Serial leaker Steve ‘OnLeaks’ Hemmerstoffer recently posted an apparent render showing off the Pixel 9 . This means that the two devices he previously leaked were actually the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
In other words, we could be looking at three Pixel 9 series flagships launching later this year. This is consistent with our leaked 2022 roadmap, which found Google launching a smaller Pixel 9 Pro.
However, it’s a major shakeup for Google’s high-end phone lineup, which has long stuck to a maximum of two models. But it turns out Android Authority readers surveyed do like the idea of a three-tier Pixel flagship series.
Are three Pixel flagships better than two?
About 62% of readers surveyed said that three Pixel 9 flagships are indeed better than two. It looks like one of the main drivers of this result is people wanting a pocket-sized phone that still offers pro-grade features. In fact, there are some reviews specifically about the telephoto camera.
User linuxsensei is one of these readers:
I’m definitely looking forward to the Pixel 9 because I want a telephoto lens without the larger size.
User albin noted that “they have no interest in smaller Pixel phones without optical telephoto or phablet tablets over 6 inches.” He added that a small but “full-spec” Pixel 9 Pro is expected to replace them Current cell phone.
Several other readers on the site also expressed a general desire for a compact Pro device. In fact, reader Warren Skipper noted that he’s still using a Pixel 5 because he’s still waiting for a Pixel Pro experience without the “bulky” size.
Scared about the Pixel 9 trio?
Meanwhile, 27.5% of respondents believe this three-tier Pixel setup could lead to greater feature differences. After all, the company ignored the Pixel 8 in the first place.
“Who’s going to buy the base model after what they’ve done with the Pixel 8?” Reader Tiuri Elwand certainly noticed.
Reader Kira also suggested that Google might be inspired by its competitors, which offer super-high prices for their high-end models:
Basically, Google just wants to sell $1,000+ flagships like Samsung and Apple with all the bells and whistles.
However, 10% of readers surveyed were undecided. That’s understandable, since we still don’t know much about these three Pixel 9 phones. Pricing will be an important factor, as Tensor-based Pixels are typically priced aggressively. But the cynical part of me worries that Google is laying the groundwork for an ultra-high-end (~$1,100+) Pixel XL.
Regardless, it seems we should expect a massive shakeup in the third quarter of this year. So fingers crossed that Google does launch a pocket-friendly Pro phone with all the Pro features you’d expect. Hopefully the company still takes an aggressive approach to pricing.