Google’s new flagship vary of telephones goes on sale tomorrow and I’ve been utilizing the Pixel 9 for nearly per week.
I haven’t used it sufficient to convey you a full overview but, largely attributable to a wave of latest software program options together with Gemini, however I’ve loads of ideas thus far on the design, {hardware} and extra.
We’ve a full Google Pixel 9 Professional XL overview which it’s best to learn.
Design
Though I’ve been a fan of Pixel cellphone designs for the reason that begin, I’m a bit torn this yr.
Google has all the time ensured that Pixel handsets have had a definite character, from the two-tone backs of early generations to the divisive digicam bar launched with the Pixel 6.
I’ve all the time appreciated Google’s aesthetic of pebble-like shapes and principally good colors however the Pixel 9 sequence has had one thing of an overhaul in a brand new route.
The construct high quality actually feels higher than ever however Google has, to place it merely, gone iPhone with the design this yr.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
The flat sides and rounded corners are straight out of the Apple design e book and aside from delicate particulars like button placement and the shiny rear cowl, it’s solely the digicam bump that may be the massive giveaway in case you blindfolded me and handed me the Pixel 9 and iPhone 15.
It’s not that Google has performed something overtly flawed right here – I just like the iPhone 15 – however it’s a disgrace to lose a lot of the Pixel persona and conform to developments as a substitute. I favor the previous digicam bar design that blended into the perimeters, and the shiny again is among the most slippery I’ve ever used (the Execs have a matt again however shiny steel sides).
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
A case is just about a requirement and, as ever, it’s a disgrace to cover a lot of the cellphone. Particularly as I actually just like the Wintergreen colourway I’ve been testing – Obsidian, Porcelain and Peony are additionally accessible.
{Hardware}
You might argue that Google has all the time been slightly bit behind on {hardware} with the Pixel telephones, though not in any main method.
Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 has quite a lot of upgrades that convey it nearer to the requirements of a premium cellphone.
After all, you get the most recent Tensor G4 chipset, which thus far in my testing has been operating the cellphone completely easily. There’s additionally an enormous 50% bump to the reminiscence so that you get 12GB as commonplace now (the Professional fashions get 16GB).
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
A extra noticeable improve is the most recent Actua show, which is quite a bit brighter than earlier than so I’ve discovered it simpler to make use of exterior. A thinner bezel makes the Pixel 9 look extra premium, too.
It nonetheless lacks LPTO tech with a view to drop the refresh charge right down to 1Hz, however I’ve discovered battery life first rate from the bigger 4700mAh cell, so I received’t grumble an excessive amount of. It’s tech that’s understandably reserved for the Professional fashions.
Fortunately, Google has lastly swapped from an optical fingerprint scanner to an ultrasonic one and efficiency is significantly better on this entrance. Facial recognition works properly, too.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Issues are comparable on the digicam entrance, with the primary improve being a soar from 12- to 48Mp for the ultrawide digicam. I’m nonetheless testing the cameras however the outcomes thus far have been as spectacular as we’ve come to count on from Pixel telephones.
You continue to want to purchase a Professional to get a telephoto lens, after all – in addition to the next decision selfie digicam.
Right here’s a choice of samples from my testing thus far.
Software program
It might come as a shock that the Pixel 9 sequence ships with Android 14. It is because Google has launched the sequence earlier within the yr than regular and Android 15 isn’t fairly prepared but. Nevertheless, you’ll be the primary to get 15 when it does arrive, and Google nonetheless presents seven years of OS and safety updates, so I don’t think about it to be an enormous downside.
There’s nonetheless loads of new stuff right here regardless, and that’s the primary purpose why I’m not able to convey you a full overview. Google Gemini is the primary one, and such is the AI drive in tech proper now that there’s quite a bit to interrupt down and check out.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
I don’t assume Google has performed the most effective job of speaking what Gemini is and its particulars, like whether or not it’s a direct alternative of Google Assistant (it’s on the Pixel 9 telephones).
As with loads of AI instruments, it’s additionally exhausting to know precisely what it might probably and might’t do.
The primary time I opened Gemini, it informed me it might create photographs – however once I requested for one it stated it couldn’t do this. The Pixel Studio app, which is devoted to this job, additionally isn’t on the cellphone regardless of the setup course of mentioning it by identify.
Gemini must also have the ability to assist with particular requests, like altering cellphone settings. Whereas it might probably flip Bluetooth on and off, for instance, it might probably’t change the size of my display screen timeout.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
The opposite little bit of confusion, which could be very not like Google, is over the brand new climate app. I actually prefer it thus far however there are, in truth, two: the one constructed into the homescreen beneath the date hyperlinks to the previous model, and the cellphone even prompted me to create an app icon for it.
We don’t wish to see gadgets transport with the promise of options coming sooner or later however it may need been higher for Google to iron these points out and launch them with Android 15 later within the yr.
The three Android 15 options I can’t wait to attempt first
What I do have is the Pixel Screenshots app, which I believe I’m going to search out actually helpful. I take loads of screenshots – restaurant menus, maps and all kinds – and the app not solely filters them into their very own app however means that you can seek for info in the identical method you may seek for ‘burgers’ on Google Pictures. It’s prone to be an actual time-saving boon for info you realize is in there someplace however can’t discover manually.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
I even have new options like ‘Add Me’ within the digicam app, which permits the photographer to be within the shot by taking two photographs and merging them with the assistance of AI. I’ll point out how I get on with this and different digicam options within the last overview.
Worth
The ultimate factor to say for now could be that the value has gone up as soon as once more. Over the previous couple of years, the Pixel sequence has crept up and has now hit £799/$799 for the most cost effective mannequin.
It wasn’t that way back that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 had been £599/$599, so Google is now clearly positioning itself as a extra premium possibility, slightly than a price possibility, when in comparison with the likes of Apple, Samsung and the most effective smartphones cash should purchase.
It makes it exhausting to advocate and brings up the ‘purchase final yr’s mannequin’ argument much more convincingly, particularly as Google’s seven-year software program promise applies to the Pixel 8 vary which, after all, has been discounted now it’s the earlier gen.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Early verdict
The TL:DR abstract right here is that I’m extra torn (and confused) in regards to the Pixel 9 than I often can be about Google’s telephones.
The design could be very iPhone, shedding persona, and whereas there are numerous welcome {hardware} upgrades and a bunch of latest software program options, I’m not completely positive they’re sufficient to justify one other value hike.
Examine again quickly for my full overview.