Google’s Pixel 9 looks different from its predecessors and comes packed with AI features.
Launched just about a month ago, the Google Pixel 9, which retails at US$799, has been getting quite a lot of good words. The buzz around Google’s latest smartphone began almost immediately after the release of the Pixel 8. Fans were particularly excited about the integration of advanced AI features and the camera upgrades. There’s been plenty of chatter about a redesigned camera module too, with the phone now sporting more angular sides similar to an iPhone.
In a strategic move, Google rolled out the Pixel 9 just a few weeks before Apple launched its iPhone 16 series. This release, which includes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel 9 Pro XL, is Google’s bid to carve out a significant market share in the fiercely competitive smartphone arena. Let’s take a closer look at what the Pixel 9 offers and how it measures up to its rivals.
AI
AI is a major selling point for the Pixel 9, which comes packed with smart features designed to enhance user experiences. These capabilities, especially in photo editing and content creation, are yet unmatched by competitors. Here are some standout AI features:
- Gemini: This built-in AI assistant is integrated across various Google apps for seamless functionality.
- Gemini Live: For subscribers of Gemini Advanced (US$20/month), this feature provides a chatbot capable of real-time, conversational interactions, helping users brainstorm ideas or plan tasks.
- Photography enhancements
- Add Me: Using augmented reality (AR), this tool lets users insert themselves into group photos by combining two separate images taken at different times.
- Magic Editor: Users can reimagine their photos by adding or modifying elements using generative AI. This includes changing backgrounds or adding objects based on text prompts.
- Auto Frame: This tool helps adjust the composition of photos after they are taken, ensuring better framing and focus on subjects.
- Pixel Screenshots: An app that allows users to search and manage their captures more effectively, with AI assisting in finding specific information within them.
- Call Notes: After a call, the Pixel 9 can generate summaries to help users recall important details.
- Multimodal interaction: Powered by the Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9 supports multimodal AI capabilities. Users can communicate with the Gemini using text, images or voice prompts for a more intuitive experience.
- Pixel Studio: An image generator that creates images from text prompts. Users can also edit the generated visuals by altering prompts to add or remove elements, change styles or apply stickers.
Camera
The Google Pixel 9 features an impressive camera lineup: a 50 MP Wide Dual Rear Camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera and a 1.5MP dual selfie camera. The rear camera is equipped to capture detailed images, thanks to an Octa PD sensor, an 82° field of view and an f/1.68 aperture. The ultra-wide lens has been upgraded to capture 110% more light than previous Pixel models and can focus on objects as close as two centimeters. The Super Res Zoom, allowing up to 8X magnification, lets you zoom in and out with little detail loss. Additionally, the front camera supports autofocus and has a 95° ultra-wide field of view for clear selfies.
Reviews have praised the camera’s performance, highlighting its ability to take high-quality photographs in both well-lit and low-light conditions, perfect for everything from daytime outings to night sight and astrophotography adventures.
However, the Pixel 9 lacks a telephoto lens and relies on digital zoom. This means it doesn’t quite match the optical zoom capabilities of some competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 and 16, which could be a consideration for photography enthusiasts.
Design and ergonomics
Users report that the Google Pixel 9, with its flat back and sleek aluminum frame, feels reminiscent of holding an iPhone 15. Its edges are now angular instead of curved as in the previous models—a change that hasn’t pleased everyone. That said, many find that this design offers an easy grip and facilitates one-handed operation, making it a particularly user-friendly option for on-the-go users.
However, at about 198 grams, the Pixel 9 is on the heavier side—slightly more so than the Galaxy S24 at 168 grams and the iPhone 16 at 179 grams. This extra weight might lead to some discomfort during extended use. As for its aesthetic appeal, the Pixel 9 comes in a variety of attractive colors: Peony (pink), Porcelain (white), Wintergreen (mint green), and Obsidian (black).
Display
The Pixel 9 boasts a 6.3-inch Actua OLED display with a resolution of 2,424 × 1,080 pixels, yielding a pixel density of 422 ppi. What really sets it apart is its peak brightness of 2,700 nits, a significant step up from the Pixel 8’s 2,000 nits. This makes the Pixel 9 brighter than both the Galaxy S24, which reaches 1,800 nits, and the iPhone 16 at 2,000 nits. Such high brightness greatly enhances visibility in outdoor settings and improves the overall usability under bright light conditions.
Additionally, the display offers an adaptive refresh rate that varies between 60-120Hz for the standard models and even stretches from 1-120Hz for the Pro versions. This feature puts it on par with the Galaxy S24 series. In contrast, the standard Apple iPhone 16 models are limited to a less smooth 60Hz refresh rate, making the Pixel’s display more fluid in comparison.
Battery performance
The Pixel 9 comes with a 4,700 mAh battery, a notable upgrade from earlier models and slightly outperforming the Galaxy S24 (4,000 mAh) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (4,676 mAh). Users have reported that the device lasted 13 hours and 18 minutes during continuous web browsing tests. It also supports fast charging up to 27W and takes about 30 minutes to achieve 55% charge.
It’s worth noting that, like competing smartphones, the Pixel 9 does not come with a charger in the box but only charging cables. Additionally, some reviews have pointed out that the phone struggles with heavy tasks such as gaming, outdoor photography and prolonged video viewing and tends to heat up during these activities.
Software
The Google Pixel 9 runs on Android 14 and promises seven years of security and OS upgrades. While Samsung also commits to similar terms, competitors like Apple, OnePlus, Xiaomi and other Android manufacturers offer much shorter support durations. This commitment to extended support means users can count on their phone to stay reliable and feature-rich throughout its lifespan.
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 chip, which is tailor-made to efficiently handle AI-related tasks. It also boasts 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, ensuring that multitasking is smooth and that even the most demanding apps run effortlessly.
The verdict
The Google Pixel 9 presents itself as a versatile smartphone that excels in performance, camera capabilities and user-friendly software. Its commitment to seven years of software support is a major advantage for those seeking a durable and reliable device.
While its bundle of AI features is another highlight, not everyone is a fan—some critics argue that it’s “too much AI”, finding features like the AI-powered weather summary to be unnecessary. Additionally, the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens could be a drawback for photography enthusiasts. Nonetheless, the Pixel 9 offers a compelling package for most users, striking a good balance between innovation and practicality.
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Header Image by Google
