The biggest launch this week so far was the arrival of the Google Pixel 9 series. The search giant launched two new flagships, a new near-flagship phone, and a new foldable, all of which are currently on pre-order.
Starting with the Google Pixel 9, it goes further than the Pixel 8 – an FHD+ non-LTPO display and no telephoto camera prevent it from getting the “Pro” moniker. However, this phone has the powerful new Tensor G4 chipset and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. Both the wide and ultra-wide cameras are the same as the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL.
Google has trade-in deals. Note that storage doesn’t matter from what we’ve seen (i.e. Pixel 8 128GB and 256GB trade-in for the same price). A Pixel 8 in good condition is $490, a Pixel 7 is $360. The iPhone 15 is $480, the iPhone 14 is $440. Samsung phone prices aren’t great, with the Galaxy S23 going for $320, even the S24 (which isn’t even a year old) going for $400.
Google Pixel 9
Coming on August 22nd
(Google) $100 store credit (through August 28)
(Amazon) $100 Gift Card
(Best Buy) $100 gift card
128GB – $800 at Google Store 128GB – $800 at Amazon US 128GB – $800 at Best Buy
You’ve probably noticed – there are no free storage upgrades. Instead, Google, Amazon, and Best Buy are each offering store credits or gift cards and they’re all the same value, for example the Pixel 9 comes with a $100 credit/gift card.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is exactly the same size as the Pixel 9, but it’s a true pro phone with a higher resolution LTPO display (1,280 x 2,856px) and 5x 48MP telephoto cameras. The Pro gets one additional upgrade – a 42MP selfie camera with an ultra-wide lens.
The Pixel 9 Pro isn’t the tiny flagship some might have expected – it’s bigger and heavier than the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 Pro. It’s also slightly larger than the Pixel 8. Still, you’re not getting a 5x tele camera on either the Samsung or Apple phones (just 3x and with a lower resolution sensor), no high resolution ultra wide or selfie camera either. And it’s not like Samsung and Apple do fast charging, so Google doesn’t look bad in comparison. There are trade-in offers with the prices mentioned above.
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Coming on September 9th
(Google) $200 store credit (by August 28)
(Amazon) $200 Gift Card
(Best Buy) $200 gift card
128GB – $1,000 at Google Store 128GB – $1,000 at Amazon US 128GB – $1,000 at Best Buy
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the follow-up to the 8 Pro (Google changed its naming scheme, which makes things confusing). It’s a larger version of the 9 Pro with a 6.8-inch display (vs. 6.3”) and a larger 5,060mAh battery (vs. 4,700mAh). An additional difference here is that wired charging goes up to 37W (vs. 27W), which gets the battery up to 70% in 30 minutes. That’s no VOOC charging, but we’ll accept it.
Note that all Google Pixel 9 phones will be supported for 7 years.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Coming on August 22nd
(Google) $200 store credit (by August 28)
(Amazon) $200 Gift Card
(Best Buy) $200 gift card
128GB – $1,100 at Google Store 128GB – $1,100 at Amazon US 128GB – $1,100 at Best Buy
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a huge improvement over Google’s first attempt at a foldable. It folds down to just 10.5mm, compared to 12.1mm on the Galaxy Z Fold6 and 11.7mm on the OnePlus Open. However, it’s heavier than both, at 257g.
The OnePlus phone has an excuse – it’s a 2023 model. However, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is brand new, and we think Google has overtaken Samsung in the foldable development race.
By the way, note that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses all new internals and cover display, but has more or less the same camera hardware as the original Pixel Fold. However, the original Fold launched with the older Tensor G2, so the new model with the G4 is significantly more powerful and more efficient too.
google pixel 9 pro fold
Coming on September 4th
(Google) $350 store credit (through September 7)
(Best Buy) $350 gift card
256GB – $1,800 at Google Store 256GB – $1,800 at Best Buy
Google has launched a new 45W charger, which you’ll need to get maximum charging speeds with the Pixel 9 Pro – the old 35W charger won’t do it. However, if you have a USB-PD charger you’re happy with, you can skip this one.
Google 45W USB-C Adapter
Coming on August 22nd
$30 at Amazon US $30 at Best Buy
The new Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, whereas the Watch 2 was only available in a 41mm size. The 45mm option gets you a 1.4” display (vs. 1.2”) and a larger 420mAh battery. We’ve linked the Wi-Fi watch below, but you can get the LTE version for $100 more. If you opt for the 4G version, Google will give you 2 years of free data on Google Fi. Note that while texting is supported, calling from the watch is not (at least not with this free plan).
Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm)
Wi-Fi is coming September 10
+1$00 for LTE
(Google) Free data for 2 years
$350 at Google Store $350 at Amazon US $350 at Best Buy
Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
Wi-Fi is coming September 10
+1$00 for LTE
(Google) Free data for 2 years
$400 at Google Store $400 at Amazon US $400 at Best Buy
Finally, Google unveiled the new Pixel Buds Pro 2. This is the first time its custom Tensor chips have been included in a TWS buds form factor, but promise massive improvements in noise cancellation (2x in the 400Hz-2kHz range). And ANC automatically adapts to your environment. The buds have no stem (cough, Samsung, cough) and promise long battery life (8 hours for buds with ANC, up to 30 hours with the case).
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Coming on September 26
$30 Gift Card
$230 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy
