Pixel 9 Leaks: Three Models Planned for Fall

Google appears ready to shake up its smartphone strategy later this year. Recent leaks and renders suggest that the company will abandon its usual two-phone release cycle in favor of three distinct non-folding devices. For the first time in several generations, users who prefer smaller phones might not have to sacrifice camera quality or performance specs to get a device that fits in their pocket.

The New Lineup: Standard, Pro, and XL

For the last few years, the Google release schedule was predictable. You typically got a standard Pixel (like the Pixel 8) and a larger Pro version (like the Pixel 8 Pro). If you wanted the best telephoto zoom or the sharpest screen, you were forced to buy the massive phone.

According to leaks from credible sources like OnLeaks, Google is changing this dynamic for the Pixel 9 series. The lineup is expected to look like this:

  • Pixel 9: The standard entry-level flagship.
  • Pixel 9 Pro: A new, compact model with top-tier specs.
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: The large flagship successor to the current Pixel 8 Pro.

This strategy mirrors what Apple does with its iPhone Pro and Pro Max lines. It allows Google to sell a “Pro” device to people who find 6.7-inch screens too difficult to handle.

Design Overhaul: The Floating Camera Bar

The most immediate change noticed in the leaked renders involves the iconic camera bar. Since the Pixel 6, Google has used a “visor” design that stretches from edge to edge across the back of the phone.

The Pixel 9 series appears to be adopting a “floating pill” design. The camera module is still horizontal, but it no longer touches the side frame of the phone. It sits as an island on the back glass. This alters the silhouette significantly and gives the phone a distinct look compared to its predecessors.

The chassis itself is also changing. Renders show flat, polished edges rather than the curved rails found on the Pixel 8. This flat-edged aesthetic aligns closely with the current industrial design of the iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S24.

Display Sizes and Dimensions

Based on current CAD files and leaks, here are the expected sizes for the new trio:

  • Pixel 9: Features a display size around 6.03 inches. It will likely measure approximately 152.8 x 71.9 x 8.5mm.
  • Pixel 9 Pro: This is the exciting addition. It reportedly fits a 6.1-inch display into a body roughly the same physical size as the standard Pixel 9.
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: This device will likely feature a 6.7-inch display, similar to the current Pixel 8 Pro.

Specs: Tensor G4 and Satellite Connectivity

The internal hardware is receiving a necessary boost. All three models are expected to run on the new Google Tensor G4 chipset. While the Tensor G3 was a decent step forward, the G4 is rumored to focus heavily on heat management and power efficiency. This is crucial for Google, as battery life and overheating have been historical pain points for the brand.

A New Modem

Perhaps more important than the processor is the modem. Reports indicate the Pixel 9 series will use the Samsung Exynos 5400 modem. This component is faster and more power-efficient than previous iterations.

Crucially, this new modem supports satellite connectivity. This suggests Google is preparing to launch an “Emergency SOS via Satellite” feature similar to what Apple introduced with the iPhone 14. This would allow Pixel 9 users to text emergency services even without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

Camera Upgrades

The defining feature of the “Pro” label has always been the camera. In previous years, the smaller Pixel missed out on the telephoto lens. With the new three-model lineup, the compact Pixel 9 Pro is expected to include the periscope telephoto camera.

This means you get the 5x optical zoom in the smaller 6.1-inch body. The standard Pixel 9 will likely stick with a dual-camera setup (main and ultra-wide) to differentiate the price points.

Release Date and Pricing

Google consistently schedules its hardware events in the fall. You can expect the “Made by Google” event to take place in early to mid-October 2024. The phones usually hit retail shelves one or two weeks after the announcement.

Pricing is harder to pin down this early, but we can look at current trends. The inclusion of a third model might adjust the pricing ladder:

  • Pixel 9: Expected around $699.
  • Pixel 9 Pro: Could slot in at $899 or $999 to compete with the iPhone 15 Pro.
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: Likely to start at $999 or see a slight bump to $1,099.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Pixel 9 Pro have a worse battery than the XL? Physics dictates that a smaller phone has a smaller battery cell. However, the Pixel 9 Pro will likely have a smaller screen to power, which helps balance energy consumption. The XL will almost certainly have the longest battery life of the three.

Is there a Pixel 9 Mini? No. While the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are “compact” by modern standards (around 6.1 inches), they are not “mini” phones like the defunct iPhone 13 Mini (5.4 inches).

What happened to the Pixel Fold? Rumors suggest the next foldable might be branded as the “Pixel 9 Pro Fold” and join this lineup, but the “three models” discussed here specifically refer to the traditional, non-folding candy bar phones.

Will the Pixel 9 use the Snapdragon processor? No. Google is committed to its custom silicon. The Pixel 9 series will use the Google Tensor G4 chip. Google is not expected to switch to TSMC-manufactured chips until the Pixel 10 (Tensor G5) in 2025.