2024-08-14 17:52:09
Google has introduced its new Pixel smartphones. Like iPhone manufacturer Apple, the search engine company is also building its own AI deep into the system.
Google has unveiled its new Pixel smartphones two months earlier than usual. Traditionally, the presentation took place in October in recent years.
As expected, the company has shown three models of the Pixel 9 instead of the previous two: the standard Pixel 9 model, the larger Pixel 9 Pro and the larger Pro XL model. There is also a successor to the Pixel Fold called the Pixel Pro Fold.
Like the iPhone company Apple, Google is also focusing on artificial intelligence in its new smartphone models. Google’s own AI is called Gemini, and the company calls the version adapted for smartphones Gemini Nano.
The new features of the Pixel phones include the ability to evaluate the content of screenshots and capture the content of phone calls as text. Both functions are secure and the data remains only on the devices, Google emphasized.
The technology is built deep into the system, said Google manager Rick Osterloh during the presentation in Mountain View, California. The AI is designed to bring together information from numerous Google services and make it easier to search. In addition to text, the system should also be able to process images, audio and speech.
An example: The user wants to put together a song list. With the command “Gemini, put together a playlist for jogging,” the smartphone creates a music list on YouTube that the user can listen to immediately or save for later. Gemini also creates emails using voice commands and sends them to various contacts if desired. Conversations with Gemini should feel natural using Gemini Live – that’s the name of the voice model, Google emphasizes.
So that the new smartphone models can carry out the AI functions, the devices are equipped with the fast Tensor G4 chip tailored to the technology. Other features include a main camera with 50 megapixels and an ultra-wide-angle camera with a resolution of 48 megapixels. The selfie camera on the Pixel 9 has 10.5 megapixels, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL have 42 megapixels.
Only the Pro models also have a telephoto camera with a resolution of 48 megapixels. Likewise, only these devices have 16 GB of RAM. The standard models have 12 GB of RAM. In return, the battery in all models should last up to 20 percent longer.
Unlike before, the devices do not come with the new Android version. This is probably due to the earlier release date of the smartphones. They are to be delivered with Android 14. The successor Android 15 is expected to come later in the year.
A lot has changed in the design of the new smartphones: Like the iPhones, the screen is no longer slightly curved at the edges, but is flat. The casing has also become a bit more angular. What has remained is the large camera block on the back of the devices.
The Pixel 9 devices at a glance:
The devices can be pre-ordered now. Compared to the previous models, Google has increased the prices slightly. The standard Pixel 9 model with 128 GB will cost 899 euros. Google wants 999 euros for the model with 256 GB.
The Pixel 9 Pro with 128 GB storage costs 1,099 euros. The Pro 9 XL with 128 GB storage will cost 1,199 euros. Google wants 1,899 euros for the 256 GB version of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The smartphones can be pre-ordered now. The first shipment is scheduled to be sent to buyers on August 22nd.