Google Pixel 9 Overview: Matured Design, However Nonetheless Will get Sizzling

Google’s newest Pixel 9 lineup now consists of 4 telephones as a substitute of two, and there is a dimension and form for everybody. Would you like a compact cellphone? You might have the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Do you want massive screens and might’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 seems so much just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 from the entrance.

And since it is a Google cellphone, you additionally get loads of new AI options. I have been utilizing the bottom Pixel 9 for nearly every 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, it’s best to learn the total evaluate.

The Pixel 9 is accessible in India in a single 12GB RAM and 256GB storage choice at Rs. 79,999.

Google Pixel 9 Design: Flagship stage

• Dimensions – 152.8 peak x 72.0 width x 8.5 depth
• Weight – 198g
• Colors – Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony

By way of design, all the pieces is now flat, and all the pieces is iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24-like. The cellphone 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 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, but it surely’s now pill-shaped, resembling the Google search bar. Nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless inform it is a Pixel cellphone.

The design is similar to the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24

The rear panel is a slab of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with a elegant end and a Google brand positioned on the centre. The correct body homes the facility and the amount buttons, and there is a microphone up high, a USB Kind-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 desire 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 as a result of barely greater show. It additionally retains the IP68 score, 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 price – 60 to 120Hz
• Safety – Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

The show on the Pixel 9 is now greater and brighter than the Pixel 8, but it surely additionally has uniform and slim bezels throughout. It seems 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’, provides 2,700 nits of peak brightness, 24-bit depth for colors, and an adaptive refresh price between 60 and 120Hz. It is nonetheless not an LTPO panel, however it’s undoubtedly higher than the older mannequin.

The cellphone has an LTPS panel and solely provides a 60 or 120Hz refresh price

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’re going to get Widevine L1 certifications. The software program provides Pure and Adaptive color modes. Whereas I had no drawback utilizing the Pixel 8 open air, the Pixel 9 is even higher, and all the pieces’s simpler to learn.

Pixel 9’s show homes a hole-punch cutout on the high and now provides an ultra-sonic in-display fingerprint sensor. It is 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 help – 7 Years
• Newest safety patch – September 5

Pixel telephones had been recognized for his or her cameras, however now they’re additionally recognized 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 in the course of the evaluate interval. It is a bit unusual for a brand new Pixel cellphone, because the Pixels of the previous have virtually at all times 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.

You’re going to get 7 years of OS updates on the Pixel 9

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, no less than software-wise. There is a new Climate app on the cellphone, and also you get loads of customisation choices throughout the system.

Now, let’s speak in regards to the cellphone’s AI options. Now you can use Gemini Dwell 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 mainly lets you throw complicated issues on the AI assistant with out worrying about any restrict. You additionally get entry to Gemini Dwell, which I discovered to be tremendous helpful and really spectacular. It labored flawlessly and had a really pure tone. I did discover it hallucinate generally, however the means 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.

Gemini Dwell on Pixel 9 works nice, and it feels such as you’re speaking to a human

You additionally get entry to a number of in-built AI options similar to ‘Assist me create an inventory’ within the Google Maintain notes app and a brand new AI climate report within the Climate app. The previous may be fairly useful, however I am undecided if the AI abstract is definitely helpful.

The Pixel Studio app allows you to shortly generate AI photos, however there are limitations

There’s additionally the brand new Pixel Studio and Pixel Screenshots app this 12 months. The latter helps you bear 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 might’t actually bear 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 photos utilizing AI. After all, there are limitations to what you possibly can create, and it will not allow you to create any human topics, however you may get some cool photos for artistic functions. Merely open the app, faucet on Create, and sort in your immediate. You too can strive completely different kinds for the output, add stickers and textual content to the created photos, and you may also use the app to create stickers from pictures in your cellphone.

The Pixel Studio app will not allow you to create photos with people

Aside from the Gemini and AI options sprinkled throughout the UI, you additionally get a few new Digital camera AI options. New this 12 months is Add Me, which helps you to add your self in group footage the place you are the one behind the digital camera. It is enjoyable and can be utilized for different artistic methods as nicely.

You should use the Add Me function to create enjoyable footage [Tap to expand]

Google has additionally added a brand new Auto body and Reimagine software in Magic Editor. The previous makes use of AI to reframe outdated pictures for higher storytelling and may also develop the picture. This principally labored nicely, however a number of the crops had been bizarre. In the meantime, the Reimagine software can be utilized to vary how your pictures 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 mates imagine that I had not too long ago travelled to Paris. The AI-generated photos may be tremendous practical, which is each spectacular and scary.

It is a Reimagined picture. Guess what’s not actual? [Tap to expand]

Requested the Reimagine software so as to add an elephant, and it did [Tap to expand]

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 similar to Video Enhance, Evening Sight Video, Zoom Improve, and some others. Nevertheless, there are numerous AI instruments on the cellphone that’ll assist in numerous methods and make life simpler and enjoyable. Possibly you possibly can even use the Reimagine software to reimagine your life.

Google Pixel 9 Efficiency: Nonetheless runs sizzling

• Chipset – Tensor G4
• RAM – 12GB
• Storage – As much as 256GB

I truthfully assume Google ought to lower ties with Samsung for the Pixel processors and simply return to Qualcomm. The Tensor G4 chipset is new this 12 months, but it surely’s nonetheless not a performer and continues to run sizzling even when doing staple items. Whereas you’ll not see any lag or random app freezes, the cellphone 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 recreation, the cellphone 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 cellphone. The Professional fashions have it, even telephones that value half the value run cooler and supply vapour cooling.

The cellphone does not have a vapour-cooling chamber

As for gaming, you possibly can play every kind of video games on it, however you will not get pleasure from it after 15-20 minutes. With BGMI, as an example, I bought glorious body charges, and all the pieces ran easily, however the cellphone grew to become too sizzling to make use of after about 35 minutes. For normal use, efficiency is sufficient. App launches are quick, and so they even keep in reminiscence fairly lengthy. General, it does not really feel gradual except you give it some heavy stuff to run. I ran some artificial benchmarks on the cellphone simply to check the numbers to equally priced telephones, and this is what occurred.

It’s value noting that I wasn’t capable of set up a lot of the benchmarking apps as Google did not permit them. I needed to sideload them and that could possibly be why a number of the scores are decrease than I anticipated them to be. Both means, if you happen to’re shopping for a cellphone for efficiency, this isn’t it.

Transferring 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 sweet, and the audio system do get lots loud with none crackling, even at full quantity. The audio system do lack bass, although. Name high quality is sweet, and connectivity can be improved in comparison with the Pixel 8, due to using a more recent modem.

Google Pixel 9 Cameras: Going wider

• Fundamental 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.

There is a new ultrawide digital camera on the Pixel 9

Alright, let’s speak about digital camera high quality. The principle rear digital camera continues to take glorious daylight pictures 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 footage aren’t on the hotter facet just like the iPhone 15. Pores and skin tones are additionally very nicely completed on the Pixel 9.

You additionally get 2x digital zoom on the cellphone, and it is just about the identical as final 12 months in relation to high quality. The 2x photos retain numerous element and are sharp, particularly when there’s loads of mild. The pictures are higher compared to the iPhone 15. The portrait pictures on the Pixel 9 are good however not nice. I discovered most photographs to have an excessive amount of blur, which does not look good on individuals’s photographs. Edge detection is usually good, however issues like hair could make issues tough for the software program. As soon as once more, pores and skin color could be very precisely depicted in Portrait photographs.

The ultrawide digital camera is new, however you possibly can’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 seems just about similar. What I like essentially 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 photographs in macro mode.

Daylight pictures from Fundamental digital camera, Ultrawide, and 2x Digital zoom [Tap to expand]

Portrait photographs: 1.5x, 2x [Tap to expand]

In low mild circumstances, the primary digital camera does a reasonably good job, and with Evening Sight, you get higher outcomes. What’s additionally good is the truth that you not have to carry the cellphone nonetheless for six seconds such as you needed to on the older Pixel 8. Just like the competitors, you may get usable low-light pictures in simply 3 seconds. The Pixel nonetheless delivers darker shadows in low mild, which may make the picture look softer. Nevertheless, you do get the astrophotography mode on the Pixel, which continues to be higher than the competitors. Sure, it takes for much longer to supply an incredible night time picture, but it surely’s definitely worth the wait.

Lowlight pictures: Fundamental digital camera, Ultrawide, 2x Digital Zoom [Tap to Expand]

Turning round, the selfie digital camera produces higher outcomes than earlier than, due to the addition of autofocus, which helps you to take nearer selfies. Loads of element, correct pores and skin tones, and good color replica exist.

By way of movies, the Pixel 9 can shoot 4k60fps on all three cameras, with the rear sensors providing extra help 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 provides three modes – Customary, Energetic, and Locked. Movies have barely hotter tones and darker shadows with distinction on the upper facet, however the colors are well-saturated. The main focus is sweet, however the software program does attempt to brighten up faces. It does a commendable job in low mild circumstances, however I want Google additionally supplied Video Enhance and Evening Sight video on the smaller Pixel. You do, nevertheless, get a Cinematic blur function within the video, which is okayish. General, 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 cellphone in at night time as I would be left with lower than 20 % cost. My days principally included utilizing the cellphone for calls, texting, checking emails, doom scrolling on Instagram and Twitter, taking part in a recreation or two, watching YouTube movies, utilizing the digital camera, and searching the net.

You will want to purchase a charger individually

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 due to the marginally bigger battery. Charging can be quicker, with the brand new cellphone 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 cellphone, and that is a very good factor. It lastly feels as premium as its competitors and packs in some good upgrades. There is a barely higher and larger 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 somewhat costlier than final 12 months.

Do you have to purchase it over the Pixel 8? I do not assume it’s best to. I would look ahead 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 cellphone to my mates or anybody who asks me what cellphone to get.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 (Overview) is an efficient various. It is extra compact, provides on-par digital camera efficiency, and has an incredible show and battery life. Nevertheless, you will not get the identical AI options, and the cellphone runs an Exynos chip in India, which does run sizzling. There’s additionally the OnePlus 12 (Overview) or the Xiaomi 14 (Overview), 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 cellphone. Then there’s the iPhone 15 (Overview) from the Apple camp, which is quicker, is extra compact than the Pixel 9, provides higher video efficiency, and comparable battery life. You too can think about the newly launched iPhone 16, however clearly, we’ll need to evaluate it first to see if it is value it.