which will be available on August 22, comes with 12GB of RAM and an ultrawide camera. Its Google Tensor G4 chip enables generative AI, and Google is working full-time on Gemini AI with generative features both on-device and in the cloud. The Pixel 9 starts at $799.

The premium model, the Pixel 9 Pro, comes in two sizes: a 6.3″ version priced at $999 or the 6.8″ Pixel Pro XL priced at $1,099. Both have 16GB of RAM.

The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available to preorder today. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available in stores on August 22, followed by the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold on September 4 in the US. Other geographic markets will follow. See Google for full international availability details.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google’s second-generation flip phone

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has the same Tensor G4 chip that’s in the trendy foldable form factor. Note the name change: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the successor to last year’s Pixel Fold, so it’s notable that Google is integrating it into the Pixel lineage as a whole rather than turning the Fold line into a new branch of the family tree.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold can be used from either the front screen or the larger inner display. Some apps are unique to the front screen, like the Made You Look widget, which encourages distracted kids to smile at the screen while taking photos.

The device starts at $1,799 and is available for preorder starting today.

All new Google phones come with seven years of operating system and security updates.

Google wants to build its ecosystem around Gemini

The Pixel 9 series reflects Google’s firm commitment to integrating its AI into every aspect of smartphone use. The new AI features add to the generative voice and image capabilities demonstrated at Google I/O in May.

Google Gemini on the Pixel 9 line will interface with Calendar, Tasks, and Keep, as well as other major workspace applications. This enables capabilities such as checking a user’s schedule or automatically adding items to a to-do list. In the live presentation, when Gemini’s senior director of product Dave Citron asked if he was available for a concert, Google Gemini did not load his response. It took a third try and a different phone for Gemini to respond. However, after Gemini responded, it successfully accessed the Calendar app and informed Citron that his schedule was open.

Google Gemini on the Pixel 9 line can run at 45 tokens per second, which is twice the throughput of the Pixel 8. All three Pro phones come with one year of Gemini Advanced and 2 TB of cloud storage.

Google Gemini’s voices sound natural in Gemini live dialogue mode, and there are several options to choose from. This live demonstration works more smoothly than the previous demonstration, showing how the AI ​​assistant reacts to interruptions and how it remembers context from earlier in the conversation.

AI also makes a big difference in taking photos on Google phones. Magic Eraser photo editing came out three years ago and is now evolving into Magic Editor, a generative AI tool that can help you “re-compose” images. It can fill in blank spaces or replace backgrounds completely.

In the new Pixel Weather app, Gemini Nano can generate a custom weather report so users can read a summary instead of looking at different parts of the app. Drag and drop different features to prioritize what’s most important to you.

Google Gemini gives an AI boost to Call Assist, a feature that can autonomously wait on hold or help navigate the phone tree; AI-generated call notes give you a summary of the conversation. These can be especially helpful for busy professionals, who can use the summaries to help remember the details of important conversations.

Pixel Screenshots helps organize screenshots into folders or find information in those screenshots. The Add Me feature on the Pixel camera lets you add people to photos by creating a space for people — basically eliminating the need to ask a stranger to hold your phone to take a picture of the whole family on vacation.

Like Apple’s latest phones, Google’s next-generation phones will feature Satellite SOS for emergency calling. The carrier-agnostic Satellite SOS will initially be available only in the US. It will be free for the first two years of Pixel ownership.

Pixel 9 phone competitors

The Pixel 9 line will compete with Apple’s iPhone 16 series, which is expected to launch early this year, and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which is available now.

SEE: Google Chrome: Security and UI tips you need to know (TechRepublic Premium)

Pixel Watch 3 joins Google’s line of wearables

Google’s next wearable is the Pixel Watch 3, which comes in two sizes, 41mm or 45mm. Each version offers more screen space than the Pixel Watch 2.

This smart watch includes:

• Biometric trackers.
• Workout analysis for runners.
• Google AI add-on for Fitbit Premium.

It also includes Loss of Pulse Detection, a new feature that essentially turns the watch into a life-signs monitor. Due to ongoing work to regulate Loss of Pulse Detection elsewhere, the feature will be available in only select countries in Europe starting in September.

In terms of Google’s wider ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 3 will be able to sync notes and calls to Pixel phones. BMW and Mini have partnered with Google so that the Watch 3 can also function as a digital car key.

The Pixel Watch 3 is available for preorder now, with a general release on September 10. The 41mm version starts at $349.99 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $449.99 for LTE. The 45mm version starts at $399.99 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $499.99 for LTE.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 enables Google AI on the go

Gemini AI has been mentioned in the announcement of Google’s next earbuds. Voice assistant Google Live can be activated from Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Google says the new Buds are 24 percent lighter and 27 percent smaller than the Pixel Buds Pro, with a new twist-to-adjust stabilizer and eartip options for comfort. Google has enhanced active noise cancellation and used the Tensor A1 chip to stream music independently of the active noise cancellation processing for more immersive sound.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 can be preordered today for $229 and will be available starting September 26.

Tech Republic covered Made by Google from afar.