In a significant move on Wednesday, Google introduced its newest array of Pixel smartphones, highlighting sleeker cameras equipped with powerful zoom capabilities and cutting-edge artificial intelligence features. These upgrades aim to streamline user experience, reducing the need for multiple taps and swipes.
With these advancements, Google seeks to entice consumers into purchasing the latest models and broaden the adoption of its AI-powered tools among a larger audience.
“Google consistently promotes new software features, particularly AI, as the principal motivation for upgrading,” commented Andrew Cornwall, a senior analyst at Forrester.
According to Cornwall, the tech giant has integrated several innovations, including the ability to extract photos from videos, a teleprompter feature, enhanced video stabilization, and improved speech-to-text functionality.
Despite the Pixel phones not yet matching the popularity of Apple’s iPhone, Google has been steadily increasing the integration of AI technology in its Pixel devices since 2023, marking a clear commitment to innovation and user experience enhancement.
Apple, meanwhile, has been lagging behind. It announced new AI advances in June, focusing on how the technology can help with people’s day-to-day lives, with a focus on privacy and security — using Google’s Gemini AI model to do so.
Google said in a presentation to reporters last week that the new phones will double the previous storage size, starting at 256 gigabytes, and feature 30 hours of battery life and faster wireless charging.
The company has eliminated the 128 gigabyte Pixel 11, which had been its lowest-priced option at $800.
Beginning Wednesday, US customers can order the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, starting at $900, $1,100 and $1,300, respectively.
The Pixel Pro Fold, meanwhile, starts at $1,900.
That’s a $100 increase for each phone from last year’s prices.
New features include live translation for videos, podcasts and voice messages.
In the Pro models, a tool called HiLight lets you assign a color to your favorite contacts and have the phone light up in that color when they call and your phone is placed face down.
It complements Pixel’s “Flip to Shhh” feature that puts the phone in “do not disturb” mode when it is placed face down.
Google is also offering a free six-month subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 11 Pro or Pixel 11 Pro XL models.
The company is hoping to hook more people on the AI Gemini tool kit, which it assembled to compete against OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Camera upgrades include a new mode called Magic Capture, which automatically takes a series of photos and video with a single tap of the shutter button.
Google said the cameras also feature improved light sensitivity and, for Pro models, Instant Night Sight captures shots in dark environments faster, so you don’t have to hold your phone still while waiting for exposure.
Google also introduced a tracking device for the first time.
Called Pixel Tag, it will cost $30 for one or $100 for a four-pack and is compatible with phones running Android 9 or higher.