The recent news that OnePlus and OPPO phones will soon sport Google’s most powerful AI model, Gemini 1.0 Ultra, has got me thinking what Google has in store for the Pixel 9 series later this year. As things stand, this move threatens to dethrone the Pixel 8 Pro as the reigning AI-powered smartphone and further questions Google’s strategy with its Gemini AI models.
While the decision to share its top-tier AI with other brands seems counterintuitive, could there be a bigger plan at play? The timing of this announcement, with the phrase “later this year” emphasized, hints at a potential alignment with the traditional Pixel flagship launch window.
It stands to reason that Google wouldn’t willingly hand over its AI crown without a plan to reclaim it. The Pixel 9 series, particularly the Pro/XL model, seems like the perfect contender to showcase the full power of Gemini Ultra. Upgrading from the Pixel 8’s Gemini Nano to Gemini Ultra would be a huge statement from Google as well as a logical and potent upgrade, allowing the Pixel 9 Pro to not only keep pace with the competition but potentially surpass it. Since we already know the Pixel 9 is in line for AI feature upgrades, switching to a more powerful AI model on the Pro model wouldn’t be a farfetched expectation.
Obviously, this is all speculation at this point. However, Google’s willingness to push the boundaries of AI and its tendency to showcase bleeding-edge tech with its phones make the potential for a Gemini Ultra AI-powered Pixel 9 very compelling. If it happens, the AI battleground in the smartphone arena is about to get even more exciting, especially with the likes of Apple’s iPhone 16 also expected to borrow some of Google’s Gemini AI models as well.
Hillary Keverenge
2110 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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