Reviewing the Google Pixel 9: A Solid Device Overshadowed by High-Caliber Alternatives
Android Reduces Telephoto and Advanced AI Features to Lower Costs, Yet Struggles to Stand Out.
Google's Most Affordable Pixel 9 Delivers Nearly All the Qualities of Its Premium Counterpart, Omitting Some Features to Compete with Apple and Samsung on Price.
The Pixel 9 is priced at £799 (€899/$799/A$1,349), representing a €200 reduction from the Pixel 9 Pro's cost and positioned above the economical Pixel 8a, which was priced under €500. This situates the Pixel 9 squarely against Apple's latest iPhone 16 and Samsung's Galaxy S24.
The Pixel 9 is virtually identical in size and shape to the 9 Pro, sporting matte aluminum sides and glass front and back. It also has the same prominent camera design and a similar 6.3-inch OLED screen. The display's sharpness and brightness are a bit lower than those of the 9 Pro, but the difference is minor.
The Pixel 9 features the same Tensor G4 processor and at least 128GB of storage but comes with 12GB of RAM, as opposed to the 16GB in the more expensive model. This variation in RAM does not affect day-to-day performance or the device's capability in apps and AI tasks.
The battery life extends to approximately two days per charge, which is impressive for a phone of this size. It achieves a full charge in just over 80 minutes with a 27W or higher USB-C charger, although one is not provided in the packaging.
Android 14 Enhanced with Google's Leading AI Innovations
The Pixel comes pre-installed with Android 14 and offers seven years of software updates, including an upgrade to Android 15 this autumn, positioning it as one of the most durable phones available.
Similar to its more expensive counterparts, the Pixel 9 is powered by Google's latest Gemini Nano AI models. It features Google's new Screenshots App, which organizes your screenshots and makes them searchable, rather than cluttering your gallery. The Pixel Studio app allows for swift image creation from text prompts across various styles and includes editing capabilities. Additionally, Google Photos now boasts advanced AI editing tools that can automatically reframe images using generative AI or completely transform photo and insert objects based on text prompts.
The Pixel 9 lacks the complimentary year of Google's €19-per-month Gemini Advanced subscription that the Pixel 9 Pro includes, which is needed for the enhanced Gemini live conversational AI assistant experience. Nevertheless, it provides free access to the basic Gemini assistant for text and one-way requests. The premium subscription is available for an additional fee, but it might not be essential right now.
Product Specifications
Display: 6.3-inch 120Hz FHD+OLED (422 ppi)
Processor: Google Tensor G4
Memory: 12GB RAM
Storage Options: 128GB or 256GB
Operating System: Android 14
Camera System: 50MP Main + 48MP Ultrawide, 10.5MP Front
Connectivity Features: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, UWB, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, GNSS
Water Resistance Rating: IP68 (1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
Dimensions: 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm
Weight: 198 grams
Camera Capabilities
The Pixel 9 features a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, identical to those on the Pixel 9 Pro, but omits the telephoto zoom camera and several premium functionalities, such a enhanced zoom, full-resolution capture, and advanced pro controls.
The primary camera on the Pixel 9 performs exceptionally well across different lighting scenarios. The ultrawide lens also delivers strong results and features a macro mode for capturing intricate close-up shots. The main camera offers 2x optical zoom, with digital zoom extending up to 8x, yielding clear images in well-lit conditions. Although the 10.5MP selfie camera is less advanced than the one on the Pixel 9 Pro, it still provides sharp and detailed selfies.
The new Add Me function allows photographers to be added to group pictures by stitching together two consecutive photo. Augmented reality overlays guide the photographer on positioning to be incorporated into the image. Although the feature can occasionally misplace objects, like merging legs into table surfaces, it typically delivers good results with a bit of technique.
The camera is undoubtedly one of the top choices for mobile photography, but the missing telephoto lens undermines its overall performance.
Sustainability
Google has not specified an exact lifespan for the battery, but it anticipated to endure over 500 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its initial capacity. Both Google and authorized third-party repair services can address repairs, with detailed repair manuals and genuine replacement parts available through iFixit.
The Pixel 9 Pro incorporates a minimum of 20% recycled materials, such as recycled aluminum, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Google's environmental impact report provides detailed insights into the phone's sustainability. Additionally, Google offers free recycling for old devices.
Cost
The Google Pixel 9 is priced at £799 (€899/$799/A$1,349).
In comparison, the Pixel 8a is available for £419, the Pixel 9 Pro is priced at £999, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL costs £1,099. The Samsung Galaxy S24 also retails at £799, while the Apple iPhone 16 is similarly priced at £799.
Overall Judgment
The Pixel 9 is unquestionably Google's leading non-Pro flagship, offering a refined blend of high-end design and features while being priced lower than its top-tier counterpart of the same size.
The issue is that the standard Pixel 9, lacking the telephoto lens and top-tier AI functionalities found in the more expensive Pixel 9 Pro series, closely mirrors the feature set of the more cost-effective Pixel 8a.
As a result, the Pixel 9 finds itself in a tough spot. With the £999 Pixel 9 Pro potentially out of reach, the £800 Pixel 9 still represents a considerable expense, especially since the £419 Pixel 8a delivers about 80% of the experience for just over half the price.
The Pixel 9 is a sold device but is eclipsed by Google's superior models at both the high and low ends of the spectrum. It may be wise to wait for a sale to enhance its value proposition.
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