The Redesigned Google Pixel 9 Has a New Ultrawide Camera

Jeremy Gray

A pink smartphone is displayed with both front and back views visible. The back of the phone shows a dual-camera setup and a logo in the center. The front screen displays a vibrant, abstract red and pink floral pattern. The background is blurred shades of pink and red.

While much of the attention today is rightly focused on the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, as they offer the best photography features, the standard Pixel 9 is no slouch. It promises a compelling blend of design, performance, and value.

The Google Pixel 9 Gets a Fresh New Design Celebrating the ‘Iconic Pixel Camera’

Google has completely overhauled the Pixel 9’s design. Gone is the full-width camera bar, replaced by a new rounded design. Google says the design “celebrates the iconic Pixel Camera,” and the sculpted camera bar design offers a thin, durable profile.

Three Google Pixel 8 smartphones are shown from the back, each featuring a dual-camera setup within an oval-shaped module and a "G" logo. The phones are displayed in three colors: pink, black, and beige.
The Google Pixel 9 has a revised camera module — and new cameras, too.

The device also sports rugged Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. Google says the Pixel 9 can “handle whatever life brings,” including drops, scratches, and splashes. Officially, the device has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.

Another hardware improvement comes in the form of a brighter 6.3-inch Actua display. The 1,080 x 2,424 OLED display has a variable refresh rate from 60 to 120Hz, full 24-bit depth to display up to 16 million colors, and promises up to 2,700 nits peak brightness — a 35% improvement over its predecessor. The device also includes a larger battery, which promises “all-day” life.

A pink smartphone with a "G" logo on the back is placed on a pink cotton candy-like background. The phone has a horizontal camera module at the top, featuring two lenses and a flash.

Google Pixel 9 Camera Features

The Pixel 9’s camera bar doesn’t only look different — it features improved camera modules. While the main (wide) camera is the same, there’s an all-new ultra-wide camera on offer.

Starting with the unchanged main camera, it’s a 50-megapixel Octa PD wide camera. The Type 1/1.31 sensor is paired with an f/1.68 lens and supports AI-powered Super Res Zoom up to 8x.

A person wearing a yellow jacket and blue scarf is taking a selfie with another person in front of some flowers. They are using a black smartphone with a "G" logo on the back. Both individuals appear to be smiling.

The new ultrawide camera has moved from a 12-megapixel sensor and f/2.2 lens to a 48-megapixel Quad PD imager (Type 1/2.55) and an f/1.7 lens. The camera offers 123-degree field of view, and like the main camera, utilizes a laser detect autofocus sensor. The ultrawide camera is also the device’s Macro Focus module.

Unlike the Pixel 9 Pro devices, the standard Pixel 9 doesn’t include a dedicated telephoto camera, although Google says that the main camera’s Super Res Zoom serves in a pinch. The device also includes Google’s popular Night Side mode, which ensures sharp photos, including portraits and panoramas, in low light.

Fancy New AI Features and Modes

Unsurprisingly, some new AI tricks are up the Pixel 9’s sleeve. Beyond the existing Magic Editor, which can reframe, suggest the best crop, and expand an image (filling in the blanks with AI), the Pixel 9 also includes a brand-new feature: Add Me. Launching first in a preview capacity, this new feature ensures the person taking a group photo is included. The photographer snaps the photo, swaps with someone, and steps in for a second shot. AI analyzes the two pictures and then merges them, ensuring everyone is in the frame. Add Me sounds technologically similar to Best Take, which combines the best version of each person from a series of photos into a single image.

Three people are smiling as they take a selfie with a pink smartphone. The phone has a "G" logo on the back. They appear to be indoors, with a window and greenery visible in the background.

Beyond these features, the Pixel 9 includes dedicated Astrophotography, Portrait, Long Exposure, Action Pan, and Panorama modes, offers AI-powered Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur functions, and records 4K video up to 60 frames per second.

Driving some of these new AI features is an upgraded Tensor G4 processor and 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB.

A man wearing glasses, a beige vest over a white shirt, and wireless earbuds, is sitting on a chair indoors. He is smiling broadly while looking at his green smartphone. In the background, there is a wall covered with green foliage.

Pricing and Availability

The Google Pixel 9 will come in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony. The device is available now and starts at $799 for the 128GB model, a $100 increase over the Pixel 8’s starting price. The Pixel 9 will begin shipping on August 22nd. It comes installed with Android 14 and includes seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates.

Image credits: Google

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