Google Pixel 9 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold coming on August 14th 2024 – Let’s dive in

The upcoming Made By Google event next week will unveil the Pixel 9 smartphone family. This annual event is where Google showcases its vision for the future of smartphones. Last year’s Pixel 8 lineup introduced advanced displays, improved camera technology, updated software features, and Google’s custom Tensor Mobile chipset.
These enhancements helped Google establish the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro as pioneering AI-first smartphones, shaping how generative AI is integrated into mobile devices. With these innovations now widely adopted, Google is set to build on its success, solidify its position in smartphone AI, and lead the way in artificial intelligence technology.
This week, Google is set to repeat its success, not by shaping the market, but by strengthening its existing foundation.
The Pixel platform has showcased various AI tools, and many of these tools are also offered by other Android manufacturers. These capabilities include removing, moving, or editing specific elements of a photo and the ability to adjust expressions in pictures to create the best possible composite image. There are also features to enhance audio quality in video recordings.
AI tools extend beyond visuals and audio; they can transcribe spoken words, summarize content from websites and emails, and enable searches based on a screenshot or even a marked section on the screen. AI helps block spam calls, serves as a translator when traveling, and suggests replies, topics, and more to enhance your phone experience.
Many of these features made their initial appearance with the Pixel 8 lineup before spreading across the broader Android ecosystem. Interestingly, Google’s circle-to-search feature first appeared on Samsung’s Galaxy AI platform, reflecting many of the Pixel’s capabilities and adding several unique ones. Other manufacturers also rolled out their own AI tools, while chipmakers integrated AI support directly into their hardware to facilitate these innovations.
The innovations of the Pixel 8 have paved the way, and Google’s commitment to this direction will be reinforced with the upcoming launch of the Pixel 9 and a host of new AI advancements.
In the growing landscape of AI-driven features in Android devices, Apple remains notably absent. This raises questions about how Apple’s iPhone will fare in shaping generative AI for the upcoming 2024/25 smartphone releases. The crucial elements will be the adoption rate of the new devices and the availability of the software.
Industry expert Gurman highlights the upcoming release of four iPhone models in September: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. There is speculation about an uptick in sales and a higher-than-usual adoption rate of these new devices. However, Apple’s approach to its generative AI tools, which will not be available for older iPhones except the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, could limit the spread of these features among current users.
With limited new hardware releases, the anticipated growth in Apple Intelligence adoption might be stunted. According to Apple’s latest financial reports to investors, the company does not expect a significant increase in sales. New devices are on the horizon, but a massive wave of upgrades to expand Apple’s AI user base is unlikely.
Without capturing the interest of existing iPhone users, Apple may find it challenging to shift the conversation around generative AI in smartphones, which is currently dominated by Google and its Android partners.
Google’s Pixel launch followed the release of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro by two weeks. Apple’s September release didn’t include generative AI or other groundbreaking features. The iPhone 15 series might be the last major smartphone release without AI integration. Apple’s initial AI discussion for iPhones was delayed until its Worldwide Developer Conference in June.
The newly named Apple Intelligence software won’t be immediately available; it’s scheduled for the iPhone 16 family launch in September. It won’t be compatible with older iPhones except for the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models. Furthermore, Apple Intelligence won’t be ready for the September 2024 launch of the iPhone 16. An October iOS update will offer limited tools, a basic ChatGPT integration by year’s end, and the complete suite unveiled at WWDC won’t arrive until the first half of 2025.
While Apple is still catching up with the initial wave of AI-enabled smartphones, Google is advancing the Android ecosystem with the second generation of AI smartphones ready to be unveiled. Google is poised to steer the future of AI in mobile technology.