Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 smartphone is poised to take computational photography to new heights with its AI-powered camera capabilities. The tech giant is expected to unveil the Pixel 9 at an upcoming event, showcasing its integration of artificial intelligence throughout the Android operating system. Leaked information suggests that the Pixel 9 lineup will include models such as the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold, with the non-folding models sporting rounded corners reminiscent of the iPhone.
The leaked details indicate that Google’s focus on AI-powered computational photography will be even more pronounced in the Pixel 9. The device is rumored to come equipped with several new AI features, including “Add Me,” “Studio,” and “Pixel Screenshots.” “Add Me” is speculated to enhance group photos by ensuring everyone is included, potentially allowing users to add individuals to a group photo after it has been taken. “Studio,” on the other hand, appears to be a generative AI tool that enables users to create images from scratch, possibly for use in messaging apps or as part of the system-wide Markup function.
While these features may seem minor individually, they contribute to Google’s broader approach of granting users complete control over the images they capture. The company’s commitment to blurring the line between reality and digital manipulation raises philosophical questions about the nature of photography. Google’s cameras aim to go beyond replicating scenes as they appear in reality, instead allowing users to capture their memories as they wish to remember them. This approach challenges traditional notions of photography and expands the capabilities of smartphone cameras.
Google’s competitors, such as Samsung and Apple, have already been influenced by the boundary-pushing features introduced in previous Pixel models. Samsung’s Galaxy AI relies in part on Google’s Gemini technology, while Apple’s recent introduction of Apple Intelligence includes a function similar to Google’s Magic Eraser. It is likely that more AI-powered features will make their way into the offerings of these companies in the future.
By redefining the capabilities of smartphone cameras, Google is shifting the definition of photography and what is considered acceptable in phone photography. Unless consumers push back against these advancements, there seems to be no end in sight to Google’s integration of AI and computational photography into its Pixel hardware.