Google Pixel 9 assessment: The go-to Android smartphone

For the primary half of Android’s existence, Google was completely happy merely being answerable for the OS whereas different producers constructed a large ecosystem of units. 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 instantly catapult Google’s flagship to the entrance of the pack. Nonetheless, between the continued evolution of its units 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 refined software program methods. In some ways, this factor feels prefer it greatest represents Google’s imaginative and prescient for what a smartphone needs to be and it’s right here to say its title because the default Android handset.

Design and show

I normally hate making this comparability, nevertheless it’s onerous to disregard that the Pixel 9 appears to be like quite a bit like an iPhone. Just like current 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 telephone’s recycled aluminum body ends in a tool that Google says is 2 instances extra sturdy than earlier than.

The massive 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 instead is a straightforward 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 correct, with some extra elements like a tiny microphone and a single-zone laser-detect autofocus system scattered all through. Positive, 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 once 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 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 fee 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 measurement all the best way round. Altogether, it’s a superb 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 towards 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 telephone practically immediately each single time.

Efficiency

Google’s Tensor chips are sometimes maligned for focusing extra on effectivity and AI processing than basic efficiency. However I believe lots 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 all the things 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 effectively, with solely the occasional hiccup. Until you’re 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 massive suite of AI-powered options on the Pixel 8 final yr, 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 concerning the Pixel Screenshots app is that it enhances the best way individuals 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, usually by taking a screencap. That’s the place the Screenshots app is available in. Through the use of 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 at all times 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 all the things you do, so it feels much less intrusive.

For many who wish to create their very own content material, Pixel Studio enables you to use AI to generate pictures 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 could possibly flip individuals’s faces into cute little stickers which you could copy into footage or offer you inspiration on learn how to enhance your room. The probabilities are countless.

Then there are a handful of smaller however nonetheless very helpful instruments just like the Pixel Climate app, which options AI-generated summaries that will help you plan your day. As an alternative 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 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, for those who’re into that form of factor). Telephone conversations additionally sound higher due to enhancements to Clear Calling, which cuts down background noise. If you happen to’re distracted or don’t really feel like paying consideration, you should use the brand new Name Notes function to transcribe all the things earlier than giving issues a better 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 once 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

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 primary 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 gentle, the Pixel 9 outperformed the dearer Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. Colours have been usually brighter and Google’s processing sometimes 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 very good Evening 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 prime was in a single low-light shot of a flower, as a result of regardless that the S24U’s pic was a contact oversharpened, it was nonetheless higher than the overly gentle consequence 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 should use Reimagine to create extra fantastical pics by changing components (foregrounds and backgrounds work greatest) with no matter you possibly can consider. Panorama mode may also be used at night time now and whereas it takes some follow to get one of the best 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 photographs with totally different individuals holding the digicam to create a single composite picture with everybody within the shot. Now, nobody needs to be ignored 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 it’s important to keep nonetheless or else issues can get wonky. Maybe the best factor about this function is which you could additionally use it to clone your self a number of instances in the identical picture, which is a very enjoyable, if unintended, use case.

My one gripe is that I want Google had included assist for Zoom Improve on the Pixel 9. It could be very nice to have a instrument to sharpen blurry or cropped pictures out there on the bottom mannequin, particularly since, not like 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 % 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 one of the best we’ve seen from any Pixel so far, it additionally tops the OnePlus 12’s time of 26:40 for one of the best 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 assist (however not Qi2) at as much as 15 watts and reverse wi-fi energy sharing once you wish to assist out a buddy with a tool that’s brief on juice.

Wrap-up

For thus a few years, non-Professional Pixels have existed as an also-ran subsequent to Samsung’s base Galaxy S telephones, primarily for individuals who admire 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 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 unbelievable software program assist together with seven years of OS and safety updates.

Apart from a few omissions like no assist for Qi2 magnetic wi-fi charging and Zoom Improve, the Pixel 9 has all the things you need and wish from a high-end Android handset. Google’s software program — which was already a serious plus — is changing into a pillar of dominance. That stated, house owners will have to be extra proactive about embracing these options to get essentially the most out of their units. AI nonetheless succumbs to hallucinations and errors (lots 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, no less than within the $800 value vary, why purchase anything? In some respects, Google would possibly even be its personal largest 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.