Google’s gadget line might find yourself having a very necessary second in 2023. The corporate normally proclaims new Pixel merchandise all year long. Google is predicted to launch its first foldable cellphone this yr, nonetheless, which might instantly compete with Samsung’s confirmed line of Galaxy Z Fold units.
Google additionally launched its personal ChatGPT rival, Bard, which it opened as much as the general public in March. It would not be shocking to see new developments to Bard and listen to about Google’s different AI ambitions throughout its I/O convention in Might.
Each potential bulletins would additional sign that tech giants are fascinated with what’s subsequent for the smartphone and the apps that run on these units in 2023. Samsung and Motorola, for instance, each launched new idea units earlier this yr with slidable and rollable screens, which might in the future succeed at this time’s foldables. And Microsoft has its personal revamped model of Bing that makes use of AI to offer extra direct and conversational solutions, giving Google stronger competitors within the search enviornment it is dominated for years.
Here is a have a look at what we’re anticipating from Google this yr, based mostly on rumors, stories and the corporate’s typical product launch schedule. We’ll be updating this story frequently as extra leaks and stories floor.
Pixel 7A
If historical past repeats itself, Google will launch a less expensive model of the Pixel 7 referred to as the Pixel 7A within the spring or summer time. Google launched the Pixel 6A at Google I/O final yr earlier than placing it on sale in July. Which means we is perhaps simply weeks away from studying concerning the Pixel 7A, if Google does resolve to announce it at its annual developer convention once more this yr.
We can’t know something for sure till Google debuts the Pixel 7A, however some leaks and stories have supplied clues about what it’d embody. Developer Kuba Wojciechowski, who claims to have discovered particulars presumably referring to the Pixel 7A within the Android codebase, suggests the Pixel 7A might have a display with the next 90Hz refresh fee and wi-fi charging.
That may not sound too thrilling, nevertheless it’s notable as a result of these two options are absent from the 6A. By bringing them to the Pixel 7A, Google would additional shut the hole between its premium and budget-friendly telephones.
One other purported leak from Vietnamese web site Zing Information suggests the Pixel 7A may have a 6.1-inch display identical to the 6A and a design that resembles the Pixel 7.
If the Pixel 7A follows within the Pixel 6A’s footsteps, we are able to count on it to have the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7, however a digital camera that is a step down.
Pixel Fold
Apart from Apple, Google is among the solely main phone-makers that hasn’t launched a foldable cellphone or mentioned plans to take action. However that would change within the close to future. Experiences from 9to5Google and WinFuture counsel Google’s first foldable Pixel gadget might arrive as quickly as June.
The cellphone might keep away from the Samsung Z Fold collection’ tall, skinny design in favor of a shorter, wider format with a glance that is much like the Oppo Discover N or Microsoft Floor Duo, in keeping with stories and leaks from 9to5Google and YouTube persona Dave2D. Code within the beta for Android 13, which Wojciechowski says he found, additionally suggests the Pixel Fold would have a digital camera with most important, ultrawide and telephoto lenses.
Google is thought for undercutting rivals like Apple and Samsung on value with its common Pixel telephones. If Google does launch a foldable cellphone, I am hoping it takes an analogous method. Samsung presently dominates foldable telephones with 62% of the market within the first half of 2022, in keeping with Counterpoint Analysis, so it will be attention-grabbing to see if Google may give Samsung some worthwhile competitors.
Gross sales of foldable telephones are rising, however they nonetheless make up only a fraction of the broader smartphone market. World shipments are anticipated to develop by 52% year-over-year in 2023, in keeping with Counterpoint, reaching 22.7 million models. However when you think about that 304 million smartphones are estimated to have been shipped within the fourth quarter of 2022 based mostly on Counterpoint’s findings, 22.7 million in an entire yr looks like a drop within the ocean.
Pixel 8 and eight Professional
Google usually releases new flagship Pixel telephones within the fall, and we’re anticipating the corporate to observe that very same sample in 2023. We can’t know what’s in retailer for Google’s Pixel 8 and eight Professional till it proclaims these units.
Nevertheless, Google’s updates have been very camera-centric in recent times, with the Pixel 7 lineup gaining improved zoom and the Pixel 7 Professional receiving a brand new macro images mode. With the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, which have been the primary Pixels to run on Google’s Tensor chips, we noticed new options like Magic Eraser, Face Unblur and Actual Tone. With that in thoughts, it would not be shocking to see Google push the digital camera even additional on the Pixel 8 and eight Professional, though we cannot know precisely what that appears like simply but. Each telephones may also seemingly have a brand new Tensor processor, too.
Leaks have been scarce thus far, however there have been a number of stories claiming to offer particulars about Google’s subsequent pair of Pixels. WinFuture stories the brand new telephones will run on Android 14, which is predicted to be the subsequent main model of Android, and may have 12GB of RAM. Effectively-known gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer additionally partnered with blogs MySmartPrice and SmartPrix to publish what are mentioned to be renderings of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.
Android 14
Android 14 is presently accessible in a preview mode for builders, with the ultimate consumer-ready model anticipated to reach within the fall. Google releases new Android options and Pixel-specific options all year long, however its annual model upgrades normally present sweeping platform-wide enhancements.
Android 13, for instance, launched extra coloration choices for Google’s Materials You interface, end-to-end encryption for RCS group chats in Messages and extra privateness protections, corresponding to the choice to grant apps entry to a restricted collection of photographs as an alternative of your complete library.
Primarily based on what we learn about Android 14 thus far, it looks like Google will proceed constructing on these themes by making enhancements associated to energy effectivity, privateness and accessibility. We’ll seemingly discover out extra at Google’s I/O developer convention in Might.
Pixel Pill
Google is taking a recent method to tablets with its upcoming Pixel Pill, which may have a speaker charging dock that turns it right into a Nest Hub when docked.
The corporate hasn’t revealed a lot about its upcoming pill, nevertheless it did present some particulars throughout its final Pixel occasion in October. Aside from its speaker dock, we additionally discovered that the pill may have a nano-ceramic coating impressed by porcelain and can run on the Tensor G2 processor discovered within the Pixel 7 and seven Professional.
Google mentioned it plans to launch the pill in 2023, though it did not present specifics. We’re anticipating to study extra at Google I/O or within the fall, when the corporate usually holds its Pixel product launch occasion.
Extra AI in Google Search and elsewhere
Following the success of ChatGPT, generative AI has been in all places in 2023 — and that features in Google’s merchandise. The corporate already launched its AI-powered search chatbot Bard and introduced new AI options for Gmail and Google Docs for producing drafts and rewriting emails.
However we’re anticipating AI to be a dominant pattern at Google I/O convention this yr, particularly because it seeks to maintain tempo with Microsoft and different rivals. Google reportedly issued a code crimson in December after ChatGPT debuted, in keeping with The New York Occasions, so it would not be shocking to see Google use its convention as a possibility to claim its authority in AI.
AI has been a distinguished theme at Google I/O earlier than. Final yr, for instance, Google mentioned enhancements to automation, like auto translation and transcription for video, in addition to updates to Search that make it higher at dealing with questions that mix textual content and pictures. With all the eye Microsoft’s Bing has garnered because of its incorporation of AI, Google will seemingly make AI and Search a centerpiece of its I/O presentation.
Pixel Watch 2
Google hasn’t mentioned plans for future Pixel Watches, nor have there been many leaks or rumors about what’s subsequent for Google’s smartwatch. However since Google’s Pixel telephones observe a yearly cadence — as do the Pixel Watch’s greatest rivals just like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch — it would not be shocking to see the Pixel Watch observe go well with.
Primarily based on Google’s present course for the Pixel Watch, we are able to most likely count on to see the identical spherical design on its sequel. The newest model of Put on OS, which we’re anticipating to listen to extra about at Google I/O, may also seemingly make an look. I am additionally hoping to see longer battery life and some additional well being and fitness-tracking options, corresponding to auto-workout detection.