Pixel 9 Camera Bump: Bold Design and Advanced Photography
The newly announced Google Pixel 9 features a camera bar that’s hard to overlook. It’s bigger and more prominent than ever before, with a thickness roughly equivalent to two stacked US quarters, making it nearly a third of the phone’s entire thickness. Even the standard Pixel 9 is as thick as a “Pro” iPhone, with a more noticeable camera module.
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This design is bold and unapologetic. The Pixel 9’s camera bump represents a significant shift in smartphone design, marking a move towards a more distinctive and unique aesthetic. In an era when most phones are simple rounded rectangles, the camera bar adds a playful touch, giving the phone a recognizable design element.
Claude Zellweger, the design director for Pixel phones, describes the beefier bump as “absolutely intentional.” The bar is designed as the most efficient way to package these camera modules, emphasizing minimalist beauty. Zellweger adds, “There’s a purity to our photography. We want it to reflect that.” Google has also mentioned that the camera bar design draws inspiration from the shape of the search bar.
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While Google aims to “set a new era for phone design” with the Pixel 9, the big camera bar may not necessarily define Google’s future phones. The inclusion of a bump will depend on how much camera hardware future phone buyers require.
The demand for excellent photography isn’t diminishing. Achieving high-quality photography requires big sensors and lenses, leading to larger bumps if the phone is to remain thin. However, advances in computational photography and AI post-production techniques could allow for thinner hardware in the future. For example, Google’s new Zoom Enhance feature may reduce the need for a long zoom lens.
Designers will likely revisit the balance between camera hardware and phone hardware as the concept of a “camera” evolves. In addition, the topic of smaller phones is also addressed. Small phones have mostly disappeared after companies like Apple and Google stopped selling them. While some argue that small phones don’t sell well, others believe that a true choice has not been offered to gadget enthusiasts.
Zellweger, a fan of small phones, explains that modern expectations make building small phones more challenging. Factors such as battery life, cameras, thermals, and user experience push manufacturers towards making taller and wider handsets. Many users now expect to watch videos or play games on their phones, leading to a preference for larger screens.
However, Zellweger suggests that this trend could change. A future where users have different priorities for their devices could lead to compromises in design, potentially reviving the appeal of smaller phones.
In conclusion, the Pixel 9 camera bump reflects Google’s bold and innovative approach to smartphone design, balancing advanced photography with minimalist aesthetics. As technology evolves, future devices may see shifts in design priorities, offering new possibilities in smartphone experiences. Stay tuned to Techlopedia for the latest in tech trends and insights.
Source: Google’s head of Pixel 9 design won’t apologize for its big, beautiful camera bump
