Google's Pixel 9 series is a total evolution, with 4 new models including a foldable phone. Here's how to order.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Google announced more new phones than ever during its Made By Google event on August 13, launching the new Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available to order as of August 22, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are available to preorder ahead of a September 4 release date. 

For the first time, Google's Pixel Pro series comes in two sizes with the introduction of the brand new Pixel 9 Pro XL. As expected, the XL designation means the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a large screen, but it's a similar size to previous Pixel Pro phones, though slightly larger. It's the Pixel 9 Pro that offers something that wasn't available before — a Pixel Pro with a smaller display. 

After initially handling the new Pixel 9 series for a couple of hours ahead of our current testing, these models feel ready to compete for a high ranking among the best Android phones.  

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's second attempt at a book-style foldable phone. Google clearly learned a lot from the original Pixel Fold from 2023, which was already one of our favorite foldable phones. From initial impressions, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might very well take the top spot as the best foldable phone. 

Upgrades common to all of Google's Pixel 9 phones, including the Pixel 9 Fold

All of Google's new phones run on the company's latest processor, the Tensor G4, and have a significant bump in RAM compared to the previous generation to power Google's new AI features (more on that later). Beyond making AI features possible, the extra RAM will likely help increase the performance of the Pixel 9 phones, too. 

All the new Pixel 9 phones, including the base model, also come with Google's super-bright Actua displays that were first introduced with the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023. From first impressions, the processor and display combination work beautifully — all the Pixel 9 phones ran perfectly smoothly and quickly, and the displays were incredibly bright while delivering deep, rich colors and contrast. 

The Pixel 9 series displays feature a new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which should facilitate faster and more accurate unlocking. Google is also continuing its seven-year support window for Android upgrades and security updates.

Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL

Design-wise, Google's new Pixel 9 series is a total evolution, and it truly looks and feels like a new generation over the Pixel 8 series. The edges are now flat, much like Apple and Samsung's latest phones, and the iconic Pixel camera module on the back is now a raised oval that spans the width of the phones, rather than a bar that blends into the edges.

The base Pixel 9 has a clear glass back with a frost-textured aluminum frame, while the Pixel 9 Pro models have the reverse — a frost-textured back with a shiny polished aluminum frame. There's no titanium here, like Apple is using for the iPhone 15 Pro models and Samsung for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the Pixel 9 series still looks and feels fantastic. Google says it's using 100% recycled aluminum as part of its sustainability practices.

The Pixel 9 Pro is the smallest Pixel Pro model to date, with a 6.3-inch display — the same size as the base Pixel 9. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display, which is 0.1 inches larger than the Pixel 8 Pro, making it the largest Pixel Pro model so far. 

As with previous Pixel generations, only the Pro models get a triple-lens camera system, while the base model gets a dual-lens camera. The Pro models also have a significantly upgraded front camera with a higher megapixel count and a wider field of view than the base model. 

If you're looking to buy a Pixel 9 phone, we recommend equipping your new device with a case and screen protector. See our model-specific guides below for top options: 

• The best Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro cases
• The best Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro screen protectors
• The best Google Pixel 9 Pro XL cases
• The best Google Pixel 9 Pro XL screen protectors

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also a total evolution of the original Google Pixel Fold. The cover display has increased size from 5.8 inches to 6.3 inches while maintaining the same familiar phone shape as the Pixel 9 Pro. The main display's size has also increased from 7.6 inches to 8 inches. 

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also has a more polished look and feel, and it's even thinner than the other Pixel 9 phones when unfolded. While folded, it's noticeably thicker than the regular Pixel 9 phones, but certainly not twice thicker. 

Google hasn't given the Pixel 9 Pro Fold the same high-megapixel cameras as the regular Pixel 9 Pro — only the Pro Fold's 48MP main rear camera is close to the 50MP cameras on the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup. The rest are in the 10MP range, including the selfie, 5x zoom, and ultrawide cameras. Yet, after extensive experience with Pixel phone cameras, it shouldn't matter too much, as even lower-megapixel Google Pixel cameras take fantastic photos. 

As with most foldable phones, when taking photos, you can show your subjects what your camera sees on the cover display, which is handy for getting them ready for the photo. Google has been especially thoughtful for parents with its new "Made You Look" feature, which displays playful cartoony animations on the cover display to keep their attention. 

It's worth adding a case and screen protector to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to ensure the expensive device's longevity. See our guides below: 

• The best Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold cases
• The best Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold screen protectors

New AI and photo features coming to all Pixel 9 phones

Google's Gemini AI has been around since December 2023, but it's coming pre-loaded on all Pixel 9 phones. It's like the Google Assistant, which helps you control your smart home devices, do simple tasks like setting a timer or creating a reminder with your voice, and answer questions. Gemini is basically a super-powered version of Google Assistant. You might have to manually switch from Google Assistant to Gemini if you want to use it. 

With the Pixel 9 Pro models (including the Fold), Google also includes one year of its subscription-based $20/month Google One AI Premium plan for its Gemini Advanced AI model. Base Pixel 9 users will have to pay for Gemini Advanced, even during the first year. 

Gemini Advanced is essentially Google's Gemini but even more powerful and capable. I experienced a demo where a Google representative had a very natural conversation with the Gemini Live assistant about improving sleep quality, as it offered tips and context to get better sleep — it was like a two-way conversation between someone seeking help with sleep and a sleep expert, albeit a somewhat robotic sleep expert. I'll need more testing time to get the full experience and see what else it can do. 

Google is also introducing its new AI-powered Pixel Screenshots feature that's designed to use screenshots as a useful reminder tool. You can take screenshots of things you want to remember for later, like a recipe you found online or information in a message, and you can ask the Pixel to find that recipe or message using your voice instead of scrolling through your photos. 

I also experienced Google's new "Add Me" photo feature, which lets the person taking a group photo be included, too. It's remarkably easy to do, and with a little practice and experience, I can easily imagine seamless photos that include everyone, including the photo-taker.

Google Pixel 9 series: Prices and release dates

The Pixel 9 starts at $799, the Pixel 9 Pro at $999, the Pixel 9 Pro XL at $1,099, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at $1,799.

Each model became available to preorder on August 13 from the Google Store online, Amazon, Best Buy, and nationwide carriers like Verizon.  

Release dates vary within the series. Google released the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL on August 22, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be released on September 4. 

Google Pixel 9 series: Specs compared