Google Pixel 9 series

[limmk]

 

[Loser]

Me to the camera bump: Are you feeling cold or are you just happy to see me?

 

[limmk]

Me to the camera bump: Are you feeling cold or are you just happy to see me?

Same same but different but still same

 

[limmk]

 

[halocast]

whoa... looks like a nice fold.

 

[limmk]

whoa... looks like a nice fold.

I can foresee how the Pixel 10 might look liao, with the iPixel 9 body and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera bar....

 

[limmk]

Google Pixels have always been known for their AI smarts. Since the very beginning, Google has put effort into making unique, helpful features, and with the current LLM craze, it’s no surprise that the upcoming Google Pixel 9 series is set to bring even more intricate AI experiences.

Thanks to a source inside Google, Android Authority has learned that Google is planning to introduce a set of new ML features under the branding of “Google AI,” including a feature resembling Microsoft’s controversial Recall.

“Google AI at its best”​

Google AI will include a mix of new and existing features. Circle to Search is already available on Pixels and even select third-party devices, and Gemini is available on all Android phones.


There are three completely new features, though: the first is Add Me, which claims to ensure everyone’s in a group photo. While we have no extra information about the feature, it sounds like an upgraded version of Best Take, which can not only change the expressions of people in a photo but also merge takes with different people in them. Best Take was first introduced with the Pixel 8 series, and while controversial, it’s still nice to have. Add Me shows Google wants to lean further into the idea that it matters what you’re photographing and not what you actually photographed, and that it thinks AI might be the solution for this problem.

Google is wrapping new and existing features under the Google AI banner for the Pixel 9.

Another new feature is Studio. We believe it’s the same Creative Assistant app we’ve noticed before. The previous references we found reveal the app will integrate into the Pixels’ screenshot editor app, allowing it to create (“remix”) stickers.

The description from the screenshot above makes it seem like the app can do a lot more than just create stickers, though. It could be an all-in-one generative AI image generator, similar to Apple’s Image Playground. It’s worth mentioning that Google has been working on its own image- and even video-generating models for a while. If you want to try them for yourself, ImageFX lets anyone try the Google Imagen 2 model and VideoFX (currently in closed beta) extends the capability to video. It will definitely be interesting to see how Google integrates Studio into other apps.

Last, and perhaps the most interesting feature, is Pixel Screenshots.

Bringing Recall to Android with Pixel Screenshots​

Pixel Screenshots is a feature closely resembling Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature. For those of you who have not had internet access for the past month, Recall is a Windows 11 feature that will be exclusive to the new Copilot Plus PCs. It automatically captures everything you’re doing and uses on-device AI to let you quickly find information from whatever you are looking for. However, many people criticized the feature because of the privacy implications, especially after it was revealed that any attacker with access to your machine could read everything stored by the feature, and Microsoft paused the rollout while it irons out these issues.

Google’s take on the feature is different and more privacy-focused: instead of automatically capturing everything you’re doing, it will only work on screenshots you take yourself. When you do that, the app will add a bit of extra metadata to it, like app names, web links, etc. After that, it will be processed by a local AI, presumably the new multimodal version of Gemini Nano, which will let you search for specific screenshots just by their contents, as well as ask a bot questions about them.

Google's Recall-like feature only applies to screenshots you manually capture, making it more secure.
My take on the feature is that it’s definitely a better implementation of the idea than what Microsoft created. While there is a difference in functionality, both of the apps ultimately serve a similar purpose and Google’s implementation doesn’t easily leak sensitive information, at least. It will be interesting to see how it works in practice.

It’s worth mentioning Motorola is also working on its own version of Recall — not much is known at the moment, but it seems it will be similar to Google’s implementation, with no automatic saving of everything on the screen.

 

[limmk]

 

[limmk]

 

[froztheart]

Funky yet refreshing colour.

 

[limmk]

Funky yet refreshing colour.

Only on the Pixel 9. the larger Pixel (9 Pro/Pro XL) likely doesn't have such funky colors

 

[froztheart]

Only on the Pixel 9. the larger Pixel (9 Pro/Pro XL) likely doesn't have such funky colors

Ahhh, one of the distinction so that the base model sells.
Similar to Apple, oh well..

 

[limmk]

Ahhh, one of the distinction so that the base model sells.
Similar to Apple, oh well..

iSamsung... now iPixel

 

[froztheart]

iSamsung... now iPixel

Well, Apple's model worked so business decisions deem it pragmatic to follow suit. lol

 

[limmk]

Google Pixels haven’t always been perfect, occasionally suffering fundamental issues that persist throughout several generations. Some of the best-known examples included the use of outdated camera sensors, lack of ultrawide cameras, no uniform bezels, and extremely slow charging speeds.

Thankfully, Google eventually addressed all of those examples. The Pixel 9 series is set to fix another long-lasting Pixel problem — the slightly slow and sometimes unreliable under-display fingerprint sensor. Thanks to a source familiar with the matter, Android Authority has learned that Google plans to use an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in its upcoming devices.

Upgrading to ultrasonic​

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Google first switched to under-display fingerprint scanners with the Pixel 6 — before that, it has always used traditional rear-mounted sensors. Unfortunately, the switch went rather poorly — early users reported issues both with unlock speeds and the reliability of the scanning. While the subsequent OTA updates and the next generations of Pixels somewhat improved the situation, unlocking was still comparatively slow, and it remains that way to this day.

The source of these problems was the choice of fingerprint scanner used. Google opted for an optical scanner from a company called Goodix, while the competitors have been using ultrasonic scanners. Optical scanners are typically slower, less accurate, and more sensitive to any moisture or dirt you might have on your finger. There’s also the issue of usage in low-light environments — optical scanners require the screen to flash a very bright light in the place of the scanner, which means if you don’t cover the circle on the screen completely, you might get hit with a flash of blinding light.

An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner should make unlocking faster and more reliable.

With the Pixel 9, Google is finally making the switch to an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The specific unit used is Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic Gen 2 (QFS4008) — the same exact model as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The fingerprint scanners on Samsung devices have been excellent for a while now, so this is good news.

While the overall unlock experience and speed rely on more than just the hardware, an ultrasonic sensor is always going to be better than an optical sensor.

Coming soon to a Pixel near you​

Rozetked

The new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is coming to all the variants of the Pixel 9, except the Fold, which keeps its fingerprint scanner in the power button. Google has confirmed that the Pixel 9 series will debut on August 13, so there isn’t long left to wait.

 

[OutBreak]

Funky yet refreshing colour.

It looks fugly..

 

[halocast]

I can foresee how the Pixel 10 might look liao, with the iPixel 9 body and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera bar....

Likely

 

[halocast]

Google Pixels haven’t always been perfect, occasionally suffering fundamental issues that persist throughout several generations. Some of the best-known examples included the use of outdated camera sensors, lack of ultrawide cameras, no uniform bezels, and extremely slow charging speeds.

Thankfully, Google eventually addressed all of those examples. The Pixel 9 series is set to fix another long-lasting Pixel problem — the slightly slow and sometimes unreliable under-display fingerprint sensor. Thanks to a source familiar with the matter, Android Authority has learned that Google plans to use an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in its upcoming devices.

Upgrading to ultrasonic​

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Google first switched to under-display fingerprint scanners with the Pixel 6 — before that, it has always used traditional rear-mounted sensors. Unfortunately, the switch went rather poorly — early users reported issues both with unlock speeds and the reliability of the scanning. While the subsequent OTA updates and the next generations of Pixels somewhat improved the situation, unlocking was still comparatively slow, and it remains that way to this day.

The source of these problems was the choice of fingerprint scanner used. Google opted for an optical scanner from a company called Goodix, while the competitors have been using ultrasonic scanners. Optical scanners are typically slower, less accurate, and more sensitive to any moisture or dirt you might have on your finger. There’s also the issue of usage in low-light environments — optical scanners require the screen to flash a very bright light in the place of the scanner, which means if you don’t cover the circle on the screen completely, you might get hit with a flash of blinding light.

An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner should make unlocking faster and more reliable.

With the Pixel 9, Google is finally making the switch to an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The specific unit used is Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic Gen 2 (QFS4008) — the same exact model as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The fingerprint scanners on Samsung devices have been excellent for a while now, so this is good news.

While the overall unlock experience and speed rely on more than just the hardware, an ultrasonic sensor is always going to be better than an optical sensor.

Coming soon to a Pixel near you​

Rozetked

The new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is coming to all the variants of the Pixel 9, except the Fold, which keeps its fingerprint scanner in the power button. Google has confirmed that the Pixel 9 series will debut on August 13, so there isn’t long left to wait.

Wha if legit, this is good news!

Makes the 9 series all the more compelling for everyday use.

 

[froztheart]

It looks fugly..

There's a market for it. hahahaha

 

[xonix]

It looks fugly..

Colour or Design ? Since their reboot with the P6, i thought Google finally found their own design style & groove. Very disappointed that they have decided to copy Apple like the rest of the market for p9 series. Furthermore, didn't even do a good job at copying Fugly as you said. The only saving grace is that pro model comes in smaller size this time.