The Google Pixel 8 might need simply made its debut to the world however, as at all times, rumors and leaks are already taking place for subsequent 12 months’s huge launch from Google.
As we stay up for the Google Pixel 9, it is getting more durable and more durable 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 may Google presumably do for the subsequent iteration of the cellphone? Plenty of rumored Pixel 8 options by no means received introduced, so it is fully doable 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 value 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 sequence 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 similar value.
With that stated, there’s little chance that Google will elevate the worth once more subsequent 12 months. On condition that the Pixel 8 Professional is the costliest Pixel because the Pixel 3 XL, there is not any cause to count on Google to push that price ticket any greater.
We additionally count on that Google will as soon as once more launch its Pixel 9 sequence 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 straight addressed two gadgets we have 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 cellphone appear and feel much more elegant.
We’ve heard a rumor that the Pixel 9’s show might be bigger than the Pixel 8, although, and that is a bit stunning. 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 determination.
There isn’t any manner that Google shrunk the bezels even additional on these telephones, so a bigger show means a bigger cellphone.
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 to this point — together with the iPhone 15 line — and it is fully doable Google will push the envelope additional subsequent 12 months, too.
Google Pixel 9: Cameras
With the Pixel 8, Google gave us precisely what we have been hoping for: even higher cameras. Particularly, the corporate massively upgraded the ultrawide digital camera with a brand new 48MP lens, so it is most likely unlikely we’ll see a giant enhancement for the Pixel 9.
Likewise, the primary and telephoto sensors additionally received upgraded, however solely the Pixel 8 Professional obtained a lot of the digital camera upgrades. It might be good to see Google pull at the very least 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 received introduced on the Made by Google 2023 occasion, so it is doable we’ll see these options make their solution to the Pixel 9.
One of many unannounced options known as Video Unblur. Because the title 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 photographs. Google is admittedly 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 know-how alongside it. There is a ton of recent AI options, and 7 years of software program updates is one thing no different main cellphone firm does proper now.
We additionally hoped for higher efficiency and effectivity with Tensor G3, and based mostly on what Google stated on the Made by Google occasion, they appear to have delivered. That stated, the newest Tensor G4 rumors recommend the Pixel 9 will not obtain a serious soar in efficiency.
The Tensor G3 that powers the Pixel 8 sequence bears the codename “Zuma,” whereas the Tensor G4 is alleged to have a codename of “Zuma Professional.” As you may think, this implies there seemingly 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 cellphone, there are some things we would 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 plenty of extra vital parts that each one result in better effectivity and sooner speeds. Nonetheless, Google did not spend a variety of time on stage speaking about common efficiency enhancements for a cause. It talked loads about AI processing enhancements.
Google has lengthy centered on AI-powered duties as a manner 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 might like. Sadly for Pixel house owners, the Pixel is without doubt one of the worst offenders of this sin. I might 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 will each be higher for battery life and assist with the subsequent request!
Flicker-reduction choice
Because the nits delivered by shows proceed to develop greater and better annually, extra firms are utilizing OLED shows that do not dim in a standard manner. As a substitute, they use Pulse Width Modulation (or PWM), and folks like me are, sadly, very delicate to this sort of show flickering.
Whereas we now have some suggestions and methods for PWM-sensitive people, the perfect answer 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, cellphone firms 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 normal was born, however to date, no telephones have bothered to make use of it. The Pixel 9 actually wants so as to add this function, because it’s extremely handy and opens up a complete new world of nice MagSafe equipment.
Till then, although, you’ll be able to at all times add MagSafe to your present cellphone like I did with a Spigen ring. It might simply be good to have it constructed into the cellphone, 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 supplies 30W quick charging on the Pixel 8 sequence, we would nonetheless wish to see them push that quantity a bit. Telephones just like the OnePlus 11 supply 100W charging and plenty of telephones supply even sooner charging.
Even when Google needs to maintain that quantity decrease, it might be OK, however one thing sooner than 30W could be nice. How about adopting the 68W charging answer Motorola employs for many of its telephones today? It is wonderful how briskly these telephones cost with out making me assume they may catch fireplace.
