Google Pixel 9 overview: The go-to Android smartphone

For the primary half of Android’s existence, Google was pleased merely being in control of the OS whereas different producers constructed an enormous ecosystem of gadgets. Issues modified in 2016 with the launch of the unique Pixel, a cellphone 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. Nonetheless, between the continued evolution of its gadgets and former main gamers like LG and HTC getting out of the sport, Google has turn into the third-largest Android cellphone maker within the US, simply barely behind Motorola.

Enter the Pixel 9, which sports activities a slick new design, a brighter display, higher cameras and much more refined software program methods. In some ways, this factor feels prefer it greatest represents Google’s imaginative and prescient for what a smartphone ought to be and it’s right here to assert its title because the default Android handset.

Design and show

I normally hate making this comparability, nevertheless it’s laborious to disregard that the Pixel 9 seems quite a bit like an iPhone. Much like latest Apple handsets, the bottom ninth-gen Pixel options flat sides with rounded corners and a easy matte end. Its back and front panels are made out of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which when mixed with the cellphone’s recycled aluminum body ends in a tool that Google says is 2 occasions extra sturdy than earlier than.

The large distinction although is the Pixel 9’s rear digital camera module. Gone is the edge-to-edge bar we’ve turn into acquainted with over the earlier three generations and as a replacement is an easy pill-shaped visor. In comparison with Apple’s association — which nonetheless seems 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 suitable, with some extra elements like a tiny microphone and a single-zone laser-detect autofocus system scattered all through. Certain, it’s a bit tall and ponderous, however as a result of it largely spans the width of the gadget, it means the cellphone doesn’t wobble if you relaxation it on its again. Factors to Google for a extra elegant answer.

In entrance, the Pixel 9 sports activities Google’s newest 6.3-inch OLED Actua show, which provides a good larger peak brightness of two,700 nits (versus 2,000 nits for the Pixel 8). Granted, that’s a couple of 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 cellphone’s bezels in order that they’re the identical measurement all the way in which round. Altogether, it’s a wonderful show with correct colours and wealthy tones. I’ve bought to present Google credit score, as a result of over the previous few years, Pixel shows have made main leaps to the purpose the place they will now maintain their very own in opposition to each Apple and Samsung.

One ultimate 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 cellphone practically 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 believe a number of that noise comes from individuals who care extra about benchmarks than how briskly a cellphone operates in the true world. In my expertise, the Pixel 9 and the Tensor G4 delivered every little thing I needed with ample haste. Switching between apps occurs in a flash, whereas scrolling feels extremely easy. Even comparatively demanding video games like Zenless Zone Zero ran nicely, with solely the occasional hiccup. Except you might be actually pushing it by operating a bunch of tremendous resource-hungry apps on the similar time, the Pixel 9 can deal with the stress.

New software program and AI options

When Google launched its huge suite of AI-powered options on the Pixel 8 final yr, it felt like the corporate was attempting to dwell 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 turning 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 way in which individuals already use their telephones. Whenever you’re doomscrolling and also you come throughout one thing enjoyable or fascinating, what do you do? You both share it instantly or reserve it for later, usually 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’ll be able to simply retrieve it later with a fast search.

My favourite use case is for recipes. Beforehand, I might discover an fascinating dish and depart 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 seems on the stuff you seize manually as a substitute of routinely recording every little thing you do, so it feels much less intrusive.

For individuals who wish to create their very own content material, Pixel Studio enables you to use AI to generate photos by typing in a handful of prompts. It’s principally 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 may flip individuals’s faces into cute little stickers that you would be able to copy into photos or provide you with inspiration on learn how to enhance your room. The chances 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 each stat and determine, you’ll be able to shortly learn a few sentences to see when the UX index will peak or if there’s a shock thunderstorm headed your method.

In the meantime, different options like Gemini Reside allow you to ask questions and bounce concepts off of Google’s strongest AI assistant in a extra pure method (you already know, if you happen to’re into that type of factor). Cellphone conversations additionally sound higher due to enhancements to Clear Calling, which cuts down background noise. In case you’re distracted or don’t really feel like paying consideration, you should utilize the brand new Name Notes function to transcribe every little 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 try it out myself, although for anybody who’s curious, Google provides a demo expertise that’s slated to go dwell on August 22.

Cameras

Excellent 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 contains 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 costlier Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. Colours had been usually brighter and Google’s processing sometimes preserved extra particulars. Some of the 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 shocking quantity of noise.

At evening, Google’s very good Evening Sight mode strengthened the Pixel’s lead in picture high quality, capturing brighter and extra well-exposed images. The one time Samsung’s cellphone got here out on prime 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 comfortable outcome I bought from the P9.

After all, you’ll be able to’t have a brand new Pixel with some contemporary digital camera options to go along with it. This time, we’ve gotten a spread of enhancements together with Auto body which makes use of AI to cleverly recompose photos and fill within the lacking elements the place wanted. Or you should utilize Reimagine to create extra fantastical pics by changing components (foregrounds and backgrounds work greatest) with no matter you’ll be able to consider. Panorama mode will also be used at evening now and whereas it takes some observe to get the most effective 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 completely different individuals holding the digital camera to create a single composite picture with everybody within the shot. Now, nobody must be disregarded 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 wish to ask a stranger for assist. However you need to keep nonetheless or else issues can get wonky. Maybe the best factor about this function is that you would be able to 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 could be very nice to have a software to sharpen blurry or cropped images out there on the bottom mannequin, particularly since, not like its costlier Professional siblings, it doesn’t have a devoted telephoto lens.

Battery life and charging

Due to a bigger 4,700mAh cell (up from 4,575mAh) and improved energy effectivity, Google claims the Pixel 9 has 20 % 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 check. Not solely is that this the most effective we’ve seen from any Pixel so far, it additionally tops the OnePlus 12’s time of 26:40 for the most effective longevity of any cellphone 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 wish to assist out a good friend with a tool that’s quick 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 greatest. It has a stunning display, class-leading cameras and a extra refined look, plus extra AI-powered instruments than anybody else. Fairly good ones at that. You additionally get unbelievable 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 little thing you need and wish from a high-end Android handset. Google’s software program — which was already a serious plus — is turning into a pillar of dominance. That stated, homeowners will should be extra proactive about embracing these options to get essentially the most out of their gadgets. AI nonetheless succumbs to hallucinations and errors (a number of the brand new instruments are nonetheless in preview part), 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 massive query is, a minimum of within the $800 worth vary, why purchase anything? In some respects, Google may even be its personal greatest competitor, as a result of for many who aren’t as keen about AI, it can save you some cash and get a Pixel 8a for $499. However for everybody else, whereas Samsung may nonetheless have a lead in whole gross sales, the Pixel 9 ought to be the go-to flagship Android cellphone.