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 sequence makes me consider Google’s newest {hardware} as all grown up. It is inconceivable to level to at least one new characteristic because the supply of this sense. Slightly, it is an amalgamation of modifications 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 class 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 to this point. Here is your common reminder which you can get glorious smartphones for lower than $500 (together with Google-made gadgets just like the Pixel 8A).
However for anybody who does not thoughts splurging on a very powerful piece of tech of their life, the Pixel 9 sequence delivers a number of the finest cellular digicam experiences cash should buy. The Pixel 9 additionally serves as an attractive window into the AI-fication of our private know-how—whether or not that is one thing you need or not.
The Telephone Stuff
The refined design helps with the Pixel 9’s glow-up. The enduring digicam visor that has been a mainstay for the reason that Pixel 6 remains to be current, however in a extra elegant pill-shaped design. Don’t fret, it nonetheless screams “Pixel.” It is laborious to mistake this cellphone for one thing else, particularly for those who go for the stunning pink colours. (I recognize that the enjoyable colour is not restricted to the “non-Pro” mannequin, as it’s on different makes and fashions of telephones.)
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
I do not discover the digicam bump extreme or ugly; the telephones do not rock once 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 perimeters 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 telephones. On the flip aspect, Pixels are nonetheless a number of the solely Android telephones with safe face scanning, so it is nice that you’ve each biometric choices, although I might have favored to see enhancements in making face unlock work higher at the hours of darkness.
Selection goes a great distance in displaying maturity in a product line too. For the primary time, you get choices within the dimension of the Pixel 9 Professional—6.3 inches or 6.8 inches for the XL—which suggests you not should really feel such as you’re dropping out on options simply since you choose smaller telephones. Though I’ve large paws, I choose the scale and really feel of the Pixel 9 Professional. Good and compact.
