Google made a misunderstanding with the Pixel 9 during its launch event . It said barely anything at all about the computer hardware , yet when you in the end get hold of the telephone , you instantly get it borders on the exquisite . So , by only talking about AI for an hour , Google did us all a disservice .
But was all the AI talk of the town apologise , and does it elevate the Pixel 9 above and beyond fashion model that have fare before it or that challenge it today ? I ’ve found out by using the Pixel 9 every day .
Google Pixel 9: specs
48MP ultrawide , f/1.7 , 123 - degree FOV
Google Pixel 9: design
Not only is the Google Pixel 9 the most attractive and well - demonstrate standard Pixel phone yet , but it ’s also one of the good - look smartphones you may buy today . It ’s glorious in a way Pixel phones have n’t always been before , as it gets both the aestheticsandergonomics right wing , which oddly seems to be quite a challenge for other manufacturers . I do n’t think exposure do it justice either , as they ca n’t fetch how excellent the telephone feels in your hand or how polished and high - calibre the computer hardware itself is .
The satin - finish metal chassis has precisely the good amount of curve to blend in with the flavourless Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 rearward dialog box , making it a delight to hold . The size of it , for me , is spot - on as I can use it with one hand without feeling like I ’m fail to mess up it , and it can slue mostly unnoticed into my pocket . It ’s as perdurable as you ’d trust , with an IP68 dust and water resistance ratingand Gorilla Glass Victus 2 over the screen . The Pixel 9 is n’t tricky , though , and it has plenty of grip from the metal frame .
The fit and finish is fantastic , which , although it should be a given , is n’t always the case with Pixel phones . The Pixel 9 is beautifully made without any hint of misalignment , unwanted ridges , or less than perfect fit . Its stylish , simple intent induce its character from the camera module , which has morph from a visor into a satisfying flat - top island deal on the back of the 9 . The stadium shapes used help lessen its visual impact , but there ’s no denying its considerable height .
At 198 grams , the Pixel 9 is suitably grave , but never heavy , so I have n’t found it fatiguing to carry for any length of metre . There are several colors available : Porcelain ( which I have been using ) , Obsidian , Peony , and Wintergreen . If I ’m forced to pick one thing I do n’t wish about the Pixel 9 ’s design , it ’s not to do with the earphone , but with the official shell . It ’s very pretty , and I love the soft inner stratum , but the exterior collects all the debris and lint from your pocket or bag . I ’d select anotherPixel 9 caseor just enjoy the Pixel 9 ’s wild bioengineering without one .
Google Pixel 9: screen
The Pixel 9 has a 6.3 - in Actua CRT screen with a 1080 x 2424 pixel resolution and a maximum 120Hz refresh rate . Google does gear up the refresh pace at 60Hz by nonpayment , though , so make certain you alter this in the options . Compared to the Pixel 9 Proand Pixel 9 Pro XL , which feature higher resolutions and a dynamic 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate , the base Pixel 9 has the lesser filmdom .
The Pro telephone are also shining , and this is one of the little issue I ’ve had with the Pixel 9 . The official figure of speech claim 1,800 nits maximum luminosity and 2,700 nit visor brightness , but I ’ve find it does n’t get quite as bright as I ’d like under normal outside habit . Whether it ’s the ambient light sensor that needs pluck or a poor average brightness for everyday situation , I ’ve found myself maxing the brightness setting out quite often , yet it ’s still not as vivacious and visible as required for the conditions .
cover brightness is one of the belittled issue I ’ve had with the Pixel 9 .
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This is really the only negative , though . There ’s a very fast and accurate new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor set sensibly luxuriously up on the concealment , and that ’s link by an instant brass unlock feature . It ’s the bare , immobile , and most reliable Pixel phone security system I ’ve used , and I ’ve detect it far more pleasant to use than those on other phones , include theSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6and theHMD Skyline . Google has also direct a superb tactual feedback organisation that is used throughout the software . It ’s delightfully soft and tactual , yet noticeable and useful too .
aside from cranking the brightness up on the Pixel 9 ’s screen , I ’ve relish look out telecasting on the speech sound , but more than that , I like the informative and customizable always - on screen and the sheer speed of response . It sounds canonical , but until you use a earpiece like the Pixel 9 , it ’s easy to swallow slow , more lumbering versions of Android as the norm .
Audio come from stereo verbaliser , and they sound good at anything up to about three - quarter of the volume , after which they distort quite ill . If you own a set ofPixel Buds ProorPixel Buds Pro 2earbuds , you’re able to listen to spatial audio through some online television cyclosis services . The audio and ocular experience on the Pixel 9 is first-class and congressman of the earpiece ’s price .
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Google Pixel 9: software and performance
I ’ve been reexamine the Pixel 9 with Android 14 installed , and it has have a few software updates since I started using it . Google will keep it update with major atomic number 8 versions , security update , and Feature Drops over the next seven geezerhood , commence August 22 , 2024 . This means that Google will use one of these major update to receiveAndroid 15later this yr , which may bedevil some . However , before you get overturned , require yourself if you anticipate to still use the Pixel 9 in 2030 .
The Pixel 9 has the Google Tensor G4 chip at its warmness with 12 GB of RAM and either 128 GB or 256 GB of computer memory space . The Tensor chips have had their comely percentage of job over the past few year , but none seem to be evident in this previous version . It has not bring forth any unexpected warmth , it has run all my apps without any dependableness government issue , and Android 14 performs without stammer or flaws . It ’s the most liquid , fluent , and most pleasurable Pixel experience yet .
There are a couple of raw preinstalled apps : Pixel Studio and Screenshots . Screenshots works like a fancy version of the screenshots folder in Google Photos . It ’s searchable using AI , and your screenshots can be devise into collections . you may also take photo in the app itself , allowing you to add all important information to them . It has some usefulness , and its simple user interface will encourage you to use it . But why it ’s an app and not an enhancement to Google Photos , where it could be used on different gadget , I have no theme .
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I also have no idea why anyone would want to use Pixel Studio . It uses AI to yield images establish on your descriptions , and it ’s vaguely merriment for a few endeavor . There does seem to be a elbow room to upload your own photos for the AI treatment . Still , all my photos were flagged as inappropriate ( I would n’t take care , but none of the photos were inappropriate ) , so I could n’t try it . Other tests haveproduced some very questionable images . It ’s an app that ’s good for usher AI ’s “ vision , ” and I ’m sure it ’ll be fun for social metier posts . However , aside from that use case , it ’s forgettable bagatelle . I ’d rather use theRabbit R1 ’s generative AI camerafeature .
Google Pixel 9: AI and Gemini
All this talk about Screenshots and Pixel Studio brings us neatly to the Pixel 9 ’s AI , which is what Google spentmost of the launching result talking about . I ’ve been using basicGemini AI , but notGemini Advanced , as thePixel 9 does not come with a free yearof its purpose , unlike the Pixel 9 Pro mountain range . It has taken over from Assistant , but does defer to Assistant for things it ca n’t do , like set alarms . you may talk much more conversationally with it , and Gemini understands and replies in a similar mode . In fact , Geminilovesthe strait of its own voice , so make trusted you distinguish it to summarize in a few sentence , as otherwise , it will chat away for ages .
For all the talk about its ability , Gemini can be frustratingly thin in its functionality if you do n’t pay for Gemini Live and the Gemini Advanced package . It ca n’t translate webpages or video , it ca n’t answer system - based questions like “ How do you alter your vox , ” and when you prey it a link , it does n’t seem to cognize what to do with it . It is good at answer interrogation based on summarisation and information assembly . I asked it to excuse the Porsche 911 range between 1997 and 2004 , which it did , and it recommend the model I should buy and gave me some general tips on buying , too . I did n’t feel it had saved me that much elbow grease or time , but it was a decent jumping - off point for more enquiry .
I asked it to aid create driving route to various emplacement while always avoiding narrow roads , but Gemini ’s Google Maps inquiry never worked for me . Without using Google Maps , it returned textbook suggestions , but I ’d have to look for the path in Maps anyway . It did n’t understand my question about changing its voice , and I ca n’t find a elbow room to spay its manly voice either . It ’s all rather disappointing . I know some people find AI ’s organization and summarization tools helpful . Still , Gemini has repeatedly fail to make me think it has give me superior result cqmpared to spend a few minutes search or save me good deal of time by using its armed service .
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I ’m not an AI skeptic , but I do think we ’re being sold a turn of a underbaked product here , at least at this early level . It ’s not just Google , as Samsung is just as guilty of pushing fair AI onto our phones . But at leastGalaxy AIis exhibit in a way that I can see how it may assist me out in sure circumstances . For exemplar , rather than manoeuver me to the Translate app , Gemini try translating a conversation for me , which was a long - hoist disaster . Galaxy AI distinctly defines what tool you should use , and it does n’t attempt to advertise you into using Bixby ( shudder).The AI - enhanced weather app is another great example of “ who cares . ”Yes , it is pretty to look at , but ittells me the weatherjust like lots of other apps .
No matter how much Google wants to remember it is , Gemini is not a reason to purchase or use the Pixel 9 . Do n’t draw a blank it ’s not unequalled to the Pixel 9 either , as Gemini work on many other of thebest Android phones , so you ’re not “ missing out ” if you want Gemini , but not a Pixel . But then it ’s whether you ’re miss outat all . While it ’s obvious there is potential , and it can do much more than Assistant , Gemini is not life - changing yet — and for certain not in its stock subscription - destitute variety . It would be very unfair to call Gemini and its prank gimmicks , but many of its features have yet to go beyond trinket status , and those that are more refined may not get used all that often .
Google Pixel 9: camera
I ’ve get hold of more than 160 photos with the Pixel 9 and have n’t been disappointed with one of them , by which I mean there are n’t any spot where the photo has come out badly because of something the tv camera has done . The main and wide - angle cameras inject sharp , colorful images that can have a slightly processed tone , but for me , this mean they are never dull or underwhelming . It all ensures I have sureness in the camera and can look for more originative opportunities to use it .
Even the 2x soar is decent , and you have to crop the image down to see grounds of its digital manipulation . Although I did n’t expect the 8x Super Res Zoom to be very good , it ’s not fearful . Considering the price increase , I think Google should have put a telephoto tv camera into the new camera module .
I ’ve taken more than 160 photos with the Pixel 9 and have n’t been disappointed with one of them .
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If you have aGoogle Pixel 8 , do n’t look to see much difference between the primary photographic camera , but the wide - angle television camera is unexampled , so how does it execute ? There ’s less stochasticity , slightly more accurate colors , and more natural white-hot symmetry , wee it a actual upgrade . On this subject , the Pixel 9 Pro is another $ 200 more , and apart from the telephoto camera , it is otherwise very exchangeable to the Pixel 9 . Before making a conclusion between the two , ask yourself whether you really need it , as the loud Pixel 9 is a vivid camera phone .
Google Pixel 9: battery life and charging
What a happy surprise the Pixel 9 ’s battery life is . late models have all suffered from average - at - good battery life , but the Pixel 9 give way beyond this . While it ’s not stellar , it ’s more than satisfactory for general use . The 4,700mAh capacity cell may sound pocket-size , but on mean solar day when I do n’t play games but do habituate GPS , the camera , media , and apps for a total of four hr of screen sentence , it ’s ending the Clarence Day with around 30 % continue .
No , I do n’t think it ’ll last for two full days unless you ’re using it very light , but there ’s more than enough shelling biography for a full daytime of use , including gambling . Behind this is an obvious efficiency advance . A 45 - arcminute YouTube video at 1440p firmness barely uses 5 % of the stamp battery , and a 30 - minute session ofAsphalt Legends Uniteuses about the same . That ’s excellent performance , and even during its early acquiring - to - have it off - me phase , the Pixel 9 ’s shelling has never hang to just a single day .
The Pixel 9 does not fall with a wall charger in the box . It supports 45 - James Watt chargers but maxes out at 27W , plus there ’s Qi wireless charging . Google has not adoptedQi2 tuner chargingfor the Pixel 9 series . Google quotes 55 % shelling direction as being reach in 30 minutes using a compatible charger . In my tests using an Anker Prime paries battery charger and its USB coulomb cable , the stamp battery strive 53 % in 30 instant and was fully appoint in 92 minute .
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Google Pixel 9: price and availability
The Google Pixel 9 was released on August 22 and costs $ 799 for the 128 GB translation or $ 899 for the 256 GB interlingual rendition , although some offers may interpolate this price depend on when you rate . This is $ 100 more expensive than the Pixel 8 , but for once , you may see where Google has improved the speech sound , as it ’s evident everywhere — from the design and materials to the performance and battery life .
The increase in price bring in the Pixel 9into cable with theSamsung Galaxy S24and theOnePlus 12 , two of its primary Android rivals , and with theiPhone 16 , too . For this price , the OnePlus 12 has more RAM and storage and quicker charging , while the Galaxy S24 has a telephotograph camera . For a slight less money , you should look at theOnePlus 12R , theNothing Phone 2 , or theSamsung Galaxy S23 FE — all of whichare corking steal .
Then there ’s the question of thePixel 9 ProandPixel 9 Pro XL , plus the cheaperPixel 8a , which remains current in the kitchen stove . While the processor and software do not change on the Pixel 9 , the cameras , screen , and barrage mental ability all do , so opine carefully about what you require from your Pixel phone over the coming years . The Pixel 9 ’s novel price has pushed it into young territory , and it has enough more tempting competitors because of it , but it ’s still go to be the pick of the Pixel bunch for anyone not besotted with the camera .
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Google Pixel 9: verdict
Much to Google ’s mortification , I ’m sure the Pixel 9 ’s appeal is the same as it always has been . The software system is the expert interpretation of Android , the television camera is excellent , and for the first time ever , the hardware run across and even exceeds the contention . Gemini AI is not a reason to buy or upgrade any phone yet , as its functionality often only caters to quite specific situations or is frivolous in nature — and therefore wo n’t be used all the time either . Gemini is n’t listed as a professional or a con in our review , and that add up the way I find about it in general . It ’s not enceinte , and it ’s not terrible . It ’s just there .
The Pixel 9 ’s appealas a phoneis high than ever then , but unfortunately , so is its price . Alongside the OnePlus 12 and Galaxy S24 , it struggles to compete on charging and photographic camera functionality , and if you chose one of those over the Pixel 9 , I do n’t recollect it would be a inadequate determination .
I ’ve enjoyed the Pixel 9 a great tidy sum .
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Equally , it would n’t be a short decision to buy the Pixel 9 , as it really is full than ever . I ’ve enjoyed the phone a great deal , and it ’s refreshing to see that Google has addressed some of the negative that the Pixel serial has endured for a while . If I did n’t have to swap my SIM out of the Pixel 9 , I ’d be perfectly happy with it , and I think that ’s a very high-pitched recommendation .
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