DealNTech Mobiles, PCs, and All Things Tech
Google released its Pixel 8 lineup in the Autumn of 2023. The lineup consisted of two phones, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Every year, Google’s lineup usually has three phones, with a budget Pixel Xa coming a few months later.
Several rumors of the Pixel 9 series indicate the smaller 6″ phone getting a third camera. However, other rumors say that Google is making a smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro.
Alongside the Pixel 8A‘s leaks and rumors, we have also started getting the upcoming Pixel 9 leaks. The Pixel 9 is expected to be released around the same months as last year. The prices of the phones are also likely not to change much. The Pixel 8 was already a drastic price bump in several markets, with both phones costing 100$ more than their predecessors, and they now match the prices of Apple and Samsung.
Pixel 9 Series Touch Sensitivity Feature
The leak in question is the “Touch Sensitivity” feature that might come in the upcoming Google Pixel 9 Series. The feature is supposed to improve any issues with touch responses when using a screen protector. This feature might also help you use your phone on a rainy day with water droplets on the screen. This might be similar to the “Aqua Touch” feature OnePlus recently introduced.
According to a report from Android Authority, this feature was first spotted last month. Now, information about it has emerged once again. Mishaal Rahman spotted this feature on the Android 14 QPR3 Beta.
The Pixel 9 will debut in October 2024 at the Google Keynote. In the first half of the year, the Google I/O event will introduce Android 15 and the Google Pixel Fold 2. We also expect a teaser of the Pixel 9 series at this event.
Alongside the usual hardware upgrades, the new feature will adapt the sensitivity of the display’s touch response depending on the environmental factors. Unfortunately, it might not make it to older phones and remain exclusive to the Pixel 9 series.
It’s on by default in the latest Android QPR Beta and adjusts automatically depending on your environment. It even increases sensitivity if you use a screen protector. The screen will automatically adapt if there are water droplets or inconsistencies because of fog or cold weather. It’s similar to the Aqua Touch feature on the OnePlus 12. We don’t know which environmental features will trigger this feature yet.
We’re not sure whether this requires dedicated hardware. Android Authority found the code for this feature on Pixel 8 Pro. So, there’s a chance Google might also bring it over to these models. However, they’ll keep it exclusive to the Pixel 9 series if it needs dedicated hardware components.
More recently, Google has been limiting features to more expensive phones. Google’s Gemini Nano model cannot run on the Pixel 8 despite sharing the same amount of RAM as the base S24 and the same chipset as the Pixel 8 Pro, both of which can run this model. If they continue this trend, they’ll keep the adaptable touch feature for the Pixel 9 series.
