I’ve reviewed each Pixel smartphone for the reason that model was first launched in 2016, and one thing in regards to the Pixel 9 series makes me consider Google’s newest {hardware} as all grown up. It is unattainable to level to at least one new characteristic because the supply of this sense. Quite, it is an amalgamation of adjustments which have taken place over the previous three years—ever for the reason that firm started stuffing its personal Tensor processors into these telephones to energy its forward-looking software program.
The mixture of polished {hardware}, brawny internals, and useful software program has resulted in a handset that matches what you get from the likes of Samsung and Apple. All that magnificence comes at a value although. At $799 for the Pixel 9, $999 for the Pixel 9 Professional, and $1,099 for the Pixel 9 Professional XL, these are among the many most costly Pixels thus far. This is your common reminder that you would be able to get glorious smartphones for less than $500 (together with Google-made units just like the Pixel 8A).
However for anybody who would not thoughts splurging on a very powerful piece of tech of their life, the Pixel 9 collection delivers a few of the greatest cellular digital camera experiences cash should buy. The Pixel 9 additionally serves as an enticing window into the AI-fication of our private expertise—whether or not that is one thing you need or not.
The Cellphone Stuff
The refined design helps with the Pixel 9’s glow-up. The enduring digital camera visor that has been a mainstay for the reason that Pixel 6 continues to be current, however in a extra elegant pill-shaped design. Don’t fret, it nonetheless screams “Pixel.” It is arduous to mistake this cellphone for one thing else, particularly should you go for the beautiful pink colours. (I respect that the enjoyable colour is not restricted to the “non-Professional” mannequin, as it’s on different makes and fashions of telephones.)
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
I do not discover the digital camera bump extreme or ugly; the telephones do not rock after they sit flat on a desk, and that is a large boon. I just like the flat show panel, in addition to the flat edges. The squared-off design is less complicated to carry, and your grip will not intervene with the touchscreen like on smartphones with “waterfall” shows that curve round to the edges the place your fingers grasp the cellphone’s physique. Simply know that the Professional telephones have shiny edges that entice fingerprints, so you will be wiping them down usually. (Simply me?)
Talking of fingerprints, Google has outfitted these fashions with an ultrasonic in-display scanner that’s far and away extra dependable than the optical fingerprint sensors it has been utilizing on Pixels for years, lastly matching the standard discovered on different Android phones. On the flip facet, Pixels are nonetheless a few of the solely Android telephones with safe face scanning, so it is nice that you’ve each biometric choices, although I would have favored to see enhancements in making face unlock work higher at midnight.
Selection goes a great distance in exhibiting maturity in a product line too. For the primary time, you get choices within the measurement of the Pixel 9 Professional—6.3 inches or 6.8 inches for the XL—which suggests you now not must really feel such as you’re dropping out on options simply since you desire smaller telephones. Despite the fact that I’ve large paws, I desire the scale and really feel of the Pixel 9 Professional. Good and compact.
