Google Pixel 9 launch event: All the key announcements

Plenty of new products and AI features to drive Google's hardware sales in 2024. The new handsets and wearables will become available for purchase in the coming days. The Pixel 9 smartphones ship with Android 14 out of the box but we expect Android 15 to debut this fall. Google has also teased some Gemini features that use Project Astra and integration with app to bring an all-new experience, including research capabilities.

Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 feature a new Tensor A1 chip, promising faster audio processing and improved ANC. They offer 8 hours of listening time with ANC enabled. With larger drivers, optimized music playback, and enhanced call clarity, the earbuds offer better sound quality. Other features include Conversation Detection, seamless switching between Pixel devices, and integration with Find My Device. The earbuds also offer access to Gemini as well as Gemini Live for enhanced engagement with AI assistant.

Google has also officially launched its latest wearable - the Pixel Watch 3. You get two size options - 41mm and 45mm, with a brighter Actua display compared to the previous model. The 41mm variant comes in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, Pink while the larger 45mm model is available in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain trims. You can choose between Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants. Talking of health features, the wearable prvoides improved fitness tracking capabilities, continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking. The device will also detect loss of pulse and alert emergency services for help. The feature is currently limited to EU and UK.

Google's new Magic Editor lets users transform photos by simply describing desired changes. For example, users can replace the sky or alter backgrounds with text-based prompts, allowing for extensive image customization.

The Pixel 9's "Add Me" feature simplifies group photos by allowing you to include yourself. Take a picture of the group, then replace someone in the photo, and the camera seamlessly combines both images.

Google has announced a new Pixel Screenshots app that utilizes AI to analyze your saved screenshots. This AI helps you understand why you saved a particular screenshot in the first place, even if you've forgotten the reason. This functionality aims to address the issue of saving screenshots and then later forgetting the context or purpose behind them. The feature, exclusive to Pixel 9 at launch, leverages on-device AI processing for privacy and avoids uploading screenshots to the cloud.

Google's new foldable smartphone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, is here. It has a 6.3-inch outer display and an 8-inch internal foldable screen. It is touted to be the thinnest foldable handset. Check full specs and price here.

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro have a 6.3-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. The XL variant offers a 6.8-inch screen with similar refresh rate and class-leading brightness. All the handsets are powered by Google's Tensor G4 SoC, house a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and boast Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. The Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL provide 16GB of RAM. Read our story for India prices and full specs.

Google is rolling out a new voice chat mode for Gemini, called Gemini Live. Available for Gemini Advanced subscribers, it functions similarly to ChatGPT's voice chat, offering multiple voices and natural conversational interaction, allowing users to interrupt without manual prompts. Gemini Advanced is available as part of the Google One susbcripion, which starts at ₹1,950 per month in India.

Sameer Samat, head of Android, is going over some examples of Gemini AI applications like building custom workout routines from an email or creating a resume based on files in a Google Drive folder. Gemini can also scan your calendar and help you book events. But for some reason, Google's demo is not working. Gemini now has better understanding of context, that's the jist. The AI assitant can also scan subtitles from a YouTube video and give you summary or highlights or something specific you need.

The Pixel 9 range is getting a design makeover. All handsets will have flat edges and more rounded corners. Depending on the model, you will see a mix of matte and glossy finish on different parts of the handset. The non-folding Pixel 9 smartphones are getting a new camera island as well. It will be a thick, pill-shaped module that won't taper down to meet the edges - a design we have seen on exisiting Pixel devices.

Google has already confirmed the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. However, leaks have given away far more details. Google's smartphone line-up this year is undergoing some changes. We will have a base Pixel 9, along with two Pro models - a 6.3-inch variant and another 6.8-inch trim with 'XL' in the name. So, in total, there will be four handsets in the Pixel 9 range, counting the premium foldable as well.

In some minutes from now, Google will kick-off its annual 'Made By Google' launch event at 10:30 pm IST. The event is happening at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. You can watch the stream on the official YouTube channels of 'Made By Google' and 'Android.' As always, we will be updating this blog in real-time to bring you all the updates. Stay tuned!