There’s one striking feature of the newly unveiled Google Pixel 9 that photos can’t quite capture: its camera bar. Bigger than ever, it stands out prominently, thick enough to rival the height of two stacked US quarters—nearly a third as thick as the rest of the phone. In fact, the standard Pixel 9 now matches the thickness of an “Pro” iPhone, with a far more pronounced camera module.
“A Modern and Unapologetic Approach”
While the camera bump may be divisive, it’s hard to deny that it makes a statement. Personally, I don’t mind it! In 2022, I argued that Google’s camera bar was a step in the right direction—a distinctive design element that sets Pixel apart in a sea of rounded rectangles. It’s a playful, bold feature that gives the phone a unique identity, almost like a cute robot face.
But what does the man behind the design think? I asked Claude Zellweger, Director of Design for Pixel phones, about the beefier bump. His response was unequivocal: the design is “absolutely intentional.” Zellweger, who leads the team responsible for the camera bar, calls it a “modern and unapologetic approach.”
When I probed deeper into his reasoning, Zellweger didn’t lean into the idea of a cute robo-face. Instead, he emphasized practicality: the bar is “the most efficient way to package these camera modules.” It’s designed to highlight a minimalist beauty that reflects the purity of Google’s photography. “We want it to be reflective of that purity,” he explained. (Google has also mentioned elsewhere that the camera bar design draws inspiration from the shape of the search bar.)
Zellweger envisions the Pixel 9 as heralding “a new era for phone design,” but he doesn’t believe that this substantial camera bar will be a permanent fixture in Google’s lineup. The decision to bump or not to bump, he says, will depend on how much future consumers demand big camera hardware inside their phones.
The Future of Phone Design: To Bump or Not to Bump?
“The desire for exceptional photography isn’t going away,” Zellweger asserts. Right now, that desire translates into large sensors and lenses, which require bigger bumps if the rest of the phone is to remain slim.
However, he hints that the future might bring thinner hardware, driven by advancements in computational photography and AI post-production techniques—areas where Google excels. For example, Google’s newly introduced Zoom Enhance feature could, one day, reduce the need for a bulky zoom lens.
As the concept of a “camera” continues to evolve, Zellweger suggests that designers will revisit the balance between camera hardware and phone design.
Small Phones: A Nostalgic Dream?
Shifting gears, I asked Zellweger about small phones—a category that has nearly vanished since Apple and Google stopped selling them. While some argue that small phones don’t sell well, I believe these companies haven’t given consumers a true choice. To my surprise, Zellweger reveals that he’s personally a fan of small phones. He even pulls out his own Pixel 9 Pro, which shares the same dimensions as the Pixel 9, to demonstrate that Google is no longer forcing users to buy the biggest phone to get the best features.
But when I point out that his 6.3-inch device is still far larger than my cherished 5.4-inch iPhone Mini, he acknowledges the challenge. “Building small phones is just fundamentally a bigger challenge,” he says, citing battery life, camera quality, thermal management, and user experience as factors that push manufacturers toward larger devices. With many users expecting to watch videos or play games on their phones, bigger screens are often preferred.
Yet, Zellweger hints that this trend might not last forever. “I could see a future where some people prioritize different aspects of their devices, and in those cases, some compromises could be made,” he muses.
Conclusion: Embracing Bold Design Choices
In a market saturated with look-alike devices, Google’s Pixel 9 dares to be different. Whether you love or hate the camera bump, it’s a bold statement—a testament to Google’s willingness to embrace design choices that others might shy away from. And while the future of phone design remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Google is ready to lead the way, bump and all.
