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What’s new with the Pixel Watch
The Pixel 9 phones won’t be the only devices debuting at Made by Google today. Google is also supposed to show off new watches, just like it did last October, when the Pixel Watch 2 joined the Pixel 8 phones at Google’s launch party.
Our smartwatch expert Dan Bracaglia says he’s looking for three things with the Pixel Watch 3 — larger sizes, better battery life and a brighter display. We’ll find out later today if Google can deliver.
Color scheming
A couple months ago, the list of potential Pixel 9 colors leaked, and nothing’s come out since then to make us think that leak was off base. In fact, from the renders that have emerged, it seems like the rumored color choices for Google’s upcoming phones are pretty spot-on.
Here’s what we’re expecting.
- Pixel 9: Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony and Jade
- Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Porcelain, Obsidian, Rose and Hazel
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Porcelain and Obsidian
Where’s Android 15?
Normally, new Pixel flagship would mean a new version of the Android operating system debuting on Google’s latest phones. But one rumor suggests that when we lay eyes on the Pixel 9 models later today, they’ll be running Android 14 and not the update that’s currently in development.
That new version is Android 15, and it will certainly run on the Pixel 9 at some point, if not right away. Features in Android 15 include fater web page loads, the return of lock screen widgets and more.
It doesn’t sound like Android 15 is behind schedule. Instead, the reason for the lack of Android 15 appears to be Google’s decision to move up the launch of its new phones from October to now. Even if we don’t see Android 15 today, we do hope Google offers some clarity on when the update will be out — not just for the Pixel 9 models, but for all Pixel devices.
Changes in store
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is shaping up to be a radical departure from the original Pixel Fold. And we’re not just talking about the name. The main display is tipped to be a whopping 8 inches, which would be the biggest on a foldable. And the cover display is expected to grow from 5.8 to 6.3 inches.
Based on Google’s own teaser, the bezels are slimmer too, which is good to see.The Tensor G4 chip will be running the show, and we’ve already heard about some AI features it will power, such as Add Me for group photos and a screenshots feature that will hopefully be way less creepy than Microsoft’s Recall. Let’s just hope Google doesn’t give this phone a Galaxy Z Fold 6-like price hike.
Storage upgrades in the works?
It’s always worth paying attention to preorder deals when a new flagship phone gets announced, and at least one rumor tips Google to be preparing a pretty good one. In fact, it sounds like Google may be copying one of the better preorder offers that Samsung typically makes when it comes out with a new phone.
For instance, when the Galaxy Z Fold 6 came out last month, Samsung offered a free storage upgrade to anyone who preordered that device — meaning you could get a 512GB Fold for the same price as the 256GB base model.
A UK retailer has posted details of Google’s Pixel preorder deal ahead of the launch of those phones, and it’s the same thing that Samsung did — upgrade to the next tier of storage at no additional cost. Yes, base models of the Pixel phones are expected to feature 128GB of storage, so you’ll be able to get a bump to 256GB for free. But that also means the 512GB and 1TB versions of some Pixel phones can be had for less.
Even though this comes from a UK retailer, it may turn out to be a global preoder offer, as a French source had the same deal in an earlier leak.
Lingering questions
On the one hand, it’s not too hard to figure out what Google is going to announce at one of its hardware events. Between stuff the company outright confirms — there are already teaser videos for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, for example — and rumors that fill in the key details, you usually head into a Google product announcement with a pretty good idea of what’s in store.
Yet, there are still some known unknowns, and managing editor for mobile Philip Michaels lists the big questions about the new Pixel phones and smartwatches heading into today’s event.
Pricing leaks ahead of the event
We’re nearing our first official look at Google’s upcoming phones, but a leak ahead of the event sheds light on the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s pricing. Since it would technically be the direct successor to the Pixel 8 Pro, it might shock people that the large version of the Pixel 9 Pro could be $100 more with a starting cost of $1,099. Given how cheaper prices have often been a key trait for Pixel phones, this increase might lessen its appeal over competing handsets.