The Made by Google Pixel 9 launch event kicks off tomorrow. Here’s what we expect

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It’s that time of year again when the tech world drops everything else it’s doing to watch major companies show off their latest hardware. Next up is Google. Thanks to a series of leaks and Google’s own teasers, we already have a pretty clear idea of ​​what the company has planned for its Made by Google hardware event. The show will take place on Tuesday, August 13th at 1pm ET.

First, the Pixel 9 lineup will be officially unveiled, including what the company is calling the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which is certainly a longer name than the “Pixel Fold 2.” Additionally, Google will likely reveal more details about Android 15 and the public rollout of the operating system. Google will likely be focusing on AI-powered features for its new devices, so we’ll likely hear the word “Gemini” a lot, too. Accessories like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and a new Pixel Watch (or two) may also hit store shelves.

Here’s how you can tune in to watch Google unveil the Pixel 9 smartphone and a range of other devices at its “Made by Google” event, which we’ll also be live blogging on Engadget (check out this link early Tuesday morning).

For now, here’s what we know for sure about what Google plans to show off at the event and what else we can expect to learn at Made by Google.

Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL

As always, the main event at Made by Google is the Pixel 9 lineup, and Google has confirmed (as if we really doubted) that it will be showing off new smartphones at the event, but this year, instead of two traditional models, three are expected to be announced.

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will be the successors to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. According to leaks and rumors, Google will also be adding a Pixel 9 Pro XL to the lineup, which will have a larger screen than the other two models. YouTuber AndroNews The company claims to have obtained an engineering sample of a larger phone with flat edges, polished metal on the sides and matte textured glass on the back, though the phone is not powered on in the video.

The Pixel 9 Pro is expected to have more advanced specs than the Pixel 9 but with the same display size, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL is expected to be a larger device with roughly the same specs as the 9 Pro. Tom’s Guide, The 9 and 9 Pro have displays measuring around 6.3 inches, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL could sport a whopping 6.9-inch screen.

All three phones are expected to have redesigned camera modules, and that big camera bar (at least as confirmed by Google on the Pixel 9 Pro) looks to stick out quite a bit from the phone, meaning it’ll get caught in your pocket more often than you’d expect unless you get the right case. It is believed The camera array includes a 50MP wide-angle lens and a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

Google is expected to adopt a new chipset this year, likely called Tensor G4. Leaks suggest the base model of the Pixel 9 will come with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The two larger phones are expected to come with up to 512GB of storage. Another expected addition this year is the introduction of emergency satellite messaging, a feature that Apple has supported in the past two generations of iPhones.

Pixel 9 Pro Foldable

Google hopes that consumers will find the design of its latest foldable phone more elegant than its name suggests. The “Pixel 9 Pro Fold” is not as easy to pronounce as the “Pixel Fold 2.” But if Google is trying to more clearly position the foldable phone as a premium product by including “Pro” in the name, the change makes sense. If the foldable phone is powered by the same chipset as the rest of the Pixel 9 series, the name change makes even more sense.

It’s not uncommon for phone makers to make significant redesigns when trying a new form factor for the second (or third) time as they gain a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Like its more robust sibling, the 9 Pro Fold has a noticeable camera bump, albeit to accommodate a vertical lens arrangement. Leaked images from Taiwanese regulators suggest the selfie camera has been moved to the internal screen for a wider field of view. Google also appears to have reduced the crease this time around.

Android 15 and Gemini

As per usual, Google has been gradually rolling out Android 15 features over the past few months, primarily to allow developers to update their apps ahead of the OS’s public release. Alongside security measures like Theft Detection Lock and Google Play Fraud Protection, it’s no surprise to see Google weaving AI more tightly into the fabric of its mobile OS.

of Google teaser The company has been very clear that it is focusing on AI features in the new device, such as the ability to compose letters and emails based on prompts. Google confirmed at I/O that Gemini will be more deeply integrated into Android 15 (which may mean the demise of Google Assistant) and will better understand what users are doing. For example, you can ask the chatbot a question about a YouTube video you’re watching, and it will answer you. You can think of this as a modern, interactive version of Google Assistant. Popup Video.

The event should also announce the release date for Android 15, at least for supported Pixel devices, around the same time that Google starts shipping the new Pixel series, likely in late August.

Pixel Watch 3

It’s a good thing Google doesn’t build ships, considering how many leaks they have to deal with. A few weeks before Made by Google: Android Headlines We now have the specs for the Pixel Watch 3. It will be released in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm.

The Pixel Watch 3 is expected to feature an Actua display that can deliver up to 2,000 nits of brightness, which is twice as bright as the AMOLED display on its predecessor. According to the leak, Google claims that a battery saver mode will extend the time between charges to up to 36 hours, while enabling the always-on display will get the wearable up to 24 hours of standard use. The smaller model is also expected to charge 20 percent faster compared to its predecessor.

Google was expected to call the larger model the Pixel Watch 3 XL, but that no longer seems to be the case. Android HeadlinesTo distinguish between each variant, their respective sizes will be listed in parentheses, the magazine reports.

Pixel Buzz Pro 2

It’s been two years since Google released the Pixel Buds Pro and they’re due for an upgrade, with rumors suggesting the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will make its Made By Google debut. Unofficial rendering In addition to the existing charcoal and porcelain colorways, there are indications that Aloe and Hot Pink variants will be coming to match the various Pixel smartphone options, and it looks like Google is also bringing back a version of the wingtip design from the original Pixel Buds.

It’s still unclear what Google has in store for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on the audio front, but we at least have some idea of ​​the price. Rumor has it The Pixel Buds Pro 2 will cost $229, $30 more than the base price of the current model.

Everything else

To be honest, that’s pretty much everything we expected to see at Made by Google: While the company was expected to unveil its latest Nest Learning Thermostat and a new streaming box at the event, Google actually unveiled those a week before the main showcase.

The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat features a 60% larger LCD display than its predecessor, a customizable face, and will be available in three colors — silver, black, and gold — on August 20. It will cost $280 and come with one wireless temperature sensor.

The Google TV Streamer will cost $100 and is due to launch next month. It’s twice the price of the Chromecast with Google TV dongle, but the company has upgraded the specs with a faster GPU, 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB, and four times as much storage at 32GB. It also supports HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and spatial audio (via Google Pixel Buds). Additionally, the Google TV Streamer is designed as a smart home hub; it supports Matter, and you can use your Google Home panel to control smart light bulbs and watch live video from connected doorbells and security cameras.

These are at least some pretty compelling devices, so it seems a bit odd that Google isn’t trying to put more of a spotlight on these devices by unveiling them at a splashy event on August 13. So it stands to reason that Google would want this event to be mostly about smartphones, smartwatches, and earphones, which makes sense, since these devices are likely to be the company’s most successful hardware categories this crucial holiday season. Still, there’s always room for at least one surprise (bring back Stadia, you cowards).