Exclusive: Google Pixel 9 series set for major camera improvements

Brilliant photography is undoubtedly one of the Google Pixel’s biggest selling points. However, for a while, Google has relied on its camera software to power its phones, while the hardware has often lagged behind the competition. In fact, the Sony IMX363 sensor, first introduced in the Pixel 3 in 2018, won’t be replaced until 2023! Thankfully, that has changed of late, with Google increasingly focusing more on hardware in its recent smartphones.

After fairly minor changes in the Pixel 7 series, Google made some significant upgrades with the Pixel 8, and the upcoming Pixel 9 series is expected to bring even more major improvements. Thanks to a source inside Google, we have a sneak peek at the new camera hardware changes coming to the upcoming Pixels.

Google is making changes to almost every sensor in the Pixel phones this year. Starting with the regular Pixel 9, Google is replacing the old Sony IMX386 ultrawide with a brand new Sony IMX858. The old sensor was somewhat archaic and small (1/2.8”), so the switch to the much newer, larger IMX858 (1/2.51”) should make it more versatile and useful in low-light conditions.

While the primary sensor (Samsung GNK) and front-facing cameras (Samsung 3J1) remain the same, Google is making one more significant change. The Pixel 9 will finally feature an autofocus-enabled front-facing camera, like last year’s Pixel 8 Pro, which makes it more pleasant to use and sharper in a wider range of scenarios. The Pixel 8 had a fixed-focus selfie cam, which, while mostly fine, definitely resulted in more blurry photos.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL get the exact same camera setup. Google has gone big on the Sony IMX858 this year (the same sensor used as the ultra-wide angle on the Pixel 9), with all but the primary sensor using this particular model, including the front-facing camera. While the new sensor should be a relatively modest upgrade over the existing ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, it should make the Pixel 9 Pro’s front-facing camera an absolute beast compared to most other devices. It’s primarily designed for rear cameras, and is larger than most dedicated selfie cam sensors.

Both Pro Pixels have the same infrared thermometer as last year — Melexis MLX90632. It’s interesting to see Google keep such a controversial feature; its use is very limited and many consider it a waste of money.

I’ve collected the camera specifications of the (non-foldable) Pixels in the table below:

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will also see some changes this year. The ultra-wide camera is now a Samsung 3LU (1/3.2”) instead of the old Sony IMX386 (1/2.8”). Both of the old selfie cameras (Sony IMX355, 1/2.8” and Samsung 3J1, 1/3”) have been replaced with the Samsung 3K1 (1/3.94”).

This may seem strange, but I have a theory to explain these apparent downgrades: the new Pixel foldable is actually nearly 2mm thinner than the original Pixel Fold, and Google may have been forced to make some compromises to achieve the new thin body. Hopefully the new sensors don’t impact the camera quality too much.

Below we have collected the camera specifications of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold:

8K Finally Comes to Pixels

Last year’s Pixel 8 series introduced the Tensor G3 processor. Among the upgrades was support for 8K video encoding at 30 frames per second. Additionally, the phone’s Samsung GNK sensor also supports the resolution. So far, Google has chosen to hold off on the feature.

That could change: the upcoming version of the Pixel Camera app will support 8K recording (7680×4320) video at 30 frames per second. Unfortunately, our source couldn’t confirm which of the Pixel 9 devices will support the feature or if it will be available at launch, but it’s definitely in development. We did manage to get our hands on the icon that will be used in the app to indicate 8K recording.

What do you think of the changes to the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro Fold’s camera hardware? Let us know in the comments.