Even after launching the successor of the original Fold—the Pixel 9 Pro Fold—Google has confirmed that it will continue the sale of the former. The development came after the Google Store briefly listed the Pixel Fold as “no longer available” following the introduction of the new Pixel 9 series.
The Pixel Fold will again be available this early September, right after the Pixel 9 Pro Fold hits the market on September 4. That move is sure to pacify people who missed the original model before it was temporarily pulled from the market.
Although Google hasn’t said anything regarding changes in the prices of the Pixel Fold, another price cut of USD 100 on this device can be expected, making the foldable more appealing to buyers. Such discounts are common in the industry when new models are introduced; however, their effect on overall sales may be relatively minor.
The Pixel 9 series was announced at the ninth annual Made by Google event scheduled on August 13 in Mountain View, California. It would have a homegrown company fully focused on artificial intelligence integration in its product slate from smartphones to wearables. With the new Pixel 9 series—the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold—Google has traveled a certain distance in the progression of AI and upgraded hardware.
According to Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, he is very excited about this launch because it is focused on ways in which AI can enhance productivity and creativity. “We believe that AI will make daily life more productive, provide new means of learning, and offer people the ability to express themselves in new forms,” Pichai mentioned in a post on X.
It comes with a set of major updates, most notably the new Tensor G4 processor, which will redesign on-device AI performance. Other AI-driven improvements are also integrated into the series, including the following:
• Magic Editor: This feature enables users to creatively change scenes in their photos by using text prompts.
• Add Me: Enables a user to add themself within group photos by stitching the initial and succeeding shots together using AI.
• Recall-Like Ability: Assists users in on-device cataloging of information from screenshots and retrieving it.
Moreover, the Pixel 9 series will be the first Android handsets in the US to include Satellite SOS—an Apple-like satellite connectivity emergency feature. It is due for release later this year with Android 15.
As for camera innovations, it will maintain the 50-megapixel main camera across models, refresh the ultrawide cameras, and carry an improved 42-megapixel selfie camera limited to Pro models. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold improves its usability with a brighter and bigger inner screen.
The Pixel 9 series will also hit India, which will be the first country to get Google’s foldable Pixel device. Prices in India for the Pixel 9 will be at Rs 79,999, while for the Pixel 9 Pro, it is around Rs 1,09,999, and for Pixel 9 Pro Fold it will cost Rs 1,72,999. Pre-booking of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL starts on August 14 and will hit the markets on August 22. Details for the availability date of Pixel 9 Pro will come later.
Google Pixel 9:
– Display: 6.3-inch Actua OLED, 1080 x 2424 pixels
– Processor: Google Tensor G4
– RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM, up to 256GB storage
– Camera: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 10.5MP selfie
– Battery: 4,700mAh
– Software: Android 14 with seven years of updates
Google Pixel 9 Pro:
– Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED, 1280 x 2856 pixels
– Processor: Google Tensor G4
– RAM/Storage: 16GB RAM, up to 512GB storage
– Camera: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 42MP selfie
– Battery: 4,700mAh
– Special Features: Ultra-wideband chip
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:
– Display: 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED, 1344 x 2992 pixels
– Processor: Google Tensor G4
– RAM/Storage: 16GB RAM, up to 512GB storage
• Camera: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 42MP selfie
• Battery: 5,060mAh
• Special Features: Ultra-wideband chip
As well as the Pixel 9 series, Google also released the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2, ramping up AI features to pair with these new devices.
ANI