Google Pixel 9 overview: The go-to Android smartphone
For the primary half of Android’s existence, Google was pleased merely being accountable for the OS whereas different producers constructed a large ecosystem of gadgets. Issues modified in 2016 with the launch of the unique Pixel, a telephone that married the corporate’s {hardware} and software program designs. However even that combo wasn’t sufficient to right away catapult Google’s flagship to the entrance of the pack. Nevertheless, between the continued evolution of its gadgets and former main gamers like LG and HTC getting out of the sport, Google has develop into the third-largest Android telephone maker within the US, simply barely behind Motorola.
Enter the Pixel 9, which sports activities a slick new design, a brighter display screen, higher cameras and much more subtle software program tips. In some ways, this factor feels prefer it finest represents Google’s imaginative and prescient for what a smartphone needs to be and it’s right here to assert its title because the default Android handset.
Engadget
Because of a slick new design, improved software program, upgraded cameras and a vibrant show, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S line may be extra well-liked, the Pixel 9 is the true Android telephone to beat.
- New ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
- Upgraded cameras
- Tremendous vibrant OLED show
- Stable efficiency
- Slick design
- Glorious software program and AI instruments
- No Qi2 magnetic wi-fi charging
- Zoom Improve is barely out there on Pixel 9 Professional
- AI can nonetheless hallucinate or be manipulated to supply unsavory outcomes
$799 at Google
Design and show
I normally hate making this comparability, nevertheless it’s onerous to disregard that the Pixel 9 appears to be like so much like an iPhone. Just like latest Apple handsets, the bottom ninth-gen Pixel options flat sides with rounded corners and a clean matte end. Its back and front panels are made out of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which when mixed with the telephone’s recycled aluminum body leads to a tool that Google says is 2 occasions extra sturdy than earlier than.
The large distinction although is the Pixel 9’s rear digicam module. Gone is the edge-to-edge bar we’ve develop into acquainted with over the earlier three generations and as a substitute is an easy pill-shaped visor. In comparison with Apple’s association — which nonetheless appears to be like like the highest of a range to me — Google’s design is the essence of simplicity. There are two lenses on the left and a flash on the appropriate, with some further parts like a tiny microphone and a single-zone laser-detect autofocus system scattered all through. Certain, it’s a bit tall and hulking, however as a result of it largely spans the width of the machine, it means the telephone doesn’t wobble if you relaxation it on its again. Factors to Google for a extra elegant resolution.
In entrance, the Pixel 9 sports activities Google’s newest 6.3-inch OLED Actua show, which gives a fair increased peak brightness of two,700 nits (versus 2,000 nits for the Pixel 8). Granted, that’s just a few hundred lower than the three,000 nits on the Pixel 9 Professional and Professional XL, however even when seen side-by-side, you’d be hard-pressed to note a distinction. As earlier than, the Pixel 9 has a variable refresh price that jumps between 60Hz and 120Hz to assist save on battery whereas Google has tweaked little particulars like night out the telephone’s bezels in order that they’re the identical dimension all the best way round. Altogether, it’s a superb show with correct colours and wealthy tones. I’ve bought to provide Google credit score, as a result of over the previous few years, Pixel shows have made main leaps to the purpose the place they’ll now maintain their very own towards each Apple and Samsung.
One last small however very welcome improve is a brand new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner hidden beneath the Pixel 9’s shows. It’s much more dependable than the optical sensor used earlier than and, in my testing, it’s unlocked the telephone almost immediately each single time.
Efficiency
Google’s Tensor chips are sometimes maligned for focusing extra on effectivity and AI processing than normal efficiency. However I feel plenty of that noise comes from individuals who care extra about benchmarks than how briskly a telephone operates in the actual world. In my expertise, the Pixel 9 and the Tensor G4 delivered every thing I needed with ample haste. Switching between apps occurs in a flash, whereas scrolling feels extremely clean. Even comparatively demanding video games like Zenless Zone Zero ran properly, with solely the occasional hiccup. Until you might be actually pushing it by working a bunch of tremendous resource-hungry apps on the identical time, the Pixel 9 can deal with the stress.
New software program and AI options
When Google launched its large suite of AI-powered options on the Pixel 8 final 12 months, it felt like the corporate was attempting to reside as much as its personal self-fulfilling prophecy on the proliferation of machine studying. However with the launch of much more AI-based instruments alongside the Pixel 9, Google’s technique is changing into a lot clearer thanks largely to the brand new Pixel Screenshots and Pixel Studio apps.
The factor I like most in regards to the Pixel Screenshots app is that it enhances the best way folks already use their telephones. Once you’re doomscrolling and also you come throughout one thing enjoyable or fascinating, what do you do? You both share it instantly or put it aside for later, typically by taking a screencap. That’s the place the Screenshots app is available in. By utilizing AI to research the contents of a pic, you possibly can simply retrieve it later with a fast search.
My favourite use case is for recipes. Beforehand, I’d discover an fascinating dish and go away it open in a browser tab, which all the time felt like a clunky workaround. However now, I can simply screenshot it and really feel assured about discovering it sooner or later. And in contrast to Microsoft’s Recall function in Home windows 11, Google’s Screenshots app solely appears to be like on the stuff you seize manually as a substitute of routinely recording every thing you do, so it feels much less intrusive.
For individuals who need to create their very own content material, Pixel Studio permits you to use AI to generate pictures by typing in a handful of prompts. It’s mainly a free model of Midjourney constructed only for Google’s telephones and I really feel like I’ve solely begun to discover its potential. It will probably flip folks’s faces into cute little stickers that you could copy into footage or provide you with inspiration on methods to beautify your room. The probabilities are limitless.
Then there are a handful of smaller however nonetheless very helpful instruments just like the Pixel Climate app, which options AI-generated summaries that can assist you plan your day. As a substitute of checking the hourly forecast and taking a look at each stat and determine, you possibly can rapidly learn a few sentences to see when the UX index will peak or if there’s a shock thunderstorm headed your manner.
In the meantime, different options like Gemini Stay allow you to ask questions and bounce concepts off of Google’s strongest AI assistant in a extra pure manner (you recognize, when you’re into that sort of factor). Cellphone conversations additionally sound higher due to enhancements to Clear Calling, which cuts down background noise. In the event you’re distracted or don’t really feel like paying consideration, you need to use the brand new Name Notes function to transcribe every thing earlier than giving issues a more in-depth look later. There’s even a Satellite tv for pc eSOS function that’s free for the primary two years, which helps you to name for assist if you don’t have service. Fortunately, I haven’t wanted to check it out myself, although for anybody who’s curious, Google gives a demo expertise that’s slated to go reside on August 22.
Cameras
Very good picture high quality has lengthy been one of many Pixel household’s calling playing cards and it’s getting even higher on the Pixel 9 thanks to 2 new cameras. The principle wide-angle lens incorporates a new 50MP sensor whereas the ultrawide lens is powered by an up to date 48MP cell, the latter of which can be utilized to shoot close-up macros.
In conditions with good mild, the Pixel 9 outperformed the dearer Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. Colours have been usually brighter and Google’s processing usually preserved extra particulars. Probably the most spectacular examples was a backlit shot of a Transformer, the place the Pixel 9 captured a photograph with a lot richer hues and higher focus whereas the S24U struggled, producing a shot with muddy colours and a stunning quantity of noise.
At night time, Google’s excellent Night time Sight mode bolstered the Pixel’s lead in picture high quality, capturing brighter and extra well-exposed pictures. The one time Samsung’s telephone got here out on high was in a single low-light shot of a flower, as a result of though the S24U’s pic was a contact oversharpened, it was nonetheless higher than the overly smooth end result I bought from the P9.
In fact, you possibly can’t have a brand new Pixel with some recent digicam options to go together with it. This time, we’ve gotten a variety of enhancements together with Auto body which makes use of AI to cleverly recompose pictures and fill within the lacking elements the place wanted. Or you need to use Reimagine to create extra fantastical pics by changing components (foregrounds and backgrounds work finest) with no matter you possibly can consider. Panorama mode can be used at night time now and whereas it takes some follow to get the perfect outcomes, even on my first try in a less-than-ideal location, I bought a neat-looking shot of the NYC skyline.
Then there’s Add Me, which helps you to take a number of group pictures with totally different folks holding the digicam to create a single composite picture with everybody within the shot. Now, nobody needs to be omitted just because they’re the designated photographer that day. It’s surprisingly straightforward to make use of and nice for introverts like me who don’t need to ask a stranger for assist. However it’s a must to keep nonetheless or else issues can get wonky. Maybe the best factor about this function is that you could additionally use it to clone your self a number of occasions in the identical picture, which is a extremely enjoyable, if unintended, use case.
My one gripe is that I want Google had included help for Zoom Improve on the Pixel 9. It will be very nice to have a instrument to sharpen blurry or cropped pictures out there on the bottom mannequin, particularly since, in contrast to its dearer Professional siblings, it doesn’t have a devoted telephoto lens.
Battery life and charging
Because of a bigger 4,700mAh cell (up from 4,575mAh) and improved energy effectivity, Google claims the Pixel 9 has 20 p.c longer battery life than the earlier mannequin. However I discovered that it fared even higher, lasting 27 hours and 32 minutes on our video rundown take a look at. Not solely is that this the perfect we’ve seen from any Pixel so far, it additionally tops the OnePlus 12’s time of 26:40 for the perfect longevity of any telephone we’ve examined.
Sadly, regardless of Google having simply launched a brand new 45W energy adapter (offered individually), the Pixel 9’s wired charging pace stays the identical at 27 watts. You additionally get Qi wi-fi help (however not Qi2) at as much as 15 watts and reverse wi-fi energy sharing if you need to assist out a good friend with a tool that’s brief on juice.
Wrap-up
For therefore a few years, non-Professional Pixels have existed as an also-ran subsequent to Samsung’s base Galaxy S telephones, primarily for individuals who respect Google’s software program wizardry and common function drops. However with the Pixel 9, Google has upped its {hardware} design whereas as soon as once more doubling down on what it does finest. It has a stunning display screen, class-leading cameras and a extra refined look, plus extra AI-powered instruments than anybody else. Fairly good ones at that. You additionally get implausible software program help together with seven years of OS and safety updates.
Other than a few omissions like no help for Qi2 magnetic wi-fi charging and Zoom Improve, the Pixel 9 has every thing you need and wish from a high-end Android handset. Google’s software program — which was already a significant plus — is changing into a pillar of dominance. That mentioned, homeowners will should be extra proactive about embracing these options to get probably the most out of their gadgets. AI nonetheless succumbs to hallucinations and errors (plenty of the brand new instruments are nonetheless in preview section), so many options stay removed from foolproof. However the foundations for a variety of highly effective instruments are at your disposal. At this level, the large query is, a minimum of within the $800 worth vary, why purchase the rest? In some respects, Google would possibly even be its personal greatest competitor, as a result of for individuals who aren’t as captivated with AI, it can save you some cash and get a Pixel 8a for $499. However for everybody else, whereas Samsung would possibly nonetheless have a lead in whole gross sales, the Pixel 9 needs to be the go-to flagship Android telephone.
