Updated July 22
• 16GB RAM could be a new standard spec for Pixel 9 Pro models.
• Google just revealed our first official look at the Pixel 9 Pro
• See the Pixel 9 Pro on show in new photos from Taiwan's NCC
• A new, larger ultrawide camera could be a key Pixel 9 upgrade
• Better smart home controls may come to the Pixel 9 Pro
When the Pixel 9 Pro arrives later this year, it's going to face some competition on the AI front. And that competition looks like it's kicking off much sooner than anyone expected.
As Pixel fans know, recent editions of Google's phones have stood out for their AI prowess, with unique features driven by the Tensor core in Google's own Tensor system-on-chip. But earlier this year, the Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup arrived, with an emphasis on AI capabilities of its own, challenging Google's long-held role as the maker of the smartest phones available.
That brings us to this year's Pixel 9 update, in which Google will try to show that it's still the phone maker to turn to for AI-powered Android devices. And we could find out how sooner than usual, with Google setting a summer date for its annual hardware update instead of the usual October launch.
As for the Pixel 9 Pro specifically, Google is rumored to be doubling-down on its Pro model, with two versions of the Pixel 9 Pro apparently on the drawing board. Want to know what else to expect? Read on for the latest Pixel 9 Pro rumors ahead of its release.
Google Pixel 9 Pro at a glance
- All Pixel 9 models could appear at a Google hardware event in August — and the Pixel 9 Pro is confirmed to make an appearance.
- There are two rumored Pro models — the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. And the Pixel Fold could join the Pixel 9 lineup as well
- The color options could consist of black, white, green and pink
- The Pixel 9 Pro could have a 6.1-inch screen, while the Pro XL would have a 6.7-inch panel.
- The Tensor G4 chip will power Google's new phones, and Google's expected to expand the number of on-device AI features.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: Release date rumors and price
Normally, we'd expect the Pixel 9 flagships to show up in October. Cheaper A-series handsets like the recent Pixel 8a aside, the Pixel has only failed to appear in October once since the line debuted in 2016 — and that was in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic when the Pixel 5 instead emerged at the end of September 2020.
But it sounds like Google's doing things differently in 2024. The company is planning a Made by Google hardware event on August 13 and the Pixel 9 Pro was confirmed to be there in Google's recent teaser video.
As for the Pixel 9 Pro price, that's harder to gauge than the release date. Last year, both Pixel handsets went up by $100, pushing the Pixel 8 Pro to a starting price of $999. Four-figure price tags are generally off-putting to consumers, so we’d expect Google to avoid a price hike this year — but we’re not expecting a cut either, unless Google charges less for the smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro that's rumored.
Some potentially bad news emerged in the form of a rumor tipping a price hike for the Pixel 9, based on European prices for the upcoming phones. However, the higher prices may only affect some models like the base model Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: Design
By far the most exciting rumor about the Pixel 9 Pro’s design dates back to the end of 2022 when an insider revealed Google’s roadmap for the next few years. In the leak — which correctly predicted many announcements in the intervening months, including the arrival of the Pixel Fold — it was suggested that there would be two Pixel 9 Pro handsets.
One would match the 6.7-inch screen of the current model, while the other would be a more compact 6.3 inches. If true, that would mimic Apple’s Pro strategy with a regular iPhone 15 Pro and a larger iPhone 15 Pro Max.
However, that’s somewhat contradicted by the first design render we’ve seen, which claimed that the Pixel 9 Pro would have a 6.5-inch screen size. While that doesn’t rule out a second Pro model, the question is whether it would be bigger or smaller.
Some clarity has come in the form of a new Pixel 9 render, in which the leaker in question — Steve Hemmerstoffer, otherwise known as OnLeaks — posits that the smallest Pixel 9 Pro will have a 6.1-inch display while the Pixel 9 Pro XL will feature a 6.7-inch panel. This render looks to be accurate going by new photos taken of the Pixel 9 series by Taiwan's NCC regulator.
Regardless of what the screen sizes end up being, there’s one clear design change you can see in the renders accompanying this piece: The distinctive camera bar has been reduced, no longer stretching from edge to edge and now contained within a vertical pill on the back.
There is one other potential display feature — a rumored Adaptive Touch capability that would make screens more responsive depending on conditions like environment, activities and whether or not there's a screen protector in place on your phone.
Under the display, a rumor tips the Pixel 9 phones including the Pro to switch to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensors. Current Pixels use an optical sensor, which isn't always reliable in some conditions for successfully recognizing your fingerprint and unlocking your phone. An ultrasonic sensor would improve that.
Expect another potential addition to the number of Pixel 9 Pro models — a rumor claims the Pixel Fold will join the Pixel flagship lineup. Should that happen, the foldable would be known as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The color for these two (or three) Pro Pixels may turn out to be black, white, green and pink. But the foldable model may only have the first two of those options.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: Specifications
In terms of specifications, we’re largely in the dark. Yes, the Pixel 9 Pro will almost certainly pack the Tensor G4 chipset, but what that will mean in terms of speed is currently unknown. You’re best tempering your expectations, however, as sources speaking to Android Authority have said it will “most likely be a smaller upgrade than initially planned.”
That said, the Tensor G4 chip could feature some important new tech thanks to Samsung, the builder of said chip. It should hopefully mean better performance and thermal management which will put the new Pixel more in line with its rivals.
The chip could be furnished with 16GB of RAM this time (which we've now seen rumored twice), rather than 12GB like previous Pixel Pro models. A nice upgrade for multi-tasking or AI purposes.
But speed isn’t everything. The Pixel series was ahead of the curve in adopting artificial intelligence with its Magic Editor, and it sounds like Google won’t be resting on its laurels with the Pixel 9. We'd certainly expect the Google Gemini Nano AI features to play a prominent role on the Pixel 9 Pro, especially after Google introduced those features to the Pixel 8 series.
A report raises the expectation that enhanced on-device AI capabilities are coming to the Pixel 9 phones. Specific features cited in the report include text-to-image conversions, enhanced Magic Compose capabilities, more intricate auto-reply suggestions and text categorization and embedding capabilities. Again, all of this would happen on the Pixel 9 models, without involving cloud connectivity.
Additionally, a report cites three potential additions to the Pixel 9's array of AI-powered tools: an Add Me tool for editing group photos, a Studio tool for creating images with Generative AI, and a Pixel Screenshots feature that makes screenshots stored on your phone searchable by content.
The Pixel 9 phones could feature a new modem to address long-term connectivity issues that have befallen previous Pixels. We're also expecting to see satellite connectivity for the new Pixels, not unlike the Emergency SOS via satellite capabilities that have part of the last few iPhone generations. A Threads radio, made for interacting with Matter smart home products, may also be squeezed into the Pixel 9 Pro's frame.
Along with the renders of the phone and its new-look camera array, MySmartPrice included one tidbit about the camera specs: “The large sensor on the camera island suggests that Google will likely equip the device with support for variable aperture.” There's also the possibility that the ultrawide sensor will be swapped for a larger, newer model, although the resolution may not change.
Finally, we’d expect the Pixel 9 Pro to be the first phone to benefit from Android 15. We're currently on Android 15 beta 3, which brings platform stability to the software update. It's probably safe to assume the full version of Android 15 will be ready on or around that August 13 Google event.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: Outlook
We've heard more than a few Pixel 9 Pro leaks already, but expect more now that a launch date is in sight. Pay particular attention to the AI features coming down the pike, as Google faces growing competition from Samsung and Apple to deliver truly smart smartphones.
