Google Unveils AI-Enhanced Pixel 9 and New Gadgets Amid Fierce Competition

Google has released its Pixel 9 smartphone lineup, featuring new AI capabilities including screenshot search and Gemini chatbot overlay. This early release strategy aims to compete with rivals like Apple. The Pixel 9 starts at $799, and additional models will ship later this year. New versions of Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds were also introduced.

Alphabet’s Google on Tuesday unveiled a lineup of new Pixel smartphones, integrating deeper artificial intelligence features, as it races to advance AI technology in its hardware products.

The announcement, made at Alphabet’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, marks an earlier-than-usual release, two months ahead of Google's traditional schedule. The Pixel 9 models—the base version starting at $799—will feature new AI functionalities such as screenshot search and Gemini chatbot overlay. This move is a bid to stay competitive ahead of Apple's planned iPhone launch in September, which will include Apple's own AI-powered features.

Google reported that while it holds less than 1% of the global smartphone market share, the Pixel series showcases its advancements in AI and spurs innovation within the Android developer ecosystem. Besides the smartphones, Google also introduced new versions of its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds.