Google Pixel phones could get a lot smarter with advanced Gemini models next year

Google is poised to unlock a new level of intelligence within its Pixel phones, promising major advancements for users. The company’s ambitious plans involve integrating its cutting-edge Gemini large language models (LLMs) directly onto devices as early as next year. This move will transform Pixel phones into AI powerhouses, potentially revolutionizing how we interact with our smartphones.

Gemini LLMs are at the forefront of artificial intelligence, capable of understanding and generating natural language with impressive accuracy. These models are the backbone of conversational AI experiences like Google’s Gemini (recently rebranded from Bard). Currently, most advanced LLMs require a cloud connection for their vast processing power.

However, Google’s success with Gemini Nano, a smaller version that runs directly on Pixel devices, has paved the way for more powerful versions to follow suit. Brian Rakowski, Google Pixel’s VP of product management, told CNBC that they envision a future where the latest Gemini models reside on our phones.

Integrating advanced Gemini models directly onto Pixel phones offers several compelling benefits:

• Instantaneous responses: No more waiting for a connection to a remote server. AI-powered features will respond with lightning speed, offering a seamless user experience.
• Offline functionality: The power of AI will be available even without an internet connection, opening up new possibilities for how we use our phones.
• Unleashed potential: Imagine Pixel-exclusive features and capabilities powered by Gemini’s intelligence, setting these phones apart from the competition.

If Google’s vision becomes a reality, Pixel phones will deliver AI experiences that were once thought impossible on smartphones. The potential applications are vast, from enhanced language translation to advanced on-device image generation, and more. This could lead to entirely new ways to interact with our phones for work, creativity, and everyday tasks. Notably, Qualcomm has also promised more on-device AI capabilities. So it’s good to know that Google aims to match or even take one step ahead of the competition.

Google’s bold plans underscore the growing importance of AI in the smartphone industry. While some experts doubt a near-term “supercycle,” others believe that advanced AI integration could be the catalyst that re-energizes the market. Pixel phones, with their potential for on-device Gemini power, stand to be major players in this potential transformation.

While we’ll have to wait and see how Google’s ambitious plans unfold, one thing is clear: Pixel phones are on the cusp of a major leap forward in intelligence. The integration of advanced Gemini models could very well be a defining moment for Google’s smartphones, setting a new standard for intuitive and powerful mobile experiences. Apple is also set to step into the smartphone AI race with iOS 18, so only time will tell how Google’s AI lead helps it compete with iPhones.

This focus on AI and the integration of advanced AI models like the Gemini LLMs could give Google’s Pixel phones a significant edge in the smartphone market. With the ability to understand and generate language in a humanlike way, these AI models have the potential to unlock new and exciting capabilities for smartphones. As Rakowski notes, “You can do a lot with these distilled small versions of the models on device.”