It’s been eight months since Google released their Pixel 8 series. The company generally announces its latest flagship series around October every year. Theoretically, the Pixel 9 series should have also launched in October, but that’s not the case this time around.
Google just sent surprise invites for an event being held on August 13th, 2024, at 10 AM PT. This is 2 months earlier than the traditional timeline Google usually follows. This means the Pixel 8 is going to get a successor only 10 months after its launch.
Quick Answer: The wait is almost over. Google officially confirmed that the Pixel 9 series will be launched on August 13, 2024.
Although Google hasn’t explicitly mentioned the products they’re launching, the invites they have sent out have Pixels mentioned. The invite reads, “You’re invited to an in-person Made by Google event where we’ll showcase the best of Google AI, Android software, and the Pixel portfolio of devices.”
The invite is indeed vague, and people initially speculated that it is not related to the Pixel 9 series. However, after sending out the invite, Google put up this teaser page on their website.
On the website, there’s a video subtly revealing a phone. The visible details align with the leaks of the Pixel 9 series we have seen in the past few months. Then the video displays “IX,” which signifies it is the Pixel 9 series. The final nail in the coffin confirming the launch is the website URL, which explicitly mentions “google_pixel_9_pro”.
About Pixel 9 Series
The website’s teaser gives little to no info about the phone or its design. However, according to many leaks, Google is said to be making a substantial change in its design this time around.
Additionally, there are also going to be 3 models launched this year as opposed to 2 the company launched in the past couple of years. The models that are going to be launched are Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and a brand new Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 Pro XL will be the same size as last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro, however, will be small, around 6.1 inches, matching the base Pixel 9.
This fills the “compact Pro” phone gap in Google’s lineup. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro is 6.1″, and this will compete right alongside the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro.
The design changes include fully flat sides. Previously, it had rounded edges, which felt like a pebble to hold in the hand. However, the new Pixel 9 series has a boxy, square style, which resembles the new S24 lineup and the iPhones.
The camera module is different, too. It’s still a minimalistic Visor design, with three camera lenses on the rear for the Pro. One of them is the main, then the ultrawide, and a periscope. Note that it’s not fully squared off since it maintains rounded corners. The bezels appear very slim from the renders, and there’s a center punch hole.
Google is presumably releasing these phones earlier than usual in an effort to prevent leaks. It also helps with press and media since there aren’t many important launches at that time of the year. They can avoid competing for time with other companies.
