Google is gearing up to launch its Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro smartphones, which are being promoted as the “first AI smartphones.” The new devices will include new AI tools focused on performance and privacy, with many of the AI processes being processed directly on the phone itself. The implementation of modern AI tools on the Pixel 9 includes text-to-image, text composition, editing, and AI-based queries and discussions, offering users a seamless and efficient AI experience.
The recent details on the processing location of the new AI tools come from @AssembleDebug, who discovered references to AI-based routines for OCR, TEXT_TO_IMAGE, and QUESTION_TO_ANSWER in Google’s code. The Pixel 9’s focus on on-device processing is a strategic move to address concerns about personal data security, as older phones rely on cloud-based services that require sending user data into the cloud. By processing AI routines locally, users can enjoy the benefits of AI without compromising their privacy.
The new chipsets from Qualcomm, Snapdragon, and Mediatek feature dedicated hardware for AI routines, which will also be present in Google’s upcoming Pixel 9. This will allow for more AI services to run locally on the device, providing users with a faster and more efficient AI experience. Google’s Tensor Mobile chipsets, first introduced in the Pixel 6, will continue to power the Pixel 9, delivering enhanced performance for AI tasks.
Google’s AI Core component, currently present in the Pixel 8 and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 families, is expected to be expanded to include more devices in the future. The company is working on bringing its Gemini AI modules to the smartphone market, with potential plans to make them available to partners such as Apple. While Google may initially offer the new AI features exclusively on Pixel devices, it is expected that they will eventually be made available to other manufacturers.
Fans of Google’s Pixel lineup can anticipate the launch of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro in early October 2025, following a similar announcement pattern from previous years. These new devices will offer cutting-edge AI features and performance enhancements, making them a compelling choice for users looking to upgrade their smartphones. Stay tuned for more updates on Google’s latest smartphone offerings in Forbes’ weekly Android Circuit news digest.
