Breaking Ground with the Google Pixel 9: A Deep Dive Review

Google has truly hit a home run with the Google Pixel 9 in our Google Pixel 9 review. After years of trailing behind Samsung and Apple, Google’s latest smartphone has finally found its stride. Dubbed the “smartphone of AI” (if their recent product launches are any indication), the Pixel 9 features the new Tensor G4 processor and specific enhancements from Gemini. With a complete redesign, new flat displays, and improved overall performance, it’s clear why now is the perfect time to upgrade.

As a long-term fan of the Pixel series, it’s easy to get lost in the upgrade cycle. For the past several years, Google has been slow to adopt new features like faster wired/wireless charging and has struggled with performance issues. However, this trend seems to be changing. While the Pixel 9 still has some of the issues that have plagued previous models, Google is emerging with a much more competitive device.

Display gets an overhaul

One of the most dramatic changes for the Pixel 9 is its display. While the specifications alone don’t tell the full story, a 35% increase in brightness is certainly a good start. The display is a 6.3-inch OLED panel, capable of 120Hz refresh rates and HDR10+.

With brightness of 1800 nits (up from the previous 1400 nits) and the ability to reach up to 2700 nits, the screen is noticeably brighter. This means better visibility in bright sunlight and more vibrant colors. However, the most significant enhancement is that the screen is now flat instead of curved. This change not only improves the overall viewing experience by reducing glare and distortion but also makes the device easier to handle and more durable.

Gemini and AI features

This year marks the first time we’ve seen Google launch a new phone with the same operating system (Android 14) which was launched with the previous year’s device. This is likely more owing to the fact that Google released the Pixel 9 earlier than it has previous devices (August 13th) versus October 12th. That didn’t however prevent Google from including many new software features in the 2024 device.

Gemini Advanced its most sophisticated AI model yet, leveraging on-device capabilities. The Pixel 9 debuts a feature called “Gemini Live,” which allows users to have natural, full conversational dialogues with the digital assistant. While this model will be deployed on other Android devices in the future, Google is bringing it to the Pixel 9 first.

Reimagine in the Pixel Magic Editor enables users to reframe and possibly entirely reimagine a photo. Google presents this feature as a way to breathe a different perspective into photos. While it works wonders, it sometimes feels like a whimsical novelty, adding quirky touches that may or may not enhance the original photo.

Now, let’s talk about “Add Me”, a feature we absolutely adore. One of the biggest frustrations of vacation photos is missing out on being in them. With “Add Me,” you can use the magic of AI to insert yourself into photos, ensuring you’re part of the memories. While it might not be an everyday tool, it’s a game-changer for capturing those perfect moments.

Unlike some other manufacturers, Google has chosen to build on the strong foundation of previous years’ innovations. If you have a Pixel 7 or Pixel 8, you’ll be thrilled to discover that the Pixel 9 not only retains all the beloved photo features but also introduces a few dazzling new capabilities. It’s like upgrading from a classic to a collector’s edition—familiar yet enhanced with exciting new elements.

Lastly, Google has committed to 7 years of OS and security updates to this device.

Battery Life and Performance

The device boasts a larger 4700mAh battery, a slight upgrade from the Pixel 8’s 4575mAh capacity. Surprisingly, despite this modest increase, there’s a noticeable improvement in battery life, likely due to enhancements in the Tensor G4 chip. During our testing, we found that achieving all-day battery life is entirely possible without having to moderate usage under typical mixed-use conditions. Google rates the battery performance at over 24 hours, which we found to be completely achievable.

Unfortunately, our biggest disappointment with the Pixel 9 is its continued lackluster CPU performance. When compared to our top-rated device, the OnePlus 12, the Pixel 9 scored exactly half on all our benchmarks. We’re not entirely sure why Google continues to use processors that significantly underperform compared to other devices, but similar to other reports, we believe this is due to thermal throttling. Google has indicated that they’ve improved thermals by improvements to its’ vapour channel cooling solution. That said, with increased RAM (12GB) the phone performs well overall and will serve most users very well.

Connectivity and Sustainability

Similarly to the previous year, GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G with mmWave and sub6 capabilities.Additionally, it supports Bluetooth 5.3 with profiles for A2DP, LE, aptX HD. In terms of WiFi coverage, the Pixel 9 support for tri-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7. We found no noticable differences between the Pixel 8 to this year’s device in terms of connectivity and overall it is a very capable device.

A new feature that is being deployed for this device is Satellite SOS capability. This provides new capabilities that were similarly brought to the iPhone, that allows users without network coverage to communicate with emergency services. This feature isn’t available in all markets as of yet, but the company is including the service for two years for free in the Pixel Safety app.

Google appears to be making stepping up its’ efforts in product sustainability and this device is no exception. Starting right from the device’s packaging, the company has made the phones box almost entirely plastic free. Unlike other generations that have widely used plastic wraps, gone are they now for a well designed paper container.

Beyond just packaging, a significant aspect of sustainability is a company’s dedication to preventing e-waste throughout a device’s lifespan. As mentioned earlier, Google has committed to providing 7 years of OS and security updates for their phones. This long-term support plays a crucial role in reducing potential e-waste by minimizing the need for users to upgrade solely for software reasons.

Camera and Video

Best known for taking stunning photos, the Pixel lineup of devices continues to deliver with this device. This device has the same 50MP and 48MP cameras as its Pro counter part, but without a dedicated optical zoom (telephoto) lens. The cameras on board are: a wide-50MP, f/1.68 and a
ultra-wide: 48MP, f/1.7.

Overall the Pixel 9 produces excellent photos and similarly on par with devices like the iPhone 15 Max. Low light performance is consistently great across the Pixel portfolio of devices. One AI enhancement that we haven’t mentioned previously was the integration of AI guided photo capture with Best Take. The feature provides users guidance on how to take the best photo using their phone with helpful suggestions.

Should you upgrade to the Pixel 9?

The Pixel 9 is a solid mainstream phone with impressive AI and camera features, though it may not stand out in terms of performance. It handles everyday tasks with ease and boasts a top-tier camera that will delight users. If you have a device older than the Pixel 8, upgrading now will let you benefit from significant hardware improvements. However, if you’re part of the small group that uses their phone for gaming or other processor-intensive tasks, you might want to skip this one. For those considering a switch from an iPhone or another smartphone, the Pixel 9 is a highly recommended choice. We recommend the Pixel 9.

_{Updated 13 Sep 2024: Satellite SOS capabilities are more broadly available and initially we were unable to use the service, but this has since changed with a software update.}

_{Note: Google provided the device our team tested in this review. We do not accept payments from advertisers/brands. See for additional information.}