Google Pixel 9 Series: AI-Powered Features and Subscription Offer Shake Up Smartphone Market

Google Wants You to Break Up With Your Old Phone for the Pixel 9

Samsung's foldable fanfare is over, and now Google can officially take over the spotlight. The company is teasing its hardware in new promotional material. You can peep it yourself at the Google Store, where you'll also see one of the first official photos of the Pixel 9 Pro. The video that Google made for this occasion is particularly cheeky. The premise is that you're chatting with Gemini, Google's AI chatbot, and asking for help penning a breakup letter to your old phone. I'm assuming this is referencing a device from a fruit-that-grows-on-a-tree company. There's also mention in the prompt about looking for a device that "actually feels magical." Maybe that's a dig at Samsung's Galaxy AI. We don't see the Gemini response back to the prompt. Instead, you can scroll down the page for information about the Made by Google event. It starts live streaming on August 13 at 10 A.M. PT / 1 P.M. ET. Scroll further down, and you'll see a snippet of the top of the Pixel 9 Pro. As the rumors said, the corners are rounder than ever, and the camera bar seems to protrude with purpose. The main point of this promotional material is to remind you that the real magic of the Google Pixel is in Gemini AI. 9to5Google reported earlier in the week that Google will likely offer a year of Gemini Advanced by purchasing the Pixel 9 hardware to entice more users toward using the chatbot. It will eventually replace Google Assistant for things like help with a trip or, as shown in the example above, writing a letter to get out of a relationship. While you can do those things with Google's Gemini, your results will vary. Google says the event will bring new stuff from Androidâ€"likely the public release of Android 15â€"Gemini and the "Pixel portfolio." At the end of the Made by Google live stream, you can pre-order the new Pixel devices.

Google teases Pixel 9 Pro as a 'phone built for the Gemini era' [Video]

Google today provided a very good look at the Pixel 9 Pro and is continuing to tease this upcoming device as "magical" thanks to AI. The 30-second video humorously has Gemini write a breakup letter to your "Dear old phone." Google is again focusing on how the Pixel 9 series "actually feels magical" and how it's "not just the same old thing." No longer shrouded in shadows, we then see the Pixel 9 Pro in Porcelain with "Oh hi, AI" as the teaser. Note the matte/grainy texture off the camera bar, while we see a glimpse of the shiny side rails.

Pixel 9 Pro: New Report Reveals Hidden Offer Worth $140

July 18 Update Below: Google Teases Pixel 9 Pro AI capabilities with new video July 18 Update: Google has released a new teaser video, promoting the AI capabilities of the Pixel 9 Pro smartphone, following the discovery of a free one-year subscription to Gemini Advanced bundled with the next-gen flagship. Posted on X, the video takes the form of a smartphone user asking Gemini to help them write a breakup letter to their old phone, having found "Something new, that feels magical. Not just the same old thing." before revealing an image of a Pixel 9 Pro, together with the message, "Oh hi, AI." The video is a clear indication that AI will play a major role in differentiating the Pixel 9 Pro from other smartphones by delivering an experience that feels noticeably different from previous generations. Different enough, Google Hopes, to warrant "breaking up" with your old phone. It also lends weight to the previous report revealing that Google's most advanced AI assistant will come bundled with the Pixel 9 Pro and that the AI capabilities of new flagship will significantly exceed those of the current Pixel 8 range. All will be revealed on August 13. A new report reveals that Google's forthcoming Pixel 9 series will come with a free subscription worth hundreds of dollars when it launches this August. According to well-known leaker Assemble Debug, Pixel 9 Pro customers will receive a year of free access to Google's Premium AI model, Gemini Advanced, at no extra cost. This represents a considerable saving for heavy AI users, as Gemini Advanced is currently available only as part of a monthly Google One AI Premium subscription that costs $239 per year. Information about the free perk comes from details hidden within the code of the latest beta of the Google app on Android. So, while this offer can't be guaranteed at this stage, this is clear evidence of Google's plans. According to the report, the one-year free subscription could be reserved for the more expensive Pixel Pro and Pixel Pro XL models, while the entry-level Pixel 9 may be limited to just six months. Text found within the app includes the wording, "Your Pixel Pro gives you access to a 1-year subscription to Gemini Advanced, our most capable AI model with priority access to new features, at no cost to you." However, text elsewhere in the code reads, "Your Pixel may give you access to a 6-month subscription to Gemini Advanced, our most capable AI model with priority access to new features, at no cost to you." This second text fragment suggests that some Pixel 9 smartphones, most likely the standard Pixel 9, might receive only six months of free Gemini Advanced access. What Is Gemini Advanced? Gemini Advanced is the premium version of Google's Gemini AI model, a direct competitor to well-known rivals such as Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT. Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Android devices, and users with Gemini Advanced will have access to a range of extra features that are seamlessly integrated into their smartphone experience. Gemini Advanced adds several premium features, such as: One year of monthly payments for a Google One AI Premium currently costs $239. However, this subscription includes many other benefits besides Gemini Advanced, not expected to be included in the free promotion. Google One Premium (without Gemini Advanced) is billed at $99 per year, so assuming Google isn't giving away a full Google One AI Premium subscription with each Pixel 9, we can say that Gemini Advanced adds around $140 in value to the package over a year. Note that if you want to try out Gemini Advanced now, a one-month free trial is available for Google One AI Premium so that you can evaluate it yourself.