GoPro HERO 9 release date, specs, design: New leaks hint at a bigger battery but no mention of GP2 chip

More information and images pointing to the imminent release of GoPro HERO 9 have emerged online in the form of leaks. Those who have been wishing for a bigger battery capacity might just see it come true soon. However, it does not look like GoPro is going to unveil a new GP chip this year.

GoPro HERO 9 is likely getting a 41% battery improvement

The potential first look on GoPro HERO 9 was recently made its way online after what appears to be promotional images were leaked. They support earlier speculations that the upcoming action camera will go through a major redesign with the addition of a bigger screen with a colored display on the front. Now, a newer report came out reportedly showing the camera’s packaging that also lists its core specs.

Some of the listed specs and features were expected from GoPro HERO 9, but tech fans might be surprised at the battery boost that could be announced later this year. WinFuture, the source of these leaked images, noted the major battery improvement to be expected from the upcoming device. It is rumored to sport a 1,720mAh battery, which is around 41% better than GoPro HERO8 Black’s 1,220mAh component.

While this should be a welcome upgrade, it is also hardly surprising if the GoPro HERO 9 is confirmed to sport this battery specification. The bigger and colored front-facing display would consume more power than the previous screen.

GoPro HERO 9 leaked specs don’t mention processing chip upgrade

Aside from a battery improvement, early GoPro HERO 9 wish lists have also been hoping to see the company introduce its next-generation processing chip for its action cameras. The GP1 chip has been around since 2017 in the HERO6 series, but the currently available leaks do not mention anything about its successor.

On the bright side, the GP1 does not seem to hinder the release of updated camera software tech on GoPro HERO 9. The same leaked packaging indicates that GoPro will launch HyperSmooth 3.0 and TimeWarp 3.0 on the action camera. Exactly how they will improve image stabilization and time-lapse video mode is still unknown.

GoPro HERO 9 release date could be slated soon

With this amount of information and photo leaks emerging online, the official announcement of GoPro HERO 9 would likely follow soon. In recent years, new HERO cameras have been announced in late September or early October suggesting that the next device could only be weeks away from its official launch.