The Made by Google Pixel 9 launch event starts tomorrow. Here’s what to expect

It’s also time for the tech world to stop everything it’s doing and pay attention as a major company shows off its latest hardware. Next is Google’s turn at bat. Thanks to several leaks and teases by Google itself, we already have a clear idea of ​​what the company has planned for its Made by Google hardware event. The show will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 1PM ET.

We’ll get an official reveal of the Pixel 9 lineup, for one thing. This includes what the company calls the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which is more of a mouthful than “Pixel Fold 2.” In addition, Google will reveal more details about Android 15 and the public release of the application. Expect to hear the word “Gemini” a lot again as Google is likely to focus on AI-enabled features for the new phones. Other accessories may be in store in the form of Pixel Buds Pro 2 and a new Pixel Watch (or two) as well.

Here’s how to watch Google unveil the Pixel 9 phones and various other devices at the Made by Google event. Engadget will be live blogging it as well (look for the link here Tuesday morning).

For now, here’s what we know Google will be showing off at the event and everything else we can expect to learn about Made by Google:

Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL

As usual, the main event of Made by Google will be the Pixel 9 series. Google has confirmed (as if it had really doubted) that it will show new smartphones at the event, but it is expected to have three traditional models this year instead of two.

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will follow the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Leaks and rumors suggest that Google will add the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which has a larger screen than the other two models, to the lineup as well. YouTuber Andro-news claims to have gotten his hands on an engineering sample of the large handset, with flat edges, polished metal on the sides and a matte-textured glass back. However, the phone is not unlocked for video.

The Pixel 9 Pro is slated to have more advanced specs than the Pixel 9 but with the same display size. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, is expected to have the same specs as the 9 Pro but in a larger handset. Per Tom’s guide, The displays of the 9 and 9 Pro will measure around 6.3 inches while the Pixel 9 Pro XL may have a larger 6.9-inch screen.

All the three phones are expected to have a redesigned camera module. This large camera bar (which Google has confirmed at least for the Pixel 9 Pro) looks like it is slightly protruding from the main body. Unless you pick up the right case, you can expect this to get stuck in your pocket more often than you’d like. The Pixel 9 is believed to have 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide lenses in its camera lineup.

Google is likely to use a new chipset this year, which may be called the Tensor G4. The leak also suggested that the base Pixel 9 will come with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The two larger phones are expected to come with 512GB of storage. Another expected addition this year is the introduction of satellite emergency messaging, a feature Apple has supported in the last two generations of iPhones.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google will be hoping that consumers find the design of its latest foldable phone more beautiful than its name suggests. “Pixel 9 Pro Fold” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as “Pixel Fold 2.” However, this change makes sense if Google is looking to clearly position the foldable as a premium product by adding “Pro” to the name. If the foldable has the same chipset as the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup, the name change makes even more sense.

It’s not uncommon for phone manufacturers to stick with major redesigns on their second (or even third) stab at a new form factor as they learn more about what works and what doesn’t. Like its rugged siblings, the 9 Pro Fold also has a visible camera bump that houses the lenses vertically. Leaked images from the controller in Taiwan show that the selfie camera has been moved to the inner screen to support a wider field of view. It looks like Google has reduced the fold crease this time as well.

Android 15 and Gemini

As usual, Google has been gradually announcing Android 15 features over the past few months, in large part to help developers update their apps before the app’s public release. Coupled with security measures like Theft Detection Lock and Google Play fraud prevention, it should come as no surprise that Google is weaving AI very tightly into the fabric of its mobile OS.

The teasers made by Google made it clear that the company is focusing more on the AI ​​features of its new devices, such as being able to write a letter or email based on a notification. Google confirmed back at I/O that Gemini will be deeply integrated into Android 15 (which may spell the death of Google Assistant) and will have better status information about what you’re doing. For example, you’ll be able to ask the chatbot questions about a YouTube video you’re watching and it should be able to answer them. You can think of it as a modern, interactive version Pop-Up Video.

We should get a release date for Android 15 — at least for supported Pixel devices — at the event. It will be around the same time Google starts shipping the new Pixel lineup, probably sometime in August.

Pixel Watch 3

It’s just that Google isn’t building ships considering how many leaks it has to deal with. A few weeks before Made by Google, Android News Articles got its hands on the specs of the Pixel Watch 3, which is expected to be available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm.

The Pixel Watch 3 will likely feature an Actua display capable of delivering up to 2,000 nits of brightness – that’s twice as bright as the previous model’s AMOLED display. In the leak, Google says the battery saving mode extends the time between charges to 36 hours, although you’ll get up to 24 hours of wear when the always-on display is on. The smaller model is expected to charge 20 percent faster compared to the previous model.

It was expected that Google will name the larger model Pixel Watch 3 XL. However, that is no longer expected to be the case, according to Android News Articles. Each variant will have its size listed in parentheses to distinguish it, the publication said.

Pixel Buds Pro 2

It’s been two years since Google released the Pixel Buds Pro, so those are largely due for an upgrade. Rumors suggest that Pixel Buds Pro 2 will debut Made By Google. Some unofficial renders have surfaced, indicating that along with the Charcoal and Porcelain colors, there will be Aloe and Hot Pink variants to match the various Pixel phone options. It looks like Google is bringing back a version of the wing design from the original Pixel Buds.

It remains to be seen what Google is cooking up on the audio side of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 but we have an idea of ​​the price at least. Rumors suggest that the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will cost $229, which is $30 more than the current model’s base price.

Everything else

Honestly, that’s about everything we expect to see from Made by Google. It was expected that the company would introduce the latest Nest Learning Thermostat and a new streaming box at the event, but Google actually revealed that one week before the big show.

The fourth generation Nest Learning Thermostat has an LCD display that is 60 percent larger than the previous model with the ability to have customizable faces. It will be available on August 20 in three colors: silver, black and gold. It costs $280 and comes with one wireless temperature sensor.

As for the Google TV Streamer, it will cost $100 and will be available next month. Although that costs twice as much as the Chromecast with Google TV dongle, the company has improved the specs with a faster GPU, 4GB RAM instead of 2GB and four times the storage to 32GB. There is support for HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and surround sound (via Google Pixel Buds) as well. In addition, Google TV Streamer is designed to be a smart home hub. There’s support for Matter and a Google Home panel with which you can control smart bulbs and view live video from connected doorbells and security cameras.

Those are logically compelling devices, so it seems strange that Google wouldn’t want to shine more light on them by unveiling them at its August 13 event. It’s only fitting that Google wants the event to focus more on smartphones, smartwatches and earbuds. That makes sense since those are the company’s most successful hardware categories during the all-important holiday season. Still, we always have room for at least one surprise (bring back Stadia, you cowards).