Pixel 9 Series among other products announced at the Made by Google event

Google has just wrapped up its Made by Google hardware event, unveiling the refreshed Pixel 9 series and a host of updates across its device range. While many of the details confirmed what we had heard in recent leaks, there were still some new announcements to get excited about.

Here’s a roundup of all the major highlights from Google’s Pixel 9 series launch event:

Google Pixel 9 Series Smartphones Unveiled

Google has officially introduced the Pixel 9 series, which now includes three standard models and a new folding phone. The standard lineup features:

• Pixel 9: A base model with a 6.3-inch display.
• Pixel 9 Pro: A new, smaller Pro version also with a 6.3-inch screen.
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: The high-end variant with a 6.8-inch display.

All three models sport a redesigned oval-shaped camera housing, Google’s updated G4 Tensor chip, improved battery life, and a new satellite SOS feature. Pricing starts at $799 for the Pixel 9, $999 for the Pixel 9 Pro, and $1,099 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL will begin shipping on August 22nd, with the smaller Pixel 9 Pro available starting in September.

Introducing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google also revealed the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a more refined version of their folding phone. This model is taller and thinner than its predecessor, featuring a 6.3-inch outer display and an 8-inch inner display. It also includes the G4 Tensor chip and boasts a brighter inner display with a peak brightness of 2,700 nits, up from 1,450 nits on the previous model. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced at $1,799 and will start shipping on September 4th.

AI Innovations and New Apps

The Pixel 9 lineup introduces Google’s new Gemini AI assistant, which can help you find information within apps and answer questions about your photos. Google is also launching two new AI apps:

• Pixel Screenshots: Allows you to search for information in saved screenshots using on-device AI.
• Pixel Studio: A text-to-image generator for creating visuals from text prompts.

New AI image editing tools include an “Add Me” feature that merges two scenes to include someone in a group photo, and the Magic Editor in Google Photos, which uses generative AI to replace entire sections of a photo, like the sky.

Pixel Watch 3 Enhancements

The Pixel Watch 3 comes in both 41mm and 45mm sizes. It features thinner bezels, a brighter display reaching up to 2,000 nits, and a new ultra wideband chip. Notably, it includes a pulse detection feature that can call emergency services if it detects a stopped pulse and no movement. The 41mm model starts at $349.99, while the 45mm model is priced at $399.99. Both will be available starting September 10th.

New Pixel Buds Pro 2

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are smaller, lighter, and come with 11-millimeter drivers and a new Tensor A1 chip for enhanced active noise cancellation (ANC). The new wing fin design ensures a secure fit during workouts, with up to eight hours of audio playback with ANC enabled or up to 30 hours with the case. Priced at $229, they will start shipping on September 26th.

Gemini Live

Gemini Live, announced at I/O in May, is now available to Gemini Advanced subscribers. This new voice chat feature allows users to interact with Google’s AI assistant using their voice, offering responses in one of ten different voices. Similar to ChatGPT’s voice assistant, Gemini Live enables conversational interaction and allows for interruptions mid-sentence.