The Pixel 9 is Google's cheaper top-end phone, which keeps its standout design. The Pixel 9 is Google's cheaper top-end phone, which keeps its standout design. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Google's cheapest Pixel 9 offers almost everything that makes its top-flight sibling one of the best smaller phones available, cutting a few key ingredients to price match Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel 9 Pro is a rare beast: a smaller phone that keeps the same bold design, specs and camera as Google's biggest and most expensive model. It makes it an instant contender for the best small phone going. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. At 999 ( 1,099/ 999/A 1,699), it is cheaper than its larger Pixel 9 Pro XL sibling but still firmly in the high-end bracket.

The Pixel 8a starts at 499 ( 549/ 499/A 849). That may be 50 more than last year's 7a, but the new model improves just about everything, and undercuts the Pixel 8 by 200. Google has revamped the design of the phone, giving it a more rounded shape, particularly at the corners, which makes it nicer to hold without a case. It is still unmistakably a Pixel, with a big aluminium camera bar across the back, and looks great in one of its more bold colours. The 6.1in screen has been upgraded from last year to match the more expensive Pixel 8, and is significantly brighter, running at up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling. It is a crisp and colourful display at a good size.

Samsung's latest smartphone packs a plethora of the latest flashy AI tools in an attempt to improve text, images, video and search – with both hits and misses. The new Galaxy S24 Ultra comes equipped with a combination of Samsung and Google's latest AI layered on top of one of the most capable phones on the market, filled to the brim with competition-beating specs. All this capability comes at a steep 1,249 ( 1,469/ 1,299.99/A The overall design differs only iteratively from predecessors, with a fully flat rather than curved screen and new titanium sides, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which gives it a gripper finish and in theory makes it stronger and more durable. The screen has Corning's latest Gorilla Armor glass that is more scratch-resistant and much less reflective, significantly reducing glare which, combined with the super-bright screen, makes using it outdoors as easy as indoors even on the sunniest of days. The S24 Ultra has the latest top-of-the-range chip from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering a 20% speed increase, 26% faster graphics and greater power efficiency on previous generations.

Google's top Pixel is back to outshoot, outsmart and outlast the competition, promising seven years of full software support. But whether the Pixel 8 Pro's high-end features justify a sharp price increase is open to debate. The phone features a refined aluminium and glass design. The excellent 6.7in OLED screen is now flat, not curved at the edges as was the case for previous Pixel Pros. It is super smooth for scrolling and can hit an exceptional 2,400nit peak brightness, though only for a few minutes in hot sunshine before dimming to still very readable levels.

It was Google's turn on Wednesday to announce a litany of devices and updates. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were the headline acts, though there was lots of interest further down the bill including the reveal of the Pixel Watch 2 and the public version of Android 14 making its way out into the world. You can catch up on everything by watching the Made by Google event yourself or checking out our liveblog for real-time insight and analysis. Alternatively, we've rounded up all the major announcements for you right here. The stars of the Made by Google show are, of course, the company's latest smartphones.

The day many Android users have been waiting for is finally here. Google is rolling out the public build of Android 14. As ever, Pixel users will be able to download the new version of the operating system first on supported models (Pixel 4a and newer). Compatible Samsung Galaxy, iQOO, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo and Xiaomi devices will gain access to Android 14 later this year. Deeper customization is a major focus this time around.

When Android 14 arrives later this year, it will bring new customization features to Google's mobile operating system. On Wednesday at the company's I/O developer conference, Android chief David Burke showed off a handful of new features for creating custom wallpapers. The tools build on the Material You design system Google introduced in 2021 by allowing users to create a custom wallpaper by picking a few of their favorite emojis. The creation tool allows you to add up to 14 emojis to a single wallpaper. You can then pick a pattern and a color to bring everything together.

Microsoft and Google both unveiled their AI products for the masses, with Microsoft holding a whole event this week to show off the new Edge and Bing. Google also had an event in Paris and unveiled the first Android 14 developer preview, while OnePlus launched its first-ever tablet alongside a new phone. Cherlynn is joined this week by guest co-host Sam Rutherford to tear into the week's onslaught of news, and check in to see how we feel about Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra while reviewing it. Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments!