Google had its big day at the highly anticipated Made by Google conference, where we were able to officially see the revamped Pixel 9 range and updates to other Google devices, such as their new smartwatch or the Pixel Buds Pro 2 headphones.
Although the Pixel event confirmed many of the leaks we’ve seen in recent weeks, Google shared some announcements that we hadn’t heard of yet. Here’s a detailed look at everything they showed us about the Pixel 9, by the way.
We start with a summary that will cover, point by point, all the interesting news from the Made by Google event.
The new Google Pixel 9 family
Google has finally unveiled its Pixel 9 phone lineup, which includes three regular phones and one foldable phone. The traditional smartphone lineup consists of a base Pixel 9 with a 6.3-inch display, a Pixel 9 Pro XL with a 6.8-inch display, and a new smaller option, the Pixel 9 Pro with a 6.3-inch measurement.
The trio of devices comes with a renewed oval-shaped camera housing design, the new Google G4 Tensor chip, improved battery life, and a new satellite SOS feature.
While the initial price of $799 for the Pixel 9 is $100 more than last year’s model, the Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, and the Pro XL will cost $1,099. The Pixel 9 and the 9 Pro XL will begin shipping on August 22nd, with availability for the smaller Pixel 9 Pro starting in September.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold receives larger screens and a slimmer profile
In addition to the three new Pixel devices, Google presented the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The redesigned Fold is taller and thinner than its predecessor, offering a cover display of 6.3 inches, and 8 inches on the internal display.
The device, which also comes with a G4 Tensor chip, features an internal display with a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits compared to the original Pixel Fold’s 1,450. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced at $1,799 and starts shipping on September 4.
AI functions everywhere
Of course, Google’s new Pixel devices come with the company’s Gemini artificial intelligence assistant, which you can use to find information within your apps or ask questions about a photo you just took.
The Pixel 9 product line also includes two new AI applications: PixelScreenshots, which uses on-device AI to allow you to search for information in saved screenshots, and Pixel Studio, a text-to-image generator.
Google has included some AI-powered image editing tools to accompany the improved cameras of the Pixel 9 range, such as the “Add me” option, which allows you to include someone in a group photo by merging two scenes. The Magic Editor in Google Photos now also allows you to use generative AI to replace entire sections of a photo, such as the sky.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 has a larger 45 mm option
The Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in a larger 45 mm option along with the 41 mm model. In addition to the thinner bezels that offer more screen space, the Pixel Watch 3 has a new ultra-wideband chip, a brighter display that reaches 2,000 nits, and several new fitness features.
One of the most outstanding features of the Pixel Watch 3 is the ability to detect if the user’s pulse has stopped, which allows it to call emergency services if the user does not respond to a check-in request and does not detect movement.
This feature will start working in Europe. The Pixel Watch 3 41 mm starts at $349.99 with Bluetooth, while the 45 mm watch starts at $399.99. Both sizes will be available September 10.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 get updated inside and out
The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are not only smaller and lighter, but now they come equipped with 11-millimeter transducers and a new Tensor A1 chip that supposedly improves active noise cancellation (ANC).
The new headphones also have a fin design, which should help them stay in your ears during a workout, along with up to eight hours of audio playback with ANC enabled (or up to 30 hours with the case).
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 cost $229, a little more than their predecessors, which were launched at $200. They will be released on September 26th.
Google launches Gemini’s voice chat option
Gemini Live, which Google first announced at I/O in May, is now rolling out to Gemini Advanced subscribers. The new voice chat option allows you to ask questions out loud to Google’s artificial intelligence assistant, which will respond with 10 different voices.
Just like ChatGPT’s voice assistant, Gemini Live will allow you to speak conversationally, and you can even interrupt it in the middle of a sentence.
