Google Pixel 9 leak suggests major camera upgrades, including 8K video recording
Rumor mill: The Pixel 9 series is all set to launch next month, and a new leak has seemingly revealed that at least three devices in the lineup could offer significant camera upgrades. The second-generation Fold, however, is tipped to ship with downgraded sensors compared to its predecessor, most likely to accommodate its ultra-slim form factor.
According to Android Authority, Google is expected to change most of the image sensors in this year’s Pixel lineup. The vanilla Pixel 9, for example, is expected to use the all-new 50MP Sony IMX858 as the ultrawide camera, replacing the 12MP IMX386 found on the Pixel 8. The new sensor is bigger (1/2.51″) and hence expected to be more capable in low-light conditions compared to the older model.
Another major change is likely to be the addition of autofocus to the selfie camera, which should result in blur-free photos. The selfie sensor, however, will still be the 10.5MP Samsung 3J1 found in the Pixel 8. The upcoming device is also expected to retain the main camera of its predecessor: the 50MP Samsung GNK with a 1/1.31″ sensor and Optical Image Stabilization.
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are tipped to get the same camera setup, including the tried-and-tested 50MP Samsung GNK sensor from the Pixel 8 Pro for the main camera. However, the rear-facing ultrawide and telephoto cameras, as well as the front-facing selfie-cam, are all said to be upgraded to the same 50MP Sony IMX858. While the telephoto lens is expected to come with OIS, the selfie camera could offer autofocus to improve the imaging experience.
The leak also claims that the Pixel 9 series could support 8K (7,680 × 4,320) video recording at 30 frames per second. It is unclear whether all the devices in the lineup will get the new feature, or if it will be restricted to the two “Pro” devices.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, is not expected to get any of the camera upgrades earmarked for the other three devices in the lineup. In fact, if the report is to be believed, it might receive smaller sensors than the first-generation Pixel Fold for the ultrawide shooter and the two selfie cameras.
While Google is expected to retain the 48MP Sony IMX787 as the main camera and the 10.5MP Samsung 3J1 as the telephoto camera in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the ultrawide could use the 12MP Samsung 3LU with a 1/3.2″ sensor instead of the 12MP Sony IMX386 with a 1/2.8″ sensor in the original Pixel Fold.
Finally, both the inner and outer selfie cameras in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are expected to use the 10MP Samsung 3K1 with a 1/3.94″ sensor. This changes from the original Pixel Fold, which used the 8MP Sony IMX355 and the 10.5MP Samsung 3J1 for the inner and outer selfie cameras, respectively.
