Google to Unveil Pixel 9 Phones Next Month Ahead of iPhone 16 Launch - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google to Unveil Pixel 9 Phones Next Month Ahead of iPhone 16 Launch

by

Google will refresh its product lineup this year in the middle of August rather than its usual October timing, which means its latest flagship Pixel smartphones will debut ahead of Apple's annual iPhone upgrade cycle for the first time.

google pixel announcements

Google Pixel 8 series

Google last week began sending out media invitations to an August 13 hardware event that will "showcase the base of Google AI, Android software and the Pixel portfolio of devices." Google typically holds its annual Made by Google event in early October to unveil its latest Pixel phones, smartwatches, and Nest-branded devices.

Rumors indicate Google will launch three devices in its forthcoming Pixel 9 lineup, with a new larger 6.2-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL device joining the regular Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. Leaks suggest the Pixel 9 Pro will have a triple rear camera setup. Google is also expected to launch Android 15 touting Gemini AI enhancements and other services.


Alongside new phones, Google is expected to release a Pixel Fold 2 tablet, a Pixel Watch 3 series, and new Pixel earbuds, all of which will compete with Apple devices. The decision to bring forward the hardware upgrades was likely made with one eye on Apple's hardware launches in September, when the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 9 are expected to be revealed alongside iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence.

Tag: Google

Popular Stories

Apple Maps Google Maps Icons

Google Maps Showing 'Lake America' in U.S., Apple Maps Yet to Follow

Monday August 31, 2026 6:33 am PDT by
Google Maps users in the U.S. will now see the name "Lake America" instead of "Lake Ontario" for the Great Lake that straddles the New York—Ontario border. Google said it made this change in response to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) updating the name for "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America," following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump last week....
Read Full Article • 345 comments
google ai student discount

College Students Can Get a Free Year of Google AI Pro

Wednesday August 19, 2026 12:00 pm PDT by
Google today said eligible college students in the United States can get a free year of Google AI Pro. Google AI Pro is normally priced at $19.99 per month, and it includes 4x higher usage limits in Gemini, access to Gemini Spark, Gemini in Google apps like Gmail and Google Docs, and 5TB of storage space. Eligible college students outside the United States can get a free year of Google AI...
Read Full Article • 65 comments
iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
Read Full Article • 151 comments

Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
WarmWinterHat
29 months ago

The Pixel line is the only one I'd consider after the iPhone. Times I've played with the devices they've always been fast and good hardware quality.

Samsung's just... icky in comparison. No idea why anyone would buy any Samsung over a Pixel.
My wife is a long-time Android user and she won't even consider a phone other than the Pixel. She upgraded to an 8 from a Pixel 2, and it's a fantastic phone.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
Unggoy Murderer
29 months ago
The Pixel line is the only one I'd consider after the iPhone. Times I've played with the devices they've always been fast and good hardware quality.

Samsung's just... icky in comparison. No idea why anyone would buy any Samsung over a Pixel.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
b-dogg
29 months ago

The Pixel line is the only one I'd consider after the iPhone. Times I've played with the devices they've always been fast and good hardware quality.

Samsung's just... icky in comparison. No idea why anyone would buy any Samsung over a Pixel.
Same. iPhone since 2007. The pixel 7a I got my partner makes me tempted to switch. The price and features are very hard to beat.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cjsuk Avatar
cjsuk
29 months ago

Same. iPhone since 2007. The pixel 7a I got my partner makes me tempted to switch. The price and features are very hard to beat.
I used a Pixel 7A when I was travelling for a bit last year for security reasons (less likely to get done over for it).

The thing was a complete liability. Crap camera, eSIM problems, some stuff stopped working after a couple of days offline, bt crapped out constantly, serious problems with battery life on and off. Email sync issues. Also no compass apps worked on the damn thing properly - calibration was completely off.

Never again will I go near one. Went straight back to my 13 Pro and bought a 15 Pro almost immediately when it came out. Been to less dangerous places this year with the 15 Pro and ZERO problems with it.

Here's a crop of a non-zoomed photo it took in daylight. Utter and total garbage.



Fortunately I had an actual camera with me!!

Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lpolarityl Avatar
lpolarityl
29 months ago

I used a Pixel 7A when I was travelling for a bit last year for security reasons (less likely to get done over for it).

The thing was a complete liability. Crap camera, eSIM problems, some stuff stopped working after a couple of days offline, bt crapped out constantly, serious problems with battery life on and off. Email sync issues. Also no compass apps worked on the damn thing properly - calibration was completely off.

Never again will I go near one. Went straight back to my 13 Pro and bought a 15 Pro almost immediately when it came out. Been to less dangerous places this year with the 15 Pro and ZERO problems with it.

Here's a crop of a non-zoomed photo it took in daylight. Utter and total garbage.



Fortunately I had an actual camera with me!!
Just a friendly reminder, the Pixel 7A can be had for $350-$400. It's not supposed to compete with an iPhone 13/14/15/ Pro cameras, it never will. As for all the software issues, sounds like you got a lemon. If you had an 8 Pro or even a 7 Pro I'm sure that picture would have turned out just fine.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
WarmWinterHat
29 months ago

Just a friendly reminder, the Pixel 7A can be had for $350-$400. It's not supposed to compete with an iPhone 13/14/15/ Pro cameras, it never will. As for all the software issues, sounds like you got a lemon. If you had an 8 Pro or even a 7 Pro I'm sure that picture would have turned out just fine.
The regular 8 is fine. My wife's 8 takes better photos on the regular than my 13 Pro.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments