After many leaks and teases, Google has finally revealed the Pixel 9 family. Unsurprisingly, there's a large emphasis on AI features. Google will however charge users a subscription fee to use some of them.
Gemini Live - a conversational AI feature that allows you to have a free-flowing conversation with your assistant - will require Google One AI Premium. That’s billed at $32.99 per month, and also includes 2TB of Google Drive storage. Everyone who purchases a Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold will get the first year free, but those who’d prefer the standard model will miss out.
It's similar to Samsung's approach to AI functionality. At present, Galaxy AI is free to use, but certain features may be locked behind a paywall after 2025.
On top of pay walling functionality, Google the Pixel 9 family have seen a price hike compared to the Pixel 8 family.
The starting price for a Pixel 9 is now $1,349 for a 128GB model, up from $1,199 for the Pixel 8. The new "smaller" Pixel 9 Pro starts at $1,699, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL - equivalent to last year's Pixel 8 Pro - starts at $1,849. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's most expensive phone to date, with a $2,699 starting price.
Before we get into the full details, pre-orders for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold start today. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will launch on August 22, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be a little later on September 4. There’s no confirmed release date for Pixel 9 Pro yet other than “spring”.
If you're looking to pre-order any of the devices on the a plan, there are a whole heap of pre-order bonuses available.
If you pre-order from Optus, you'll save $600 on the Pixel 9, or $800 on the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If you pre-order from Vodafone, you'll get $200 off any phone and bonus trade-in credit. $500 extra for the Pixel 9, or $700 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If you pre-order the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro from Telstra, you'll get a free Pixel Tablet. Pre-ordering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will get you an $800 discount instead.
Here are the cheapest 36-month plans for the three devices:
Google Pixel 9 128GB Plans
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$107.30/mth
Min. cost $1,272.80
Link not supplied
|
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 128GB Plans
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$121.19/mth
Min. cost $1,772.84
Link not supplied
|
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Plans
|
Telstra
$74 Basic Upfront Mobile Plan
$148.97/mth
Min. cost $2,772.92
Link not supplied
|
From a hardware perspective, the biggest changes are a redesign and the introduction of new phones into the family. In previous years, Google has launched just two flagship Pixel phones. This year there are four.
The three core phones are the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 acts as an entry-level variant, replacing last year's Pixel 8. Where things diverge is the Pro models. Last year there was just a single supersized Pro model. This year, Google has split the Pro family into a new 6.3-inch model that's the same size as the Pixel 9, and a larger model that's roughly the same size as last year's Pixel 8 Pro.
The physical hardware itself has also changed. The phones have more of a squared-off design, similar to what we've seen across recent iPhone and Samsung models. Previous Pixels had a curvier frame. Google has also redesigned the camera bar, making it more of a pill shape.
Cameras are also similar across the three core Pixel 9 phones, but there are a few differences. All three devices have a 50MP primary lens and a new 48MP ultra-wide lens. The Pro models also have a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a higher resolution 42MP selfie camera. The standard model still has a 10.5MP selfie camera.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an outlier and uses an entirely different design language and a unique camera setup. It has a 6.3-inch external display, which unfolds to an 8-inch, in the same way Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold family works.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera configuration doesn't look quite as good on paper, featuring a 48MP primary lens, a 10.5MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. There's also a 10MP selfie camera on both the internal and external display.
While the physical camera specs aren't quite as what you'd get on the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro, Google has in the past surprised us with camera performance on its mid-tier devices like the Pixel 8a.
All four phones are powered by Google's new Tensor G4 chip. While pure performance hasn't been the focus of Google's in-house chips, Google says the Tensor G4 offers 20% faster web browsing, 17% faster app launching, and better battery efficiency.
On the battery front, Google says every Pixel offers an all-day battery. It specifically noted a 20% improvement to battery life on the standard Pixel 9, when compared to last year's model. That should be a welcome improvement, as we've typically found the standard Pixels didn't last as long as we'd like.
Notably, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL don’t feature mmWave 5G connectivity, unlike previous Pixel Pro models. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has mmWave 5G, however.
Here's a complete rundown of how the Pixel 9 family compare in terms of hardware:
| Pixel 9 | Pixel 9 Pro | Pixel 9 Pro XL | Pixel 9 Pro Fold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Actua | 6.3-inch Super Actua | 6.8-inch Super Actua | 6.3-inch Actua / 8-inch Super Actua |
| Resolution | 1080p+ | 1280p+ | 1344p+ | 1080p+ / 2076p+ |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz - 120Hz | 1Hz - 120Hz | 1Hz - 120Hz | 60Hz - 120Hz / 1Hz - 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP + 48MP | 50MP + 48MP + 48MP | 50MP + 48MP + 48MP | 48MP + 10.5MP + 10.8MP |
| Front Camera | 10.5MP | 42MP | 42MP | 10MP + 10MP |
| Processor | Tensor G4 | Tensor G4 | Tensor G4 | Tensor G4 |
| Storage | 128GB - 256GB | 128GB - 1TB | 128GB - 1TB | 256GB - 512GB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IPX8 |
| Battery | 4,700mAh | 4,700mAh | 5,060mAh | 4,650mAh |
| RAM | 12GB | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| 5G | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 + mmWave |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Thermometer | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | From $1,349 | From $1,699 | From $1,849 | From $2,699 |
| See plans | Plans coming soon | See plans | See plans |
On the AI front, the Pixel 9 family sub out Google Assistant for Gemini. Gemini is multi-modal, so it can complete tasks that involve image-related prompts as well as word-based. Google provided the example of taking a photo of a concert poster, followed by asking Gemini if you’re free that night.
There’s also Gemini Live, which allows you to have a “free-flowing” conversation with the AI assistant. This will require a Google One AI Premium subscription, however. So far this is Google’s only Pixel AI feature that will cost extra.
Google is introducing two new AI-based apps: Screenshots and Pixel Studio. Screenshots collates all the screenshots you’ve taken and uses AI to sort them. The idea is to make it easier to find information you’ve saved in a screenshot, such as a code to unlock an Airbnb. Pixel Studio is a prompt-based image generator that simply does that.
There are a few new AI camera features too. The big new one is “Add Me”, for group photos. If you don’t have someone else to take a group photo, one person can take it, and then swap out with someone else who will take a second photo. These two images will then be combined into a single shot with everyone.
Other features are more so improvements to existing ones, like swapping out your background in Magic Editor or 20x digital zoom when filming video (when using a Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro).
Every Pixel 9 device will get seven years of operating system upgrades, security updates, and feature drops.
Here’s the full pricing for the phones:
| Phone | RRP |
|---|---|
| Pixel 9a (128GB) | $849 |
| Pixel 9a (256GB) | $999 |
| Pixel 9 (128GB) | $1,349 |
| Pixel 9 (256GB) | $1,499 |
| Pixel 9 Pro (128GB) | $1,699 |
| Pixel 9 Pro (256GB) | $1,849 |
| Pixel 9 Pro (512GB) | $2,049 |
| Pixel 9 Pro (1TB) | $2,399 |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL (128GB) | $1,849 |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL (256GB) | $1,999 |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL (512GB) | $2,199 |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL (1TB) | $2,549 |
| Pixel 9 Pro Fold (256GB) | $2,699 |
| Pixel 9 Pro Fold (512GB) | $2,899 |
The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available in the same four colours: black, white, pink, and green. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available in a choice of black or white.
In addition to the Pixel 9 family, Google also announced the Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
The Pixel Watch 3 now comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. You’ll pay a minimum of $579 for a 41mm model or $669 for a 45mm. Both will be available from September 10.
The Pixel Buds 2 promise improved sound, fit, and noise cancellation. They’ll set you back $379 and will be available from September 26.
These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:
|
#1
|
SpinTel
Editor's Pick
$23 Mobile Plan
$12.00/mth
Min. cost $12
|
|
#2
|
Boost Mobile
$39 Prepaid
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
Tangerine Telecom
30GB 5G Mobile SIM
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#4
|
Pivotel
25GB Mobile Swift Plan
$11.45/mth
Min. cost $11.45
|
|
#5
|
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#6
|
Swoop
30GB SIM Only 5G
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#7
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#8
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
30GB Small Plan
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
felix mobile
felix 25GB Mobile Plan
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#10
|
Yomojo
Starter 29GB Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
Alex Choros
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