Google unveils latest Pixel phones with slimmer cameras, more AI: Heres how much they cost
Google on Wednesday unveiled its latest lineup of Pixel phones, with slimmer cameras that include more a powerful zoom and artificial intelligence features designed to help users accomplish things with fewer taps and swipes.With the improvements, the search giant hopes to give users a reason to buy new models and expand the number of people using its AI tools.“Google continues to tout new software features, primarily around AI, as the reason to upgrade,” said Forrester senior analyst Andrew Cornwall.He noted the company has added a way to extract photos from videos, a teleprompter, video stabilization, and an improved speech-to-text feature.While the Pixel phones are not as popular as Apple’s iPhone, Google has been steadily increasing the amount of AI on its Pixel phones since 2023.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...