Pixel 9 Review
Key Concepts: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Tensor G4, Gemini AI, Camera Performance, App Stability, Display, Battery Life, Design, Software Features, Google Assistant, Magic Editor, Add Me, Pixel Studio, Android 15, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor, LTPO OLED.
Design and Hardware
The Pixel 9 lineup includes the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are noted for their convenient form factors and suitability for one-hand use. The Pixel 9 has a refreshed design with flatter edges, soft-touch matte rails, and a well-rounded camera bump. The camera bump acts as a subtle support for the index finger. The frost texture on the Pixel 9 Pro feels more premium than the glossy finish on the Pixel 9, which is prone to fingerprints. The Pixel 9 features a non-LTPO OLED panel with a fixed 120 Hz refresh rate.
Setup and Performance
Switching from an iPhone can be challenging, as the Pixel 9 setup process can be slow and unresponsive. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is faster and more accurate than the optical reader in the Pixel 8. Face unlock is available but doesn't work well with sunglasses. The ambient sensor struggles outdoors, often dimming the screen when it should be bright.
App Stability and Software
App stability has improved with the Pixel 9 due to app updates, Android 15, and stability patches. Frequently used apps like Reddit, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams run smoothly. However, banking apps, YouTube Studio, and Google Maps still experience lag. The camera app remains sluggish with prolonged processing times. Instagram has issues with UI scaling and link opening. The phone heats up when using Android Auto, leading to UI lag and a drop in refresh rate.
Tensor G4 Performance
The Tensor G4 is similar to the Tensor G3 in performance and does not compete with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. The price of the Pixel 9 Pro models ($800-$1000) is not justified by the user experience.
Battery Life and Charging
The Tensor G4 offers good power efficiency, resulting in good battery life. The Pixel 9 has a 3% increase in battery capacity compared to the Pixel 8. The phone caps at 27 watts wired charging and 12 watts wireless charging with a compatible G charger, and 15 watts with the Pixel Stand.
Camera Performance
The Pixel 9 has excellent camera performance, with the same sensors as the Pixel 8, except for the ultrawide sensor, which has been upgraded to 48 megapixels (but binned down to 12 megapixels in software). The dynamic range is solid, and images are well-detailed. The primary 50-megapixel sensor delivers clean, well-exposed images. The phone offers the option to shoot in RAW. The Pixel 9 lacks the dedicated periscope telephoto lens from the Pixel 9 Pro, which allows for 30X zoom versus 8X on the Pixel 9. The selfie camera has a wider field of view and captures skin tones accurately. Rear-facing cameras produce impressive video with 10-bit HDR recording and excellent built-in stabilization. Active mode is limited to 1080p.
AI Features and Gemini
The Pixel 9 includes features like Audio Magic Eraser, which uses AI to reduce wind noise and other distracting elements in audio. Add Me uses augmented reality and on-device AI to create group photos. Magic Editor uses generative AI to clean up photos. Gemini AI is designed to be faster and more accurate, but the Pixel 9 still comes with Google Assistant. Gemini Live can be triggered by holding the power button. Gemini's performance is not as impressive as other AI models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. Gemini Advanced is exclusively available on the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL and includes access to Google's next-gen AI models and 2 terabytes of cloud storage for one year, after which it costs $20 per month. Pixel Studio is Google's AI-powered image generator but struggles with complex prompts. The new weather app features AI-generated reports. The screenshots app is supposed to recall information Gemini processed but falls short.
Software and Additional Features
The Pixel 9 offers a clean, customizable Android experience. The voice recorder app has fast and accurate speech-to-text. Circle search is fast and accurate. The file management system is top-notch. The cameras can be used as a webcam. Google promises 7 years of software updates.
Conclusion
The Pixel 9 has solid hardware and great cameras, but the app experience still needs work. The Tensor G4 struggles to deliver a smooth 120 Hz experience. Gemini AI is not revolutionary. The Pixel 9 is worth considering at a discount or through trade-ins, but not at full price.
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