GOOGLE has killed off three popular smartphones to make way for its 2024 line-up of handsets.
The search engine giant unveiled its new Google Pixel 9 devices this week – adding four new phones to its roster.
These handsets are packed with powerful new AI features and all of Google's latest Android tech.
Google's four new handsets are the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
They're all available for pre-order right now – but the Google Store is missing three older devices.
Google is no longer selling the original Google Pixel Fold, the Pixel 7, and the Pixel 7 Pro.
The original Pixel Fold – Google's first foldable smartphone – was only announced in May last year.
But it's now been swapped out for the newer and more powerful Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
By contrast, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro were older devices that came out in October 2022.
The new Pixel 9 series starts at $799, with the top foldable model costing $1,000 more than that.
But despite being just a day old, there are already some tempting deals to be had.
Amazon is selling a Google Pixel 9 bundle that includes a $100 Amazon Gift Card for $799.
That means the gift card is technically free – or the bundle is $100 off – as the Pixel 9 normally goes for $799.
It's stamped with a "limited-time deal" badge on Amazon, so it's unclear exactly how long the offer will last.
Google Pixel 9 with $100 Gift Card at Amazon for $799
The good news is that the phones offer the same specs whether you want the big one or small one.
That means same display, design, processing power and camera.
You’ve got scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen that’s apparently twice as durable as the previous generation.
There’s a brighter screen and a new ultrasonic sensor for fingerprint unlocking that’s 50% faster.
The phones are powered by Google’s new Tensor G4 chip which is the company’s fastest yet.
Google specifically says that web browsing and streaming on YouTube will be smoother, as well as taking photos. And it’s less of a hit to battery too, apparently.
There’s more memory – 12GB of RAM for the Pixel 9 and 16GB for the Pro models – which should help with all of this AI multitasking.
The good news is that Google says that despite all of these performance improvements, a new thermal system means it’ll stay relatively cool during peak performance.
And it’ll even offer 20% better battery life versus last year’s devices.
If all of that wasn’t enough, the new phones might save your life.
The entire line of Pixel 9 models are the first Android phones with Google’s Satellite SOS.
This lets you use satellites to contact emergency responders if you’re in danger without cell service.
Google Pixel 9 with $100 Gift Card at Amazon for $799
Here's what you need to know.
First, note that the feature is only available in the US (except Hawaii and Alaska) right now.
And it's also only available for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
If you're eligible, simply follow these official steps from Google:
To contact emergency services when you don’t have a network coverage on your Pixel phone:
You can even share your location directly, getting you help where you need it if you’re off the grid.
All this goodness is also available on the most expensive of the four models, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
It’s thinner than the original Google foldable, and flips out to become an 8-inch tablet.
Google says it’s the biggest display on a phone, and it’s now 80% brighter than the old model too.
Plus once you snap it back down, it should stuff neatly into your pockets.
The cameras on the devices have a new HDR+ system that adjusts exposure, contrast, sharpness, tone mapping, and white balance for better snaps.
This should mean more accurate skin tones and better night shooting too.
And these advancements also apply to Panorama mode.
There’s the new Add Me feature that lets you add people into selfies that weren’t in the original shot – so no one feels left out.
And there’s a new feature called Made You Look that helps get toddlers to look at the camera.
The camera side of the phone will use the screen to show a fun character, including Joy from Disney’s Inside Out movies. This will get their attention and probably save you loads of time.
AI will also help you out with a new trick called Auto Frame that automatically crops and adjusts your snaps for maximum beauty.
You’ll look like a pro snapper with basically no effort.
And then you can use AI to edit photos. So you can fill the grass you’re sitting on with wildflowers to make it look like you’re living a more wholesome and fulfilling life.
Google Pixel 9 with $100 Gift Card at Amazon for $799
Here are the key dates...
You can also create images entirely from scratch with Pixel Studio.
It works using prompts. So you could ask for a beach bonfire pit at sunset near the Golden Gate Bridge with fireworks in the sky.
This will appear in a few seconds, and then you can change the style. Like turning it into a cartoon, or giving it a retro video game look.
There’s a new Pixel weather app that gives you customized AI weather reports.
Phone calls now have an option called Call Notes.
This will follow up on calls you’ve made or taken with a summary of what you talked about.
So it’ll note down phone numbers, times, and other important details.
And you can even see a full transcript of the call too.
It’s easy to activate and will notify everyone on the call.
Here's how Google Pixel 9 pricing breaks down:
All three Pro phones come with a year of Gemini Advanced membership plus 2TB of cloud storage.
You can pre-order from August 13, with the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL out on August 22. And the rest will land in September.
Google Pixel 9 with $100 Gift Card at Amazon for $799
All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Always do your own research before making any purchase.
