New leak reveals that more efficient modem technology with satellite connectivity support is headed to Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Plenty is already known about Google's next flagship smartphones, even though no new Pixel smartphones are due until the middle of next month. Ultimately, most information about the Pixel 9 series originates from leakers. However, Google has started teasing its forthcoming smartphones too, such as providing over twenty reasons why one should consider switching to the Pixel 9 Pro.

Now, new images of the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL have surfaced online, courtesy of an XDA Forums member who posts as 'pourelle'. Allegedly obtained from a third party, the images highlight previously unknown details about the Pixel 9 Pro XL. On the one hand, the images confirm that Google plans to pair the device with 256 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM. Although the company has been offering 256 GB of storage across its flagship Pixel options for years, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has 33% more RAM than last year's Pixel 8 Pro (curr. $745.99 on Amazon), which is effectively its direct predecessor.

On the other hand, it appears that Google will replace the Exynos Modem 5300 that underpins Pixel 8 series devices. While there is no explicit confirmation of this, the inclusion of 'g5400c' within the device's baseband revision suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro XL utilises the newer and more efficient Exynos Modem 5400 instead. Not only does the 4 nm modem achieve a 14.79 Gbit/s peak bandwidth, but it also supports satellite connectivity via Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). Based on recent rumours, Pixel 9 models will offer free emergency satellite calls for two years, after which Google will charge a subscription fee.