Google releases Pixel 9 smartphones earlier than usual amidst intensifying AI competition with Apple

Google unveiled its latest Pixel phones at an event near its headquarters in Mountain View, California, providing the tech giant with a competitive edge in the race to integrate more artificial intelligence services into smartphones. The early showcase of the Pixel 9 models deviates from the company’s usual schedule, which typically debuts new phones around two months later. Despite holding a small portion of the global smartphone market, Pixel phones are closely monitored as they showcase the latest innovations in Google’s Android operating system.
The Pixel 9 phones are designed to serve as a platform for showcasing AI technology, reflecting Google’s belief in using AI to enhance people’s lives and productivity. This aligns with Apple’s emphasis on AI as it prepares to introduce AI features in the upcoming iPhone 16 model. The Pixel 9 lineup is packed with AI technology, building on the foundation laid by the previous model released last year. These phones are the first to feature Gemini technology, which is central to Google’s AI advancements.
Similar to Apple’s Siri, Google’s Gemini assistant is designed to be conversational and offers multiple human-like voices. The assistant can handle various tasks, including accessing emails and documents. Google has also incorporated a special chip in the Pixel 9 phones to enable AI services to be processed on the device for enhanced privacy and security.
In demonstrations, the Gemini assistant showcased its capabilities, such as providing creative ideas using invisible ink and transforming pictures through the “Magic Editor” AI technology. The advanced features of the Gemini Assistant will require a monthly subscription, initially offered for free for one year to buyers of the Pixel 9 phones, set to be available for shipping on August 22.
The Pixel 9 phones will be priced at $800 for the standard model, marking a $100 increase from the previous year, and $1,000 or $1,100 for the Pixel 9 Pro, depending on the size. Additionally, the next generation of the foldable Pixel phone, introduced last year, will be priced at $1,800. Despite recent legal challenges, Google showcased its commitment to innovation by also unveiling the Pixel Watch and wireless earbuds alongside its latest phones.