Google’s newest Pixel 9 lineup now consists of 4 telephones as an alternative of two, and there is a measurement and form for everybody. Would you like a compact telephone? You might have the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Do you want large screens and may’t lie? There’s the Pixel 9 Professional XL. And at last, there’s the Pixel 9 Professional Fold for all of the productiveness freaks. You additionally get up to date designs with the brand new Pixel telephones. When you can nonetheless inform they’re Pixel telephones from the again, the smaller Pixel 9 appears to be like quite a bit just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 from the entrance.
And since it is a Google telephone, you additionally get loads of new AI options. I have been utilizing the bottom Pixel 9 for nearly per week now, and whereas it appears like a mature piece of {hardware}, it is nonetheless not fairly there but. If you wish to perceive what I imply, you need to learn the total evaluation.
The Pixel 9 is offered in India in a single 12GB RAM and 256GB storage choice at Rs. 79,999.
Google Pixel 9 Design: Flagship degree
Dimensions – 152.8 top x 72.0 width x 8.5 depth Weight – 198g Colors – Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony
When it comes to design, every thing is now flat, and every thing is iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24-like. The telephone has an aluminium flat body with rounded corners and a matte end that jogs my memory very a lot of the iPhone. The smallest Pixel can also be not as compact because it as soon as was. The Pixel 9 is taller and wider than each the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24. Additionally gone is the digital camera visor, which is changed by a digital camera bar that runs horizontally throughout just like the visor, however it’s now pill-shaped, resembling the Google search bar. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless inform it is a Pixel telephone.
The rear panel is a slab of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with a cultured end and a Google emblem positioned on the centre. The fitting body homes the ability and the amount buttons, and there is a microphone up high, a USB Sort-C port, a speaker grille, a SIM card tray, and one other mic on the backside. The left facet is left empty. The brand new flat design makes it really feel extra flagship and premium now, however I want the curved again design and the digital camera visor look of the Pixel 8.
Pixel 9 is now additionally taller than its predecessor, however that is primarily because of the barely greater show. It additionally retains the IP68 ranking, and that digital camera bar can nonetheless be used as a finger relaxation.
Google Pixel 9 Show: Brighter and higher
Panel – 6.3-inch OLED, full HD+ decision Refresh fee – 60 to 120Hz Safety – Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
The show on the Pixel 9 is now greater and brighter than the Pixel 8, however it additionally has uniform and slim bezels throughout. It appears to be like like Google lastly determined to wrap the show inwards on the backside to do away with the thicker chin on earlier non-pro Pixel telephones. The brand new 6.3-inch OLED show, which Google has branded ‘Actua’, affords 2,700 nits of peak brightness, 24-bit depth for colors, and an adaptive refresh fee between 60 and 120Hz. It is nonetheless not an LTPO panel, however it’s undoubtedly higher than the older mannequin.
You get glorious color output and loads of distinction, and it additionally does justice to HDR movies. The panel helps each HDR10 and HDR10+, and you’ll get Widevine L1 certifications. The software program affords Pure and Adaptive color modes. Whereas I had no downside utilizing the Pixel 8 open air, the Pixel 9 is even higher, and every thing’s simpler to learn.
Pixel 9’s show homes a hole-punch cutout on the high and now affords an ultra-sonic in-display fingerprint sensor. This can be a good improve from the optical one on the Pixel 8, which was slower and fewer correct than different flagship telephones. The brand new fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 9 lastly will get it on par with different flagships, and it really works nice. It is quick and works even with moist fingers.
Google Pixel 9 Software program: Extra AI
OS – Android 14 Software program assist – 7 Years Newest safety patch – September 5
Pixel telephones have been identified for his or her cameras, however now they’re additionally identified for his or her AI software program options. And there is a lot on the brand new Pixel 9 lineup. The Pixel 9 runs Android 14 out of the field, and I obtained the September safety patch throughout the evaluation interval. This can be a bit unusual for a brand new Pixel telephone, because the Pixels of the previous have virtually all the time run the latest Android model out of the field. Nevertheless, the Pixel telephones got here early this 12 months, and Android 15 simply hit AOSP.
Fortunately, Google continues to vow 7 years of OS and safety updates on its flagships, so the telephones needs to be good for some time, not less than software-wise. There is a new Climate app on the telephone, and also you get loads of customisation choices throughout the system.
Now, let’s speak in regards to the telephone’s AI options. Now you can use Gemini Reside with the Google One 2TB plan that will get you a free month of Gemini Superior. It allows you to use the Gemini 1.5 Professional mannequin with a 1 million token context window, which principally allows you to throw advanced issues on the AI assistant with out worrying about any restrict. You additionally get entry to Gemini Reside, which I discovered to be tremendous helpful and really spectacular. It labored flawlessly and had a really pure tone. I did discover it hallucinate typically, however the capacity to have a free-flow dialog with an AI is sort of cool. It is just like the ChatGPT Voice choice on the ChatGPT app.
You additionally get entry to a number of in-built AI options reminiscent of ‘Assist me create a listing’ within the Google Hold notes app and a brand new AI climate report within the Climate app. The previous might be fairly helpful, however I am unsure if the AI abstract is definitely helpful.
There’s additionally the brand new Pixel Studio and Pixel Screenshots app this 12 months. The latter helps you keep in mind one thing you took a screenshot of and organises your screenshots. I did not actually discover the Pixel Screenshots very helpful as I’ve a nasty reminiscence and may’t actually keep in mind what screenshots I took within the first place.
In the meantime, the Pixel Studio app was enjoyable because it allows you to create photographs utilizing AI. In fact, there are limitations to what you may create, and it will not allow you to create any human topics, however you may get some cool photographs for artistic functions. Merely open the app, faucet on Create, and sort in your immediate. You can even attempt completely different types for the output, add stickers and textual content to the created photographs, and you can too use the app to create stickers from images in your telephone.
Aside from the Gemini and AI options sprinkled throughout the UI, you additionally get a few new Digicam AI options. New this 12 months is Add Me, which helps you to add your self in group photos the place you are the one behind the digital camera. It is enjoyable and can be utilized for different artistic methods as nicely.
Google has additionally added a brand new Auto body and Reimagine device in Magic Editor. The previous makes use of AI to reframe outdated images for higher storytelling and also can increase the picture. This principally labored nicely, however among the crops have been bizarre. In the meantime, the Reimagine device can be utilized to alter how your images look, and it really works very well more often than not. I used to be capable of finding an elephant on a highway close by and make my pals imagine that I had just lately travelled to Paris. The AI-generated photographs might be tremendous practical, which is each spectacular and scary.
Lastly, the Google Pixel 9 additionally improves the Audio Magic Eraser function, which helps you to take away noise from a video. This works nicely and is barely higher than what we bought on the Pixel 8.
Sadly, the non-Professional Pixel nonetheless does not get entry to options reminiscent of Video Increase, Night time Sight Video, Zoom Improve, and some others. Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of AI instruments on the telephone that’ll assist in quite a lot of methods and make life simpler and enjoyable. Possibly you may even use the Reimagine device to reimagine your life.
Google Pixel 9 Efficiency: Nonetheless runs sizzling
Chipset – Tensor G4 RAM – 12GB Storage – As much as 256GB
I actually assume Google ought to reduce ties with Samsung for the Pixel processors and simply return to Qualcomm. The Tensor G4 chipset is new this 12 months, however it’s nonetheless not a performer and continues to run sizzling even when doing basic items. Whereas you’ll not see any lag or random app freezes, the telephone will get heat after half-hour on Instagram. Nevertheless, this occurs with some apps, and I did not face any warmth points when watching YouTube movies. Run a sport, the telephone will warmth, open the digital camera and it simply takes lower than a few minutes for the rear panel and body to get heat. Google ought to’ve actually added a vapour-cooling chamber on the telephone. The Professional fashions have it, even telephones that price half the worth run cooler and provide vapour cooling.
As for gaming, you may play every kind of video games on it, however you will not get pleasure from it after 15-20 minutes. With BGMI, for example, I bought glorious body charges, and every thing ran easily, however the telephone grew to become too sizzling to make use of after about 35 minutes. For normal use, efficiency is sufficient. App launches are quick, they usually even keep in reminiscence fairly lengthy. Total, it does not really feel sluggish except you give it some heavy stuff to run. I ran some artificial benchmarks on the telephone simply to check the numbers to equally priced telephones, and this is what occurred.
It’s value noting that I wasn’t in a position to set up many of the benchmarking apps as Google did not permit them. I needed to sideload them and that may very well be why among the scores are decrease than I anticipated them to be. Both manner, if you happen to’re shopping for a telephone for efficiency, this isn’t it.
Shifting on to speaker, earpiece, and mobile efficiency. The Pixel 9 will get a hybrid twin speaker setup with a major loudspeaker on the backside and an earpiece that acts because the second speaker. Audio separation is nice, and the audio system do get a lot loud with none crackling, even at full quantity. The audio system do lack bass, although. Name high quality is nice, and connectivity can also be improved in comparison with the Pixel 8, because of using a more moderen modem.
Google Pixel 9 Cameras: Going wider
Major rear digital camera – 50-megapixel, f/1.68, OIS, Octa PD Ultrawide digital camera – 48-megapixel, f/1.7, Quad PD, 123 diploma FoV Selfie digital camera – 10.5-megapixel, f/2.2, autofocus, 95 diploma FoV, Twin PD
The principle rear digital camera on the Pixel 9 makes use of the identical sensor from final 12 months, however you get a brand new 48-megapixel ultrawide digital camera that is additionally used on the Professional fashions. Google additionally added autofocus on the entrance digital camera, however the sensor stays the identical as final 12 months. One other function that continues to be the identical is the absence of a Professional mode within the digital camera app, which is disappointing.
Alright, let’s speak about digital camera high quality. The principle rear digital camera continues to take glorious daylight images with no noise, nice dynamic vary, fairly correct white steadiness, on-point publicity, and loads of element. The pictures have a contrasty Pixel look with barely darker shadows and a really pure look. Saturation is not boosted like on the Galaxy S24, and photos aren’t on the hotter facet just like the iPhone 15. Pores and skin tones are additionally very nicely finished on the Pixel 9.
You additionally get 2x digital zoom on the telephone, and it is just about the identical as final 12 months with regards to high quality. The 2x photographs retain quite a lot of element and are sharp, particularly when there’s loads of mild. The pictures are higher compared to the iPhone 15. The portrait images on the Pixel 9 are good however not nice. I discovered most pictures to have an excessive amount of blur, which does not look good on individuals’s pictures. Edge detection is generally good, however issues like hair could make issues tough for the software program. As soon as once more, pores and skin color may be very precisely depicted in Portrait pictures.
The ultrawide digital camera is new, however you may’t instantly inform it is higher than the Pixel 8. There’s extra element within the corners of a photograph when in comparison with the 8, however the centre space appears to be like just about similar. What I like probably the most is the consistency within the colors between the primary and the ultrawide digital camera. The sensor additionally permits for Macro images, and you may get fairly near the topic – 15mm to be actual. You may get some actually detailed pictures in macro mode.
In low mild situations, the primary digital camera does a fairly good job, and with Night time Sight, you get higher outcomes. What’s additionally good is the truth that you not have to carry the telephone nonetheless for six seconds such as you needed to on the older Pixel 8. Just like the competitors, you may get usable low-light images in simply 3 seconds. The Pixel nonetheless delivers darker shadows in low mild, which might make the picture look softer. Nevertheless, you do get the astrophotography mode on the Pixel, which remains to be higher than the competitors. Sure, it takes for much longer to supply an amazing night time picture, however it’s well worth the wait.
Turning round, the selfie digital camera produces higher outcomes than earlier than, because of the addition of autofocus, which helps you to take nearer selfies. Loads of element, correct pores and skin tones, and good color copy exist.
When it comes to movies, the Pixel 9 can shoot 4k60fps on all three cameras, with the rear sensors providing extra assist for 4k 24fps and 4k 30fps. You additionally get a 10-bit HDR recording. Video efficiency is fairly good, and I just like the stabilisation on the Pixel, and it additionally affords three modes – Commonplace, Lively, and Locked. Movies have barely hotter tones and darker shadows with distinction on the upper facet, however the colors are well-saturated. The main target is nice, however the software program does attempt to brighten up faces. It does a commendable job in low mild situations, however I want Google additionally supplied Video Increase and Night time Sight video on the smaller Pixel. You do, nonetheless, get a Cinematic blur function within the video, which is okayish. Total, you would be shocked at how nicely the video recording on the Pixels has in comparison with the iPhone.
Google Pixel 9 Battery: Can run longer now
Capability – 4,700mAh Quick cost – As much as 45W Wi-fi charging – As much as 15W
The battery efficiency on latest Pixel telephones hasn’t precisely been nice, and that is principally the identical with the Pixel 9. Most days, I bought a day’s value of utilization, however I needed to plug the telephone in at night time as I might be left with lower than 20 % cost. My days principally included utilizing the telephone for calls, texting, checking emails, doom scrolling on Instagram and Twitter, taking part in a sport or two, watching YouTube movies, utilizing the digital camera, and shopping the online.
In our HD video loop take a look at, the Google Pixel 9 lasted about 25 hours, which is fairly good for a Pixel. It is also an enchancment over the Pixel 8, and that is because of the marginally bigger battery. Charging can also be sooner, with the brand new telephone now supporting as much as 45W quick charging with the proper adapter. I used Google’s 30W adapter and bought about 51 % of cost with half-hour of charging, and a full cost from 1 % took about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Google Pixel 9 Verdict
The Google Pixel 9 is a really mature telephone, and that is a superb factor. It lastly feels as premium as its competitors and packs in some good upgrades. There is a barely higher and greater show, a nicer ultrawide digital camera, autofocus on the selfie digital camera, many new AI options, higher battery life, and an general nicer bundle. Nevertheless, it is also a little bit dearer than final 12 months.
Do you have to purchase it over the Pixel 8? I do not assume you need to. I might look forward to Google to repair the heating points first as a result of I imagine that is the one factor holding me again from recommending this telephone to my pals or anybody who asks me what telephone to get.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 (Evaluate) is an efficient different. It is extra compact, affords on-par digital camera efficiency, and has an amazing show and battery life. Nevertheless, you will not get the identical AI options, and the telephone runs an Exynos chip in India, which does run sizzling. There’s additionally the OnePlus 12 (Evaluate) or the Xiaomi 14 (Evaluate), each of that are good options and cheaper. The previous has a bigger show, a really succesful digital camera setup, and longer battery life, whereas the latter is best general as a telephone. Then there’s the iPhone 15 (Evaluate) from the Apple camp, which is quicker, is extra compact than the Pixel 9, affords higher video efficiency, and related battery life. You can even think about the newly launched iPhone 16, however clearly, we’ll should evaluation it first to see if it is value it.