Pixel 9, 9 Pro & XL Leaks: Why is Google going SMALL in 2024? 🤔

XDA
15 Feb 202408:49

TLDRThe upcoming Google Pixel 9 series is set to introduce a significant design overhaul, with a more iPhone-like aesthetic and a shift towards smaller sizes. The series may include three models, with the regular Pixel 9 and 9 Pro featuring a periscope telephoto camera. Google's strategy seems influenced by the Japanese market's preference for smaller phones, where Pixel has become the second most popular brand. Despite the new design, the Pixel 9 may not receive the anticipated custom Tensor G4 chip, instead using a modified Exynos chip.

Takeaways

  • 📱 The upcoming Google Pixel 9 series is rumored to feature a significant design overhaul, moving towards a more iPhone-like aesthetic.
  • 📱️ The new Pixel 9 series may include as many as three models, differing in size and possibly battery capacity.
  • 📱 The regular Pixel 9 will have a 6.1-inch screen, and the 9 Pro will have a 6.5-inch screen, both smaller than their predecessors.
  • 📱️ The design of the Pixel 9 series will see a traditional camera protrusion and wider curved corners, reminiscent of the Pixel Fold.
  • 📱 The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are expected to share the same camera setup, including a periscope telephoto lens.
  • 🌏 Google's market success in Japan, where smaller phones are favored, may have influenced the decision to focus on more compact Pixel models.
  • 📱️ Early leaks suggested three Pixel 9 models for 2024, but recent information indicates only two devices, code-named Cayman and Komodo, might be released.
  • 📱️ Google's original plan for a fully customized Tensor G4 chip for 2024 has reportedly been delayed, and the Pixel 9 series might use a chip based on the Exynos 2400.
  • 📱 The Pixel Fold 2, set for a later release, could potentially be the first to feature Google's Tensor G4 chip.
  • 📱️ The Pixel 9 series is expected to maintain a high-quality camera experience across all models, emphasizing Google's commitment to photography in their devices.

Q & A

  • What is the expected design change for the upcoming Google Pixel 9 phones?

    -The upcoming Google Pixel 9 phones are expected to have a significant visual revamp, with a design overhaul that is more 'iPhone-like'. The camera bar on the back will be fashioned in a more traditional style, disconnected from the aluminum of the outer shell, making it a larger protrusion. The corners of the phone will have wider curves, similar to the changes made in 2023 with the 8 Pro Camera Visor.

  • How many models of the Pixel 9 phones are anticipated to be released?

    -There could be as many as three models of the Pixel 9 phones this time. The leak suggests the possibility of a full trifecta of models, with different sizes and possibly different features.

  • What is the significance of the size changes in the Pixel 9 phones?

    -The regular Pixel 9 will have a smaller 6.1-inch screen, losing a tenth of an inch compared to the Pixel 8. The larger model, the 9 Pro, will also be trimmed down to a 6.5-inch panel from the 6.7-inch screen of the 8 Pro. This indicates a move towards more compact and capable smaller phones, which could be a response to market demands, particularly in Japan where Google has seen significant growth in sales.

  • What is the significance of the camera setup in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro?

    -The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are expected to have a similar camera setup, including a periscope telephoto lens. This suggests that the 'Pro' moniker might be less significant this time around, with the primary difference being the size of the phone and possibly the battery capacity.

  • What market trends might be influencing Google's design decisions for the Pixel 9?

    -The preference for smaller phones in the Japanese market, where Google has become the number two phone brand behind Apple, could be influencing Google's decision to favor smaller devices. This market trend is reflected in the design of the Pixel 9, which aims to offer a more capable smaller phone.

  • What was the original plan for the Pixel 9 series according to the leaked Google roadmap?

    -According to the leaked roadmap, Google originally planned for three Pixel 9 phones for 2024, analogous to the iPhone 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro Max. However, the plans might have changed, and only two devices were given code names: the Pro Max (Komodo) and the smaller Pro (Cayman).

  • What is the significance of the chip changes expected for the Pixel 9 series?

    -The Pixel 9 series is expected to use a chip based on the Exynos 2400, which is currently powering the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus in Europe and some other regions. This suggests an improvement over previous generations, but it is disappointing as the new Tensor G4 chip, which was planned for 2024, will not be ready for the Pixel 9 release.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Google Pixel 9 Series: Design Overhaul and Model Variations

The upcoming Google Pixel 9 series is anticipated to feature a significant design revamp, with as many as three models rumored to be released. The design shift is said to resemble a more 'iPhone-like' aesthetic, including wider curved corners and a traditional camera protrusion. The Pixel 9 is expected to have a smaller form factor than its predecessors, with the regular model featuring a 6.1-inch screen and the Pro model downsizing to a 6.5-inch display from the 8 Pro's 6.7-inch panel. This change in size could be attributed to market trends, particularly in Japan, where smaller phones are favored and Google has seen strong sales. The camera setup is expected to remain consistent across both the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, possibly making the 'Pro' designation less significant. The video also touches on Google's potential shift in strategy, moving back to a model similar to the original Pixel's approach of offering one phone in two sizes.

05:02

🔍 Pixel 9 Code Names and Chip Speculations

The video discusses the code names for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro Max, 'Komodo' and 'Cayman', and speculates on the possibility of the smaller non-Pro Pixel 9 being repurposed as a Pixel 9A or 10A. Historically, Google has had several abandoned projects, highlighting the fluid nature of smartphone development. The conversation then turns to the Tensor processors used in Google's phones, which have had a mixed reception due to issues with heat, battery life, and gaming performance. Reports suggest that Google is planning a fully customized chip for the Pixel, set to be released in 2024 in collaboration with TSMC. However, it seems that the Pixel 9 will likely use a chip based on the Exynos 2400, currently used in some Galaxy S24 models. The fully customized Tensor G4 chip might instead power the upcoming Pixel fold 2, with the potential for a more integrated Pixel experience in the future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pixel 9

The Pixel 9 is the upcoming smartphone model from Google, which is expected to bring significant design changes and improvements over its predecessors. It is mentioned as having a more 'iphonic' design, with wider curved corners and a traditional camera protrusion. The Pixel 9 is also expected to come in different sizes, catering to the market preference for smaller phones.

💡Design Overhaul

A design overhaul refers to a complete or significant change in the visual and physical design of a product. In the context of the video, the Pixel 9 is said to be receiving the biggest design overhaul since the current Pixel aesthetic was introduced in 2021, indicating a major redesign to make the device more visually appealing and contemporary.

💡iphonic

The term 'iphonic' is used informally to describe a design or feature that resembles or is influenced by Apple's iPhone. In the video, the Pixel 9's design is said to be getting more 'iphonic,' suggesting that it is taking on visual cues from Apple's smartphone design language, such as wider curves and a specific camera layout.

💡CAD Renders

CAD renders are computer-generated images that represent a three-dimensional model of an object, often used in product design and engineering. In the context of the video, CAD renders are the visual representations of the Pixel 9 that have been leaked, providing an early look at the device's design and features.

💡Super Zoom Periscope Telephoto

A 'Super Zoom Periscope Telephoto' is a type of camera lens found in smartphones that allows for high magnification and detailed photography at a distance. It uses a periscope-like mechanism to achieve greater optical zoom without adding significant bulk to the device. In the video, it is suggested that the Pixel 9 may include this feature, indicating an advancement in its camera capabilities.

💡Market Preference

Market preference refers to the specific tastes and preferences of consumers within a particular market or geographic region. In the context of the video, it is noted that the Japanese market has a preference for smaller phones, which is believed to be influencing Google's decision to make the Pixel 9 smaller than its predecessors.

💡Tensor Processors

Tensor Processors are custom-designed chips used in Google's Pixel smartphones, introduced to enhance the device's AI and machine learning capabilities. These processors have had a mixed reputation in terms of performance and efficiency. In the video, it is mentioned that the Tensor processors may not be replaced with a fully customized chip in the Pixel 9 as originally planned, indicating a continuation of the current chip design.

💡Exynos

Exynos is a series of application processors developed by Samsung Electronics, used in various smartphones and tablets, including some models of Google's Pixel phones. In the video, it is suggested that the Pixel 9 may continue to use a version of the Exynos chip, despite Google's plans for a fully customized chip in the future.

💡Roadmap

A roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the direction, goals, and timeline for a project or product development. In the video, Google's Pixel roadmap is mentioned as a guide to their planned smartphone releases through to the end of 2025. The roadmap indicates the company's original plans for three Pixel 9 models, among other details.

💡Pixel Fold 2

The Pixel Fold 2 is the rumored successor to Google's first foldable smartphone, the Pixel Fold. In the context of the video, it is suggested that the Pixel Fold 2 might be released later in the year and could potentially feature the new Tensor G4 chip, indicating a significant upgrade for Google's foldable device lineup.

Highlights

The upcoming Google Pixel 9 phones are rumored to feature a significant visual revamp, moving towards a more iPhone-like design.

There could be as many as three Pixel 9 models, indicating a diversification in Google's smartphone lineup.

The Pixel 9 is expected to have a redesigned camera bar, now more traditional and protruding, breaking away from the previous aesthetic.

The new Pixel 9 design features wider curved corners, mirroring changes made in other smartphone brands like Apple.

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are rumored to have size changes, with the regular model getting smaller and the Pro model trimming down its screen size.

Google might be returning to its original strategy of offering one phone in two sizes, similar to the first-generation Pixel strategy.

The Pixel 9 could be the most capable smaller Pixel yet, featuring advanced camera technology like a periscope telephoto lens.

Japanese market trends might be influencing Google's design choices, as smaller phones are favored in the region and Google has seen significant sales growth there.

Google's earlier roadmap for Pixel phones suggested a potential shift to a less frequent release schedule, reflecting a strategic change in product cycles.

The Tensor processors, which power Google's phones, have had a mixed reputation, with reports of overheating and weaker battery life.

Google is reportedly working on a fully customized chip for the Pixel, aiming for more vertical integration and a more competitive product.

The new Tensor G4 chip, originally planned for 2024, might be delayed, leading Google to potentially use a chip based on the Exynos 2400 in the Pixel 9.

The Pixel 9 might not be the first to feature the new Tensor G4 chip, with the Pixel fold 2 potentially launching later with the upgraded processor.

The Pixel 9 series is expected to feature a full trifecta of cameras, even in the most compact model, enhancing its photographic capabilities.

Google's Pixel lineup for the year is anticipated to bring a combination of new design, smaller sizes, camera upgrades, and future chip improvements.

The Pixel 9 is expected to continue Google's tradition of软硬件创新, with a sharp new look and potential for significant hardware advancements.