For the 2d sequent yr , Google has enhance the asking price of its launching - point in time mainline Pixel phone . When theGoogle Pixel 7hit the shelf two years ago , the crowing allure was its sticker price , which undercut flagship phones from both Apple and Samsung . But with theGoogle Pixel 9this twelvemonth , that reward is gone .
The latest Google sound start at $ 799 . This set up it in the same league as theApple iPhone 15and theSamsung Galaxy S24 . The steep $ 200 damage bump , however , come with a fistful of perks that cover almost every major aspect of the phone .
As always , the pertinent question is whether one should stick with the trusty ol’ Pixel 7 , or bear up and get the Pixel 9 with all itsAI bell and whistle . We compared both phones base on test - drive experiences in the hands of experts to help you make the right-hand option .
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: specs
Porcelain
Wintergreen
Peony
Snow
lemongrass oil
1080 x 2424 pixels
60 - 120Hz refresh pace
422 PPI pixel density
Up to 2,700 nits peakbrightness
Corning Gorilla Glass
Victus 2 protection
1080 x 2400 pixels
90Hz crown refresh rate
416 PPI pixel concentration
Up to 1,400 nits peakbrightness
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection
256 GB
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: design and build
Let ’s start with the aesthetics and durability . It ’s your typical Pixel social function . Both the earphone have a metal frame , but the Pixel 9 has a satin destination to it on top . More importantly , Google has flatten out the sides to give its new phone a sharp appearance , while its predecessor with a somewhat bulging flavour that feels more comfortable to hold . You get a glassful and metal sandwich look . But there are a few all important differences here , even though both the phones feel equally premium in hands .
We ’ve find the Pixel 9 to be the most attractive and well - present received Pixel phone yet , while also being one of the best - take care smartphones you’re able to purchase today . The Modern Google phone grow both the aesthetic and biotechnology right , which makes it glorious in a way Pixel phones have n’t always been before . The Pixel 7 sire the ergonomics right , but the aesthetics were missing .
The Pixel 9 ’s satin - finish alloy chassis has precisely the right amount of curve to blend in in with the flat Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 rear instrument panel . Google has also pare down the bezels by a salubrious border on the front . They are now uniform on all sides . One quick glance at the telephone set is enough to see how Google chased the exchange premium calculate rule and nailed it . The Pixel 9 also detaches its iconic camera island bar from the side bod and has read a pill - shaped formatting . This makes the size of it spot on as you’re able to use it with one hired man without feeling like you ’re going to fumble it .
The Pixel 9 is beautifully made without any touch of misalignment , or undesirable ridgepole , which ca n’t be pronounce for the Pixel 7 . Google has also give it a new look with the stylish photographic camera module that as morph from a visor on the Pixel 7 into a solid flat - top island pot on the back of the Pixel 9 . This standout design constituent , and calculate particularly sensational on the Wintergreen and Peony shade . But it ’s not just the tone where the Pixel 9 leaves the Pixel 7 far behind , in addition to being smaller and swank curvier corner . At 198 grams , the Pixel 9 is suitably weighty but you wo n’t feel the fatigue on your wrist when using it for farseeing duration .
Google has put the 2nd - generation Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front as well as the rear face of the Pixel 9 , compare to the first - gen Victus shield on the Pixel 7.Corning saysVictus 2 offer improved drop operation and science laboratory tryout have also proved that it can survive a free fall from a one meter height on rough Earth’s surface like concrete and up to 2 time deserving of perpendicular drop on asphalt .
If durability is one of your key vexation , both phones offer an IP68 - rating for debris and water security , but the surface buckler on the Pixel 9 is importantly more durable . Moreover , if fresh looks also fall out to be on your wishlist , the in vogue from Google service that by the piles in an emphatic fashion .
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: display and performance
Across both generation , the display resoluteness is an even mates at Full - HD+ and so is the pixel density . But that ’s where the differences cease . While the Pixel 9 does n’t have a higher resolution display like the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL , it supports a higher 120Hz refresh pace and is bright and estimable than the Pixel 7 . You get full inkiness on the novel Super Actua display , thanks to the troupe ’s conclusion to double the contrast ratio this time around .
The Pixel 7 could only go up to 1,400 nit and reached 1,000 nits for HDR subject matter . On the other mitt , the Pixel 9 ’s display climb up to 1,800 nits at HDR output while its peak brightness can touch 2,700 nit , nearly treble that of the Pixel 7 .
A brighter show is not only an ideal berth for look on subject but it also cuts down on the reflexion job and better capacity legibility even under broad daytime . This is one aspect that often goes unnoticed but pass water a huge deviation in day - to - Clarence Day utilization . However , we were able to max out the brightness setting quite often .
Another quality - of - life improvement comes with the better , quicker , and more exact supersonic fingermark scanner . It is rig sanely in high spirits up on the covert so it ’s soft and more born for you to reach . The face unlock play along the biometric authentication to make the Pixel 9 the simple , fastest , and most reliable Pixel phone security system system we ’ve used .
The raw Pixel 9 is powered by the quaternary - generation Google Tensor processor , while the Pixel 7 offers the Tensor G2 . The processor is snappier , faster , and ramp up for AI , but there is another authoritative agent at shimmer here . The Pixel 9 come armed with 12 GB of RAM , a enceinte boost compare to the 8 GB memory we got on the Pixel 7 . While that sounds like a welcome evolution when it descend to multitasking , the RAM boost is here for AI processing .
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: software
Software can no longer be uncouple from computer hardware in the linguistic context of AI trick . Remember when Google announce that on - machine Gemini Nano was come up to its smartphones , then excluded the Pixel 8 and keep the AI shenanigans limited to thePixel 8 professional ? That was primarily because the Pixel 8 only had 8 GB of RAM , which was not enough to deliver a politic on - twist AI experience . Google ’s Seang Chau recently explained some of the AI feature article are figure as “ RAM occupant , ” which means they engage a permanent infinite on the RAM to pitch the honest output . Technically , 8 GB of RAM can handle Gemini Nano , but the experience wo n’t be optimum .
The Pixel 9 has 12 GB of tup , giving it more hereafter - proofing where AI is worry . The Pixel 7 ’s low RAM means it will only be capable to enjoy the perks of swarm - ground AI processing , which requires an internet joining at all times and wo n’t be as fast as local processing . The Pixel 9 features two preinstalled apps for AI : Pixel Studio and Screenshots .
The Screenshots app is like a fancy rendering of the screenshots folder in Google Photos but supercharged . you could research and organise your screenshots into collections and also take photo in the app itself , countenance you to add essential information to them . It declutters the Photos app/ The simple interface also encourages you to use it . On the other hand , Pixel Studio is a playfulness - to - have company trick , which uses AI to generate images free-base on your description . It ’s vaguely fun for a few endeavor but we forgot it survive for the most part when using the fresh phone .
Gemini on the Pixel 9 has charter over from Assistant on the Pixel 7 , which also supports Gemini . you’re able to verbalize much more conversationally with it , and Gemini understands and replies in a similar fashion . However , it is currently frustratingly sparse in its functionality if you do n’t pay for Gemini Live and the Gemini Advanced software , and you might like staying on the Google Assistant for basic features . No matter how much Google want to think it is , Gemini is not a reason to bribe or use the Pixel 9 .
When equate both Pixels , you must notice that it ’s extremely likely that a healthy bunch of performance and camera - centrical feature that arrive with subsequent Pixel Drops will remain exclusive to the Pixel 9 because it packs the necessary resources to handle them . If you aim to push your phone for at least three to four years and do n’t want to lack out on the best of what Google has to offer , the Pixel 9 is your safest wager .
The Pixel 7 arrived running Android 13 out of the boxful , with a promise of engender Android OS rise for the next three years . The Pixel 9 , on the other hand , take up withAndroid 14and will get Android OS updates for the next seven long time , so it ’ll be supported till at least 2030 .
Now , that ’s a massive relief in itself . But it ’s also worth keeping in mind that the extra firepower underneath its shell would secure it is up to of running next - gen Android feature . The Pixel 7 will in all likelihood find itself missing out on some of the computer software niceties that are resource - intensive , but the Pixel 9 may not run into similar hardware - impoverish place in the prompt futurity . feign you are someone who does n’t like to change their phone often but still does n’t want to miss out on the latest and greatest software program tricks that Android has to volunteer , the Pixel 9 would be the safer wager .
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: cameras
Pixel smartphones have cultivated a self-coloured reputation for their tv camera performance , and if you ’re eyeing that sumptuosity , the Pixel 9 wo n’t let down you . The Pixel 7 offered a compounding that include a 50 - megapixel main center and a 12MP ultrawide slant camera .
On the Pixel 9 , you get a 50MP main photographic camera , but the sensing element has a much wider aperture to let in more light and create more elaborate shots . The biggest upgrade was reserved for the ultrawide - angle photographic camera this twelvemonth . It ’s a 48MP sensing element and offers a much wider aperture ( f/1.7 vs f/2.2 ) and a wider flying field of perspective ( 123 level vs 114 degrees ) than the 12MP ultrawide television camera on the Pixel 7 .
A extensive field of force of view , combined with the benefits of pixel - binning and a large aperture , offer a guaranteed lift in the character of images clicked by the Pixel 9 ’s ultrawide camera . In improver to the ironware - side upgrades , there are a smattering of software - side updates , as well . In our tests , there were n’t any billet where the exposure add up out poorly because of something the photographic camera had done . Both rearward camera shoot crisp , colorful images that can have a somewhat processed tone but they are never dull or underwhelming . They are better than the aging tv camera on the Pixel 7 .
To start , the Pixel 9 adds the option to record 4 K and FHD videos at 60 frames per second . Another notable addition is a lineament called Add Me . call back of it as a wizard resolution where the photographer also bewilder to be a part of the chemical group photograph . All you have to do is penetrate one shot with someone as the photographer . Next , swap them in and take another . The Pixel 9 ’s AI will blend both photo into a final frame where every person is a part of the shot .
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: battery life
For small - ish phones , assault and battery juice is always in short supply . The Pixel 7 ’s 4,355 mAh battery was no elision . Thanks in no part to some uncanny idle power drain and poor resource optimization , the telephone give many some serious assault and battery anxiety . gratefully , Google is call the undesirable billet with a couple of ascent to the Pixel 9 . First , it comes armed with a bighearted 4,700mAh Li - ion cellular telephone within .
The Pixel 9 ’s barrage fire life surprised us . former manakin have all suffered from average - at - best battery life , but the fresh Pixel goes beyond this . As noted in our follow-up , the stamp battery life is not leading but it ’s more than satisfactory for general use . On day when you do n’t play game but do use GPS , the camera , media , and apps , you may expect a total of four hours of cover metre , with around 30 % remaining .
Support for wireless charging and reverse power share is part of the software system . In summation to a bigger assault and battery , Google is also address another pain point of Pixel phones : slow charging . The Pixel 7 could only go up to 21W in wired mode , call a pace of empty to middle bombardment top - up in roughly 30 bit . The Pixel 9 , which is sold alongside a beefier 45W brick , can point quicker despite packing a larger bombardment .
Google Pixel 9 vs. Google Pixel 7: which one to pick?
The Google Pixel 9 is hands down the better gadget than theGoogle Pixel 7 . It delivers processed looks that for sure violate the monotony with its key signature camera prevention , beautiful colorways , a vivid display , and a faster processor . But most significantly , it builds up on the Pixel brand ’s two core strength : a fantastic camera and the best software financial backing scheme in the Android ecosystem . Moreover , thanks to the hardware rhytidoplasty and the software update committedness , it ’s also fairly future - proof .
Of course , $ 200 is quite a juicy hike on the sticker price , but compared to the common set of reiterative goodies you ’ll come across on an iPhone or entrance - point Samsung Galaxy , the ask is a lot more palatable in the Pixel ’s shell .
Should you pick the Pixel 9 ? Well , if you ’re already in the securities industry for a dependable telephone set with immediate payment in your hand , you ca n’t go wrong with this one . If you seek to upgrade from the Pixel 7 , check whether that earpiece is restrain you in ways that basically break what one would call a fuss - free smartphone experience .
If the answer is yes , wait up for whatever trade - in deal you could score and put your trust in the Pixel 9 . Otherwise , the Pixel 7 should still be a fine company for at least the next twain of age with guarantee atomic number 8 upgrade and Pixel Drop feature update .
