At one of their earliest #MadebyGoogle Pixel launch events ever, Google has finally made their latest smartphones, smartwatches and earbuds official in the form of the new Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google’s AI efforts, in the form of Gemini, were also centre stage across a wide number of features included in these new devices. We’ve a breakdown of each of the new devices’ key specs and features below.
Google Pixel 9 Series
Now in its 9th generation, the Google Pixel line has gone through some significant changes since its inception in 2016. The latest Pixel 9 series actually comprises of four new handsets, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, all of which are making their way to Ireland over the coming weeks. Below are the key specs for each of the new handsets.
Pixel 9
The entry-level offering in the new Pixel line up, the non-Pro model still offers some impressive specs, including the exact same main 50MP main and 48MP ultra-wide camera sensors as found in the Pro models. The ultra-wide lens in particular is said to capture 110% more light than last year’s Pixel 8 offering.
It also comes with Google’s latest Tensor G4 processor which powers a lot of Google’s most advanced Gemini features, backed by 12GB of RAM, so not quite the 16GB found in the Pro and Fold models.
When it comes to its display, the Pixel 9’s 6.3″ AMOLED panel is said to be 35% brighter than last year’s model, up to 2700nits peak brightness, and boasts 20% longer battery life with a 4700mAh cell. Google even claims 100 hours of use when putting the phone into Extreme Battery Saver mode.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL
The obvious step up, the Pro and its larger XL model are identical in specs, aside from the obvious size difference, which results in a 6.3″ screen on the Pro model, so exactame size in the hand as the entry level 9, and a 6.8″ screen on the Pro XL model. The 9 Pro’s resolution does get a bump up from the Pixel 9 but they both pack a 4700mAh battery with the XL model packs in a 5060mAh battery.
For their displays, they both have increased screen brightness, up to 3000nits peak brightness with 15% thinner bezels also. They’re protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Internally, there’s 16GB RAM with the new Tensor G4 processor. When it comes to cameras, the triple lens set up includes a 50MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide and 48MP 5x optical zoom lens. This particular set up, given their high MP counts, will offer optical quality photos as each of their respective focal lengths along with 2x and 10x magnification levels. Up front, they both use a 42MP autofocus Selfie camera with 103 degrees FOV, the widest ever for a front facing camera on a Pixel phone.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold can be seen as the most impressive device in the line up with Google trimming thickness and weight to make this new Fold ‘barely thicker’ than the Pixel 9 Pro, coming in at just 10.5mm when folded. As expected, it packs the Tensor G4 along with 16GB RAM and starts at 256GB of storage.
For the external display, there’s a 6.3″ 1080p OLED Actua Display, which is the same size as the Pixel 9, but it’s the internal Super Actua Flex OLED display, which is now 8″ and can reach a peak brightness of 2700 nits, that is sure to be the standout feature.
For cameras, there’s a triple camera set up but with slightly reduced specs when compared to the non-folding Pro models. There’s a 48MP main sensor, a 10.5MP ultra-wide lens with 127 degrees FOV and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens. Thanks to its folding format, Google have created a couple of nice ‘Fold-Exclusive’ features such as ‘Made You Look’ which, when unfolded and trying to capture photos of young children/babies, even pets, small colourful characters and animations will play on the external display to grab their attention.
The larger internal display also allows for new viewing formats with YouTube adding a feature called ‘YouTube Multiview’ which will allow sports fans watch multiple streams of a game across the 8″ screen.
Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm models)
The Pixel Watch 3 finally comes in two sizes and packs some impressive upgrades also over last year’s model. Both devices now sport Actua displays and are capable of pushing a peak brightness of 2000nits. The bezels have also thankfully been reduced, with 16% less bezel on the 41mm model and, given its larger size, the 45mm model now has 40% more screen.
Similarly, it also packs a battery that’s 35% bigger, coming in at 420mAh. The new models support an adaptive refresh rate going from 60hz all the way down to 1hz for when using the always-on display feature. Speaking of which, the displays are protected by custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Running the whole show is WearOS 5 with the same dual-chip compute architecture as last year’s model (Qualcomm Wear 5100 & Cortex M33) along with 32GB of storage and 2GB RAM. There are improved features such as ‘Auto-Bedtime’ mode which, when it detects that you’ve fallen asleep, will turn off the display and turn on Do Not Disturb. Then, once it registers that you’ve woken up, it will do the opposite.
The Watch 3 understandably packs an impressive breathe of health and fitness focused features, backed by Fitbit’s years of research and development. They’ve developed their most accurate heart rate tracking for running yet. There are also advanced run metrics and form insights that lets you know how to improve in the ‘Run Dashboard’. There’s also new features such as the ability to be given a ‘Target Load’ on any given day, based off of your readiness scores and how your overall sleep and fitness are tracking for that day.
There’s also some nice new Google Home features, such as the ability to see a live feed of your Nest Doorbell and respond directly on the device with your voice. You can also use the watch to control your Google TV, acting as a tiny wrist remote. Thanks to UWB support, users will be able to easily unlock their Pixel phone with a swipe and you’ll even be able to install a virtual car key onto the watch to unlock your car, with BMW and Mini the first partners for this particular feature.
Pixel Buds Pro 2
Finally, after a 2 year wait, Google are finally upgrading their earbuds offering in the form of the new Pixel Buds Pro 2. For the first time ever, Google has developed a dedicated ‘A1 Tensor Chip’ specifically for audio processing on the new buds, which are now 27% smaller and 24% lighter than the original Buds Pro.
They also now sport a ‘stabiliser’ wing design which Google said ensures a secure and sturdy fit, even during intensive workouts. They stated how they reviewed 45 million ear scan data points to make the new Buds Pro 2 as ear-friendly to as many users as possible.
Thanks to the new A1 audio processor chip, the Buds Pro 2 can adapt their audio and ANC performance 3 million times a second, resulting in much improved audio quality and ANC that is twice as powerful, with their ‘Silent Seal 2.0’ technology.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have large 11 mm drivers for powerful bass and a new high-frequency chamber for improved treble. Multi-path processing, thanks to the Tensor A1 chip adds an additional signal path for music. This allows it to bypass the Silent Seal 2.0 processing chain to deliver unaltered sound to the speaker drivers. The also support Bluetooth 5.4, LE Audio and Super Wideband.
In the app, users will have access to a 5-band equaliser for adjusting the sound of the earbuds to their liking. In terms of battery life, Google is claiming 8 hours of use with ANC enabled, which is very impressive, and an additional 30 hours when charging them via the case. With ANC off, users can expect up to 12 hours of battery life and 48 hours with the charging case. Speaking of which, 5 minutes of charge for the earbuds in the charging case delivers 1.5 hours of listening time with ANC off as well.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 will also be the first earbuds to support Google’s new ‘Gemini Live’ voice controlled AI input and interaction platform, which is said to be a lot more natural and fluid when conversing with the assistant. We’ll need to see this in action to see how useful it is but it’s obviously a logical and exciting addition to these new earbuds.
Pricing & Availability
You can learn more about each of the new devices at Google’s online store with their pricing and availability below:
- The Pixel 9 is available for pre-order now, starting at €919 and comes in four colour options, Obsidian (black), Porcelain (off-white/cream), Wintergreen and Peony (pink). It will be available to buy on August 22nd.
- The Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL are available for pre-order now, starting at €1119 for the Pro model and €1219 for the XL model. They will be available in Hazel (green) Rose Quartz (soft pink), Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (off-white/cream). The Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available to buy on August 22nd with the Pixel 9 Pro in September, exact Irish date TBC.
- The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available for pre-order now, starting at €1899 and will be available in Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (off-white/cream). It will be available to buy in September, exact Irish date TBC.
- The Pixel Watch 3 (41mm and 45mm) is available for pre-order now, starting at €399 for the 41mm model and €449 for the 45mm model. The Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) will be available in Matte Black Aluminium case with Obsidian Active Band, Polished Silver Aluminium case with Porcelain Active Band, Champagne Gold Aluminium Case with Hazel Active Band Polished Silver Aluminium case with Rose Quartz Active Band. The Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) will be available in Matte Black Aluminium case with Obsidian Active Band, Polished Silver Aluminium case with Porcelain Active Band and Matte Hazel Aluminium case with Hazel Active Band.
- The Pixel Buds 2 Pro will be available in September with a price of €249. They will be available in Porcelain (off-white/cream), Peony (pink), Wintergreen and Hazel (soft green).
