Made by Google Keynote 2024: What to expect

Tomorrow is a big day for Google as it kicks off with the launch of a new Pixel product. Google will unveil its Pixel 9 series along with its latest Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds. The keynote starts at 10:00 am PT/ 1:00 pm ET/ 6:00 pm BST/ 10:30 pm IST time and as usual, we have prepared a roundup of all the leaks and rumors from the past few months to bring you up to speed.

To no one’s surprise, there have been a lot of leaks about Pixel devices over the past few months, and we practically have all the important details about the new devices, including their specs and regional pricing. Here’s what you can expect from tomorrow’s Made by Google ’24 keynote:

A trio of Pixel 9 bar phones – two Pros, one vanilla

Google is ready to unify its Pixel smartphone lineup in a similar way to what Apple has been doing for several years. Pixels 9 will be the entry-level model equivalent to the base iPhone, with a 6.3-inch OLED display (not LTPO) with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and slightly thicker bezels than the Pro models.

Google Pixels 9

Pixel 9 gets an aluminum frame and an updated camera bezel that no longer blends into the side frame like the Pixel 8 series. As the cheaper model in the series, Google offers striking color options including Porcelain (white), pink, green, and obsidian (black).

Pixel 9 Pro brings the Pro features (i.e. triple cameras) to a smaller footprint to attract users who have previously been hesitant to upgrade to Pro. It also gets a 6.3-inch OLED (LTPO this time) with slimmer bezels than the standard Pixel 9, as well as a new glossy frame that could be made of either stainless steel or titanium. Pixel 9 Pro will be the true successor to last year’s Pixel 8 Pro with a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED screen. Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are expected to come in Porcelain, Rose, Hazelnut (Green) and Obsidian colors.

Google Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL

Cameras are always a focus on Pixel devices and this year’s Pros get 50MP main cameras with a Samsung GNK 1/1.31-inch sensor and OIS, as well as a 48MP 5x telephoto lens with a Sony IMX858 sensor (1/2.51-inch) and a 48MP ultra-wide lens. Pixel 9 will reportedly feature the same 50MP main and 48MP ultra-wide cameras. Google is also rumored to finally introduce 8K video recording this time around.

Pixel 9 (left) and Pixel 9 Pro (right)

The Pro models also get updated 50MP front cameras (Samsung 3J1), while the non-Pro models have to make do with the 10.5MP sensor from last year’s Pixel 8 series.

All four new Pixels are expected to feature Google’s 4nm Tensor G4 chipset, which is said to come with an eight-core configuration – 1x Cortex-X4 @ 3.1GHz, 3x Cortex-A720 @ 2.6GHz, and 4x Cortex-A520 cores @ 1.95GHz. Early benchmarks have shown that this will be one of the smaller changes in the short history of Tensor chipsets, although we expect improved power efficiency and thermal management.

Google Pixel 9 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Pixel 9 is rumored to offer up to 12GB of RAM, while the Pro models will be configurable with up to 16GB of RAM. The new phones are also rumored to offer bi-directional satellite communications via the Exynos 5400 modem.

The batteries on the new phones are also expected to have larger capacities, with the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro sporting 4,600mAh cells, while the 9 Pro XL should have up to 5,060mAh. Google is also expected to introduce faster charging support this time around, with up to 35W on the Pro 9 XL.

As for availability and pricing, the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL are expected to be available for pre-order right after tomorrow’s event, while open sales are scheduled to begin on August 22.

Pixel 9 is expected to start at £750/€899 with 128GB storage and £894/€999 with 256GB storage.

Pixel 9 Pro costs £914/€1,099 with 128GB, £1,094/€1,199 with 256GB and £1,202/€1,329 for the 512GB version.

Pixel 9 Pro XL costs £1,022/€1,199 with 128GB, £1,202/€1,299 with 256GB, £1,310/€1,429 with 512GB and £1,562/€1,689 for the 1TB version.

Rumor has it that Google will offer free storage upgrades for pre-orders between August 13 and September 3.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold – bigger, slimmer and updated hardware

Google is also ready to update its first foldable phone with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. We’re expecting a major redesign with a larger and slimmer body that’s rumored to measure 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.5mm when folded and 155.2 x 150.2 x 5.1mm when unfolded. Unlike its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also said to open completely flat. It’s also said to weigh 257 grams, which is still more than its main rivals, but a welcome 26-gram weight saving over the original Pixel Fold.

The two displays will get a major overhaul with a 6.24-inch cover display and an 8-inch OLED main display. Both will be 120Hz and offer peak brightness of up to 2,700 nits. They will also offer updated aspect ratios with a taller and narrower cover display and a square clamshell display.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold unfolded

The cameras on the back are said to include a 48MP main camera, a 10.5MP telephoto camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, as well as two 10MP selfie modules – one for each display. Pixel 9 Pro Fold will also feature the new Tensor G4 chip with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (leaked images), Obsidian

One area that won’t be getting an update is the battery – rumors suggest Google will opt for a 4,650mAh cell, a 171mAh decrease from the first-gen Pixel Fold. Hopefully the new and improved Tensor G4 will make up for the smaller capacity.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (leaked images), Porcelain

Pre-orders open tomorrow, with open sales expected to begin in September. Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to be priced at £1,670/€1,899 for the 256GB variant and £1,850/€2,029 for the 512GB version.

New AI features – why not?

It wouldn’t be a Google keynote if some new AI features weren’t baked in, too. The new Pixels are expected to include Pixel Screenshots, which uses Gemini to help you pull information from your screenshots and launch searches directly. We’re also expecting new Gemini interactions with the ability to ask for help from any screen on your device.

“Add Me” is one of the most interesting features in the Pixel Camera app. It lets you add people to photos where they weren’t originally in. Rumor has it that Google is also rolling out updates to Magic Editor that will let you replace photo backgrounds via text prompts.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 with wingtips

Pixel Buds Pro 2 should retain the same stemless design as their predecessors but bring back the wingtips for a better fit. They are expected to come in charcoal, porcelain, aloe and hot pink and feature a slightly larger body that may hide a larger 650mAh battery.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in hot pink

In terms of specs, we haven’t seen much more, but we’re hoping for improved sound and better acoustic signal enhancement (ANC).

Pixel Buds Pro 2 are set to launch on September 26 for $229/€249/£219. You can also expect to see them in pre-order bundles alongside the new Pixel phones.

Pixel Watch 3 in two sizes

For the first time in its lineup, the Pixel Watch 3 is expected to come in more than one size – namely a 45mm diameter, in addition to the 41mm version. Both will look almost identical to the Pixel Watch 2 with round AMOLED displays, but will offer larger panels thanks to new, narrower bezels. Both new watches will also offer 2,000 nits of peak brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate – which is a welcome improvement over the Pixel Watch 2’s 30Hz panel.

The hardware inside remains largely unchanged with the same Snapdragon Wear 5100 and Cortex M33 coprocessor as last year’s Pixel Watch 2. There’s also 2GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage. The 41mm Pixel Watch 3’s battery is expected to be 310mAh, while the 45mm could get a 420mAh cell.