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Google Pixel 9 Pro pre-orders are live: Where to get the best deals on the just-announced Android smartphone
Just announced today, the new Google Pixel 9 smartphones are the most advanced Android devices yet. They rely on a powerful new processor, a beautiful touchscreen display, an advanced camera system and all of Google’s latest AI tools and features.
There are now three versions of the standard Google Pixel 9 series phone available — the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. A folding version of the phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, was also announced.
Starting today, you can preorder any of the new Google Pixel 9 smartphones. They begin shipping on August 22 and September 4, depending on the model and configuration you choose. Each model comes in a variety of colors and configurations.
If you’ve been thinking about switching from iPhone to Android or want a smartphone with the latest AI functions, now is the time to get your hands on one of the new Google Pixel 9 phones. Here’s what you need to know about the new Google Pixel 9 smartphones, including how to take advantage of the enticing pre-order deals that are available right now.
The new Google Pixel 9 series smartphones
The new Google Pixel 9 series phones represent on large step forward in smartphone technology and a giant lap for mobile artificial intelligence. Here’s an overview of the latest Pixel 9 smartphones you can pre-order right now.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: Advanced functionality with integrated AI and better cameras
Display size: 6.3 inches | Display type: Super Actua OLED touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,280 x 2,856 pixels | Display brightness: Up to 3,000 nits | Processor: Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 security coprocessor | Available colors: Porcelain, rose quartz, hazel obsidian | Dimensions: 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches | Weight: 7 ounces | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 50MP (wide), 48MP (ultra-wide), 48MP (telephoto) | Front camera: 42MP | Operating system: Android 14 | Port: USB Type-C 3.2 | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
The Google Pixel 9 Pro model offers a beautiful 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an improved camera system. It’s waterproof and more durable than previous Pixel smartphones. And it comes in several new colors.
The camera system offers three rear-facing cameras, with the main, wide camera offering 50MP resolution. But it’s the AI-driven photo enhancement and editing tools that set the Pixel 9 far ahead of most Android smartphones and all Apple iPhones. These include the new “Add Me” feature, a tool that lets the picture taker add themselves to the group photograph they’re taking.
The Pixel 9 Pro does everything last year’s Pixel 8 Pro can do, but it now runs using the Tensor G4 processor, has a longer battery life and more powerful AI tools, including the Gemini Assistant feature. Another of the many new features added to this phone is the Thermometer app that allows you to take someone’s body temperature using a quick forehead swipe. And if there’s an emergency and you’re caught in the middle of nowhere with no cellular signal, the Satellite SOS feature allows you to send a text message via a satellite system.
Google has pledged seven years’ worth of OS and security updates for the phone.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in four colors. At the time of purchase, you can choose between 128GB ($999), 256GB ($1,099), 512GB ($1,219) or 1TB ($1,449) of internal storage.
Between now and August 21, if you pre-order the Google Pixel 9 Pro from Best Buy, you’ll get a $200 Best Buy gift card as a bonus, along with a three month Google One subscription. Trade-in deals are also available.
Amazon has the Google Pixel 9 Pro available as well, with a $200 Amazon gift card bonus offer when you pre-order by Aug. 28, 2024.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Same Pixel 9 Pro, but with a larger display
Display size: 6.8 inches | Display type: Super Actua touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,344 x 2,992 pixels | Display brightness: Up to 3,000 nits | Processor: Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 security co-processor | Available colors: Porcelain, rose quartz, hazel, obsidian | Dimensions: 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches | Weight: 7.8 ounces | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 50MP (wide), 48MP (ultra-wide), 48MP (telephoto) | Front camera: 42MP | Operating system: Android 14 | Port: USB Type-C 3.2 | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers everything built into the new 6.8-inch Google Pixel 9 Pro, but also offers a larger, 6.8-inch display with 1,344 x 2,992-pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display’s maximum brightness is 3,000 nits, which makes this the brightest Pixel phone yet.
Choose between four colors — porcelain, rose quartz, hazel or obsidian. You also get four internal storage options including 128GB ($1,099), 256GB ($1,199), 512GB ($1,319) or 1TB ($1,549). The phone measures 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches and weighs 7.8 ounces.
When you pre-order the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL from Best Buy, you’ll get a $200 Best Buy gift card as a bonus, along with a three-month subscription to Google One. You can finance the phone starting at $45.80 per month for 24 months.
Pre-order the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL from Amazon, starting at $1,099, and get a $200 Amazon gift card as a bonus.
Google Pixel 9: The perfect Android phone for average users
Display size: 6.3 inches | Display type: Actua (OLED) | Display resolution: 1,080 x 2,424 | Display brightness: Up to 2,700 nits | Processor: Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 security co-processor | Available colors: Peony, wintergreen, porcelain, obsidian | Dimensions: 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches | Weight: 7 ounces | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB | Rear cameras: 50MP (wide), 48MP (ultra-wide) | Front camera: 10.5MP | Operating system: Android 14 | Port: USB Type-C 3.2 | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Enjoy an enhanced camera system with AI photo editing, access to Gemini Assistant, integrated Google AI features, and a slew of upgraded hardware features including a brighter display, faster processor, and longer battery life.
You also get a handful of safety and security features, including the ability to send crisis alerts, crash detection, enhanced call screening and tools that’ll automatically help keep you and your data safe when surfing the internet. Under normal use, the phone’s battery now lasts up to 24 hours, but in extreme battery saver mode, this can be boosted up to 100 hours.
Pricing for the Google Pixel 9 is $799 for the 128GB version or $899 for the 256GB version. If you pre-order the phone at Best Buy, you’ll receive a $100 Best Buy gift card and a three-month subscription to Google One. Generous trade-in credit is also being offered for eligible devices. Head over to Amazon and purchase the Google Pixel 9 starting at $799 and get a $100 Amazon gift card as a bonus.
New features all Google Pixel 9 phones have in common
According to Google, Android smartphones have entered “the Gemini AI era.” This means that moving forward, all new Android phones will integrate the latest Google Gemini AI tools and features, including the Gemini Assistant (which has replaced Google Assistant). While older Android phones will gain some AI capabilities with an Android OS update, only the newer phones will offer all of the latest AI functionality.
All of the Google Pixel 9 smartphones have Gemini Assistant built-in. Using advanced AI, it understands not just the words you say or type, but the user’s intent. It’s also able to access, work with and share information between your Gmail inbox, files and data stored on your smartphone, files and data stored within your Google Drive account, as well as the Calendar, Google Photos, Google Keep, Google Tasks and Google Maps apps. And if you subscribe to Gemini Advanced, you’ll gain access to a new feature called Gemini Live. It allows you to converse with Gemini Assistant through normal conversation. And Gemini Assistant can be assigned your favorite of 10 voice options.
In addition, all of the Google Pixel 9 smartphones have these 12 (and many other) new features in common:
- Up to 20% longer battery life compared to previous Pixel phones.
- Most Pixel 9 phone configurations come with one year of Gemini Advanced service.
- Access to the new Satellite SOS feature that allows text messages to be sent via satellite in an emergency when the phone does not have cellular access.
- The redesigned Pixel Weather app is customizable and more accurate.
- Pixel Call Assist offers a wide range of enhanced and new calling features, including Call Notes. This feature allows you to record phone calls and receive both a full, text-based transcript and a call summary almost immediately after a call ends.
- Pixel Screenshots allows you to capture a screenshot of anything displayed on the phone’s screen, store it for future reference and have the content within the screenshot be searchable and made interactive using Gemini Assistant. It’s designed to help users remember things visually.
- Pixel Studio provides a more powerful text-to-image generator that includes a handful of style options. After creating an image, in can be further customized by applying a specialized style.
- The redesigned Panoramic photo mode now supports night sight and the ability to capture up to 50MP images.
- Group Photos makes capturing group images faster and easier. There’s also the new Add Me feature for incorporating yourself into a group photo if you’re the one taking the picture.
- Guided Frame uses advanced AI to help you frame the best possible shots when taking pictures or shooting video.
- There are enhanced Magic Editor photo editing features, including a new Auto Frame tool.
- Video Boost enhances 4K resolution video up to near 8K resolution.
This is all in addition to the AI-driven features already available in the Google Pixel 8 series phones and some other Android smartphones.
For more help choosing a new smartphone, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive coverage of the best cell phones of 2024, the best smartphones with AI, the best folding smartphones in 2024, and the best smartphones under $500. In fact, all of our smartphone coverage is continuously being updated as new models and operating system updates are released.
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Gold has proven itself as one of the most resilient assets of the year, displaying remarkable growth so far in 2024. Starting the year at $2,063 per ounce, the price of gold is now sitting over $2,748 per ounce, slightly below its recent record high. As a result, investors who bought gold earlier this year — or even just a few months ago — have already reaped notable returns, a big benefit of this exceptional price trajectory.
Historically, though, gold’s value tends to increase more gradually, offering stability rather than swift gains. Still, most analysts believe the current upward trend could hold, driven by factors such as economic uncertainty, central bank policies and geopolitical tensions. So while gold’s current upward trajectory might be uncommon, it could persist for the near future, making the precious metal an attractive choice for both new and seasoned investors.
But if you’re considering entering the gold market or adjusting your existing precious metals holdings, there are a few strategic moves you can make to help maximize the potential benefits of gold investing in the current environment.
Diversify your portfolio by investing in gold today.
3 smart gold investing moves to make right now
If you’re planning to invest in gold in today’s market, consider making these moves:
Add physical gold to your portfolio
During periods of rising gold prices, acquiring physical gold can be particularly advantageous, despite having a higher entry point than other gold options. That’s because physical gold offers several distinct benefits that become especially valuable in a bullish market. For starters, when you own physical gold, whether in the form of gold bars or coins, you have direct ownership of a tangible asset that isn’t subject to counterparty risk or financial system vulnerabilities.
Physical gold that is purchased during price uptrends also typically benefits from momentum in the market. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, strong upward price movement typically attracts more investors, potentially creating additional demand that could further support prices. The tangible nature of physical gold also provides a psychological benefit, as having direct possession of your investment can offer peace of mind during periods of market volatility.
Find out what your gold investing options are here.
Consider your digital gold options
While physical gold has its merits, digital gold investments, particularly gold stocks, often provide amplified returns during gold bull markets. That’s because mining companies typically see their profits increase at a faster rate than the price of gold itself due to their operational leverage. For example, if a mining company’s cost to produce an ounce of gold remains relatively stable while the selling price increases substantially, the company’s profit margins expand significantly.
As a result, gold mining stocks, especially those of well-established companies with strong production profiles and healthy balance sheets, can offer exposure to gold’s price movements while also providing additional benefits like dividend payments. And gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track either the price of gold or baskets of gold mining stocks offer another convenient way to gain exposure to the sector, often with lower transaction costs and greater liquidity than physical gold.
Make sure you’re investing the right amount
Perhaps the most crucial decision in gold investing isn’t just whether to buy, but how much to allocate to this precious metal. Financial advisors typically recommend limiting gold exposure to a maximum of 10% of your overall investment portfolio. This measured approach serves multiple purposes in your investment strategy.
The 10% ceiling allows you to benefit from gold’s potential upside while maintaining sufficient diversification across other asset classes. This balance is essential because, while gold can provide valuable portfolio protection during certain market conditions, it’s important to remember that other assets — like stocks, bonds and alternative investments — typically provide different types of returns and benefits, including regular income through dividends or interest payments.
Maintaining this disciplined allocation helps ensure that your portfolio remains well-balanced and aligned with your long-term financial goals. Even during periods of strong gold performance, resisting the temptation to overweight your portfolio toward gold helps manage risk effectively. Remember, the primary role of gold in most portfolios is to serve as a hedge against uncertainty and inflation, not necessarily as the main driver of returns. That’s just an added bonus.
The bottom line
While gold’s recent price performance has caught many investors’ attention, success in gold investing still requires a thoughtful, measured approach. By considering physical gold ownership, exploring your digital gold options and maintaining appropriate allocation levels, you can potentially benefit from gold’s current strength while managing your overall portfolio risk effectively.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in a surprise announcement that came as the country is embroiled in wars on multiple fronts across the region.
Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. But Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival. Netanyahu cited “significant gaps” and a “crisis of trust” between the men in his Tuesday evening announcement.
“In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defense minister,” Netanyahu said. “Unfortunately, although in the first months of the campaign there was such trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the defense minister.”
In the early days of the war, Israel’s leadership presented a unified front as it responded to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. But as the war dragged on and spread to Lebanon, key policy differences have emerged. While Netanyahu has called for continued military pressure on Hamas, Gallant had taken a more pragmatic approach, saying that military force has created the necessary conditions for a diplomatic deal that could bring home hostages held by the militant group.
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Gallant, a former general who has gained public respect with a gruff, no-nonsense personality, said in a statement: “The security of the state of Israel always was, and will always remain, my life’s mission.”
Gallant has worn a simple, black buttoned shirt throughout the war in a sign of sorrow over the Oct. 7 attack and developed a strong relationship with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
A previous attempt by Netanyahu to fire Gallant in March 2023 sparked widespread street protests against Netanyahu. He also flirted with the idea of dismissing Gallant over the summer but held off until Tuesday’s announcement.
Gallant will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, a Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister who was a junior officer in the military. Gideon Saar, a former Netanyahu rival who recently rejoined the government, will take the foreign affairs post.
Netanyahu has a long history of neutralizing his rivals. In his statement, he claimed he had made “many attempts” to bridge the gaps with Gallant.
“But they kept getting wider. They also came to the knowledge of the public in an unacceptable way, and worse than that, they came to the knowledge of the enemy – our enemies enjoyed it and derived a lot of benefit from it,” he said