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When it comes to Made by Google hardware events, there is usually little suspense as to what type of gadgets the firm will reveal. Rumor sites are more than eager to provide their own specifics with leaked renderings, purported spec sheets, and other information to give everyone a pretty decent sense of what to anticipate, in addition to whatever facts Google chooses not to disclose through teaser films.
Indeed, there aren't many questions regarding what Google will probably reveal at the next Made by Google event, which is scheduled for this Tuesday, August 13, at the company's Mountain View, California, headquarters. We may anticipate seeing the regular Pixel 9 during the event as well, given the company has previously shown the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold in videos. There are strong rumors suggesting that there will be two Pro models with varying sizes, and all indications point to the inclusion of the Pixel Watch 3 and new Google earphones.
While there may be some surprises in store, the program is rather full with only the goods that Google has officially announced or that have almost been confirmed by rumors. What remains to be found, then?
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When it comes to incorporating AI technologies into its flagship phones, Google used to be unmatched. AI-powered features have been an integral part of the Google Pixel narrative ever since the company switched to its own Tensor processors with the Pixel 6 series, in addition to the superb picture processing features for which the brand is renowned.
Rival smartphone manufacturers, meanwhile, are vying for market share in AI. Galaxy AI capabilities have been the main emphasis of Samsung's past two big phone launches: the Galaxy S24 series in January and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 foldables last month. Although Apple is lagging behind its competitors in artificial intelligence (AI), the company has released a preview of its initial AI features, with the entire suite of features coming to select iPhone models well into 2025.
Put differently, there are now alternative options for AI than the Pixel. How does Google react then?
Rumors regarding possible AI functions for the Pixel 9 point to many interesting enhancements. It's anticipated that the next Pixels will have phone call recording capabilities along with transcription services. It is said that a "Add Me" option allows the person taking the group snapshot to be included in the picture. The material in the screen captures may allow the Pixel to search for screenshots you've captured. It seems certain that the Gemini chatbot will be included into the next phones in some way.
Demos of these speculated capabilities as well as any further features Google decides to add to the Pixel 9's feature set should be available soon. However, I'll be seeing how Google offers these novel artificial intelligence capabilities. Google's Olympic advertisement, in which Gemini is entrusted with composing a fan letter, sparked criticism because it seemed to suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) was being used for activities that were better left to human ingenuity. Google has to make sure it knows that AI should not be used as a replacement for human creativity and communication, but rather as a tool to expedite laborious processes or allow apparently impossible stunts.
How will the Tensor G4 perform?
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As of now, we are aware that Tensor chips from Google don't truly deliver best-in-class performance; instead, their Tensor engine powers all of the AI features we've covered above. However, there is a performance difference between Google's phones and the finest Android phones that has to be closed in some fashion.
Think about how the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, more than quadrupled the Geekbench 6 single-core test result of the Pixel 8 Pro with its Tensor G3 hardware when we submitted our results. The multicore result was much better, coming in at over 150%. The Galaxy S24 Ultra completed the process of converting a video using Adobe Premiere Rush nine seconds faster than the Pixel 8 Pro, even in a real-world test.
It's concerning to see that the Tensor G4 is reportedly just a little improvement over the Tensor G3, which means the performance difference between phones employing Qualcomm's best processor may widen even further. In order to help the Pixel 9 phones survive longer between charges—an area where previous Pixel flagships have also fallen behind of the competition—we're expecting that the Tensor G4 will at the very least become more power efficient.
Where does the Pixel Watch fit into the smartwatch scene?
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The Pixel Watch has to stand apart in a world where the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch are the center of attention, much as the Pixel phone aims to divert customers from Samsung's Galaxy flagships and Apple's iPhone. Google has the opportunity to argue in favor of the Pixel Watch 3 during the Made by Google event.
The Pixel Watch 3 appears to be available in two sizes: a 41mm regular edition and a 45mm XL variant. Additionally, we would anticipate that the newest watches will run Wear OS 5, which brings additional fitness tracking functions, and be compatible with Google's Find My Device network.
But we're curious to see if the Pixel Watch 3 has something similar up its sleeve since the Galaxy Watch 7 debuted this summer with new AI-powered wellness capabilities that provide a very detailed picture of your health and fitness. Samsung currently makes the greatest wristwatch for Android, but the Pixel Watch 3 has more to offer than simply a bigger display if Google wants to stay in the game.
How can the Pixel 9 Pro Fold improve upon the Pixel Fold?
While the initial Pixel Fold was released in the middle of 2023, Google decided not to issue an upgrade for it until later in the year. Rather, Google's second attempt at a foldable phone is becoming a part of the Pixel 9 series; this move was likely made to enable the new foldable to also be powered by a Tensor G4 CPU.
Although we thought the Pixel Fold was good when it first launched, later folding phones from OnePlus and Samsung have outperformed it. We're interested in seeing what Google comes up with for a follow-up and whether it can resolve some of the issues with its first gadget. That would include reducing the bezels on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's internal display, but we also hope the phone does a better job of ensuring that applications appear decent on such a large screen.
But when it comes to Google, everything inevitably comes back to AI. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will likely have new AI-powered functions because a Tensor G4 processor is likely included. Will any of them, though, be tuned to make the most of the phone's two screens and physical factor? Samsung accomplished this with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, for instance, optimizing the AI-powered translator mode by using the internal and cover screens. With any luck, Google is working on a similar project where an AI-powered function will aid enhance the allure of this phone's foldable form.
Can Google's phones avoid price hikes?
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The cost of phones is increasing. Apple increased the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the fall of last year, and Samsung did the same with the Galaxy S24 Ultra at the beginning of this year. In addition, the new Samsung foldables are $100 more expensive than the original models.
Google is under pressure to break this trend, particularly in light of the Pixel 8 series' increased pricing over the prior model. We might not be able to totally prevent price increases, as a rumor about the Pixel 9 suggests that some variants will cost more than their predecessors, at least in Europe. However, Google has always set itself apart from rival phone manufacturers by charging less for its flagship models. Tuesday will be an exciting day as we wait to see if history will repeat itself.