Reflecting on a Decade of Google's Pixel Series

Google's Pixel series, launched in 2016, revolutionised the smartphone market with its AI-powered camera, helpful software features, and a personalised user experience. The first generation of Pixel devices set the stage for a decade of innovation.

Fast forward to 2020, and Google took a giant leap forward with the introduction of Tensor, a bespoke processor that allowed for powerful AI capabilities directly on the device. This advancement marked a significant shift in Pixel's AI-first vision.

The Pixel 6 generation, introduced in 2021, debuted the Camera Bar, a cohesive visual identity centred on Pixel's best-in-class camera. This generation also saw the introduction of Pixel's first "Pro" phone.

In 2022, the Pixel 9 series was unveiled, marking a change in Pixel's design language with more premium materials, refined finishes, and a redesigned Camera Bar. This series was developed during the pandemic, requiring radical changes in hardware production.

The Pixel 9 series was a game-changer, introducing features like Gemini, a virtual assistant capable of answering questions about virtually anything, anywhere. It was the first to have Gemini built-in. The series was released with five phones: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9a.

Since the first launch in 2016, Google has released dozens of Pixel models, including regular phones, larger XL models, entry-level A-series devices, and cutting-edge foldables.

Peter Prunuske, hired in 2016 as Senior Director of Product Management for Pixel, played a crucial role in this journey. On October 4, 2016, Google debuted Pixel and Pixel XL, available in Quite Black, Very Silver, and Really Blue.

Tensor, the bespoke processor introduced in the Pixel 6 series, enabled features like real-time voice translation with Live Translate. The Pixel 7 introduced Clear Calling and Photo Unblur.

Throughout its journey, Pixel has been the place where Google debuted features like Night Sight, Car Crash Detection, Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, and more. As Sundar Pichai mentioned in 2016 when the first Pixels were previewed, the Pixel series allows users to have the best of Google by their side.

Google's Pixel series continues to push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do, offering users a personalised, AI-powered experience that keeps getting better with each new generation.