The Google Pixel 9 is a polished refinement of the flagship Pixel brand of Android smartphones from Google. It might be the lower-tier flagship in the entire Pixel 9 lineup but it is still packed with features and capabilities that can go toe-to-toe with high-tier flagships from Samsung and Apple. Some can even outcompete most Android flagships. It is far from perfect. There are some hardware-related shortcomings. But this device looks and feels more premium than its predecessor while banking on generative artificial intelligence features and remaining true to the strong reputation of the Pixel brand for computational mobile photography.
Pros and Cons of Google Pixel 9: Premium Design and Excellent Cameras on a Smartphone Minus Future-Proofed Performance Capabilities
1. Design and Display
One of the notable improvements in the Pixel 9 lineup is the refined design philosophy which has geared toward a more premium aesthetic. It looks like an iPhone 15 with its rounded corners and flat sides. However, upon closer look, its aluminum frames are merged with a matte glass back. The iconic visor-like camera bar on the back has a more pronounced and sculpted finish that also serves as a natural anchor point for fingers. These design considerations create a unique user and tactile experience that feels secure and comfortable.
The matte glass back is a Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It is not only stylish and durable but also resists fingerprints better than glossy surfaces. This is a minimal but thoughtful consideration. The front glass is also a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 that protects the 6.3-inch OLED display. This device has dimensions similar to the Pixel 9 Pro but is more compact than the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 150.5 mm in height, 70.8 mm in width, 8.9 mm in thickness, and 198 grams in weight. It is IP68 rated for dust resistance and water resistance at 1.5 meters and 30 minutes.
Google uses Actua branding for the OLED panels on its Pixel devices. The particular Actua display on the Pixel 9 has an adaptive refresh rate that switches between 120Hz and 60Hz. It is also bright at 2700 nits of peak brightness. The Pixel 9 Pro is brighter and is fitted with the more advanced LTPO display technology that enables a more efficient adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. However, compared to the vivid saturation of Samsung Galaxy smartphones, the Pixel 9 and the entire Pixel 9 lineup have a more natural color reproduction.
2. Performance
Those who are planning to switch from flagships running on top-tier Apple A Series, Qualcomm Snapdragon, or MediaTek Dimensity system-on-chips to the latest flagship within the Google Pixel line should note that Google Tensor chips have consistently fallen short when stacked against flagship chips in raw performance benchmarks. This has remained true for the newer Google Tensor G4 which powers the entire Pixel 9 lineup. Power users like mobile gamers and on-the-go video editors would consider this a disadvantage of the Google Pixel 9.
Results from AnTuTu 10 showed a CPU score of 235246 and a GPU score of 446737. The CPU score is about 36 percent lower but the GPU score is about 27 percent higher than the 2023 top mid-ranger Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. Both the CPU and GPU are about 62 percent and 67 percent slower than the 2024 flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The single-core and multi-core test scores via GeekBench 6 are 1747 and 4535. These are about 22 percent and 46 percent lower than the single-core and multi-core test results of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
It is still worth noting that Google Tensor chips are designed for average consumer use cases and not for benchmarks. The Pixel 9 remains functional. However, even when compared to the older third-gen or 2022 iPhone SE powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, the Pixel 9 cannot beat every single benchmark test. This has real-world consequences. The device tends to feel sluggish when running graphics-demanding games or maximizing the generative AI features. It is prone to obsolescence due to future operating system and software updates.
3. Camera Setup
Another defining advantage of the Google Pixel 9 over most top-tier mid-range and some flagship smartphones is its camera system. The entire Pixel brand has banked on an amazing camera system that has elevated mobile photography and videography. The Pixel 9 specifically sports a dual-camera setup on the rear with a 50MP main lens and a 48MP ultrawide lens. The lenses are also used in the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The only difference is that the pro models are also fitted with a third periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
Nevertheless, despite the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens, the rear camera setup of the Pixel 9 provides excellent image quality and versatility that preserves natural tones and depth in standard and wide-angle shots. These lenses also capture excellent color accuracy and contrast across various lighting conditions. The zooming up to 2x on the main sensor is also respectable but further zooming will produce noticeable noise and detail issues. Selfies on this device are clear and detailed. This is due to the upgraded 10.5MP front-facing camera with autofocus.
The camera setup of Pixel devices is also dependent on computational photography. The Pixel 9 is packed with features. These include Night Sight for low-light photography and Magic Editor for real-time adjustments and adding generative elements. The Add Me feature lets users include the photographer in group shots. This seems gimmicky but there are some fun and practical use cases for this. The optical image stabilization on the main camera helps in recording stable videos. This is supplemented with AI-assisted stabilization for a smoother recording.
4. Software
Pixel 9 ships with Android 14 and is eligible for future operating system updates. The entire user experience remains true to the straightforward software approach of Google and the Pixel brand with its clean user interface and minimal bloatware. There are no skins or customization on top of the operating system. It feels smooth, with fluid transitions, fast navigation, and easy access to popular Google services, thanks to tight integration with the Google ecosystem. The device also supports split screen but does not have a floating window feature.
Google packs this device with various AI-based features and capabilities. An on-device diffusion model running on the Google Tensor G4 and cloud-based Imagen 3 text-to-image model powers the Pixel Studio image generator. Clear Calling improves audio quality during calls and Call Notes transcribes calls on-device for added convenience. Gemini Advanced gives users access to Gemini Live for a more powerful on-device intelligent assistant. The downside is that the one-year free trial for Gemini Advanced is limited to the Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold models.
One of the standout benefits of purchasing and owning a Google Pixel 9 is the extensive software support from Google. The company promises to roll out operating system upgrades and security patches for 7 years. Users are guaranteed to have access to the latest features and enhanced security over time. This long-term support extends the phone’s lifespan, making it a valuable investment for users who prefer keeping their devices longer. However, considering the limitations of the Tensor G4, updates and upgrades can run down the Pixel 9 in the future.
5. Battery
The battery performance of the Google Pixel 9 marks an improvement over the previous Google Pixel 8. The device is equipped with a 4700 mAh lithium-ion battery. This is a decent upgrade. It offers about 20 percent longer battery life on a single charge than its predecessor. The device can last a full day on regular use involving tasks like browsing, messaging, and streaming without needing a mid-day charge. Tests show that screen-on time consistently reached four hours. Lighter use cases can stretch the battery life into the next day.
Charging on the Pixel 9 is convenient but limited in maximum speed. The device supports 27W fast charging and can bring the battery to around 55 percent in 30 minutes when using the 45-watt charger from Google. Note that a 45-watt or a higher-watt charger would not increase the charging speed beyond the 27-watt limit. Nevertheless, although the charging speed under fast charging is quick enough to meet typical expectations, there is a good selection of mid-range and flagship devices from competitors that have faster charging options.
The Pixel 9 also supports a 15-watt wireless charging using the separate Pixel Stand accessory and a 14-watt wireless charging using a Qi-compatible charger. These are slower options than wired charging with fast charging enabled but are convenient for users who pick up and use their phones from time to time. This device also supports Battery Share. This is a fast-becoming popular feature enabling users to wirelessly charge other compatible devices like a Google Pixel Watch, other Google Pixel smartphones, and other Qi-compatible devices.
Google Pixel 9 Pros and Cons in a Nutshell: Reasons You Should or Should Not Buy This 2024 Android Smartphone From Google
The Google Pixel 9 is the best-ever non-pro flagship smartphone from the Pixel line. Google has nailed it this time. It is a well-rounded device that combines a premium design, practical artificial intelligence features, and strong camera performance. The device looks sleek and feels fun to use. Long-term software support is one of its best selling propositions. However, because of the performance limitations of the Google Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9 is not ideal for hardcore mobile games and other power users like on-the-go content creators and mobile video editors.
Pros: Premium design; excellent main and ultrawide cameras; AI-powered features like Magic Editor and Night Sight; smooth software experience; seven years of software updates and security patches.
Cons: Lacks telephoto lens for zoomed shots; performance lags behind some flagship competitors; possible obsolescence with more resource-intensive software updates; charging speeds are average for the price.