The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL were officially announced on August 13, 2024, at the annualMade by Google event, and were released in the United States on August 22 and September 4 for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The Pixel 9 series was approved by theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) in July 2024.[3] After previewing the Pro model the same month,[4][5] Google officially announced the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL on August 13, alongside thePixel 9 Pro Fold andPixel Watch 3, at the annualMade by Google event.[6] Numerous observers noted the unusually early timing of the launch event, which was traditionally held in September afterApple's annual launch of the newiPhone. Commentators described this as an attempt to “outshine” Apple, its longtime rival, and demonstrate itsartificial intelligence (AI) prowess.[a] Several also took note of Google's usually frequent veiled attacks targeting Apple.[13][11] All three phones became available for pre-order the same day; the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL were made available on August 22 while the Pro was available on September 4, the latter alongside the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, in 32 countries.[14][15]
Pixel 9 owners on Verizon US can text from anywhere outside the network reach via satellite.[16]
The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL feature a redesigned appearance while retaining the overalldesign language that began with thePixel 6 series, with the edges now flat rather than curved and the camera bar taking the shape of "an elongated, free-floating […] oval".[17][18] They are each available in four colors:[6]
In a departure from previous generations, the Pixel 9 series was offered in three models: the base model, a “Pro” model, and a new “Pro XL” model. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are near-identical in size, with a 6.3 in (160 mm) screen size, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly larger at 6.7 in (171 mm).[17][19] A key distinction between the base and Pro models lies in the camera setup, with the higher-end models sporting a 48-megapixeltelephoto rear camera in addition to the standard 50- and 48-megapixelwide andultrawide lenses; the Pro models also include a 42-megapixel ultrawide front camera compared to 10.5 megapixels on the base.[6]
As with prior Pixel generations, the Pixel 9 series is equipped with numerous AI-powered features, with theAssociated Press calling it a "vessel for the AI technology that is expected to reshape the way people live and work".[11] Google dedicated the first half-hour of its launch event discussing its advances in the field before unveiling its new devices.[26]Gemini, a generative AI–poweredchatbot launched in 2023 in response toOpenAI'sChatGPT, was frequently spotlighted, replacing theGoogle Assistant as the new defaultvirtual assistant on Pixel and heavily integrating into the Pixel 9 series.[27][28] In order to facilitate on-device AI processing, theRAM on the Pixel 9 series was substantially increased.[28][20] Google also debuted Gemini Live, a new voice chat mode powered by theImagen 3text-to-image model.[29][30]
Other AI-powered features included Pixel Studio, animage generation app; Pixel Screenshots, a screenshot management and analysis app; Add Me, the ability to retroactively add subjects to photos; Pixel Weather, a newweather forecast app; Call Notes, which summarizes phone calls while running on-device; and miscellaneous camera updates.[31][32][33] Breaking with tradition, the Pixel 9 series was shipped with the year-oldAndroid 14 rather thanAndroid 15, likely due to the earlier-than-usual timeframe;[34][35] the phones were updated with Android 15 via a “Pixel Drop” software update, formerly known as Feature Drops, on October 15.[36] Continuing thePixel 8's trend, the phones will receive seven years of major OS upgrades, with support extending to 2031.[6][21]
An “after party” livestream hosted by actressKeke Palmer and featuring celebrity guest appearances followed the Made by Google event.[37] Days after the phones' launch, Google generated controversy after severalsocial media influencers part of the seven-year-old #TeamPixel marketing program posted screenshots of a new clause stipulating that participants must not show preference for competitors when creating content with the Pixel 9. Missing context led to confusion online regarding the extent of the restriction, which only applied to #TeamPixel influencers. Google later apologized and removed the clause from the agreement.[38][39][40]
In February 2025, Google released a commercial titled “Dream Job” which advertised Gemini on the Pixel 9, ahead of its airing duringSuper Bowl LIX. One of Google's twoSuper Bowl spots that year, the 60-second commercial featured a father using Gemini on his Pixel 9 to prepare for a job interview. Google also ran a third commercial entitled “Party Blitz” online, in which a man "attempts to impress his girlfriend's family by using Gemini [on his Pixel 9] to become a football expert".[41][42][43]
In his initial reaction to the Pixel 9 series,Android Police's Rajesh Pandey praised the overall design but disliked the iPhone-esque flat edges and polished metal frame.[18] His colleague Taylor Kerns questioned the absence of an “XL” version of the base model,[44] while Rebecca Isaacs ofForbes welcomed the addition of small-sized Pro model and the enhanced build quality.[45] Pandey and Kerns' colleague Will Sattelberg concurred but had mixed reactions to the AI-powered features.[46] Allison Johnson ofThe Verge was impressed by the camera features, writing in a headline, "The Pixel 9 Pro XL showed me the future of AI photography".[47] Writing forMashable, Kimberly Gedeon was drawn to the design of the 9 Pro XL, praising the upgraded Super Res Zoom feature and AI-powered features.[48]PCMag's Iyaz Akhtar called the rear design of the phones “divisive” but “sleek”.[49] Kyle Barr ofGizmodo and Philip Michaels ofTom's Guide both found themselves particularly attracted to the Pixel Screenshots app.[50][51] Kerry Wan ofZDNET predicted that the phones would be a "sleeper hit".[52]
The Pixel 9's Tensor G4 processor has also received mixed reviews. While it was praised for improved AI capabilities, some have criticized its poor efficiency under heavy load and lack of performance improvements over the Tensor G3, especially when compared to other flagship processors at the time.[53][54][55] Soniya Jobanputra, a lead member of the Pixel's product management team, toldThe Financial Express that the G4 was not designed to "beat some specific benchmark that’s out there. We’re designing it to meet our use cases”.[56]
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