Google Pixel 9 Pro: Everything we know so far

When the Pixel 9 Pro arrives this fall, it's going to face some competition on the AI front. Recent editions of the Pixel have stood out for their AI prowess, with unique features driven by the Tensor core in Google's own Tensor system-on-chip. 

But earlier this year, the Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup arrived, with an emphasis on AI capabilities of its own, challenging Google's long-held role as the maker of the smartest phones available. So how will Google respond with this year's Pixel 9 update? And how might the top-of-the-line Pixel 9 Pro stand out from the crowd?

If Pixel 9 Pro rumors are true, Google's looking to double-down on its Pro model, with two versions of the Pixel 9 Pro apparently on the drawing board. Want to know what else to expect? Read on for the latest Pixel 9 Pro rumors ahead of its release.

Google Pixel 9 Pro at a glance

• All Pixel 9 models — including any Pro versions — would ship in the fall.
• There are two rumored Pro models — the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. And the Pixel Fold could join the Pixel 9 lineup as well
• The Pixel 9 Pro could have a 6.1-inch screen, while the Pro XL would have a 6.7-inch panel.
• The Tensor G4 chip will power Google's new phones, and Google's expected to expand the number of on-device AI features.

Google Pixel 9 Pro: Release date rumors and price

Barring an unexpected change of schedule, the Pixel 9 Pro will likely debut in October 2024. Cheaper A-series handsets aside, the Pixel has only failed to appear in October once since the line debuted in 2016 — and that was in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic when the Pixel 5 instead emerged at the end of September 2020.

If you're hoping to see the Pixel 9 Pro ahead of a likely fall launch, circle May 14 on your calendar. That's when Google I/O takes place, and while any hardware announcements at the developer conference are likely to center around the Pixel 8a and (possibly) the Pixel Fold 2, Google has shown off its main flagships at the event previously. In 2022, we saw a sneak preview of the Pixel 7 lineup during I/O.

As for the Pixel 9 Pro price, that's harder to gauge than the release date. Last year, both Pixel handsets went up by $100, pushing the Pixel 8 Pro to a starting price of $999. Four-figure price tags are generally off-putting to consumers, so we’d expect Google to avoid a price hike this year — but we’re not expecting a cut either, unless Google charges less for the smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro that's rumored.

Google Pixel 9 Pro: Design

By far the most exciting rumor about the Pixel 9 Pro’s design dates back to the end of 2022 when an insider revealed Google’s roadmap for the next few years. In the leak — which correctly predicted many announcements in the intervening months, including the arrival of the Pixel Fold — it was suggested that there would be two Pixel 9 Pro handsets. 

One would match the 6.7-inch screen of the current model, while the other would be a more compact 6.3 inches. If true, that would mimic Apple’s Pro strategy with a regular iPhone 15 Pro and a larger iPhone 15 Pro Max.

However, that’s somewhat contradicted by the first design render we’ve seen, which claimed that the Pixel 9 Pro would have a 6.5-inch screen size. While that doesn’t rule out a second Pro model, the question is whether it would be bigger or smaller.

Some clarity has come in the form of a new Pixel 9 render, in which the leaker in question — Steve Hemmerstoffer, otherwise known as OnLeaks — posits that the smallest Pixel 9 Pro will have a 6.1-inch display while the Pixel 9 Pro XL will feature a 6.7-inch panel.

Regardless of what the screen sizes end up being, there’s one clear design change you can see in the renders accompanying this piece: The distinctive camera bar has been reduced, no longer stretching from edge to edge and now contained within a vertical pill on the back. 

There is one other potential display feature — a rumored Adaptive Touch capability that would make screens more responsive depending on conditions like environment, activities and whether or not there's a screen protector in place on your phone.

There's one other possibility about the number of different Pixel 9 Pro models worth noting — a rumor claims the Pixel Fold will join the Pixel flagship lineup. Should that happen, the foldable would be known as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google Pixel 9 Pro: Specifications

In terms of specifications, we’re largely in the dark. Yes, the Pixel 9 Pro will almost certainly pack the Tensor G4 chipset, but what that will mean in terms of speed is currently unknown. You’re best tempering your expectations, however, as sources speaking to Android Authority have said it will “most likely be a smaller upgrade than initially planned.”

That said, the Tensor G4 chip could feature some important new tech thanks to Samsung, the builder of said chip. It should hopefully mean better performance and thermal management which will put the new Pixel more in line with its rivals.

But speed isn’t everything. The Pixel series was ahead of the curve in adopting artificial intelligence with its Magic Editor, and it sounds like Google won’t be resting on its laurels with the Pixel 9. 

According to a report in The Information, Google is working on a powerful new AI assistant called Pixie that could “evolve into a far more personalized version of the Google Assistant.” It could, for example, perform “complex and multimodal tasks” like “suggesting directions to the closest store where someone can buy a product they have photographed.”

Another report raises the expectation that enhanced on-device AI capabilities are coming to the Pixel 9 phones. Specific features cited in the report include text-to-image conversions, enhanced Magic Compose capabilities, more intricate auto-reply suggestions and text categorization and embedding capabilities. Again, all of this would happen on the Pixel 9 models, without involving cloud connectivity.

The Pixel 9 phones could feature a new modem to address long-term connectivity issues that have befallen previous Pixels. We're also expecting to see satellite connectivity for the new Pixels, not unlike the Emergency SOS via satellite capabilities that have part of the last few iPhone generations.

Along with the renders of the phone and its new-look camera array, MySmartPrice included one tidbit about the camera specs: “The large sensor on the camera island suggests that Google will likely equip the device with support for variable aperture.” 

Finally, we’d expect the Pixel 9 Pro to be the first phone to benefit from Android 15. A pair of developer previews have given us some idea what to expect, such as the apparent return of lock screen widgets, but an Android 15 beta coming in the spring should give us a fuller picture.

Google Pixel 9 Pro: Outlook

It’s early days for Pixel 9 Pro leaks, but it seems like Google could have some solid enhancements on the way even if the rumored smaller Pixel 9 Pro doesn’t materialize. 

In particular, with Samsung pushing artificial intelligence hard, it will be interesting to see how revolutionary Google’s Pixie AI assistant turns out to be. We’ll find out this fall.