First look at the Google Pixel 9 series: Lovely hardware, AI, and utilities
Over the past decade I have spent most of my time as primarily an Android user, but Apple swayed me to iOS for more than a year in large part due to the Apple Watch Ultra.
Hyperdrive Hits
Too early to rate with any awards after just one week with the phones
Lovely new design and form factor
Cool color options
Amazing camera software and results
Useful Google utilities like Add Me and Pixel Screenshots
Google Gemini assistant offers interesting functionality
Expensive, but decent trade in offers at launch
I’ve used just about every Google Pixel device, but six months is the longest I can recall using one as my daily driver. I gave up primarily due to the poor cellular reception, WiFi reliability, slow charging, and hardware failures that I never saw in Samsung or OnePlus phones.
I am hopeful for the Google Tensor G4 processor and made the bold move to pick up a physical SIM card from my local T-Mobile store and switch away from my Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. With the Google Pixel Watch 3 finally launching in a large 45mm size I am ready to make the jump to Google so let’s see if that sticks past the upcoming Apple announcements likely coming in September.
Even though I have been covering mobile technology on Geek.com and ZDNET since 2001, I have several venues on my bucket list that I have yet to visit. This includes the headquarters for Apple, Google, and Samsung. I can now cross Google off of that list after flying down to Mountain View for the 2024 Made by Google event. After the presentation, press were given review units of the Pixel 9 to use for an extended period of time and I walked away with a Pixel 9 Pro XL in Porcelain and a Pixel 9 in Wintergreen.
I also was able to finally see a Pixel Fold in person, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but I highly doubt I will get a chance to review that foldable. That’s unfortunate since I was an early adopter of foldables and bought the first four generations of the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the OnePlus Open.
The Good and the Bad (so far)
It’s pretty rare for me to not find something that can be improved with a product so here is my summary of the phones. It’s only been a week so these are based on first impressions.
Pros
Stunning build quality, fit, and finish
Durable hardware with high resiliency ratings
Lovely high resolution displays that are bright and smooth
Ample RAM to help support onboard AI
Focus on amazing camera technology and so far it delivers great results
Cons
128GB base model. With the focus on camera and cool editing tools, it’s time to start at 256GB when you don’t have a microSD card to expand the onboard storage
Fast charging is not as quick as Samsung and OnePlus offer
Launches with Android 14 instead of 15
I cannot yet comment on battery life, but now with my T-Mobile SIM inside I will have some answers on that performance in another week or so.
Walk Around the Hardware
When I first took the Pixel 9 Pro XL out of the packaging (it’s minimalist and recyclable) it almost felt like I had my iPhone 15 Pro Max in hand. The same flat sides with curved corners are present and from the front with the display off it is hard to distinguish the two phones. The Pixel 9 phones have a pinhole front facing camera so that is a major difference over the oblong sensor area on the iPhone.
A USB-C port is found on the bottom to charge the phone with the SIM card slot, speaker, and mic opening. There are no buttons on the left side or top with a mic opening on the top. The power button and volume buttons are on the right side.
Flip over the iPhone and the Pixel to see the major hardware difference in the camera array. Apple uses a square camera assembly in the upper left corner while Google now has a modified camera bar across most of the top just about a quarter inch down from the top. The camera bar looks the same on all three Pixel 9 models with the Pro and Pro XL having a third camera, the telephoto camera, that the 9 does not have.
The 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL back panels have a matte finish while the Pixel 9 is glossy. I love a matte glass finish on my phones and am very pleased with the Pro models.
One great thing about the Pixel 9 Pro models is that the Pro 9 and Pro 9 XL have the exact same specs for everything but the battery capacity and display size, obviously. This means that you can now buy the smaller model, saving you $100, and not have to worry about compromising what you want just because you want a smaller phone in your pocket.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8 inch display, the 9 Pro has a 6.3 inch display, and the Pixel 9 has a 6.3 inch display. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 are the same size with the 9 Pro sporting a better Super Actua display and telephoto camera.
The fingerprint sensor under the display is better than ever and so far has worked flawlessly for me. I usually hate using under display sensors and I prefer those on the side that are integrated into the power button. With this improved sensor and face unlock I am now happy to secure my phone and unlock it with ease.
The Google Pixel 9 phones now also support satellite SOS functionality so if you are out of cellular or WiFi range you can still use satellite connectivity to get help. This functionality is coming soon and the service is included for two years.
Software
The Pixel 9 series launches with Android 14, which is a bit of a change from the past when the latest and greatest version of Android usually appears on the new hardware. The phones will get seven years of software and security updates so it will definitely received the Android 15 upgrade, but that is not there out of the box. I imagine all of the work on Google Gemini and AI functionality may have consumed staff instead of getting Android 15 out the door.
The review phones also have the August security update so they are running the latest and greatest software. The typical stock Google Android is present with no bloatware and Android as Google intended.
Google includes some useful utility features this year with apps like Pixel Screenshots and camera functionality such as Add Me. Pixel Screenshots will solve my family’s problems with capturing tons recipes via screenshots and then never finding them again. Add Me means that I no longer have to ask a stranger to take a group or family photo while traveling.
Unlike many people, I also use my phone quite a bit for phone calls and Google stands out with advanced calling features that reduce spam calls, screen calls, and even help you make calls to customer service departments.
Specifications
Specifications alone don’t mean much, but they are useful for comparing similar devices and checking that you are getting value for your money.
Processor: Google Tensor G4 with Titan M2 security coprocessor
Display: 6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344 pixels Super Actua (9 Pro XL), 6.3-inch 2856 x 1280 pixels Super Actua (9 Pro) and 6.3-inch 2424 x 1080 pixels Actua
Operating system: Android 14
RAM: 12GB (Pixel 9) and 16GB (Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL)
Internal storage: 128/256 GB (Pixel 9) and 128/256/512 GB with 1TB option (Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL)
Cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultra wide with Macro Focus, and 48MP 5x telephoto (9 Pro and 9 Pro XL only)
Front facing camera: 10.5MP (Pixel 9) and 42MP (9 Pro and Pro XL)
Battery: 4700 mAh (9 and 9 Pro) and 5060 mAh (9 Pro XL)
Durability: IP68 with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back panels
Pixel 9 dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm and 198 grams
Pixel 9 colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony
Pixel 9 Pro dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm and 199 grams
Pixel 9 Pro XL dimensions: 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm and 221 grams
Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz
First experiences and impressions
I flew to NYC for the Made by Google event that revealed the Pixel 8 devices, but I only used the Pixel 8 Pro for about three weeks before heading back to an iPhone. I really want to use all of the amazing software enhancements and utilities Google offers, but the hardware has always been behind the competition and a lot of that comes down to the use of the Google Tensor processor.
The Tensor G4 may end up disappointing me too, but so far it has been performing well and keeping me connected in areas that past Pixel phones couldn’t. I have some upcoming travel where I will be able to put the Pixel 9 devices to the test and I’ll circle back here with a more in-depth review once I have spent more than a week with the phones.
Stay tuned for my upcoming review on a product that may be even more exciting than the phones, for a guy like me who loves using wearables to track my daily life and fitness.
UPDATE: Video rendering speed is atrocious
Whoa, I shot an unboxing video on my iPhone 15 Pro Max and then edited it in Premiere Rush on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Added audio after getting the video down to 1 minute and rendered it on the Pixel. It took more than 4 hours to render the 1 minute video and on my iPhone 15 Pro Max it takes about a minute! Google’s Tensor G4 is NOT optimized for creators when it comes to video editing and production on the phone. Yikes, this may kill the idea of using the Pixel as my new daily driver.