Google Pixel 9 review
The Google Pixel 9 is a solid smartphone that offers a clean Google software experience, powerful cameras, and a compact form factor. This year's model brings several upgrades, including a new chipset, brighter display, larger battery, and a new ultra-wide camera. The design has changed, with the pixel 9 being bigger and heavier than its predecessor, but still retains an IP68 certification for dust and water resistance. The OLED display is slightly larger at 6.3 inches and features a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass Victus protection, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The max brightness has received an impressive boost to 2200 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use on sunny days. The camera system has been improved with autofocus for the selfie camera and a new ultra-wide camera that captures solid images. The Pixel 9 runs on Google's Tensor G4 chipset, which packs a new CPU design but retains the same TPU for AI tasks as its predecessor. Battery life has also seen an improvement, but charging times remain disappointing. The camera can record video in up to 4K at 60 FPS with all cameras, but detail and stabilization leave room for improvement. Overall, the Pixel 9 is a solid smartphone that offers nearly everything the Pro Models can, but loses some of its compact feel. While it may not be a game-changer, it's a reliable choice for those looking for a great camera experience and clean software experience.
Build Quality and Design
The Google Pixel 9 boasts a revamped design that's both sleek and compact. Gone are the days of a slim, snappy phone; this year's model has grown slightly larger, weighing in at a more substantial weight than its predecessor. The flat back and aluminum frame give off an unmistakable iPhone-esque vibe, which may not be to everyone's taste. However, the build quality is exceptional, with the Gorilla Glass Victus back exuding a premium feel that's hard to ignore. The camera bump has also undergone a transformation, now sporting an oval shape that doesn't stretch across the entire frame. Despite this design tweak, the Pixel 9 still retains its IP68 certification for dust and water resistance. The display itself is a highlight of the device, with a larger 6.3-inch screen offering improved brightness and a higher refresh rate. While it may not be as flashy as some other smartphones on the market, the Pixel 9's build quality and design are undoubtedly solid. The attention to detail in the camera bump, the precision-cut aluminum frame, and the expertly crafted Gorilla Glass Victus back all contribute to an overall feel that's hard to fault. While some may find the slightly larger size a drawback, others will appreciate the improved ergonomics and increased display real estate. Ultimately, the Pixel 9's design may not be revolutionary, but it's undoubtedly a well-executed, premium-feeling smartphone that's sure to impress even the most discerning users.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Google Pixel 9 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the Pixel 8. With a slightly larger 4700mAh battery, the Pixel 9 delivers a substantial boost in active use time. In our tests, it managed to last an impressive 13 hours and 5 minutes, outpacing the Pixel 8's performance. One of the notable changes is the charging speed, which has increased significantly. The phone can now charge from 0 to 55% in just 30 minutes using a compatible adapter. However, reaching a full charge takes around an hour and 25 minutes, which, while not impressive, is still faster than some other flagship devices. Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are also supported, providing added convenience for users who prefer these features. The battery life of the Pixel 9 is certainly one of its strengths, offering a reliable and long-lasting experience that should satisfy most users' needs. However, it's worth noting that while the charging speed has improved, it still lags behind some other high-end devices. Overall, the battery life of the Google Pixel 9 is a solid effort by Google, providing a reliable and efficient experience for users. While not perfect, it's certainly an improvement over its predecessor, making it a great option for those seeking a phone with long-lasting battery life.
Display
The Google Pixel 9's display is a notable improvement over its predecessor, with a larger 6.3-inch OLED screen that boasts a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass F2 protection, and a 120Hz refresh rate. This setup allows for seamless visuals and effortless scrolling. Google calls this display an "actual display," which implies it doesn't utilize the low-power tech found in their Pro models' Super displays. As a result, the refresh rate can only toggle between 120Hz and 60Hz. However, this limitation is somewhat mitigated by the impressive boost in max brightness, reaching up to 2,200 nits when using auto-brightness mode. This makes for an excellent outdoor viewing experience on sunny days, and it's worth noting that these results are better than any of the competition at present. The display also features a pixel density of 422 PPI, making for crisp visuals that are hard to notice even from close up. One notable omission is the lack of a Pro mode within the camera interface, which might be a drawback for some users looking to get the most out of their camera capabilities. However, when it comes to image quality, during the day and at night, the Pixel 9's main camera captures excellent photos with plenty of detail rendered in a natural way. The color palette is well-judged, and skin tones look particularly nice, especially in shots of people. There's some slight pixelation in certain situations, but it doesn't detract from the overall quality. At night, exposures are on point, with good highlight retention and shadows that aren't too dark or overly bright. Overall, the Pixel 9's display is a solid improvement over its predecessor, offering crisp visuals, seamless performance, and excellent brightness levels. While it may lack some features found in their Pro models, it more than makes up for it with its sheer quality and impressive camera capabilities.
Camera
The camera on the Google Pixel 9 is a notable upgrade from its predecessor, boasting improved image quality and features. The main camera captures excellent photos during the day, with plenty of detail rendered in a natural way. While there may be hints of pixelation in certain situations, it's not a major concern. One of the standout features of the camera is its ability to preserve highlights and capture well-judged exposures. Shadows can be a bit soft at times, but overall, the rendition is good. The addition of an Ultra-wide camera is also a welcome upgrade, capturing solid images with tack-sharp details in the middle and slightly less so towards the corners. The Ultra-wide camera's autofocus allows for extreme close-ups, which come out great, and there's even a dedicated macro mode that adds some digital zoom to the mix. In low light, the Ultra-wide camera captures good photos with nicely bright exposures, decent sharpness, and pleasant colors. Selfies on the Pixel 9 are also excellent, capturing detail and having pleasant skin tones and overall lively colors. The addition of autofocus expands the possibilities for different framing and perspectives. When it comes to video recording, the Pixel 9 can capture up to 4K at 60 FPS with all its cameras. While this is impressive, the video clips themselves may leave more to be desired in terms of detail, especially when compared to other Flagship competitors. In low light, videos from the main camera have a decent level of detail, good dynamic range, and accurate colors. Electronic video stabilization deserves praise, as walking shake and pans are nicely smoothed out. Overall, the camera on the Pixel 9 is solid, offering nearly everything its Pro Models can. While it may not be the best in class for video recording, the still photography capabilities are impressive, making it a great option for those who value camera quality above all else. If you're looking for a phone that excels at capturing memories and moments, the Pixel 9 is definitely worth considering, especially as prices tend to come down over time. Just be aware of its limitations in terms of video recording.
Price and Value
The Google Pixel 9 is an excellent smartphone that offers a clean Google software experience, powerful cameras, and a compact form factor. However, with the release of the dedicated compact flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro, one may wonder if it's still worth getting. Priced competitively at $[insert price], the Pixel 9 offers impressive upgrades over its predecessor, including a new chipset, brighter display, larger battery, and new ultrawide camera. The design has also changed, with a flat back and aluminum frame giving off an iPhone vibe. Despite being slightly bigger and heavier than the Pixel 8, it still maintains its compact feel. The Pixel 9's value lies in its ability to provide nearly everything that the Pro Models can, without breaking the bank. With a starting price of $[insert price], it offers a great balance of features and affordability. For those looking for a reliable camera phone with a clean software experience, the Pixel 9 is an excellent choice. While it may not offer some of the advanced features found on more expensive flagships, such as 8K recording or improved video stabilization, the Pixel 9 still manages to deliver impressive results in its respective category. The addition of autofocus for the selfie camera and a new Ultra wide camera are welcome upgrades that further enhance the phone's value proposition. Ultimately, the Pixel 9 is a solid choice for those looking for a dependable smartphone without spending top dollar. Its price point makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who still want a great camera phone experience.
Performance
The Google Pixel 9 is a solid device that offers impressive performance in various aspects. Powered by the Tensor G4 chipset made in-house by Google, this phone packs a new CPU design while the GPU gets a higher clock speed and the TPU for AI tasks remains unchanged since last year. While we couldn't run performance benchmarks at the time of this review, based on the specs and past experiences with pixel phones using tensor chips, it's expected that the peak performance will be lower than other flagships running the top Snapdragon chipset. However, in practical usage, the interface, apps, and games ran hiccup-free, indicating smooth performance. In terms of battery life, the Pixel 9 boasts a significant improvement over its predecessor. The phone packs a slightly larger 4700 mAh battery, which translates to sizable gains in active use scores. We observed an overall good score of 13 hours and 5 minutes, with decent charging speeds via USB-C (up to 27W). Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are also supported. Camera performance is another highlight, particularly the new Ultra-wide camera, which captures solid images with tack-sharp details in the middle. The main camera produces excellent photos during the day, with well-judged sharpening and minimal pixelation. Autofocus for the selfie camera is a welcome addition, expanding framing possibilities. In conclusion, while not breaking new ground, the Pixel 9 delivers smooth performance across various aspects, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable Google experience. Its battery life, wireless charging support, and upgraded cameras round out its impressive feature set.
Pros
1. Impressive Display
2. Long-Lasting Battery Life
3. Upgraded Cameras
4. AI-Powered Features
5. Wireless Charging
6. Software Updates
7. Compact Design
Cons
1. Lack of Pro Mode
2. No Telephoto Camera
3. Slow Charging
4. Missing Charger
5. Video Recording Limitations