Google Pixel 9 Review: Flagship Design, AI Power, but Overheating Issues

Google’s newest Pixel 9 lineup now consists of 4 telephones as a substitute of two, and there is a measurement and form for everybody. Would you like a compact telephone? You might have the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Do you want large screens and may’t lie? There’s the Pixel 9 Professional XL. And eventually, there’s the Pixel 9 Professional Fold for all of the productiveness freaks. You additionally get up to date designs with the brand new Pixel telephones. When you can nonetheless inform they’re Pixel telephones from the again, the smaller Pixel 9 appears rather a lot just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 from the entrance.

And since it is a Google telephone, you additionally get loads of new AI options. I have been utilizing the bottom Pixel 9 for nearly per week now, and whereas it looks like a mature piece of {hardware}, it is nonetheless not fairly there but. If you wish to perceive what I imply, it is best to learn the total evaluation.

The Pixel 9 is offered in India in a single 12GB RAM and 256GB storage possibility at Rs. 79,999.

Google Pixel 9 Design: Flagship degree

• Dimensions – 152.8 top x 72.0 width x 8.5 depth
• Weight – 198g
• Colors – Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony

By way of design, the whole lot is now flat, and the whole lot is iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24-like. The telephone has an aluminium flat body with rounded corners and a matte end that jogs my memory very a lot of the iPhone. The smallest Pixel can also be not as compact because it as soon as was. The Pixel 9 is taller and wider than each the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24. Additionally gone is the digicam visor, which is changed by a digicam bar that runs horizontally throughout just like the visor, however it’s now pill-shaped, resembling the Google search bar. Nonetheless, you may nonetheless inform it is a Pixel telephone.

The design is similar to the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24

 

The rear panel is a slab of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with a sophisticated end and a Google emblem positioned on the centre. The best body homes the facility and the quantity buttons, and there is a microphone up high, a USB Sort-C port, a speaker grille, a SIM card tray, and one other mic on the backside. The left facet is left empty. The brand new flat design makes it really feel extra flagship and premium now, however I want the curved again design and the digicam visor look of the Pixel 8.

Pixel 9 is now additionally taller than its predecessor, however that is primarily as a result of barely greater show. It additionally retains the IP68 ranking, and that digicam bar can nonetheless be used as a finger relaxation.

Google Pixel 9 Show: Brighter and higher

• Panel – 6.3-inch OLED, full HD+ decision
• Refresh price – 60 to 120Hz
• Safety – Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

The show on the Pixel 9 is now greater and brighter than the Pixel 8, however it additionally has uniform and slim bezels throughout. It appears like Google lastly determined to wrap the show inwards on the backside to do away with the thicker chin on earlier non-pro Pixel telephones. The brand new 6.3-inch OLED show, which Google has branded ‘Actua’, gives 2,700 nits of peak brightness, 24-bit depth for colors, and an adaptive refresh price between 60 and 120Hz. It is nonetheless not an LTPO panel, however it’s positively higher than the older mannequin.

The telephone has an LTPS panel and solely gives a 60 or 120Hz refresh price

 

You get wonderful color output and loads of distinction, and it additionally does justice to HDR movies. The panel helps each HDR10 and HDR10+, and you’ll get Widevine L1 certifications. The software program gives Pure and Adaptive color modes. Whereas I had no drawback utilizing the Pixel 8 open air, the Pixel 9 is even higher, and the whole lot’s simpler to learn.

Pixel 9’s show homes a hole-punch cutout on the high and now gives an ultra-sonic in-display fingerprint sensor. It is a good improve from the optical one on the Pixel 8, which was slower and fewer correct than different flagship telephones. The brand new fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 9 lastly will get it on par with different flagships, and it really works nice. It is quick and works even with moist fingers.

Google Pixel 9 Software program: Extra AI

• OS – Android 14
• Software program help – 7 Years
• Newest safety patch – September 5

Pixel telephones had been identified for his or her cameras, however now they’re additionally identified for his or her AI software program options. And there is a lot on the brand new Pixel 9 lineup. The Pixel 9 runs Android 14 out of the field, and I acquired the September safety patch in the course of the evaluation interval. It is a bit unusual for a brand new Pixel telephone, because the Pixels of the previous have virtually all the time run the most recent Android model out of the field. Nonetheless, the Pixel telephones got here early this 12 months, and Android 15 simply hit AOSP.

You’re going to get 7 years of OS updates on the Pixel 9

 

Fortunately, Google continues to vow 7 years of OS and safety updates on its flagships, so the telephones must be good for some time, not less than software-wise. There is a new Climate app on the telephone, and also you get loads of customisation choices throughout the system.

Now, let’s discuss in regards to the telephone’s AI options. Now you can use Gemini Stay with the Google One 2TB plan that will get you a free month of Gemini Superior. It enables you to use the Gemini 1.5 Professional mannequin with a 1 million token context window, which principally lets you throw complicated issues on the AI assistant with out worrying about any restrict. You additionally get entry to Gemini Stay, which I discovered to be tremendous helpful and really spectacular. It labored flawlessly and had a really pure tone. I did discover it hallucinate generally, however the skill to have a free-flow dialog with an AI is kind of cool. It is just like the ChatGPT Voice possibility on the ChatGPT app.

Gemini Stay on Pixel 9 works nice, and it feels such as you’re speaking to a human

 

You additionally get entry to a number of in-built AI options reminiscent of ‘Assist me create an inventory’ within the Google Hold notes app and a brand new AI climate report within the Climate app. The previous will be fairly useful, however I am undecided if the AI abstract is definitely helpful.

The Pixel Studio app enables you to shortly generate AI pictures, however there are limitations

 

There’s additionally the brand new Pixel Studio and Pixel Screenshots app this 12 months. The latter helps you bear in mind one thing you took a screenshot of and organises your screenshots. I did not actually discover the Pixel Screenshots very helpful as I’ve a foul reminiscence and may’t actually bear in mind what screenshots I took within the first place.

In the meantime, the Pixel Studio app was enjoyable because it enables you to create pictures utilizing AI. In fact, there are limitations to what you may create, and it will not allow you to create any human topics, however you will get some cool pictures for artistic functions. Merely open the app, faucet on Create, and sort in your immediate. It’s also possible to attempt completely different kinds for the output, add stickers and textual content to the created pictures, and you can even use the app to create stickers from photographs in your telephone.

The Pixel Studio app will not allow you to create pictures with people

 

Other than the Gemini and AI options sprinkled throughout the UI, you additionally get a few new Digicam AI options. New this 12 months is Add Me, which helps you to add your self in group photos the place you are the one behind the digicam. It is enjoyable and can be utilized for different artistic methods as effectively.

You need to use the Add Me function to create enjoyable photos (Faucet to broaden)

 

Google has additionally added a brand new Auto body and Reimagine device in Magic Editor. The previous makes use of AI to reframe previous photographs for higher storytelling and also can broaden the picture. This principally labored effectively, however a few of the crops had been bizarre. In the meantime, the Reimagine device can be utilized to alter how your photographs look, and it really works rather well more often than not. I used to be capable of finding an elephant on a street close by and make my associates consider that I had not too long ago travelled to Paris. The AI-generated pictures will be tremendous practical, which is each spectacular and scary.

It is a Reimagined picture. Guess what’s not actual? (Faucet to broaden)

 

Requested the Reimagine device so as to add an elephant, and it did (Faucet to broaden)

 

Lastly, the Google Pixel 9 additionally improves the Audio Magic Eraser function, which helps you to take away noise from a video. This works effectively and is barely higher than what we acquired on the Pixel 8.

Sadly, the non-Professional Pixel nonetheless would not get entry to options reminiscent of Video Enhance, Evening Sight Video, Zoom Improve, and some others. Nonetheless, there are lots of AI instruments on the telephone that’ll assist in lots of methods and make life simpler and enjoyable. Perhaps you may even use the Reimagine device to reimagine your life.

Google Pixel 9 Efficiency: Nonetheless runs scorching

• Chipset – Tensor G4
• RAM – 12GB
• Storage – As much as 256GB

I actually assume Google ought to minimize ties with Samsung for the Pixel processors and simply return to Qualcomm. The Tensor G4 chipset is new this 12 months, however it’s nonetheless not a performer and continues to run scorching even when doing basic items. Whereas you’ll not see any lag or random app freezes, the telephone will get heat after half-hour on Instagram. Nonetheless, this occurs with some apps, and I did not face any warmth points when watching YouTube movies. Run a recreation, the telephone will warmth, open the digicam and it simply takes lower than a few minutes for the rear panel and body to get heat. Google ought to’ve actually added a vapour-cooling chamber on the telephone. The Professional fashions have it, even telephones that price half the value run cooler and provide vapour cooling.

The telephone would not have a vapour-cooling chamber

 

As for gaming, you may play all types of video games on it, however you will not take pleasure in it after 15-20 minutes. With BGMI, for example, I acquired wonderful body charges, and the whole lot ran easily, however the telephone grew to become too scorching to make use of after about 35 minutes. For normal use, efficiency is sufficient. App launches are quick, and so they even keep in reminiscence fairly lengthy. Total, it would not really feel sluggish until you give it some heavy stuff to run. I ran some artificial benchmarks on the telephone simply to check the numbers to equally priced telephones, and here is what occurred.

It’s value noting that I wasn’t in a position to set up many of the benchmarking apps as Google did not enable them. I needed to sideload them and that might be why a few of the scores are decrease than I anticipated them to be. Both means, in the event you’re shopping for a telephone for efficiency, this isn’t it.

Shifting on to speaker, earpiece, and mobile efficiency. The Pixel 9 will get a hybrid twin speaker setup with a major loudspeaker on the backside and an earpiece that acts because the second speaker. Audio separation is sweet, and the audio system do get loads loud with none crackling, even at full quantity. The audio system do lack bass, although. Name high quality is sweet, and connectivity can also be improved in comparison with the Pixel 8, due to using a more recent modem.

Google Pixel 9 Cameras: Going wider

• Important rear digicam – 50-megapixel, f/1.68, OIS, Octa PD
• Ultrawide digicam – 48-megapixel, f/1.7, Quad PD, 123 diploma FoV
• Selfie digicam – 10.5-megapixel, f/2.2, autofocus, 95 diploma FoV, Twin PD

The principle rear digicam on the Pixel 9 makes use of the identical sensor from final 12 months, however you get a brand new 48-megapixel ultrawide digicam that is additionally used on the Professional fashions. Google additionally added autofocus on the entrance digicam, however the sensor stays the identical as final 12 months. One other function that continues to be the identical is the absence of a Professional mode within the digicam app, which is disappointing.

There is a new ultrawide digicam on the Pixel 9

 

Alright, let’s discuss digicam high quality. The principle rear digicam continues to take wonderful daylight photographs with no noise, nice dynamic vary, fairly correct white stability, on-point publicity, and loads of element. The pictures have a contrasty Pixel look with barely darker shadows and a really pure look. Saturation is not boosted like on the Galaxy S24, and photos aren’t on the hotter facet just like the iPhone 15. Pores and skin tones are additionally very effectively finished on the Pixel 9.

You additionally get 2x digital zoom on the telephone, and it is just about the identical as final 12 months in terms of high quality. The 2x pictures retain lots of element and are sharp, particularly when there’s loads of gentle. The pictures are higher compared to the iPhone 15. The portrait photographs on the Pixel 9 are good however not nice. I discovered most pictures to have an excessive amount of blur, which does not look good on folks’s pictures. Edge detection is usually good, however issues like hair could make issues troublesome for the software program. As soon as once more, pores and skin color could be very precisely depicted in Portrait pictures.

The ultrawide digicam is new, however you may’t instantly inform it is higher than the Pixel 8. There’s extra element within the corners of a photograph when in comparison with the 8, however the centre space appears just about similar. What I like essentially the most is the consistency within the colors between the principle and the ultrawide digicam. The sensor additionally permits for Macro images, and you will get fairly near the topic – 15mm to be actual. You may get some actually detailed pictures in macro mode.

Daylight photographs from Important digicam, Ultrawide, and 2x Digital zoom (Faucet to broaden)

 

Portrait pictures: 1.5x, 2x (Faucet to broaden)

 

In low gentle circumstances, the principle digicam does a reasonably good job, and with Evening Sight, you get higher outcomes. What’s additionally good is the truth that you not have to carry the telephone nonetheless for six seconds such as you needed to on the older Pixel 8. Just like the competitors, you will get usable low-light photographs in simply 3 seconds. The Pixel nonetheless delivers darker shadows in low gentle, which might make the picture look softer. Nonetheless, you do get the astrophotography mode on the Pixel, which remains to be higher than the competitors. Sure, it takes for much longer to supply a fantastic evening picture, however it’s well worth the wait.

Lowlight photographs: Important digicam, Ultrawide, 2x Digital Zoom (Faucet to Increase)

 

Turning round, the selfie digicam produces higher outcomes than earlier than, due to the addition of autofocus, which helps you to take nearer selfies. Loads of element, correct pores and skin tones, and good color copy exist.

By way of movies, the Pixel 9 can shoot 4k60fps on all three cameras, with the rear sensors providing extra help for 4k 24fps and 4k 30fps. You additionally get a 10-bit HDR recording. Video efficiency is fairly good, and I just like the stabilisation on the Pixel, and it additionally gives three modes – Customary, Lively, and Locked. Movies have barely hotter tones and darker shadows with distinction on the upper facet, however the colors are well-saturated. The main focus is sweet, however the software program does attempt to brighten up faces. It does a commendable job in low gentle circumstances, however I want Google additionally supplied Video Enhance and Evening Sight video on the smaller Pixel. You do, nevertheless, get a Cinematic blur function within the video, which is okayish. Total, you would be shocked at how effectively the video recording on the Pixels has in comparison with the iPhone.

Google Pixel 9 Battery: Can run longer now

• Capability – 4,700mAh
• Quick cost – As much as 45W
• Wi-fi charging – As much as 15W

The battery efficiency on latest Pixel telephones hasn’t precisely been nice, and that is principally the identical with the Pixel 9. Most days, I acquired a day’s value of utilization, however I needed to plug the telephone in at evening as I would be left with lower than 20 % cost. My days principally included utilizing the telephone for calls, texting, checking emails, doom scrolling on Instagram and Twitter, taking part in a recreation or two, watching YouTube movies, utilizing the digicam, and shopping the online.

You may want to purchase a charger individually

 

In our HD video loop take a look at, the Google Pixel 9 lasted about 25 hours, which is fairly good for a Pixel. It is also an enchancment over the Pixel 8, and that is due to the marginally bigger battery. Charging can also be sooner, with the brand new telephone now supporting as much as 45W quick charging with the suitable adapter. I used Google’s 30W adapter and acquired about 51 % of cost with half-hour of charging, and a full cost from 1 % took about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Google Pixel 9 Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 is a really mature telephone, and that is a very good factor. It lastly feels as premium as its competitors and packs in some good upgrades. There is a barely higher and greater show, a nicer ultrawide digicam, autofocus on the selfie digicam, many new AI options, higher battery life, and an general nicer package deal. Nonetheless, it is also slightly costlier than final 12 months.

Do you have to purchase it over the Pixel 8? I do not assume it is best to. I would look ahead to Google to repair the heating points first as a result of I consider that is the one factor holding me again from recommending this telephone to my associates or anybody who asks me what telephone to get.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 (Evaluate) is an effective different. It is extra compact, gives on-par digicam efficiency, and has a fantastic show and battery life. Nonetheless, you will not get the identical AI options, and the telephone runs an Exynos chip in India, which does run scorching. There’s additionally the OnePlus 12 (Evaluate) or the Xiaomi 14 (Evaluate), each of that are good alternate options and cheaper. The previous has a bigger show, a really succesful digicam setup, and longer battery life, whereas the latter is best general as a telephone. Then there’s the iPhone 15 (Evaluate) from the Apple camp, which is quicker, is extra compact than the Pixel 9, gives higher video efficiency, and comparable battery life. It’s also possible to contemplate the newly launched iPhone 16, however clearly, we’ll should evaluation it first to see if it is value it.