Why is Google launching the Pixel 9 so early?

Earlier this week, Google announced that it will launch the Pixel 9 series in August, almost two months earlier than usual. Why?

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Historically, Google has held its annual “Made by Google” event to launch its latest flagship Pixel phones in October. It all started on October 4, 2016, and has continued on roughly that timeline ever since. One of the first events of 2020 was when Google launched the Pixel 5 and other devices on September 30.

But August 13? this violently The event was just beginning, and no one could have predicted it. The event also moved to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, after a few years in New York City. Clearly, big changes were on the horizon.

Why early history?

We won’t know for sure for some time, but there are some possibilities that will emerge immediately.

First, there’s the simple fact that Google’s next tensor chip, the G4, is more of a stopgap solution than anything else. 2025 will see the arrival of a fully custom Tensor chip made by TSMC, and it’s rumored that the G4 will actually be just a slight bump above the current Tensor G3. This should be good, as the Tensor G3 holds up much better than the first two generations, but we don’t really know how much better it will be. Rumors claim it will be better with heat and efficiency, and it’s also based on an updated cellular modem that includes satellite support. So, given the minor upgrades, it may simply be the case that Google’s next Tensor chip will be ready to debut a little earlier than last year.

But I think the slide alone is the least likely reason for an early date. I think the stronger possibility is the sheer size of the lineup of shows that will be on display this year.

If all the rumors come true — and they certainly seem to be the case — there will be four new Pixel 9 models this year. The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The naming scheme seems messy, but if priced right, this could be a killer lineup from Google. But to have Which It seems crazy to see so many devices hitting the market at once, especially for a company that only controls a small (but growing) portion of the smartphone market. I suppose Google could end up announcing everything at once, but rolling out the actual release over the course of a month or so. I certainly hope the company introduces, at least at the same event, the new Pixel Watch and updated Pixel Buds.

Finally, there’s another reason Google might delay this launch early, and I think it’s probably the most likely of all.

artificial intelligence.

What’s next? Google is pushing AI harder as the company feels the pressure of competition, and the Pixel is a key part of that push. Taking advantage of a quiet August gives Google a chance to show off new AI ideas on the Pixel ahead of Apple’s upcoming iPhones, which now appear to be full of With “Apple Intelligence”. With Abner Lee’s arrival on Friday, Google has already announced powerful new AI features coming this year, like Gemini Live.

Which of these three reasons might have inspired Google? I think it’s probably a combination of reasons, and about a billion other factors, but I’m very curious to see how things will play out. In an opinion poll, 9 to 5 google Readers overwhelmingly seem to think that launching the Pixel early is a good idea, and that’s something I’ve always felt the company should take into consideration.

Fasten your seatbelts, friends; the next few weeks are likely to be busy in the Pixel rumor mill.

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