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We’re nonetheless months away from the launch of the Pixel 9 sequence, however you know the way it goes with Google: it’s by no means too early for leaks. Unsurprisingly, we already know a fantastic deal in regards to the firm’s subsequent flagship smartphone — together with the truth that we’re more likely to see three fashions this 12 months within the lineup as a substitute of the standard two. And that new third Pixel 9 machine has the potential to be the premium compact Android smartphone of our goals.
A number of days again, notable leaker OnLeaks revealed that there shall be three Google flagships coming this fall. It’s not only a new addition, however a complete shake-up of how the lineup shall be positioned and laddered. In keeping with him, there shall be an everyday, comparatively small, Pixel 9, a bigger and beefed-up Pixel 9 Professional XL, and one other premium providing within the Pixel 9 Professional, bringing one of the best of each worlds in a strong but compact design that may sit between the 2. And it’s this final one that’s notably thrilling because it has the potential to fulfill an unmet want within the smartphone market: an uncompromised, high-end, comparatively compact Android telephone.
Take flagships and make them small
It is so simple as that
This shift is especially fascinating, even when it is one we had hints of taking place greater than a 12 months in the past. We discover this stunning as a result of compact Android telephones are an endangered species. Excessive-end ones, much more so. In actual fact, for those who have a look at the present crop of smartphones offered in North America, the one actual remaining small smartphone is the Samsung Galaxy S24. Whereas it is part of Samsung’s newest flagship sequence, it pales compared to the likes of the S24 Extremely and even the Pixel 8 Professional.
New Pixel 9 renders level to three Google flagships coming this fall
Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, and Pixel 9 Professional XL
Mainly, if you would like a high-end compact telephone, the iPhone 15 Professional might be your solely possibility. Till final 12 months, we had the Zenfone sequence lifting the load on behalf of all Android units, however even Asus moved away from the one-handed expertise with the Zenfone 11 Extremely. It’s simply one other reminder of how tough it’s to make compact telephones that aren’t solely nice but additionally worthwhile as a enterprise. If Apple — the corporate with one of the crucial environment friendly provide chains — needed to abandon small telephones, I’ve little hope from different OEMs.
The Google Pixel 9 Professional may decide up the place the Asus Zenfone 10 dropped off.
Enter Google Pixel 9 Professional. Sure, it won’t be as tiny as a few of the lovable telephones of yesterday, but it surely looks like it can nonetheless pack fairly a punch whereas being considerably smaller than the Ultras and the Professional Maxes of the world.
What the Google Pixel 9 Professional has in its favor is the existence of higher digicam {hardware}, together with a devoted telephoto shooter for the primary time in a small type think about a Pixel. Mixed with a reliable battery, a (hopefully) better-performing Tensor G4 processor, and a slew of AI capabilities, and this could possibly be the pocketable 6.1-inch Android machine of your goals.
However there’s nonetheless loads of room for error
Let’s hope Google is aware of it
We’re certain Google is aware of what it’s getting itself into. On one hand, it can lastly deliver some competitors to the iPhone 16 Professional when it launches. Alternatively, it’s virtually sure to make use of this differentiation to promote its 2024 lineup at the next worth than earlier than. I wouldn’t be stunned if the Pixel 9 Professional is dearer than the Pixel 8 Professional, and if the Pixel 9 Professional XL goes even larger up — though it’s virtually the successor to the $1,000 Pixel 8 Professional.
Google will hope that this distinctive mixture of ergonomics and options shall be sufficient for the Pixel 9 Professional to face out and command the next promoting worth. Nothing unsuitable with that in at this time’s aggressive panorama, however the Pixel sequence has all the time been a notch cheaper than the remaining. If Google desires to compete with the ultra-premium smartphones, it must ship a near-perfect expertise. As we identified over the weekend, points akin to heating, selective and sluggish updates, poor community reception, inconsistent battery life, and different display issues won’t be as simple to forgive as soon as Google crosses the $1,000 mark.
Google’s premium Pixel 9 plans really feel too massive, too quickly
Google is headed out of the price range flagship recreation, however at what price?
A transfer to a triple-flagship technique additionally raises additional questions on how Google will handle to tell apart the inexpensive A sequence going ahead. The upcoming Google Pixel 8A is shaping as much as be similar to the present Pixel 8 — not simply when it comes to options and specs, but additionally when it comes to pricing. It’s unlikely to be the easy-to-recommend inexpensive smartphone that its predecessors have been. And with another mannequin to slot in the lineup whereas all the pieces is getting dearer, it is easy to anticipate Google to completely abandon the A-series subsequent 12 months and easily drop costs on present fashions to occupy that area.
In fact, with greater than a 12 months to go till that is even an possibility for Google to pursue, it is not solely price contemplating simply but. Within the meantime, I’m excited to see what the small Google Pixel 9 Professional brings to the desk and if it may well deliver again glory to compact Android flagships. If we won’t get all the way down to sub-6-inch shows, this would possibly simply be the next-best factor.
5 issues Google received unsuitable with the Pixel 8 Professional
The Pixel 8 Professional is spectacular, however these key areas have to be improved
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Google Pixel 8
$499 $699 Save $200
The Google Pixel 8 is Google’s finest telephone but, and it is probably the most distinct common mannequin when in comparison with the Professional model. It comes with an exquisite type issue that matches properly within the arms and has the standard software program prowess that you just anticipate from a Pixel.
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Google Pixel 8 Professional
$749 $999 Save $250
The Google Pixel 8 Professional is the corporate’s newest flagship, boasting a brand new Tensor G3 chip, a brighter display, and a brand new digicam array able to capturing much more mild. As ordinary, the actual energy lies in Google’s Tensor chip, which gives much more photograph enhancement and picture modifying options.
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