Google Pixel 9 Series Arrives: Early Release, Targeting iPhone?

Google Pixel 9 Series Arrives: Early Release, Targeting iPhone?The smartphone market in 2023 is becoming increasingly competitive, especially in the fall when manufacturers are releasing their flagship products, resulting in a fierce battle for market share. In the past, Google typically chose to unveil its new Pixel series at its fall event in October

Google Pixel 9 Series Arrives: Early Release, Targeting iPhone?

The smartphone market in 2023 is becoming increasingly competitive, especially in the fall when manufacturers are releasing their flagship products, resulting in a fierce battle for market share. In the past, Google typically chose to unveil its new Pixel series at its fall event in October. However, this year Google has broken with tradition, holding its launch event on the 14th of August (Beijing time), launching the Pixel 9 series, Pixel 9 ProFold, and new wearables. This unexpected move has attracted widespread attention.

Behind the Early Release: The Opening Act of the AI War?

Google has not explained the reason for the early release of the Pixel 9 series, but market analysis generally believes that Google is trying to seize the initiative, solidify its position in the AI market with the Pixel 9 series and Gemini AI before the release of the iPhone 16 series and the new generation of Snapdragon flagships.

In recent years, the Pixel series has made significant progress in product experience and market promotion thanks to AI technology, leading to sales exceeding expectations. It has successfully entered the top five in the US market, and its sales in Japan have continued to rise, even surpassing Xiaomi to become the second largest brand this year.

In 2023, AI phones have become the hottest topic in the mobile phone industry, and Google is determined to win, planning to launch a new generation of Pixels in 2025 featuring the fully self-developed Tensor G5 processor. The Tensor G5 is expected to be built on TSMC's 3nm process, potentially providing a significant boost to the Pixel series, similar to the impact of the A-series processors on the iPhone.

Powered by Tensor G4, Can the Pixel 9 Series Uphold the AI Banner?

Before the arrival of Tensor G5, the Pixel 9 series, equipped with Tensor G4, will be a major highlight, as it faces the challenge of continuing to lead the AI phone market.

Design Closer to iPhone, But Retaining Pixel Characteristics

The Pixel 9 series continues Google Pixel's "tradition" of extensive pre-release leaks, including official information "leaks" and even real-machine hands-on videos.

According to leaked information, the Pixel 9 series adopts a rectangular middle frame design and features a narrow bezel design on all four sides of the front screen, making its design style closer to that of the iPhone. In terms of size, the Pixel 9 series also brings new changes, offering a 6.3-inch standard version, a 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro, and a 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL, providing users with more choices.

Unlike previous models, the Pixel 9 series maintains the unique design of Pixel on the back. Both the standard and Pro versions adopt a "capsule" design and continue to use metal materials.

Hardware Upgrades: Sony IMX858 Sensor and Memory Upgrades

In terms of configuration, the Pixel 9 series seems to have "swept" Sony Semiconductor's warehouse, widely adopting the Sony IMX858 sensor. The ultra-wide-angle lens for the entire series, the telephoto lens for the Pixel 9 Pro, and the front camera all use this sensor. The main camera for the entire Pixel 9 series uses Samsung's 50-megapixel GNK sensor released at the end of last year, further enhancing video shooting capabilities and HDR processing.

In terms of processors, the entire Pixel 9 series is equipped with Google's latest generation Tensor G4. Although based on the Exynos platform and Samsung's 4nm process, the performance of the Tensor G4 has been questioned, but its advantages in image processing, privacy security and AI are still undeniable, pointing the way for the future Tensor G5.

In terms of memory, with the continuous emergence of large models, overseas mobile phone brands have begun to increase their memory configuration. The Pixel 9 series has also followed suit, with the standard version starting at 12GB of memory, and the Pro version upgraded to 16GB, catching up with the mainstream configuration of domestic mobile phones.

Pixel 9 ProFold: Thinner, But Still "Heavyweight"

In May last year, Google released its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, at the I/O developer conference. This year, Google has added the second-generation foldable phone, the Pixel 9 ProFold, to the Pixel 9 series and will be showcasing it at the fall launch event.

The Pixel 9 ProFold continues the design style of the Pixel series, featuring a rectangular middle frame and metal material, while also making progress in thinness. According to leaks, the Pixel 9 ProFold is only 10.5mm thick when folded and 5.1mm when unfolded, thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Vivo X Fold3 Pro.

However, the Pixel 9 ProFold still maintains a relatively heavy weight, reducing by about 10% compared to the previous generation but still weighing 257 grams, heavier than most new-generation foldable phones. This may be due to the Pixel 9 ProFold's 6.3-inch external screen, 8-inch internal screen, and rear camera module.

In terms of cameras, the Pixel 9 ProFold adopts a wide-angle main camera + ultra-wide-angle + telephoto lens combination, using a 64-megapixel Sony IMX787 for the main camera and a Samsung 3J1 sensor for the telephoto lens.

PixelBudsPro2 and PixelWatch3: Upgrades in Wearables

In addition to the Pixel 9 series and Pixel 9 ProFold, the launch event is expected to showcase the PixelBudsPro2 earphones and PixelWatch3 smartwatch.

The PixelBudsPro2 will return to the fixed ear fin design of the original PixelBuds and may be equipped with the "Tensor A1" chip to achieve better active noise cancellation and other functions. The PixelWatch3 is expected to be available in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, with a narrower bezel and a higher screen ratio, while also equipped with a screen that reaches 2000nit brightness and a UWB chip.

Reinforcing the AI Experience, Targeting the Future

Although smartphone giants like Samsung, OPPO, and Honor are all emphasizing AI, Google Pixel is the first brand to focus on the AI experience. Since Google proposed the "AI First" strategy in 2016, Pixel has been continuously building its products around the AI experience.

Now, generative AI and large model technologies are sweeping the globe, becoming the biggest "hot spot" in the technology industry. The Pixel 9 series has also risen to the occasion and undergone a comprehensive upgrade in AI.

From the leaked official promotional materials, the Pixel 9 series' AI promotion will focus on four functions: Gemini AI, "Circle Search", "Pixel Screenshots" and "AddMe".

Gemini AI will replace the traditional Google Assistant, providing users with a more intelligent voice interaction experience. "Circle Search" uses AI technology to identify image information, making it easier for users to quickly obtain relevant content. The "Pixel Screenshots" function is similar to "Recall" on Microsoft Windows 11, using snapshots to record the user's device usage process. Users can find key information by recalling a specific moment using natural language. "AddMe" is Google's attempt to use AI to transform the mobile phone photography experience, drawing inspiration from multiple-exposure photography techniques to achieve group photos. Users can avoid the hassle of finding a passerby to take a photo for them.

Conclusion: New AI Mobile Experience Worth Anticipating

The Pixel 9 series brings numerous upgrades in design, hardware and AI experience. While the next generation Pixel series equipped with Tensor G5 is highly anticipated, the Pixel 9 series is still worth attention. Google's upcoming launch event, which is about to take place early tomorrow, will bring us a new AI mobile phone experience. Let's wait and see!