The Google Pixel 8 might need simply made its debut to the world however, as at all times, rumors and leaks are already occurring for subsequent 12 months’s large launch from Google.
As we sit up for the Google Pixel 9, it is getting tougher and tougher to give you significant issues that Google can enhance or add. This 12 months, the corporate went all-in on AI with the Google Pixel 8, introducing options like Audio Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, Finest Take, Zoom Improve, and so many extra.
So, what might Google probably do for the following iteration of the telephone? Quite a few rumored Pixel 8 options by no means obtained introduced, so it is totally attainable that Google remains to be tweaking them and will wait till subsequent 12 months to unveil them. Plus, we have already heard of some notable {hardware} adjustments for the upcoming Pixel 9 which might be price looking at.
Google Pixel 9: Value and availability
This 12 months, Google elevated the worth of every Pixel mannequin by $100. That is the primary time Google has raised the worth on the mainline Pixel collection in a really very long time, however it did not come with out advantages. Pixel telephones are actually assured seven years of software program updates, making them a greater worth than different telephones on the identical value.
With that mentioned, there’s little chance that Google will elevate the worth once more subsequent 12 months. On condition that the Pixel 8 Professional is the most costly Pixel for the reason that Pixel 3 XL, there is no motive to anticipate Google to push that price ticket any larger.
We additionally anticipate that Google will as soon as once more launch its Pixel 9 collection in October 2024. Mainline Pixels have been launched in October for a number of years now and it is unlikely Google will change up the date a lot.
Google Pixel 9: Design and shows
With the Pixel 8, Google immediately addressed two objects we had been hoping for: higher construct high quality and 120Hz shows for each fashions. As I famous in my Google Pixel 8 hands-on, the enhancements to the construct high quality are palpable, notably that matte glass again on the Pixel 8 Professional.
We have not heard any rumors relating to Google bringing the matte glass to the smaller Pixel 9 sooner or later, however it might definitely make the telephone feel and appear much more elegant.
We have now heard a rumor that the Pixel 9’s show will likely be bigger than the Pixel 8, although, and that is a bit shocking. Google simply shrunk the smaller Pixel 8 by a notable quantity — it is 5mm shorter and 3mm narrower — so it might be a bit odd to see the corporate going backward on this resolution.
There isn’t any method that Google shrunk the bezels even additional on these telephones, so a bigger show means a bigger telephone.
The Pixel 8 additionally debuted a newly rebranded show Google custom-engineered with Samsung referred to as the Actua Show. It is the brightest show on any smartphone thus far — together with the iPhone 15 line — and it is totally attainable Google will push the envelope additional subsequent 12 months, too.
Google Pixel 9: Cameras
With the Pixel 8, Google gave us precisely what we had been hoping for: even higher cameras. Particularly, the corporate massively upgraded the ultrawide digital camera with a brand new 48MP lens, so it is in all probability unlikely we’ll see an enormous enhancement for the Pixel 9.
Likewise, the principle and telephoto sensors additionally obtained upgraded, however solely the Pixel 8 Professional obtained many of the digital camera upgrades. It could be good to see Google pull a minimum of the higher selfie digital camera over to the smaller Pixel 9 subsequent 12 months.
As famous within the intro, a number of rumored Pixel 8 digital camera options by no means obtained introduced on the Made by Google 2023 occasion, so it is attainable we’ll see these options make their method to the Pixel 9.
One of many unannounced options known as Video Unblur. Because the identify implies, this AI trick would let you choose a blurry video you took and retroactively enhance the main target high quality.
The leaked code additionally confirmed the choice so as to add “Overlays” like black and white or Polaroid to your movies, much like how you need to use filters on pictures. Google is absolutely pushing the restrict with video seize on the Pixel 8, so it will be fascinating to see if the corporate implements new options like this on the Pixel 9.
Google Pixel 9: Specs and efficiency
Of all of the issues we hoped for on the Pixel 8, Google delivered essentially the most on this part. The Pixel 8’s fingerprint scanner is lastly nice, and the corporate even debuted bank-grade face unlock expertise alongside it. There is a ton of latest AI options, and 7 years of software program updates is one thing no different main telephone firm does proper now.
We additionally hoped for higher efficiency and effectivity with Tensor G3, and based mostly on what Google mentioned on the Made by Google occasion, they appear to have delivered. That mentioned, the most recent Tensor G4 rumors counsel the Pixel 9 will not obtain a serious bounce in efficiency.
The Tensor G3 that powers the Pixel 8 collection bears the codename “Zuma,” whereas the Tensor G4 is claimed to have a codename of “Zuma Professional.” As you may think, this implies there probably will not be an enormous improve subsequent 12 months. That is supposedly going to have to attend till the Tensor G5, which can launch contained in the Pixel 10.
Google Pixel 9: Wishlist
As with every new telephone, there are some things we might like to see Google enhance on the Pixel 9 over present telephones just like the Pixel 8.
Additional improved Tensor
This 12 months’s Google Tensor G3 sports activities a model new CPU, GPU, TPU, DSP, ISP, and lots of extra essential elements that every one result in larger effectivity and sooner speeds. Nonetheless, Google did not spend a number of time on stage speaking about normal efficiency enhancements for a motive. It talked quite a bit about AI processing enhancements.
Google has lengthy targeted on AI-powered duties as a method for its telephones to be differentiated from the pack, however it might be good if Pixel telephones performed the finest Android video games in addition to different flagship telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely.
An actual darkish mode
Darkish mode is a lie on extra telephones than I would like. Sadly for Pixel homeowners, the Pixel is likely one of the worst offenders of this sin. I would like to see Google give customers a correct “lights out” darkish mode the place the background is totally black as a substitute of this darkish gray nonsense Google has been utilizing for years.
It’s going to each be higher for battery life and assist with the following request!
Flicker-reduction choice
Because the nits delivered by shows proceed to develop larger and better every year, extra corporations are utilizing OLED shows that do not dim in a standard method. As a substitute, they use Pulse Width Modulation (or PWM), and other people like me are, sadly, very delicate to this type of show flickering.
Whereas now we have some ideas and tips for PWM-sensitive people, the very best resolution is for producers to supply a flicker-reduction choice. Firms like Motorola make use of it on telephones just like the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) and the Motorola Razr Plus (2023), and we all know Google can do it, too.
Add MagSafe through Qi2
This 12 months, telephone corporations got here collectively in a uncommon second and agreed on one thing: MagSafe is nice, and all telephones ought to have it. The Qi2 charging customary was born, however to date, no telephones have bothered to make use of it. The Pixel 9 actually wants so as to add this characteristic, because it’s extremely handy and opens up an entire new world of nice MagSafe equipment.
Till then, although, you’ll be able to at all times add MagSafe to your present telephone like I did with a Spigen ring. It could simply be good to have it constructed into the telephone, although.
Ditch the 128GB choice
In 2023, customers want extra room than 128GB of storage. Sadly, each the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional’s lowest priced fashions solely pack this a lot storage in. In 2024, Google must improve that base storage to 256GB to assist meet the wants of customers because it would not permit microSD card enlargement.
Sooner charging
We have lengthy been hoping for sooner charging in Pixel and Galaxy telephones, and whereas Google gives 30W quick charging on the Pixel 8 collection, we might nonetheless wish to see them push that quantity a bit. Telephones just like the OnePlus 11 supply 100W charging and lots of telephones supply even sooner charging.
Even when Google desires to maintain that quantity decrease, it might be OK, however one thing sooner than 30W can be nice. How about adopting the 68W charging resolution Motorola employs for many of its telephones lately? It is superb how briskly these telephones cost with out making me assume they could catch hearth.