Google’s big Pixel launch event has been consistently held in October for a while now, but the company has switched things up in 2024.
Moving to August means Google’s new flagship phones arrive before Apple’s iPhone 16 range, which may have been a crucial factor. And with new foldables and wearables also on the agenda, plus key software news, there’s a lot of news to talk about.
In this article, we’ll run through everything Google announced at its Made by Google hardware launch event on 13 August.
Pixel 9
Like all the Pixel 9 phones, the new regular model gets a subtle redesign. The Pixel 8’s rear camera visor is gone, replaced by a more traditional module with rounded corners.
Swapping the glossy glass back for matt should reduce fingerprint smudges, while Google claims durability is now twice as good.
Other key upgrades include a move to Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, which promises significant performance improvements, plus an improved ultrawide camera, which goes from 12Mp to 48Mp. There’s still no telephoto lens, though.
Google claims the slightly larger 4700mAh battery (up from 4575mAh) will get you 24+ hours of battery life, while wired charging speeds have increased from 27W to 45W (charger still sold separately).
The display is slightly bigger at 6.3-inches, though it’s still an OLED and retains the maximum 120Hz refresh rate.
All the Pixel 9 phones will run Android 14 out of the box, but they’ll be first in line for Android 15 when it arrives next year, plus OS and security updates for seven years.
New Pixel-exclusive AI features include an ‘Add Me’ tool for group photos and ‘Pixel Studio’ for image generation, plus a new Pixel Screenshots app for making sense of (you guessed it) screenshots. Loads more functionality is available with a Gemini Advanced subscription, which all Pixel 9 users get a year of for free (usually £18.99/$19.99 per month).
The regular Pixel 9 starts at £799/$799. It’s available to pre-order now, ahead of release on 22 August.
Learn more about the Pixel 9.
Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL
For the first time, Google has two versions of its Pro phone in 2024. Alongside a direct successor to the Pixel 8 Pro, we also have a brand-new XL model.
In terms of size, the 9 Pro XL has more in common with the 8 Pro, with a large 6.8-inch screen as opposed to 6.3-inches on the 9 Pro. Both are high resolution OLEDs, with LTPO tech allowing them to automatically adjust between 1-120Hz refresh rates.
The only other difference between the two is battery capacity – the Pro XL has a 5060mAh cell, as opposed to the 4700mAh one on the regular Pro. Interestingly, Google says the XL will charge slightly faster (up to 70% in 30 minutes instead of 55%), despite both phones supporting 45W speeds.
Other things you don’t get on the regular Pixel 9 are the upgraded 42Mp selfie camera, 48Mp 5x telephoto lens (already available on Pixel 8 Pro) and 16GB of RAM instead of 12GB.
Colours also vary slightly between the models, but everything else is identical across all three. That includes the new design, Tensor G4 chipset, 50Mp main camera and 48Mp ultrawide.
You also get Android 14 with seven years of updates, plus the full range of AI features and a year of Gemini Advanced.
The Pixel 9 Pro starts at £999/$999, while you’ll pay at least £1,099/$1,099 for the 9 Pro XL. They’re also available to pre-order now, ahead of release on 22 August.
Learn more about the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google’s second generation of foldable has been rebranded as part of the Pixel 9 family, but it’s very much a successor to the original Pixel Fold.
It’s taller, thinner design is more in keeping with other book-style devices, while the 8-inch internal display is larger than all rivals. It’ll be interesting to see how many apps are optimised for that panel, though Google has already revealed a few games.
Meanwhile, the 6.3-inch cover display matches the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. The bigger screens mean a higher resolution, though both panels are still 120Hz OLEDs.
Elsewhere, the 9 Pro Fold joins the other Pixel 9 devices with Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, which is joined here by 16GB of RAM. But strangely, the 4650mAh battery is smaller than the 4821mAh one on the original Pixel Fold. You do get the upgraded 45W charging, though.
In terms of cameras, you get the same 48Mp main, 10.5Mp ultrawide and 10.8Mp 5x telephoto as the original Fold, though the two front-facing lenses have both been upgraded to 10Mp.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold gets almost the exact same Android 14 software, albeit with a few specific foldable tweaks. They include a feature called ‘Made You Look’, which helps keep kids focused on the camera when you’re trying to take a picture of them.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at £1,749. Pre-orders are also live now, but it won’t be available until 4 September.
Learn more about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Pixel Watch 3
As expected, the Pixel Watch 3 has arrived alongside the Pixel 9 smartphones, although it doesn’t go on sale until 10 September. It starts at £349/$349.99.
The big news this year is that Google has finally listened to fans and media and created the smartwatch in two different sizes. You still get the usual 41mm but there’s also a larger 45mm option as well.
With more space for a display and 16% smaller bezels you get a 40% bigger screen compared to the Pixel Watch 2 resulting in “richer and more glanceable information” according to Google.
As you can see below, the larger model with the same watch face can fit additional information around the edge.
This new Actua display on both models is twice the brightness as its predecessor at 2000 nits and also has a dynamic refresh rate, able to scale from 60- down to 1Hz.
Each size has an exclusive colourway so the 45mm is the only one to come in Polished Hazel Aluminium, and the 41mm model comes in Champagne Gold Aluminium.
Other specs include Wear OS 5, a Qualcomm SW5100 chipset and IP68/10ATM waterproofing.
Google has also announced the Pixel Watch 3 is the first smartwatch to feature a potentially life-saving feature called Loss of Pulse Detection.
Learn more about the Pixel Watch 3.
Pixel Buds Pro 2
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are here and, with tweaks and refinements in various areas, want to be your next pair of wireless earbuds.
The design (now including a Peony colourway) is 27% smaller making the earbuds lighter and more comfortable. A ‘twist-to-adjust stabiliser’ means you can choose between a more secure position when doing sport and the like, or a more comfortable position for all-day use.
Google says the Tensor A1 (the first Tensor chip in a pair of earbuds) is built for audio processing. For example, the new Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0 can cancel noise up to twice as much as the Pixel Buds Pro by adapting to your environment up to 3 million times per second.
Other specs and features include 11mm drivers, an upgraded acoustic architecture, Clear Calling, Conversation Detection, Find My Device network and Google Gemini. You can get up to eight hours of battery life with ANC on.
Google says with Gemini Live “It’s like having a sidekick right in your pocket, one that can chat with you about new ideas or practice for an important conversation.”
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available to pre-order starting today at £219/$229 and go on sale 26 September.
Note that Google did not launch the Pixel Tablet 2 so the way for a second-generation Android tablet goes on.