Google Pixel 9 event: rumors and what to expect

Google’s earlier-than-expected Pixel hardware event is just around the corner — it’s scheduled for Tuesday, August 13th. Thanks to the relentless flow of leaks that have emerged over the past few weeks, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Google has already confirmed that it’s launching the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but the company may have some other surprises in store, including the Buds Pro 2 and maybe even the Pixel Watch 3.

Here’s a roundup of everything we know so far.

Alongside the Pixel 9, Google is expected to release the Pixel Pro in two sizes: a larger 6.8-inch model and a smaller 6.3-inch variant. It’ll be the first time the Pro features are available in two different sizes, with the telephoto camera previously being reserved only for the larger phone model.

As shown in the image shared by Google itself (and many, many leaks), the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will also come with some distinct design changes. Both the Pro and standard models are getting flatter edges and a rounded camera module that protrudes from the back of the device.

A leaked spec sheet from OnLeaks suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro models will come with a G4 Tensor chip (which is expected to come with slight upgrades) and 16GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the base Pixel 9 is expected to have the same chip with a 6.3-inch display and 12GB of RAM. Both phones could start with 128GB of storage, with options going up to 1TB on the Pro model.

The cameras on both devices will likely get some updates as well, with the leaked spec sheet showing the Pixel 9 with a 10.5MP selfie camera, a 50-megapixel main camera, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. The leak also indicates that the Pixel 9 Pro will have a 42MP selfie camera and three cameras on the rear, including a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide lens, and 48MP telephoto camera.

Another rumored change coming to the Pixel 9 lineup is the addition of Samsung’s Exynos 5400 modem, potentially powering a satellite SOS feature similar to newer iPhones. Additionally, a report from Android Authority suggests Google may add an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor to the Pixel 9 lineup, which could hopefully improve some of the issues users have been having with the existing optical under-display sensor.

The Pixel 9 is expected to come in obsidian, porcelain, rose, and green, while the Pro model is rumored to come in charcoal, porcelain, rose, and hazel.

Those three phones aren’t the only ones Google is planning to release this summer. It’s also getting ready to release its next-gen foldable, now called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

When compared to last year’s device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold appears to be taller and slimmer. That design change is also reflected in the squircle-shaped camera housing on the rear of the device, which now comes with two sets of cameras.

In terms of specs, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is rumored to come with a 6.3-inch cover display and an 8-inch inner screen. That’s larger than the original Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch outer display and 7.6-inch inner display. Other leaks suggest the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be thinner than its predecessor, measuring 5.1mm when unfolded and 10.5mm when folded. It may also lay completely flat when unfolded.

A leaked specs sheet indicates that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will come with the same G4 Tensor chip as the other devices in the lineup, as well as 16GB of RAM. It may also have a 10MP front-facing camera, with a 48MP main camera, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens, and a 10.8MP telephoto sensor on the back of the phone. The Pixel Fold is expected to be available in porcelain and obsidian.

With Samsung and now Apple making an effort to bring AI to their phones, it’s no surprise to see Google doing the same. A set of leaked marketing materials from OnLeaks hints, among other features, at a new Pixel Screenshots feature that “helps you save info that you want to remember later — like events, places and more.”

That tracks with a previous leak from Android Police, which suggests that the feature can “save and process helpful details” from your screenshots, letting you search through them. It sounds a bit like Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature but appears to only work on the screenshots you take manually, rather than scanning your entire device. The marketing materials also show an integration with Google’s AI chatbot Gemini, along with Circle to Search.

A leaked Pixel 9 ad posted by Android Headlines (it has since been taken down) gave us a glimpse at a feature called “Add Me,” which appears to use AI to put someone in a photo when they weren’t originally there. It looks like Google is planning to update its Magic Editor tool, too, allowing you to replace the background of an image based on a prompt.

It’s already been two years since the launch of the original Pixel Buds Pro, and now it looks like Google is planning to give them a refresh. Leaked images from OnLeaks show the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a small wing tip that sticks out from the side of each bud — sort of like a smaller version of the “stabilizer arc” on the original Pixel Buds.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are also rumored to come with a new “Tensor A1” chip that enables improved active noise cancellation (ANC). A leak suggests they will feature conversation detection and up to 30 hours of battery life with the case (or up to eight hours without), but it’s not clear whether this is with ANC turned on or off.

Other small changes include larger grills that match the colors of the bud, as well as a charging case that appears to come with a small speaker (maybe to emit a noise when using Google’s Find My feature?). The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are expected to come in gray, white, green, and pink.

So far, we’ve only seen renders of the Pixel Watch 3 that show a device with a slightly chunkier design. Unlike its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 3 is expected to come in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. The 41mm version is rumored to come with a 10 percent larger screen than its similarly sized predecessor, thanks to thinner bezels.

Recent leaks also suggest both Pixel Watch 3 models will get a brighter 2,000-nit display and an ultra wideband chip that could make location tracking more accurate. The 41mm watch is also rumored to come with a slightly bigger 310mAh battery and 20 percent faster charging than the Pixel Watch 2.

Both sizes could offer up to 24 hours of battery life with always-on display enabled or up to 36 hours with a new Battery Saver mode, according to leaked marketing materials shared by Android Headlines. The materials also hint at support for offline Google Maps, new camera controls when connecting to a Pixel phone, and the ability to view your Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell’s live feeds from your watch.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to use your current Pixel Watch 2 bands with the larger 45mm device. A report suggests that the 45mm version has an “altered” band connection that could make it incompatible with smaller bands. The 45mm Pixel Watch 3 may not get as many band options as the 41mm version, either, according to Android Headlines.

Although Google was expected to reveal its new TV Streamer during the Pixel hardware event, the company has taken the wraps off the device early — and it could rival the Apple TV 4K. Google also released the 4th-gen Nest Learning Thermostat and new Gemini-powered features in its Google Home app.

It looks like Google is getting ready to release a new weather app alongside the Pixel 9 as well. The app, which has already shown up on APKMirror, may provide notifications when it’s going to rain, AI weather summaries, a weather map, and more.

That’s all we know for now, but there’s still time between now and Google’s August 13th event, which means there’s still a chance for more leaks.

Update, July 31st: Added more rumored specs for the Pixel 9.

Update, August 3rd: Added Pixel Fold rumors.

Update, August 8th: Added Pixel weather app information.

Update, August 12th: Added Pixel Buds Pro 2 rumors.