The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional are nonetheless of their first few months of life, however the endless pleasure for upcoming smartphones means the tech world has already began desirous about what’s going to substitute them. Naturally meaning the Google Pixel 9 hearsay wagon has hitched its horses and is galloping in direction of the horizon. However when can we anticipate Google’s subsequent flagship cellphone to make an official look, and the way will it differ from this yr’s mannequin?
There are solely whispers doing the rounds proper now, however they do assist us begin to image what to anticipate from the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Right here’s all the pieces we’ve heard thus far.
Google Pixel 9 anticipated launch date
Google’s smartphone line-up has by no means been extra in style than it’s proper now, so there’s little doubt the agency will observe up the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional with a brand new Pixel 9 technology. It would virtually actually land in late 2024, in keeping with the broader trade development for annual updates. We’re betting October, and a fast have a look at Google’s historical past with cellphone launches will present why:
Pixel 8 / 8 Professional launch date: October 4, 2023
Pixel 7 / 7 Professional launch date: October 6, 2022
Pixel 6 / 6 Professional launch date: October 19, 2021
Pixel 5 launch date: September 30, 2020
Pixel 4 launch date: October 15, 2019
Pixel 3 / 3 XL launch date: October 9, 2018
Google Pixel 2 / 2 XL launch date: October 4, 2017
Pixel / Pixel XL launch date: October 4, 2016
Barring an anomaly in 2020 when the world was mid-pandemic, Google has constantly launched its new telephones in October. Going even additional again, the Nexus 5X additionally noticed an October launch. Google normally places its telephones up for pre-order on the day of reveal, with deliveries beginning a number of weeks later.
Google Pixel 9 rumoured pricing
Pricing is, as ever, a lot more durable to nail down till Google makes something official. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional each noticed value rises in comparison with the last-gen Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional, climbing from $599/£599 and and $899/£850 respectively to $699/£699 and $999/£999.
We now have our fingers crossed there gained’t be any additional will increase in 2024.
Google Pixel 9 {hardware} & design rumours
In response to a leaked system roadmap reported by AndroidAuthority, Google is definitely engaged on three Pixel 9 fashions – a mainstream Pixel 9, and two sizes of Pixel 9 Professional. We will apparently anticipate the Pixel 9 to have a 6.17in display screen, whereas the 2 Professionals could have a 6.3in and 6.7in show respectively. They’ll little doubt carry Google’s new Actua and Tremendous Actua branding, indicating adaptive refresh charges and tremendous excessive brightness. Nevertheless, these figures have been since challenged by show analyst Ross Younger, who claims the Pixel 9 sequence will see bigger display screen sizes throughout the board.
It looks as if Google-designed, Samsung-manufactured Tensor silicon will make a return, relatively than the purely in-house chips Google was rumoured to be engaged on. In response to The Data, missed inner deadlines imply it’ll be a minimum of the following technology of telephones earlier than any such CPUs arrive. Tensor G4 is reportedly a minor bump on Tensor G3, just like how Tensor G2 wasn’t a step change from the unique Tensor.
Digicam {hardware} might not change too dramatically from the Pixel 8 technology, as Google tends to undergo two mannequin years between massive upgrades. The final pair to do this have been the Pixel 6 and seven sequence telephones, so it might make sense for the Pixel 9 to reuse acquainted sensors and lenses. We’re positive Google could have give you some extra intelligent AI-assisted modifying instruments by launch day, too.
There’s no phrase on battery sizes or charging speeds, however we do know a senior Google {hardware} engineer is on the board of the Wi-fi Energy Consortium; that means the Qi2 wi-fi charging normal shall be making an look for the Pixel 9 technology.
Google Pixel 9 characteristic want checklist
We’re large followers of the Pixel line right here at Stuff, having awarded the Pixel 8 Professional a full 5 star rating – however regardless of excessive reward there are a nonetheless a number of locations we predict Google may stand to enhance. The next are our high needs for the sequel… whether or not Google will embody any stay to be seen.
Quicker charging, with Qi2
Google hasn’t correctly elevated its telephones charging speeds in what appears like ceaselessly – or a minimum of it does when rivals are usually popping out with gadgets that may deal with a triple-digit wattage. An official peak of 30W isn’t all that fast, and it’s debatable whether or not the most recent Pixels really cost at that fee. We’d like to see a bounce to a minimum of 65W, which appears to be what Samsung has lined up for the Galaxy S24 sequence. Qi2 wi-fi charging would additionally put Google on par with Apple for MagSafe-style accent help.
A extra power-efficient CPU
This yr’s Tensor chips have been a marked enchancment on the earlier gen, but it surely’s nonetheless truthful to say they lag behind the most recent Qualcomm silicon – for each efficiency and energy effectivity. Whereas we wouldn’t name the Pixel 8 Professional a slouch, it isn’t in a position to stretch its battery out practically so far as Snapdragon-powered rivals. Seeing Google catch up right here could be an actual boon.
A zoom lens for the Pixel 9
Now that Google has nudged the value of the Pixel 8 nearer to premium territory, we predict a successor must match its closest rival – Samsung’s Galaxy S24 – on digital camera lens depend. The Galaxy S23 has a 3x optical zoom lens along with a major and ultrawide, whereas the Pixel 8 makes do with the latter two solely. Google may say its Tremendous Res digital zoom is simply nearly as good as a devoted lens, however including one would assist additional separate the mainline Pixel and A-series gadgets. The Pixel 9 Professional may proceed to supply better optical zoom with a 5x telephoto, so there was nonetheless a purpose to step as much as the pricer mannequin. Take into account this one most unlikely.