Google Pixel 9 series gets all new cameras and sensors!

Google is making some major and controversial changes to the cameras in the Pixel 9 series.

Vivid photos are undoubtedly one of the biggest selling points of the Google Pixel. But for a while, Google relied on camera software to power its phones, while hardware often lagged behind competitors. For example, the Sony IMX363 sensor, first introduced in the Pixel 3 in 2018, wasn't replaced until 2023. Luckily, this has changed recently. Google is increasingly focusing on hardware with its new smartphones.

After making some fairly minor changes to the Pixel 7 series, Google has made some major improvements with the Pixel 8, and the upcoming Pixel 9 series is expected to bring even more significant improvements. Thanks to a source inside Google, we can now get a preview of the new changes to the upcoming Pixel's camera hardware.

Google is making changes to almost all of the sensors on its Pixel phones this year. Starting with the regular Pixel 9, Google is replacing the old Sony IMX386 Ultrawide with the new Sony IMX858. The old sensor was pretty outdated and small (1/2.8 inches), so the switch to the much newer and larger IMX858 (1/2.51 inches) should make it more versatile and better in low light. The

primary sensor (Samsung GNK) and front camera (Samsung 3J1) remain the same, but Google is making another important optimization. The Pixel 9 finally has a front camera with autofocus, just like last year's Pixel 8 Pro, making it more comfortable to use and clearer in a wider range of scenarios. The Pixel 8 has a fixed-focus selfie camera that usually works well, but it's more likely to result in blurry photos.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have the exact same camera configuration. Google is betting big this year on the Sony IMX858 (the same sensor as the Pixel 9's ultra-wide sensor). All sensors except the main sensor, including the front camera, use this particular model. The new sensor should be a relatively modest upgrade over the existing ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, but the Pixel 9 Pro's front camera should be an absolute beast compared to most other devices. It's designed primarily for the rear camera and is larger than most dedicated selfie camera sensors.

The Pixel 9 Pro should have the best camera for selfies.
Both Pro Pixels retain the same Melexis MLX90632 infrared thermometer from last year. It's interesting to see Google keep such controversial features. They have very limited use and many consider them a waste of money.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also set for some changes this year. The ultrawide 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 changed to the Samsung 3K1 (1/3.94”).

This might seem odd, but I have a theory to explain these apparent downgrades: the new Pixel foldable is actually almost 2 mm thinner than the original Pixel Fold and Google might have been forced to make some compromises to achieve the new thin package. Hopefully the new sensors will not affect camera quality too much.

We’ve compiled the camera specs of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold below:

8K is finally coming to Pixels

Last year's Pixel 8 series introduced the Tensor G3 processor. That upgrade includes support for 8K video encoding at 30 frames per second. Additionally, the phone's Samsung GNK sensor supports this resolution. So far, Google has decided not to use the feature.

This may change: The next version of the Pixel Camera app will support recording 8K (7680 x 4320) video at 30 frames per second. Unfortunately, our source couldn't confirm which Pixel 9 devices will support the feature or if it will be available at launch, but it's at least in the works. We were able to get hold of the icon used by the app to display 8K footage.