Google “only” got into smartphones in 2016, which when considering that Android, an OS that the company essentially owns, predates it by almost a decade, you'd have reckoned they would have gotten into smartphones a lot earlier than that.
Regardless, Google got into smartphones when it did, and less than 10 years after the first Pixel device, it operates on pretty level terms with industry veterans like Samsung and Apple. The Google Pixel 9 series is highly anticipated this year, and hands-on images of all three devices have leaked already.
The Google Pixel Lineup Changes In Not Just Size, But Number Too
The Google Pixel 9 series will be Google's next mainline family of devices, which we expect to launch sometime later this year, likely in October. Leading up to that, we've been hearing a lot of leaks regarding the devices, such as one claiming that there will be three devices this time around and other leaks pointing to a change in the design language this time.
Well, it seems we might have gotten confirmation on both of those counts in the form of yet another leak. If you prefer leaks of the physical device as opposed to a spec sheet, then this is the jackpot of all Pixel 9 leaks, as exclusive images from Rozetked show us all three devices, hands-on, in all their glory.
As we can see, there are truly three devices in the lineup now, which are expected to be called the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL (though considering this is the new phone in the family, the name is yet to be confirmed). What we can see is that while the visor remains to a degree, it no longer goes edge-to-edge, instead, turning into a long and very rounded rectangle. Personally, I think this design is more modern, but just as identifiable as a Pixel.
We can also see that the Pro models will get an additional camera, which is a 5x periscope telephoto lens and is likely part of what makes them “Pro”, in addition to coming with 16GB instead of 12GB. Of course, regardless of the model you choose, you're going to be getting a Google Tensor G4, so you don't compromise on performance.
Google Is Likely Looking To Provide More Variety With Each Yearly Release
The Google Pixel 9 series seems set on providing consumers with a lot more variety by adding an extra model to the lineup and looking at some of the specs that leaked along with the devices, it's pretty easy for us to see how an extra model allows Google to give customers more.
Phones are getting bigger and bigger these days and not everyone is a fan of that, so the Pixel 9 Pro XL model has a 6.73-inch screen. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro look to be about the same size physically, but the Pixel 9 has a 6.24-inch display, and the Pro steps that up a bit to 6.34 inches. This is almost as small as phone screens come these days.
This move will likely benefit Google and I'm going to be excited to see how well this new model will perform, though I reckon it'll do well, especially based on screen size choices.
