Google Pixel 9 series may not get the latest Android 15 at launch
The Google Pixel 9 series is scheduled to launch globally on August 13. Over the past few weeks, we have seen numerous leaks hinting at various specifications of the upcoming smartphones, from the display to the processor to the battery. Ahead of the official launch, a new report suggests that Google’s flagship devices may not get Android 15 at launch and will instead run on an older operating system (OS), breaking the trend of the past. However, the Pixel 9 series is said to be getting an upgrade in terms of charging speed. Meanwhile, the storage configurations of the phones have also been leaked.
Google Pixel 9 Series Operating System
The Google Pixel 9 series is expected to consist of four models: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, with the latter being a new model that is likely to debut this year. According to a report According to Android Headlines, all devices in the series run on Android 14, last year’s operating system.
While Android 15 beta updates have been rolled out to developers in recent months and it reached “platform stability” in June, the update is said to have been delayed as it’s not quite ready yet. According to the report, it would be the first time that Google will launch its flagship smartphones on an older operating system.
The Android 14 update was also delayed last year due to reported bugs that needed to be fixed. However, Google previewed its Pixel 8 series in September 2023, followed by a launch and availability a month later. So the devices arrived with the Android 14 update. That likely won’t be the case this year, with the Pixel 9 launching earlier than previously. Models shipping in the first few days will reportedly come with Android 14, while models bought later could potentially run Android 15 when it rolls out publicly.
With its upcoming smartphones, Google has promised up to 7 years of software support, consisting of OS updates, security patches, and Pixel feature drops. Google first announced this last year for the Pixel 8 series and it will continue to be applied to its 2024 flagships. This means that the Pixel 9 series smartphones could have software support from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) until 2031.
Google Pixel 9 series charging, storage details
According to another reportThe Pixel 9 series will come with 128GB of storage as standard. The standard model will be offered in two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. On the other hand, both the Pro models are said to come in four configurations: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the successor to last year’s Pixel Fold, will also come in two storage variants — 128GB and 256GB. However, according to the report, only the latter will be sold in India.
The base model of the Pixel 9 is said to come with 12GB of RAM, while the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL models will feature 16GB of RAM. The report also suggests that Google may increase the charging speeds of its upcoming smartphones. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are speculated to be able to charge “up to 55% in about 30 minutes” using Google’s 45W USB Type-C charger. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which will likely be the largest non-foldable smartphone in the Pixel 9 lineup, will reportedly be able to charge “up to 70% in about 30 minutes.”
