Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! (7 Key Leaks)

Tech deals, discounts, and new releases

Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! A few weeks ago, during Prime Day, the Pixel 9 was available for €900 for the 12GB/256GB version. If you missed out on that deal, there’s good news: it’s now available at the same price, and this time, you don’t need a Prime membership to take advantage of it.

Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is currently discounted by €100 from its regular price, with some color/storage combinations even seeing a €124 reduction. This model features a larger, more advanced 6.8” LTPO display compared to the 6.3” non-LTPO display on the standard Pixel 9, and it includes a 48MP 5x (113mm) periscope camera, while the wide and ultra-wide cameras remain the same as on the Pixel 9.

For those eyeing the Samsung Galaxy A55, it was priced at €380 during Prime Day, but now it’s available for €400, which is still a good deal for this mid-range phone.

The Huawei Watch GT 4, known for its stylish design in both 41mm and 46mm versions, doesn’t bring major hardware upgrades over the GT 3, but it does offer improved battery life, a user-friendly interface, and a few enhancements.

Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! Apple introduced new Macs featuring M4 chips this week, but the MacBook Air didn’t receive an upgrade and still comes with a choice between an M2 or M3 chip. However, Apple has increased the base RAM from 8GB to 16GB without changing the price, prompting retailers to clear out older 8GB models. The 2022 MacBook Air with a 13.6” display, M2 chip, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage is currently priced at €900 on Amazon. Meanwhile, Apple lists the 16GB/256GB version for €1,200, which is relatively high for a device with a two-generation-old chip, even though it remains capable.

The 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip is available in two sizes: the 13.6” model for €1,090 and the 15.3” version for €1,250, both with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Upgrading to 16GB RAM raises the price to €1,300 and €1,600, respectively, so opting for the 8GB version can offer some cost savings.

Lastly, Amazon’s new Kindle Colorsoft is now on sale after a brief pre-order phase. It’s the first Kindle to feature a color e-ink display, with a 7” screen offering 300ppi for black-and-white content and 150ppi for color. This Signature Edition model comes with 32GB storage, is ad-free, supports wireless charging as well as USB-C, and is water-resistant.

Pixel 9 Pro: Compact flagship delight

Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! My fondness for compact phones is well-known, and I’ve always been a huge admirer of the iPhone 13 Mini. However, as it has begun to show its age, I recently upgraded to the iPhone 16 Pro. I also frequently use the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which I find stunning. Despite these, my longing for a smaller phone persists, and it doesn’t seem likely that Apple will revive the iPhone Mini series anytime soon. In the meantime, I found a new partner in the Google Pixel 9 Pro, which became my secondary phone for a few days.

This flagship-level compact device has been long overdue, and while it excites me, it has its frustrating aspects. Below, I’ll share my experiences with its strengths and weaknesses.

The Pixel 9 Pro is priced at Rs 1,09,999 in India as reviewed. Upon unboxing, I was struck by its size. Compared to the much larger Pixel 9 Pro XL (which I recently reviewed), the Pixel 9 Pro is compact and fits effortlessly in any pocket. Despite its smaller frame, the 6.3-inch 120 Hz LTPO OLED display feels anything but tiny, providing up to 3,000 nits of brightness and featuring minimal bezels and a single camera cutout. Unlike the truly compact 5.4-inch display of the iPhone 13 Mini, the Pixel 9 Pro’s screen is more spacious but still compact by today’s standards, where 6.8-inch displays are the norm.

After two weeks of use, the Pixel 9 Pro’s screen felt perfectly normal to me. Unlike the iPhone 13 Mini, which constantly reminded me of its size and limitations, the Pixel 9 Pro feels substantial yet manageable. It offers comfortable one-handed use, allowing for easy handling while shooting videos or taking photos and typing messages on the go. The advantages of a smaller phone are undeniable once embraced.

The Pixel 9 Pro was built to be a premium flagship, and it shows in its aesthetics. I believe it’s one of the most attractive high-end smartphones out there, perhaps the best in the small-phone category. My review unit in Rose Quartz was visually appealing, though I wish Google had explored bolder color options similar to Apple’s new iMac lineup. The phone has a flat display and a square-ish body with rounded corners, reminiscent of recent iPhone models. The rear camera module is an oval-shaped, raised island—a divisive design choice that makes using a case almost essential due to its protrusion. The device’s slick finish adds to its premium feel, though it can be slippery.

Camera-wise, Google’s strength in computational photography is evident, even as smartphone camera quality has improved across the board. The Pixel 9 Pro features a triple-camera system: a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor with improved aperture, and a 48MP telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom. The Pixel’s camera performance stands out, producing well-balanced, true-to-life images with sharpness and clarity. It excels at shadow detail and accurate skin tones but occasionally overcorrects colors, reducing warmth.

In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro has enhanced its 5x telephoto lens for sharper low-light shots. The Pixel 9 Pro’s video capabilities, including 8K recording via Video Boost, are commendable, and its panorama shots are impressive. While the iPhone still leads in overall video quality, the Pixel’s camera system, including its improved night mode and portrait mode, holds its ground with unique characteristics and quirks. The updated selfie camera delivers more detailed shots, though the Portrait feature sometimes produces less realistic edge details.

Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! Performance-wise, my Pixel 9 Pro review unit with 256GB storage and 16GB RAM ran on Google’s latest G4 chip. I don’t prioritize benchmarks, focusing instead on day-to-day performance, which was smooth and powerful across regular tasks, social media, photography, navigation, and gaming. Unlike past Pixels, the 9 Pro stayed cool during use, and its battery life exceeded my expectations. The 4,700mAh battery easily lasted a full day, even with heavy usage, ending with 15-20% remaining, though it doesn’t compare to the longevity of larger models like the Pixel 9 Pro XL or iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The Pixel 9 Pro runs Android 15, which brought limited new features, leaving the interface feeling somewhat stale. Two standout additions are Private Space, a password-protected area for apps and documents, and Theft Detection, which locks the screen if the phone is snatched. The former could use more user-friendly integration, while the latter is innovative for protecting personal data.

AI plays a big role in the Pixel 9 Pro, though I find most generative AI features more novel than essential. However, I do appreciate features like the live transcription tool and Pixel Studio for AI-generated images. While I don’t use Gemini Live frequently, I do rely on web searches for information.

Ultimately, choosing the Pixel 9 Pro depends on whether you want a compact phone with flagship performance. It matches the Pixel 9 Pro XL in hardware aside from the smaller screen and battery. I’m glad to have it as my main small phone—it feels truly premium, boasts a superb camera, and caters to enthusiasts of compact devices.

Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! This past week has been quite eventful for Pixel leaks, which is fairly common, but this time it includes information not only on the upcoming Pixel hardware but also future generations and even a new Pixel tablet planned for 2027. The details appear to come from leaked documents originating from Google’s gChips division. Kamila Wojciechowska of Android Authority has reported extensively on what she describes as an “unprecedented leak” concerning next year’s Pixel 10, the Pixel 11 slated for 2026, and the Pixel Watch 5, along with a Pixel Tablet expected in 2027.

The leaks indicate that both the Tensor G5 and G6 chips are in development. The Tensor G5 is significant as it represents a shift in Google’s chip manufacturing strategy, moving from Samsung to TSMC, the same company that produces Apple’s custom chipsets. While the improvements over the Tensor G4 may not be revolutionary, the G5 is expected to bring enhancements such as AI-powered video editing capabilities to the Pixel 10, allowing the Photos app to provide intuitive editing tools based on video content.

In terms of hardware improvements, the Tensor G5 will support 4K60 HDR video recording, a significant upgrade from the current 4K30 HDR capabilities. The Tensor G6, expected to power the Pixel 11, might offer a 100x telephoto zoom through advanced hardware and software enhancements. However, there are doubts about whether a smartphone can effectively implement such high zoom levels without compromising image quality.

The Pixel 11 may also reintroduce advanced face unlock features, utilizing under-display IR cameras for improved functionality in low light, akin to the face unlock system seen in the Pixel 4 and newer iPhones.

As for the Pixel Watch 5, details are scarce, but it may feature a custom Tensor chip and use older CPU cores to enhance performance and battery life. Additionally, a future Pixel Tablet, using the Tensor G6, might include two USB-C ports to facilitate light productivity tasks, suggesting a focus on usability for work-related applications.

Google’s Secret Plans: Pixel Phones AI and More! While much of the leaked information pertains to devices not releasing for several years, it’s encouraging to see Google pushing forward with its hardware lineup. The current Pixel 9 series has shown great quality, and even the minor upgrades expected with the Pixel 10 are promising.

In the near term, there’s also news about Google selling refurbished Pixel phones, a move that, while commendable for sustainability, raises questions about the long-term value of older models that may not receive future updates. Additionally, the Play Store is gearing up to support mixed-reality (XR) headsets, indicating Google’s interest in expanding into that realm.

Lastly, Gemini 2.0 is set for release in December, with anticipated improvements and new features under the Project Jarvis initiative aimed at automating various online tasks. However, confidence in the reliability of AI remains cautious, especially for high-stakes tasks like booking flights.

On a separate note, Google is facing astronomical fines in Russia, amounting to an unpayable sum, underscoring ongoing tensions and regulatory challenges the company faces globally.