Serial leaker Steve ‘OnLeaks’ Hemmerstoffer recently published apparent renders showing the Pixel 9. This meant that the two previous devices he 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 coming later this year. This would be in line with our own leaked roadmap from 2022, which specifies that Google will launch a smaller Pixel 9 Pro.
However, it’s a big change for Google’s high-end phone line, which has long been stuck with a maximum of two models. But it turns out Android Authority readers who took part in the survey really like the idea of a three-tiered Pixel flagship family.
About 62% of readers polled said that three Pixel 9 flagships are actually better than two. It seems that one of the main drivers of this result is that people still want a pocket-friendly phone that offers Pro-level features. In fact, several comments specifically pointed to the telephoto camera.
User linuxsensei was one of these readers:
I’m definitely looking forward to the Pixel 9, as I’d like a telephoto without the larger size.
“I wasn’t interested in smaller pixels without optical telephoto or phablet plates over 6 inches,” noted user albin, adding that the smaller but “full-spec” Pixel 9 Pro will replace their current phone.
This general desire for a compact Pro device was echoed by several other readers on the site. In fact, reader Warren Skipper mentioned that he’s still using the Pixel 5 because he’s still waiting to experience the Pixel Pro, which doesn’t have the “huge” size.
Fear for the Pixel 9 trio?
However, 27.5% of respondents believe that this three-tier Pixel setup may result in more feature inconsistencies. After all, the company initially ignored the Pixel 8.
“After what they did with the Pixel 8, who’s going to buy the flagship?” reader Tiuri Elvander actually notes.
Reader Kira also suggests that Google could take inspiration from its competitors, who charge high prices for their top-of-the-line models:
Basically, Google just wants to sell (a) $1K+ flagship with all the bells and whistles like Samsung and Apple.
However, 10% of readers polled are still undecided. That’s understandable, since we still don’t know much about these three Pixel 9 phones. Pricing will be an important factor here, as Tensor-powered Pixels are generally priced aggressively. But the cynic in me worries that Google is laying the groundwork for the hyper-premium (~$1,100+) Pixel XL.
Either way, it looks like we should expect a major shakeup in the third quarter of this year. So fingers crossed that Google actually delivers a pocket-friendly Pro phone with all the Pro features you’d expect. And here’s hoping the company is still aggressive on pricing.