Made by Google event live blog — Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Watch 3 latest news

Far from its normal schedule, the next Made by Google event is happening much earlier than past years. Rather than its usual time frame in October, it’s happening later today (August 13) at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, CA. Expect lots of products to be unveiled, including the Pixel 9 , Pixel 9 Pro , Pixel Watch 3 , and more.

We have several of our own Tom’s Guide reporters and editors who will be covering everything new at the Made by Google event, which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise given all the leaks the last month. Still, this earlier announcement could help Google steal some of the spotlight from the iPhone 16 launch next month. With the company poised to show off more devices than years past, you’ll want to tune into our Made by Google liveblog to get the most up-to-date news as it happens.

If you plan on tuning into the event, which starts at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. BST, we detail all the instructions on how to watch the Made by Google event . Additionally, we’ll have a deeper dive on everything that’s expected for the Made by Google hardware event . But before anything’s officially announced, let’s take a look at all the expected highlights.

Made by Google expected announcements

• Google Pixel 9: The Pixel 9 is reportedly going to pack a 6.3-inch display. Leaked images of the phone give us a good look at the redesign, which now features an elongated, oval-shaped camera bar. It’s also expected to be powered by the new Tensor G4 chip and 12GB of RAM.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro: The Pixel 9 Pro is rumored to have a much smaller 6.3-inch display. Despite this, it’s likely to keep the same camera setup as its bigger sibling complete with a 48MP telephoto shooter with 5x optical zoom.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Google’s bringing back the XL variant this year, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL speculated to pack a larger 6.8-inch display and 4,942 mAh battery. Not only could it be sharing the same camera setup as the Pixel 9 Pro, but also the same suite of new AI features as well.
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Google has already confirmed the name of the Pixel 9 Pro. And it looks be a getting an 8-inch main display and a 6.3-inch cover screen. This would be the biggest screen on a foldable in the U.S.
• Google Pixel Watch 3: For its third-generation smartwatch, the Pixel 3 Watch is supposedly going to be available in two sizes for the first time ever: 41mm and 45mm. In addition, it’s suggested to have a brighter screen upwards of 2,000 nits.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: It’s been roughly two years since the last one, but the Made by Google event could finally introduce a new pair of wireless earbuds. So far, it’s looking like it could keep the same charming design the earbuds have been known for, but in a much smaller, lighter package.
• Google AI features: AI has been the talk for many tech companies the last year, so Google’s no stranger when it comes to this. One of the most intriguing AI features is Pixel screenshots, which would allow the phones to recall content from your screenshots.

Pricing leaks ahead of the event

We’re nearing our first official look at Google’s upcoming phones, but a leak ahead of the event sheds light on the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s pricing . Since it would technically be the direct successor to the Pixel 8 Pro, it might shock people that the large version of the Pixel 9 Pro could be $100 more with a starting cost of $1,099. Given how cheaper prices have often been a key trait for Pixel phones, this increase might lessen its appeal over competing handsets.

Lingering questions

On the one hand, it's not too hard to figure out what Google is going to announce at one of its hardware events. Between stuff the company outright confirms — there are already teaser videos for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, for example — and rumors that fill in the key details, you usually head into a Google product announcement with a pretty good idea of what's in store.

Yet, there are still some known unknowns, and managing editor for mobile Philip Michaels lists the big questions about the new Pixel phones and smartwatches heading into today's event.

Storage upgrades in the works?

It's always worth paying attention to preorder deals when a new flagship phone gets announced, and at least one rumor tips Google to be preparing a pretty good one. In fact, it sounds like Google may be copying one of the better preorder offers that Samsung typically makes when it comes out with a new phone.

For instance, when the Galaxy Z Fold 6 came out last month, Samsung offered a free storage upgrade to anyone who preordered that device — meaning you could get a 512GB Fold for the same price as the 256GB base model.

A UK retailer has posted details of Google's Pixel preorder deal ahead of the launch of those phones, and it's the same thing that Samsung did — upgrade to the next tier of storage at no additional cost. Yes, base models of the Pixel phones are expected to feature 128GB of storage, so you'll be able to get a bump to 256GB for free. But that also means the 512GB and 1TB versions of some Pixel phones can be had for less.

Even though this comes from a UK retailer, it may turn out to be a global preoder offer, as a French source had the same deal in an earlier leak.

Changes in store

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is shaping up to be a radical departure from the original Pixel Fold . And we’re not just talking about the name. The main display is tipped to be a whopping 8 inches, which would be the biggest on a foldable. And the cover display is expected to grow from 5.8 to 6.3 inches.

Based on Google’s own teaser, the bezels are slimmer too, which is good to see.The Tensor G4 chip will be running the show, and we’ve already heard about some AI features it will power, such as Add Me for group photos and a screenshots feature that will hopefully be way less creepy than Microsoft’s Recall. Let’s just hope Google doesn’t give this phone a Galaxy Z Fold 6-like price hike.

Where's Android 15?

Normally, new Pixel flagship would mean a new version of the Android operating system debuting on Google's latest phones. But one rumor suggests that when we lay eyes on the Pixel 9 models later today, they'll be running Android 14 and not the update that's currently in development.

That new version is Android 15 , and it will certainly run on the Pixel 9 at some point, if not right away. Features in Android 15 include fater web page loads, the return of lock screen widgets and more.

It doesn't sound like Android 15 is behind schedule. Instead, the reason for the lack of Android 15 appears to be Google's decision to move up the launch of its new phones from October to now. Even if we don't see Android 15 today, we do hope Google offers some clarity on when the update will be out — not just for the Pixel 9 models, but for all Pixel devices.

Color scheming

A couple months ago, the list of potential Pixel 9 colors leaked, and nothing's come out since then to make us think that leak was off base. In fact, from the renders that have emerged, it seems like the rumored color choices for Google's upcoming phones are pretty spot-on.

Here's what we're expecting.

• Pixel 9: Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony and Jade
• Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Porcelain, Obsidian, Rose and Hazel
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Porcelain and Obsidian

What's new with the Pixel Watch

The Pixel 9 phones won't be the only devices debuting at Made by Google today. Google is also supposed to show off new watches, just like it did last October, when the Pixel Watch 2 joined the Pixel 8 phones at Google's launch party.

Our smartwatch expert Dan Bracaglia says he's looking for three things with the Pixel Watch 3 — larger sizes, better battery life and a brighter display. We'll find out later today if Google can deliver.

Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8

Thanks to all the Pixel 9 rumors floating around out there, we already have a pretty good idea of how a Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8 comparison might shake down. We're waiting for Google to confirm what we've heard about its new phones, of course, but in the hours leading up to the Made by Google event, feel free to look at our preview to see how the new phone might change things up.

Will the Pixel 9 Pro Fold be worth it?

Buying a foldable phone is not for the faint of heart or light of wallet, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold doesn't appear to be an exception. We haven't heard much in the way of pricing rumors for the new foldable, but we'd consider it a win if Google's new foldable retained the price of the original, given how Samsung just upped the price on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip by $100 each over their predecessors.

Still, when you've got to fork over $1,799 for a phone, you want to make sure you're getting your money's worth. Our colleague Tom Pritchard isn't sure that will be the case with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold , given the rumors that are out there about the phone's features.

About those new Pixel Buds

Of all the products likely to appear today, we've heard the least amount about the Pixel Buds Pro 2. It's understandable — accessories don't get as much attention as the devices they support, so most people are probably paying attention to the Pixel 9 phones.

Still, we've heard a few things about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 — namely, that they're supposed to retain a stemless design and feature color-coded options, as you can see in the leaked image above. More importantly, we're looking for improved battery life in the new wireless earbuds.

Today's Made by Google event is actually Google's second product launch in as many weeks. If you recall, last week Google introduced new smart home products led by the Google TV Streamer and the latest Google Nest Learning Thermostat . Google also announced improvements around its Home app focused on leveraging AI for its security cameras.

Those announcements are significant in their own right, but they also clear the decks for Google to spend more time on its phones and smartwatches today.