Robert Triggs / Android Authority
It’s official: The Pixel 9 collection is arriving in August. That’s a complete two months sooner than the Pixel’s typical October launch window, marking a significant departure from the standard timetable. Whereas solely Google is aware of the explanations for dashing up the discharge, I’m satisfied it has loads to do with lastly taking a correct combat to Apple, which is because of launch its iPhone 16 vary in September.
As is the buzzword this 12 months, AI will undoubtedly be the important thing battleground and Google little doubt thinks it could actually steal Apple’s thunder. The iPhone 16 collection will debut Apple Intelligence baked into iOS 18, which incorporates notification summaries, AI picture technology, and leverages a partnership with ChatGPT to increase Siri’s capabilities. That’s great things for iPhone homeowners, however hardly new options for Pixel followers, who already take pleasure in comparable AI options and a variety of pictures instruments Apple gained’t match.
Google undoubtedly has much more options to unveil alongside the Pixel 9 vary that’ll put substantial daylight between it and Apple. Pushing these options out forward of Cupertino’s new iPhone additionally secures Google’s place because the AI market chief and sidesteps any potential criticism of a reactionary transfer by launching afterward, which wasn’t search for the model’s AI crew when OpenAI burst onto the scene.
Pixel {hardware} is nearly as good as ever, whereas AI and updates make it a real iPhone competitor.
Pipping Apple to its AI key announcement is a daring, aggressive play, however software program alone gained’t be sufficient to face out. Apple excels at making strong {hardware} too, however fortunately, Google’s Pixel lineup is now a very aggressive pressure. Earlier-gen teething points like poor networking and overheating have been (largely) ironed out, whereas the manufacturers’ pictures capabilities and AI {hardware} give it a singular promoting level. Pixel is the perfect it has ever been, and Google’s software program ecosystem and long-term help are high of the category. If there’s a time to attempt to problem Apple’s dominance, now’s nearly as good because it will get.
Will you purchase a Pixel 9 when it launches in August?
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Robert Triggs / Android Authority
On the flip facet, an earlier launch schedule additionally places much more daylight between the Pixel 9 and next-gen Android telephones that pop up in the direction of the top of the 12 months and land in shopper palms in early 2025. For instance, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 collection gained’t hit cabinets till across the finish of January, most certainly, giving Google 5 or so months to bask within the limelight earlier than the following large Western various comes alongside. Due to Galaxy AI, Samsung is Google’s greatest AI competitor within the Android area and arguably stole numerous the Pixel’s AI thunder initially of 2024. With the launch invite emphasizing “the perfect of Google AI, Android software program, and the Pixel portfolio of gadgets,” you possibly can wager the 9 collection goals to face out on this entrance. Plus it’ll have Android 15 properly earlier than different telephones launch with it or see an replace.
An early launch additionally places daylight between the Pixel 9 and next-gen Android rivals.
As well as, the Pixel 9 may in all probability use a little bit of respiration room in opposition to the Android spec monsters which are as a consequence of arrive in the direction of the top of 2024. The Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 processor appears to be like like a minor improve that’ll preserve it aggressive with current-gen smartphones. Nonetheless, next-gen Android fashions powered by Qualcomm will see a major shift with customized CPU cores contained in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, and MediaTek is rumored to be taking a look at one other enormous multi-core behemoth. Whereas we don’t know the specifics but, these may propel Android handsets to a brand new stage of efficiency that would overshadow the Pixel lineup’s already so-so processor elements. By arriving in August, the discuss will probably be on how the Pixel 9 stacks up in opposition to the iPhone 16 and present Android telephones, with much less emphasis on ready to see what’s in retailer for rival next-gen powerhouses.
Google seems to be organising for a significant push with an early Pixel 9 launch, which is able to pile stress on Apple and its Android rivals. The perfect information of all, after all, is that we get our palms on the most recent and best Pixel sooner. It’s simply a few months till we are able to see if the extra compact Pixel 9 Professional lives as much as its potential. Carry on August already.