Google launches upgraded Pixel phones to take advantage of AI technology

Google employees showed off several live demonstrations of new Gemini features, such as the voice conversation feature, but trying to use Gemini to reference a photo of a concert poster in the calendar app took three tries and two devices.

The Pixel 9, the entry-level model with a 6.3-inch display, will be priced starting at US$799 (S$1,199 in Singapore), US$100 more than the previous model. It and the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL (S$1,739 starting) will be available in Singapore from August 22.

The Pixel 9 Pro (starting at SGD1,459), which offers additional features like a better camera, and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold (starting at SGD2,399) will be available in Singapore from September.

The new gadgets will be available for pre-order starting Tuesday.

“MANAGE YOUR LIFE BETTER”

“The two things that (consumers) are seeing in AI right now are organization – and in communication, in the calendar, basically I can manage my life better than I can – and the second thing is content creation,” said IDC analyst Linn Huang. “I think Google has nailed both.”

Google has less than 1 percent market share of global smartphone shipments in the second quarter of 2024, according to IDC. That’s far behind Samsung, which has 18.9 percent market share, and Apple, which has 15.8 percent market share, in part because Google has entered fewer markets and is focusing on higher-priced segments.

In the United States, Google is the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer with a share of 4.5%.

The Pixel line also allowed Google to showcase its progress and spur the developer ecosystem around its Android operating system, which is used by device makers like Samsung. Android is installed on more than 80 percent of smartphones globally. Android is one of several fronts where Google is battling competitors to embed AI in ways that consumers will use. In May, the company debuted a series of improvements to its core products, including Search.

The company’s engineers redesigned the Pixel’s housing, improved the camera, and installed Google’s new Tensor G4 chip.

Google on Tuesday also announced new versions of its Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch (priced at S$529 for the 41mm model and S$599 for the 45mm model) and Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earphones (priced at S$345).