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Most people would agree that 2023 was a good year for Google regarding its product releases. The flagship Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were well received as iPhone-beating smartphones whilst the Pixel Fold debut saw a premium entry into the foldable market.
Add to that an entirely new product in the form of the Pixel Tablet and you can safely say Google went all-in on product development in 2023. But things move fast in the tech world. Once you’ve launched a product, you’ll have rumours leaking about the next generation mere hours afterwards.
So, as we approach 2024, it’s time to preview what Google has in store for its next generation of devices. Primarily, that’s the Google Pixel 9, Pixel Fold 2 and Pixel Watch 3 but there’s an outside chance of some Google VR too!
Google Pixel 9 Release Date and Features
The Google Pixel 8 was one of the best smartphones of 2023. For many, such as a certain Marques Brownlee, the Pixel 8 Pro was their favourite. That sets the stage expectantly for the Google Pixel 9.
It is worth saying at this point that we should all temper our expectations. Smartphones are firmly in a stage of iterative development.
That means no big changes but tweaks to performance, camera quality and things like AI integration instead. The iPhone 15 for example felt like a dud on launch because not much had changed, but reassessments later on from those across the tech industry all concluded that it was pretty much as good as a phone could get.
Pixel 9 Release Date
Google has traditionally launched its flagship Pixel devices in October, with the exception of the Pixel 5, which debuted in September. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the Pixel 9 will likely be released in October 2024.
Tensor G4 Processor, Gemini AI Assistant and a bigger screen
Because the Pixel 8 was so good, it seems unlikely that we’ll get a distinctly better Pixel 9. That being said, camera systems are always an area for improvement, particularly in the Pixel’s ultrawide and telephoto capabilities. A higher-quality ultrawide camera and a more powerful telephoto lens would further solidify the Pixel’s reputation as a photography powerhouse.
One of the minor complaints about the Pixel 8 was the below-par battery life experienced by some users, so Google will certainly want to remedy that with the Pixel 9. This could be helped by the introduction of a new processor chip. The Tensor G3 was released alongside the Pixel 8 so a Tensor G4 chip to power the Pixel 9 is nailed on. More efficient processing chips make phones faster and can help save battery so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Another major improvement rumoured for the Pixel 9 is the addition of a new virtual assistant. Google has dumped a lot of time and money into developing its own Gemini AI model, a rival to GPT-4, so making it a core part of its products going forward seems likely. As such, Google Assistant will be retired in favour of ‘Pixie’, a new, more comprehensive and competent AI assistant.
We don’t know much about what ‘Pixie’ will do, but the fact it is powered by generative AI means it will be involved with things like composing messages and editing photos.
The other rumour about the Pixel 9 is a bigger screen size. This is strange considering that smartphones in general have trended away from being huge slabs that don’t fit into your pocket. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch screen, but past models like the Pixel 6 have had sizes stretch to 6.4-inches, so we could see a Pixel 9 rebound to somewhere near that.
Pixel Watch 3
The Pixel Watch 2 was a welcome improvement on the Pixel Watch, addressing many of the issues faced by its predecessor such as poor battery life and a lack of health sensors that are the industry standard nowadays.
Still, the Pixel Watch remains quite a way behind competitors like the Garmin Fenix and Apple Watch. Although it’s much cheaper than those two, you get a lot less in terms of features. What does 2024 hold for the Pixel Watch 3?
Release Date and Design
As with its smartphones, Google is consistent with smartwatch releases, launching the Pixel Watch 2 alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. If Google follows a yearly release schedule, we can expect the Pixel Watch 3 to debut in late 2024, alongside the Pixel 9.
Reduced bezels and new health-tracking features
This is a matter of taste in all honesty, but the Pixel Watch bezels are too big. They limit the amount of screen real estate which is something key for a smartwatch’s user experience. A sensible choice therefore would be to make the Pixel Watch 3’s screen larger by reducing the bezel size.
Another improvement in terms of design would be offering different sizes beyond the 41mm standard. I like the design of the Pixel Watch but others prefer something chunkier like the Apple Watch Ultra. By offering different sizes, Google can continue to chip away at a larger market share.
The major thing letting the Pixel Watch down though is the gaping lack of health-tracking features. The Garmin Epix Pro for example tracks anything you could ever want and the Apple Watch Series X is supposedly going to bring advanced sleep monitoring. The Pixel Watch for example doesn’t even measure blood pressure.
With that in mind, more features like blood pressure monitoring, for which Google has filed patents, seem inevitable and a wise choice. Fingers crossed for a feature-stuffed Pixel Watch 3, the more options for us, the consumers, the better!
Pixel Fold 2
Foldable phones are picking up pace. The only major brand not to have a foldable piece of tech is Apple which surely can’t last long? Google followed in Samsung’s footsteps by releasing the Pixel Fold and further bolstering the legitimacy of the foldable market.
We can be sure then that the Pixel Fold 2 is coming in 2024.
Pixel Fold 2 Release Date
The first Pixel Fold was announced at Google I/O 2023 in May, and then released on sale a month later. Google I/O 2024 is happening in May 2024 so we could see the Pixel Fold 2 announced then, although it is usually a software focused conference.
If it isn’t released at I/O 2024, then Google could bring it to us alongside the usual Pixel phone release in October.
Larger display and more advanced cameras?
There is nothing but a rumour of larger screen sizes to go off in relation to the Pixel Fold 2. And that rumour isn’t even specific about which screen that will be. But you’d think a larger interior screen would make the most sense.
The Pixel Fold 2 may also get upgraded cameras. Although it already has excellent ones, the Fold 2 could be improved by adding the Pixel 8 Pro’s sensors to the rear. This would mean widening the back bar to fit them in which Google may decide is a step too far.
It is also likely that the Pixel Fold 2 will receive the Tensor G3 chip from the Pixel 8 series of phones. That is unless Google delays the release to get a Tensor G4 in there. A wise move if you ask me!
Google VR
While much of the focus is on smartphones and smartwatches, Google’s foray into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) should be coming soon. If that vague statement doesn’t tell you enough then let me say this; there isn’t much information about Google VR.
Still, it makes sense for a company that has fingers in all major technology pies to want a piece of the VR market. And there are some rumours…
Potential Google VR and AR Developments
Google has previously released VR headsets such as the Google Cardboard and the more advanced Google Daydream. Until now, that’s as far as we’ve gotten.
But Google is in an excellent place to make use of VR with its pre-existing expertise in AI and machine learning. Although Google Glass failed spectacularly, this is the destination all VR companies want to reach; wearable, unobtrusive headsets that don’t compromise on features.
So far, all we have to go on are job postings for VR headset projects and rumours of potential products with front-facing cameras to blend the real and virtual worlds. There are also whisperings that Samsung and Google may be collaborating on a VR headset but again, details are extremely scarce.
Basically, the message is don’t hold your breath for Google VR. It probably exists, but likely won’t be released in 2024.
Pixel Tablet
The Pixel Tablet had an understated inaugural release which was met with a, let’s say, lukewarm reception. It had a limited set of features compared to something like an iPad whilst Google pitched it as a mixed-use device; a tablet for leisure but also a way to interact with other Google smart devices at home.
Ultimately, the blend of the two modes of use hurt the Pixel Tablet’s appeal.
New Tensor chip and nicheing down
The Pixel Tablet needs a lot of work. And a good place to start would be a much better screen. While the Pixel Tablet’s LCD display is serviceable, a higher refresh rate or OLED screen would bring the Pixel Tablet 2 up to speed.
Google also needs to go back to basics. Many apps like Instagram aren’t optimised properly making the Pixel Tablet highly unattractive to anyone who wants something fully functional…which is everyone. The Pixel Tablet 2 will get the new Tensor G4 chip if it does actually get released which will improve performance, but it still won’t match better alternatives like the Huawei MatePad Pro.
The charging dock for the Pixel Tablet also requires attention. Users reported issues with the tablet not securely fitting into the dock. Not great when it’s a defining feature of the device! It also only has a 7,020mAh battery meaning it didn’t hold charge as well as other devices.
In short, the Pixel Tablet may have too much wrong with it to even continue with a Pixel Tablet 2 in 2024. But I don’t think Google will give up that easily. Watch this space for a 2024 update.
Conclusion
As we look ahead to 2024, Google’s roadmap is still filled with uncertainty. There have been no major announcements about any pieces of tech yet, but we can be almost certain that a Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 will be seen in 2024.
Whilst a focus on VR would be exciting, Google has been tight-lipped and there is nothing to suggest they will actually produce a headset at all.
As a result, I think 2024 will be a mixed year for Google. A new and improved Pixel Watch would be welcomed by the growing amount of Google phone users whilst the Pixel Fold 2 will hopefully come with a reduced price.
However, Apple is releasing Vision Pro in 2024. A development that will dwarf all others. Google won’t be able to match that in hype, but if it does the basics right, like its already brilliant smartphone range, it will be another successful year.
