Google Pixel 9 Evaluate: Matured Design, However Nonetheless Will get Scorching

Google’s newest Pixel 9 lineup now consists of 4 telephones as an alternative of two, and there is a dimension and form for everybody. Would you like a compact cellphone? You’ve the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Do you want massive 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 so much just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 from the entrance.

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

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

Google Pixel 9 Design: Flagship degree

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

When it comes to design, all the things is now flat, and all the things is iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24-like. The cellphone 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 now 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 digital camera visor, which is changed by a digital camera bar that runs horizontally throughout just like the visor, however it’s now pill-shaped, resembling the Google search bar. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless inform it is a Pixel cellphone.

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 elegant 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 prime, 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 desire the curved again design and the digital camera visor look of the Pixel 8.

Pixel 9 is now additionally taller than its predecessor, however that is primarily because of the barely greater show. It additionally retains the IP68 score, and that digital camera 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 undoubtedly higher than the older mannequin.

The cellphone 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 downside utilizing the Pixel 8 outside, the Pixel 9 is even higher, and all the things’s simpler to learn.

Pixel 9’s show homes a hole-punch cutout on the prime and now gives an ultra-sonic in-display fingerprint sensor. This can be 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 recognized for his or her cameras, however now they’re additionally recognized 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 obtained the September safety patch through the evaluate interval. This can be a bit unusual for a brand new Pixel cellphone, because the Pixels of the previous have virtually at all times run the latest Android model out of the field. Nonetheless, the Pixel telephones got here early this 12 months, and Android 15 simply hit AOSP.

You’ll 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 ought to be good for some time, at the least software-wise. There is a new Climate app on the cellphone, and also you get loads of customisation choices throughout the system.

Now, let’s discuss concerning the cellphone’s AI options. Now you can use Gemini Dwell with the Google One 2TB plan that will get you a free month of Gemini Superior. It helps you to use the Gemini 1.5 Professional mannequin with a 1 million token context window, which mainly lets you throw complicated issues on the AI assistant with out worrying about any restrict. You additionally get entry to Gemini Dwell, 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 capacity 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 Dwell 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 similar to ‘Assist me create an inventory’ within the Google Preserve notes app and a brand new AI climate report within the Climate app. The previous might be fairly useful, however I am undecided if the AI abstract is definitely helpful.

The Pixel Studio app helps 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 nasty 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 helps you to create pictures utilizing AI. In fact, there are limitations to what you’ll be able to create, and it will not allow you to create any human topics, however you will get some cool pictures for inventive functions. Merely open the app, faucet on Create, and kind in your immediate. It’s also possible to strive completely different types for the output, add stickers and textual content to the created pictures, and you can too use the app to create stickers from pictures in your cellphone.

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

Aside from 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 footage the place you are the one behind the digital camera. It is enjoyable and can be utilized for different inventive methods as nicely.

You should utilize the Add Me characteristic to create enjoyable footage [Tap to expand]

Google has additionally added a brand new Auto body and Reimagine instrument in Magic Editor. The previous makes use of AI to reframe previous pictures for higher storytelling and may also develop the picture. This principally labored nicely, however a few of the crops had been bizarre. In the meantime, the Reimagine instrument can be utilized to alter how your pictures look, and it really works very well more often than not. I used to be capable of finding an elephant on a highway close by and make my associates imagine that I had lately travelled to Paris. The AI-generated pictures might be tremendous real looking, which is each spectacular and scary.

This can be a Reimagined picture. Guess what’s not actual? [Tap to expand]

Requested the Reimagine instrument so as to add an elephant, and it did [Tap to expand]

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

Sadly, the non-Professional Pixel nonetheless does not get entry to options similar to Video Increase, Night time Sight Video, Zoom Improve, and some others. Nonetheless, there are loads of AI instruments on the cellphone that’ll assist in loads of methods and make life simpler and enjoyable. Possibly you’ll be able to even use the Reimagine instrument to reimagine your life.

Google Pixel 9 Efficiency: Nonetheless runs sizzling

• 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 sizzling even when doing basic items. Whereas you’ll not see any lag or random app freezes, the cellphone 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 sport, the cellphone will warmth, open the digital camera 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 cellphone. The Professional fashions have it, even telephones that value half the worth run cooler and supply vapour cooling.

The cellphone does not have a vapour-cooling chamber

As for gaming, you’ll be able to play all types of video games on it, however you will not get pleasure from it after 15-20 minutes. With BGMI, as an example, I received wonderful body charges, and all the things ran easily, however the cellphone turned too sizzling to make use of after about 35 minutes. For normal use, efficiency is sufficient. App launches are quick, they usually even keep in reminiscence fairly lengthy. General, it does not really feel gradual until you give it some heavy stuff to run. I ran some artificial benchmarks on the cellphone simply to match the numbers to equally priced telephones, and here is what occurred.

It’s price noting that I wasn’t capable of set up a lot of the benchmarking apps as Google did not enable them. I needed to sideload them and that could possibly 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 cellphone for efficiency, this isn’t it.

Transferring 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 nice, and the audio system do get lots loud with none crackling, even at full quantity. The audio system do lack bass, although. Name high quality is nice, and connectivity can also be improved in comparison with the Pixel 8, due to the usage of a more moderen modem.

Google Pixel 9 Cameras: Going wider

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

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

There is a new ultrawide digital camera on the Pixel 9

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

You additionally get 2x digital zoom on the cellphone, and it is just about the identical as final 12 months in terms of high quality. The 2x pictures retain loads of element and are sharp, particularly when there’s loads of gentle. The photographs are higher compared to the iPhone 15. The portrait pictures 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 generally 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 digital camera is new, however you’ll be able to’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 digital camera. The sensor additionally permits for Macro pictures, and you will get fairly near the topic – 15mm to be precise. You will get some actually detailed pictures in macro mode.

Daylight pictures from Most important digital camera, Ultrawide, and 2x Digital zoom [Tap to expand]

Portrait pictures: 1.5x, 2x [Tap to expand]

In low gentle situations, the principle digital camera does a fairly good job, and with Night time Sight, you get higher outcomes. What’s additionally good is the truth that you now not have to carry the cellphone nonetheless for six seconds such as you needed to on the older Pixel 8. Just like the competitors, you will get usable low-light pictures in simply 3 seconds. The Pixel nonetheless delivers darker shadows in low gentle, which may make the picture look softer. Nonetheless, you do get the astrophotography mode on the Pixel, which continues to be higher than the competitors. Sure, it takes for much longer to provide a fantastic night time photograph, however it’s definitely worth the wait.

Lowlight pictures: Most important digital camera, Ultrawide, 2x Digital Zoom [Tap to Expand]

Turning round, the selfie digital camera 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.

When it comes to movies, the Pixel 9 can shoot 4k60fps on all three cameras, with the rear sensors providing further 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, Energetic, and Locked. Movies have barely hotter tones and darker shadows with distinction on the upper facet, however the colors are well-saturated. The main target is nice, however the software program does attempt to brighten up faces. It does a commendable job in low gentle situations, however I want Google additionally provided Video Increase and Night time Sight video on the smaller Pixel. You do, nevertheless, get a Cinematic blur characteristic within the video, which is okayish. General, you would be stunned at how nicely 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 received a day’s price of utilization, however I needed to plug the cellphone in at night time as I would be left with lower than 20 p.c cost. My days principally included utilizing the cellphone for calls, texting, checking emails, doom scrolling on Instagram and Twitter, enjoying a sport or two, watching YouTube movies, utilizing the digital camera, and searching the online.

You will want to purchase a charger individually

In our HD video loop check, 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 cellphone now supporting as much as 45W quick charging with the proper adapter. I used Google’s 30W adapter and received about 51 p.c of cost with half-hour of charging, and a full cost from 1 p.c took about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Google Pixel 9 Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 is a really mature cellphone, 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 larger show, a nicer ultrawide digital camera, autofocus on the selfie digital camera, many new AI options, higher battery life, and an general nicer bundle. Nonetheless, it is also somewhat dearer than final 12 months.

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

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 (Evaluate) is an efficient various. It is extra compact, gives on-par digital camera efficiency, and has a fantastic show and battery life. Nonetheless, you will not get the identical AI options, and the cellphone runs an Exynos chip in India, which does run sizzling. There’s additionally the OnePlus 12 (Evaluate) or the Xiaomi 14 (Evaluate), each of that are good options and cheaper. The previous has a bigger show, a really succesful digital camera setup, and longer battery life, whereas the latter is best general as a cellphone. 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 related battery life. It’s also possible to think about the newly launched iPhone 16, however clearly, we’ll should evaluate it first to see if it is price it.