Pixel 9 Assessment: Yup, It is That Good

To say that I’ve been ready for a telephone just like the Pixel 9 from Google for a few years appears like an understatement, however I didn’t know I wanted this specific telephone till I noticed the first leaks of its design again in January of this yr. At the moment, we had no concept that we’d get handled to 4 completely different Pixel 9 fashions, however as an Android fan, we’re so right here for it.

I’ve been operating the bottom Pixel 9 for over per week now, pairing it with my Pixel Watch 2. I’ve come to type an opinion on the system that I’m now able to share with you.

That is our Pixel 9 overview.

What I Like

{Hardware} and Design – I’ll get this half out of the best way. I believe it’s a good comparability that the Pixel 9 appears like an iPhone in hand, however fortunately, that rear digicam bar helps the system differentiate itself from Apple’s choices to the attention. There, that’s all of the iPhone speak you’ll get out of me for the period.

We at Droid Life do comparatively subjective evaluations, so talking my humble opinion, I imagine the Pixel 9 lineup is the perfect {hardware} Google has ever produced. It seems to be wonderful and feels unbelievable in hand. For a smartphone, I can’t ask for a lot else from {hardware}. Google has supplied Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and front, plus the upgraded ultrasonic fingerprint reader has but to harass me just like the optical sensors did. Just about throughout the board the telephone appears like an improve.

I additionally really feel obligated to debate the digicam bar bump on again. I do know it has turned off just a few folks, however enable me to let you know why it’s superior. For one-handed use, that digicam bar lets you brace the telephone nicely together with your index finger, providing you with a safer maintain on the system. When sliding your thumb as much as carry down the notification shade, it additionally acts a pleasant little push off/anchor spot. I get that to the attention it stands proud just a little bit, however not less than it doesn’t wobble on a flat floor like 95% of all different telephone designs. And let’s be actual, these complaining are the identical ones that put their telephones in an armor case. Lol, as if they’ll talk about design with us bare and afraid telephone customers.

Software program and Efficiency – Apparently, Google opted to ship the Pixel 9 with Android 14, presumably as a result of Android 15 wasn’t fairly prepared. A current report basically confirms that Google desires Android 15 to be completely steady and absolutely baked earlier than delivery it out, hopefully by mid October on the newest. From a reviewer’s standpoint, it’s fairly lame, since there isn’t very a lot new stuff to play with outdoors of Gemini-powered stuff, however on the similar time, Android 14 is a really strong construct and it runs completely high quality on this {hardware}. If something, it provides people little or no complain about as a result of I haven’t come throughout any kind of bugs or jank to talk of.

Google outfitted the Pixel 9 with Pixel Studio, the brand new generative AI function that lets you use key phrases and themes to create shareable photos. Sadly, we expect Google may go the additional step and make the function even higher. For instance, the pictures you possibly can create are hardly massive sufficient to make use of as wallpapers on the telephone (2048 x 2048). That looks like a missed alternative. And whereas I do recognize a free (for now) generative AI function to make use of, there’s positively limitations to what you possibly can create. Anybody making an attempt to generate photos of large-chested people will discover that creating these kind of photos isn’t attainable. You may nevertheless create photos of canines using dinosaurs and candy softball stickers.

Gemini itself can be changing into extra strong, with Google eyeing it as a substitute for Assistant sooner or later. We nonetheless aren’t 100% there, but it surely’s coming alongside. I didn’t discover myself needing to make use of Gemini too typically, however once I did, it appeared to reply my easy questions and carry out fundamental system duties with no concern. Pixel Screenshots is one other function that sounds very spectacular, however I didn’t ever want it. I don’t take 1,000,000 screenshots, however possibly somebody on the market does and wishes a option to shortly search by these photos utilizing AI. It sounds very useful, however alas, I didn’t use it.

Discussing efficiency additionally appears vital. Powered by a Tensor G4 together with 12GB RAM, it’s been clean crusing for the Pixel 9. A Googler lately supplied an interview through which they mentioned the corporate got down to create a telephone for shopper use circumstances, not benchmarks. I’m a fan of that. I don’t care how excessive a telephone scores, as long as it performs the duties that I would like, reminiscent of opening and snapping a photograph with the digicam shortly or scrolling by apps easily. The Pixel 9 does all of that flawlessly. With every passing yr, Pixel telephones appear to carry out higher and higher. I don’t suppose any telephone can run 100% excellent the entire time, however Google has actually gotten right into a groove it appears. It will likely be fascinating how the replace to Android 15 might have an effect on my expertise, however my fingers are crossed for a clean replace course of with little to no main bugs.

Show – Pixel 9 includes a 6.3-inch Actua OLED show with a decision of 1080 x 2424 and refresh charge of as much as 120Hz. When it comes to upgrades to the bare eye, the show will get a lot brighter when in direct daylight with a peak brightness of two,700 nits. That’s an enormous soar from Pixel 8’s 2,000 nit peak. In case you’re upgrading from the Pixel 7, with a 1,400 nits peak, then you definately’re a large distinction.

In comparison with shows discovered on Samsung units, I describe Google shows as tame, with shade saturation not overdone. That’s not a foul factor by any means, some folks favor that. To me, this extra pure strategy makes photographs you’re taking and movies you watch appear a bit extra like actuality, which could be vital when sharing issues to social media.

My different love for this telephone’s show may additionally belong within the {hardware} part, however the truth that it’s flat and never curved. It makes me snigger how a lot we appeared to like curved glass again within the day, however I’m completely happy corporations are transferring away from it. Telephones are actually extra sturdy, plus for gesture controls, it feels so a lot better. Lengthy stay the flat glass on these shows.

Battery Life – Earlier than I let you know about how a lot I cherished the Pixel 9’s battery life, it have to be prefaced that for me, 4-5 hours of display screen on time is sweet. Like Kellen, I’ve by no means been somebody who pulls 10 hours of SoT with 50% battery remaining. I don’t know how individuals are doing that, but it surely’s not my actuality and thought it was very humorous that individuals took concern with Kellen saying he had good battery testing outcomes on the Pixel 9 Professional. As for my Pixel 9 testing, it’s been nice. I’m simply getting 4+ hours of display screen on time daily with loads of residual juice left, with my typical day being from about 7am to 11pm. Some days I sport greater than others, however through the overview interval, I’m all the time utilizing the telephone a bit greater than I sometimes would. There’s a variety of photos getting taken, gaming, and Chrome shopping happening. The Pixel 9 has held up exceptionally nicely.

Pixel 9 comes packing a 4,700mAh battery, with charging specs listed as 27W max pace when utilizing Google’s 45W Sort-C charger. Customers ought to be capable to get 55% battery again with half-hour of charging, which for most individuals ought to be a lot high quality. The system additionally help Qi wi-fi charging (15W), in addition to Battery Share.

What Could possibly be Higher

Digital camera – When reviewing a telephone nearly as good as this, you’re generally compelled to get just a little nit choosy with issues. Total the digicam on this telephone is excellent, however when you had been to ask me what may very well be higher, the shortage of the telephoto lens could be very a lot observed. I’ve grown so accustomed to zooming in on no matter I would like that when a telephone lacks that functionality, I get just a little bummed. The very best I can do on the Pixel 9 is 8x (optical as much as 2x), which is basically nothing when in comparison with 30x and even 100x on some units. I get that Google has to chop in sure locations to fulfill a specific value level, so it’s high quality, however I’m nonetheless going to say my piece.

Talking to what this digicam can do, it does its job very nicely. It’s a Pixel in any case. On board is a 50-megapixel broad angle lens and 48MP ultrawide lens with Macro Focus. In case you’re somebody who merely opens the digicam and expects nice outcomes, the Pixel 9 is completely fitted to that. It captures nice shade and distinction, plus Night time Sight remains to be the benchmark for all different OEMs.

You’ll even have entry to the newest enhancing instruments and options from Google, reminiscent of Add Me, the place you possibly can add your self to pictures through alignment instruments. It’s nifty and I’m certain somebody on the market will get a kick out of it. Whereas total barebones, the digicam works very nicely and ought to be fairly just a little workhorse for patrons. It’s just about the proper level and click on digicam. Once more, it’s a Pixel, so all of that is anticipated.

Listed below are some digicam samples, resized for the positioning. You may view high-res photos right here.

Audio system – My solely actual beef with the telephone are the audio system. They don’t get very loud. There isn’t a lot else to say about it. Coming from some telephones that get very loud, the Pixel 9 is fairly quiet. I’ve tried to play with the equalizer and all of that, however haven’t had a lot success. They make Third-party apps that may push your quantity limits, however I’d fairly not mess one thing up. Critically, that is my solely true gripe with the system.

Pixel 9 Lineup Specs

Different Notes

• Spouse Impression: “Love the scale. Actually don’t like how huge the digicam hump is, though it does function a pleasant resting spot to your index finger if you’re holding the telephone. The ultrasonic fingerprint reader is wonderful, I really like not being blinded once I unlock the telephone. I like the best way the body feels. Feels very premium.”
• Software program Updates: 7 years, child. That’s OS and safety updates. This telephone shall be formally supported till 2031. If society is even a factor that far sooner or later, the Pixel 9 ought to nonetheless be going sturdy.

Availability and Value

Pixel 9 begins at $799. For a telephone of this caliber, that appears truthful to me. It additionally leaves room for a extra reasonably priced Pixel 9a, then you will have the Professional fashions begin at a whopping $999. I used to be initially bummed on the $799 value, however now having used the telephone and seeing the standard, I’m pleased with the worth. Will some people suppose it ought to include quicker charging, expandable storage, and a headphone jack? After all, however Google is making an attempt so as to add worth through software program (AI) options and high quality {hardware}. You will discover Pixel 9 in any respect main retailers and carriers. And don’t neglect, trade-in offers are additionally accessible so that you can decrease that value.

The Verdict

Often I might all the time counsel getting a Professional model, merely since you’d need the entire goodies. Nonetheless, when you can stay with out the 16GB RAM and further telephoto digicam, I believe the Pixel 9 is a wonderfully nice smartphone choice. This is likely one of the first instances I really feel that the bottom choice isn’t a plastic, low-cost counterpart to the extra premium fashions. The Pixel 9 feels and appears like a premium smartphone, full with an important digicam, tons of software program to play with, and {hardware} that performs nicely.

Actually, Google knocked it out of the park right here.

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