Google Pixel 9 — 6 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip

Following a packed Made by Google event, we have four new Pixel phones to review. But the Pixel 9’s standard numbers get a fair share of attention As a base model, the Pixel 9 is the most affordable option in Google’s smartphone lineup, making it appealing to anyone who might balk at the price of a Pixel 9 Pro. .

There’s also the fairly significant point that aside from some key areas like screen size and a telephoto lens, there aren’t many major differences between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. You’ll want to consider a Pixel 9 Pro if you want more real estate and more flexible cameras, but you’re not exactly missing out by going with the base model.

And while we still have a lot of testing ahead of us, the Pixel 9 at least manages to make a good impression. In the Pixel 9 preview, my colleague John Velasco wrote that the new phone should appeal to people on a budget, but still want a lot of AI-powered features and the best-performing cameras at their disposal.

With these parameters in mind, here’s why you might want to buy the Google phone now that you can pre-order the Pixel 9 ahead of its August 22 release date. We’ve also lined up a few reasons to give that phone a thumbs up.

Google Pixel 9: Reasons to be a boy

Give up some features with the Pixel 9

Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL side by side.

(Image credit: Future)

As mentioned at the outset, you get more with the Pixel 9 Pro – but if they’re not features you particularly value, it’s easy to sacrifice them if it means a lower price. And now that Google is making two iPhone 9 Pro models, it’s even easier to pass up a larger display, given that the Pixel 9 Pro XL costs $300 more than the standard Pixel.

Probably the biggest feature you’re missing out on by ditching the Pro is a dedicated telephoto lens. But even there, the Pixel 9 offers some comfort, as you can crop photos captured with the 50MP main camera to roughly 2x optical zoom — a trick Apple also uses on its iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models.

Consider the Pixel 9 Pro features you get with the Pixel 9. Google’s phones run on the same Tensor G4 silicon, so the same AI-based features are available. And while the Pixel 9 Pro models may come loaded with 16GB, the 12GB of memory found in the Pixel 9 is more than enough to support the AI demands on the device. Even the Pixel 9’s battery is the same size as the one found in the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro.

Key camera improvements

Google Pixel 9 in hand.

(Image credit: Future)

Google didn’t go overboard with the hardware changes to the Pixel 9’s camera setup, although given the company’s history of equipping its phones with top-performing image capture tools, it didn’t really need to. However, the features that Google has included with the Pixel 9’s cameras are quite noteworthy.

For example, the Pixel 9’s ultrawide lens gets a Macro Focus function to take detailed close-ups of things in nature. Google has brought this capability to all of its phones, not just the more expensive Pro mode. The autofocus feature included in the front-facing camera of previous Pixel Pro models also finds its way to the Pixel 9’s selfie camera, so selfies taken by the new phone should look much sharper than before.

Practical AI features

Google Pixel 9 in hand.

(Image credit: Future)

Video Boost remains a feature exclusive to Google Pro phones. But otherwise, the AI tools that Google added to its phone are just as available on the Pixel 9 as they are on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Even better, these aren’t just cool tricks to show your friends, but practical tools that will make you more productive and put more information at your fingertips.

The best addition is Pixel Screenshots, which can now search through the screenshots you capture for information in those screens. It can also act on that information, for example taking a look at a concert poster and checking if you’re free that night by calling up your calendar.

Similarly, the Call Notes feature not only records and transcribes your phone calls, but produces a summary of the call so you can easily refer to what was discussed. Similarly, a revamped Weather app includes an AI-generated weather report that sifts through the data on your behalf to produce an easy-to-digest forecast.

A brighter display

Google Pixel 9 in hand.

(Image credit: Future)

The Pixel 9’s screen size has grown slightly from the Pixel 8, expanding to 6.3 inches. But the more important addition is the panel’s brightness, with Google claiming you can reach a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits.

We’ll have to test that claim, of course. But even if we can’t get that high a reading on our light meter, we’ll almost certainly get a result that exceeds the 1,349 nits we measured with the Pixel 8. The real test will be whether the new Pixel can outshine it. Galaxy S24 (1,416 in our tests) and iPhone 15 (1,401), as screen brightness continues to be an area where phone makers try to make their devices stand out – much to the benefit of consumers, I might add.

Faster loading

Speaking of areas where Android phone makers are actively trying to outdo themselves, Google is no longer content to sit on the sidelines and stick with the same wired charging speeds from one flagship generation to the next. Like the other models in Google’s new lineup, the Pixel 9 has 45W wired charging speeds, an improvement over the previous generation’s 30W speeds.

Google says the faster speeds should mean the Pixel 9 will reach a 55% charge after 30 minutes. It should definitely beat the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24, which support wired charging speeds of 20W and 25W respectively.

Fun colors

Google Pixel 9 in hand.

(Image credit: Future)

Design is in the eye of the beholder, so we won’t dwell on whether the redesigned camera bar on the Pixel 9 makes the phone worth buying or not. Some people will love the fact that the camera bar on the back of the phone now ends with rounded corners, while others will bemoan the fact that it no longer extends all the way to the back. (And others might wish Google would ditch the thing entirely.) Different tastes for different people, after all.

But one thing you can’t dispute is that there’s a good mix of color options for the Pixel 9. If you prefer more traditional colors, the Obsidian and Porcelain color options are solid traditional black and white options. But people who like to put a personal stamp on their phone will gravitate towards the cool Wintergreen color or the very bright Peony option. There really is something here for almost everyone.

Google Pixel 9: Reasons to skip it

Fewer storage options than Pro models\

Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL in hand.

(Image credit: Future)

I praised Google for making very little distinction between its standard phones and its flagship Pro phones, and I meant it. However, there are a few key differences, and if they happen to fall into the areas you’re interested in, they’ll make the Pixel 9 a less attractive option.

Take deposit. Like the Pixel 9 Pro models, the Pixel 9 offers 128GB of storage in its base version. If that’s too tight, you can pay $100 more for the 256GB version of the Pixel 9. But those are the only two capacities you can opt for.

Compare that to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, which also offer 512GB and 1TB versions of the 128GB and 256GB models. For some people, those extra options won’t matter, but it’s definitely a limitation of the Pixel 9.

No Gemini Advanced support

Google Gemini Advanced

(Image credit: Google)

Pixel 9 Pro buyers get a nice bonus with the purchase of their smartphone – a year of Gemini Advanced for free. That means more advanced features like Gemini Live, the more natural-sounding assistant that can carry on free conversations. Gemini Advanced also covers smart replies, detailed writing suggestions in Gmail, and can process more data than the standard version of Google’s chatbot. Features like Research with Gemini that will come later will also be limited to Gemini Advanced.

That doesn’t mean Pixel 9 owners won’t be able to enjoy some of the benefits of Gemini’s added intelligence. But you don’t have access to everything out of the box.

The Pixel 9 costs more

While the Pixel 8 debuted at $699, Google is now charging $799 for the Pixel 9. That’s a $100 price increase — and $200 more than Google charged for its entry-level flagship -level two years ago.

Phone price hikes have become so common that it’s tempting to shrug off the news of one, especially since the Pixel 9’s price is on par with what Apple and Samsung charge for their entry-level flagships. However, one of the advantages Google used to enjoy with those phones was that it was cheaper – that advantage is now gone.

Google Pixel 9 Outlook

We have yet to finish testing the Pixel 9 before we can give our final verdict on the phone, especially when it comes to camera performance and AI features. Our initial time with the phone proved promising, though, and if you’re looking to take advantage of Pixel 9 pre-order deals, early signs point to Google having a winning device on its hands. However, if the lack of storage options and Gemini Advanced support gives you pause, there are other options, including Google’s more expensive models.

Google Pixel 9 — 6 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip

By Matthew. Jr

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Google Pixel 9 — 6 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip

By Matthew. Jr

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