Google Pixel 9 review

Trade in Google Pixel 9

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With three Pro models in the lineup, it’s easy to see how the Google Pixel 9 could be outshined by its more feature-packed counterparts. These Pro versions come loaded with extra hardware and enhancements, which might make the standard Pixel 9 seem modest by comparison. Yet, beneath its simpler two-camera design, Google has clearly invested in refining the Pixel 9, addressing many of the improvements we’ve been urging for years.

That said, there are a few aspects of the Pixel 9 that may disappoint. The $100 price increase for a second consecutive year is hard to overlook, and the Pixel 9 launching with Android 14 makes us question Google’s decision to release it two months earlier than initially planned.

After testing the Pixel 9 myself, though, it’s apparent that Google has packed in a wealth of upgrades. Key hardware components have seen meaningful improvements, and the suite of software updates continues to distinguish the Pixel line from other Android devices. But does it warrant an upgrade or a spot among the best phones? My Google Pixel 9 review goes into detail to help you decide.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: SPECS

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Google Pixel 9 is priced from $799 / £799 / AU$1,349 for the 128GB storage version. This starting price is notably higher than that of the Pixel 8 across all three regions, with a $100 / £100 increase in the U.S. and U.K. and a AU$150 bump in Australia. This is the second consecutive year that Google has raised the price of the standard Pixel model.

There’s also a 256GB variant available in each region, priced at $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Early buyers in the U.K. can save £100 on the 256GB model by ordering before September 5, allowing them to get it at the same price as the 128GB version.

The Pixel 9 comes in four colors: the classic Obsidian and Porcelain, familiar from previous Pixel models, as well as two fresh options, Winter Green and Peony—essentially, shades of mint green and pink.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: DESIGN

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The Pixel 9 hasn’t seen a drastic redesign from the Pixel 8, but there are subtle refinements noticeable to a keen eye. The most significant update is the reimagined camera bar, which now sports a new oval-shaped camera bump instead of the edge-to-edge design seen in the last three Pixel models.

Despite the adjustments, the camera bar remains quite large, matching the dimensions of the Pixel 9 Pro’s bump, which was expanded to fit a third camera lens. It also appears to extend out even further than in previous models, so if you’ve found the oversized camera bar on past Pixels a bit bothersome, the Pixel 9 likely won’t change that perception.

The formerly rounded edges of the Pixel 8 are flattened in the Pixel 9, giving it a style reminiscent of Apple’s iPhones. On my Obsidian Pixel 9, the polished metal seamlessly blends with the phone’s color, resulting in a sleeker, more stylish look that still feels comfortable and refined in hand.

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Google also claimed a 15% reduction in bezel size. While the bezels do appear smaller, they’re still thicker than I’d like and noticeably larger than those on devices like the iPhone 15 Pro. The polished glass back also makes a return, though it would have been great if Google had opted for the matte-textured glass used on the Pixel 9 Pro to reduce smudging. Thankfully, all the glass on the Pixel 9 has been upgraded to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering better protection against scratches and other potential damage.

The Pixel 9 is both larger and heavier than the Pixel 8, measuring 6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 inches and weighing 6.98 ounces, compared to the Pixel 8’s dimensions of 5.93 x 2.79 x 0.35 inches and its 6.6-ounce weight. The difference isn’t huge, but the Pixel 9 does feel heftier in hand. It’s not overly bulky, but that added weight may be a drawback for some users.

On the plus side, the larger 6.3-inch display strikes a good balance between large and compact phone sizes. As someone who prefers a bigger screen, I never found myself lacking screen space, which I couldn’t say for the smaller 6.1-inch Pixel 8a.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: DISPLAY

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The Pixel 9’s larger display delivers a resolution of 2424 x 1080 at 422 pixels per inch with a 20:9 aspect ratio, which is quite similar to the Pixel 8’s display, accounting for the slight increase in screen size. Like last year’s model, the Pixel 9 features a Smooth Display setting, allowing an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 60Hz to 120Hz.

This year’s standout improvement is Google’s new Actua display, which reportedly achieves up to 1,800 nits of HDR brightness and a peak brightness of 2,700 nits, bringing it closer in range to the Pixel 8 Pro than to the standard Pixel 8. While we didn’t reach those exact levels in lab testing, we did measure 1,769 nits at 100% HDR and a peak of 2,390 nits at 40% HDR, using a flashlight with adaptive brightness enabled.

Though the Pixel 9 doesn’t fully reach its theoretical peak, the improvement over the Pixel 8’s display is substantial. It’s also noticeably brighter than the HDR brightness levels we recorded for the Samsung Galaxy S24 at 1,416 nits and the iPhone 15 at 1,318 nits.

Unfortunately, things take a bit of a downturn from here. The Pixel 9’s sRGB coverage is 119.4% in adaptive mode and 106.6% in natural mode, meaning its color reproduction isn’t quite on par with competitors like the Pixel 8, which achieved 126.7% and 108.3%, respectively. While the Pixel 9’s adaptive mode slightly outperforms the iPhone 15’s 114.4% sRGB score, it falls behind the Samsung Galaxy S24’s scores of 137.5% in Vivid mode and 120.8% in natural.

This trend continues with the DCI-P3 color gamut, where the Pixel 9 reaches 84.5% in adaptive mode and 75.5% in natural. These numbers surpass the iPhone 15’s 81.1% but fall short of both the Pixel 8 (89.7% / 76.7%) and the Galaxy S24 (97.4% / 85.5%).

The Delta-E rating, where lower scores indicate better color accuracy, doesn’t fare much better for the Pixel 9, with a score of 0.3 in adaptive mode and 0.2 in natural mode. This puts it behind its competitors, as the Pixel 8 scored 0.26 in adaptive and 0.15 in natural, the Galaxy S24 achieved 0.22 in Vivid mode and 0.24 in natural, and the iPhone 15 led with 0.18.

Overall, while this slight dip in display specs isn’t drastic, it’s disappointing to see a regression in color reproduction for the Pixel 9 rather than progress. Although it outpaces the iPhone 15 in some respects, with the iPhone 16 on the horizon, that’s not a huge victory. Still, the significantly increased brightness is a positive, and at least that’s a win.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: PIXEL AI

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Add Me

One of the standout features of the Pixel 9 is the *Add Me* camera mode, which combines AR prompts and generative AI to insert a photographer into an existing photo. For the most part, it works as advertised. The process is straightforward: a photo is taken, the camera is handed to someone else who guides the photographer into position, and a second photo is taken. The Pixel 9 then merges these two images and displays all three as a collection in Google Photos.

The process is quick, taking only about a minute, but it’s not without its flaws. For example, the camera struggled to recognize non-human subjects. It completely failed when trying to capture Lego minifigures, which isn’t surprising, but it also couldn’t detect my dog in an original photo. When I was guided to the spot where my dog was sitting, he was removed from the final image altogether.

Despite these limitations, *Add Me* has the potential to be a valuable tool for photographers, especially if you’re mindful of its selective blind spots.

Google Keep Magic Lists

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One of Google’s most underrated features, Google Keep, is receiving an AI-powered upgrade on the Pixel 9 with *Magic Lists*. Instead of having to create lists manually, you can simply give Google Keep a prompt, and it will generate a list for you. You then have the option to leave the list as is or edit it to your liking.

*Magic Lists* is a genuinely useful tool, and Google’s AI had no trouble understanding my prompts. Even better, the lists it generated were surprisingly practical — I could easily have left them as they were. Whether it was a to-do list for cleaning my house, a packing list for a vacation, or ideas for what to take on a long international flight, Keep Magic Lists was able to produce something I would have spent several minutes on in just a few seconds.

Pixel Studio

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Native image generation makes its debut on the Pixel 9 with *Pixel Studio*, an app powered by Imagen 3 that allows you to create images based on your custom prompts. After generating an image, you can rate it, try again, or change the art style to something more fitting. It’s a fairly standard AI image generator experience.

And “standard” is the key term here, as the app brings both the advantages and drawbacks of a basic image generation tool. Sometimes the results can be a little odd, like a Labrador playing a guitar with what looks like its back leg. Text can also be illegible, and naturally, you can’t use the app to generate images of real people. Copyrighted works are fair game, though, as shown by the movie poster I created featuring R2-D2 in a film with Andy the Android mascot.

Additionally, Pixel Studio serves as a basic image editor, allowing you to create stickers from existing photos, add captions, and even erase parts of images — similar to the *Magic Eraser* feature. These editing tools also work with the images you create in Pixel Studio.

Pixel Screenshots

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Personally, I don’t find much value in *Pixel Screenshots* as a standalone app. The concept is that it helps organize all your screenshots and lets you search through them when you’re looking for something specific. It’s unclear why this wasn’t integrated into Google Photos, but at least the app does a decent job.

*Pixel Screenshots* isn’t perfect, at least based on my limited collection of screenshots. Its effectiveness might depend on the quantity of screenshots you have and the type of information they contain. It seems the AI still struggles with more complex content, like Reddit comment threads, for now.

Gemini Assistant

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*Gemini* can now replace Google Assistant, and this switch happens automatically during setup or later through the settings menu. If you ever miss the traditional AI, you can revert back to Google Assistant through the Gemini app.

One of the main advantages of Gemini is its multi-modality, which means you can interact with it beyond just voice commands. You can type queries or share images to enhance your requests. This adds a layer of flexibility that Google Assistant doesn’t offer.

The switch to an AI-driven assistant has its perks, especially with contextual conversations. For instance, Gemini can remember past interactions and tailor its responses accordingly. I had a lengthy conversation with it about finding flights from London to Tokyo, and it followed the conversation well. While it wasn’t always perfect and sometimes provided inaccurate info, it performed much better than Google Assistant ever could in this regard.

However, it isn’t flawless. After asking for directions, when I followed up with a question about the time I would arrive, Gemini got confused and opened the timer app instead of responding with the expected time.

The free version of Gemini is a bit slow in providing answers, and the Pixel 9 doesn’t come with access to the advanced features like *Gemini Advanced* and *Gemini Live*, which are available on Pixel 9 Pro models.

Other AI features

Google has promised several other AI-powered features for the Pixel 9, but I wasn’t able to get them working during my testing. These include AI-driven weather summaries, *Auto Frame* for reframing and expanding existing photos, and *Reimagine*, which allows you to change the background of your photos based on written prompts.

However, these features were up and running on the Pixel 9 Pro models, so if you’re interested in how they function, be sure to check out the reviews for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, where these features are more fully explored.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: CAMERAS

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The Pixel 9’s camera features some notable upgrades, including a larger 48MP ultrawide lens, replacing the 12MP sensor from the Pixel 8. Along with a wider aperture, this lens benefits from the new Tensor G4 chipset, which uses AI and machine learning to enhance image quality after you take the shot. But if the Pixel 9 wants to be considered one of the best camera phones, it needs to compete with the likes of the iPhone 15 Pro, so we put them head-to-head in a camera shootout.

**Main Camera:**
When comparing the main camera, the Pixel 9’s photos tend to have muted colors, while the iPhone 15 Pro delivers more vivid, true-to-life colors. The Pixel 9 images look brighter and less washed out, but when zooming in, the Pixel 9’s photo starts to show noticeable pixelation, while the iPhone 15 Pro offers better overall quality.

**Indoor Shots:**
Indoors, the Pixel 9 takes a brighter shot of a Lego statue of Grogu, but the iPhone 15 Pro captures a more realistic image, managing to handle reflections on the bricks better. The Pixel 9, however, does a better job of capturing fine details, such as individual dust specs.

**Ultrawide Shots:**
In ultrawide shots, the Pixel 9 excels in brightness, but the iPhone 15 Pro’s image is more true-to-life. However, the Pixel 9’s 48MP ultrawide lens proves to be an asset, capturing more fine details, which gives it the edge in quality.

**Selfies:**
The Pixel 9’s selfie camera shines, producing better colors and avoiding overexposure compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone picks up more minute details, like hairs and pores, but the Pixel 9 overall produces a more flattering, natural-looking shot.

**Zoom Shots:**
In zoomed-in shots, the iPhone 15 Pro pulls ahead, providing much clearer, more detailed images than the Pixel 9, especially with the Porsche logo and the car in the background. While the Pixel 9 does an admirable job at digital zoom, it doesn’t match the iPhone’s clarity.

**Portrait Mode:**
Both phones excel in portrait mode, capturing the subject well and blurring the background. The Pixel 9 stands out by noticing that the whiskers on the dog didn’t need to be blurred, adding a touch of realism that the iPhone missed.

**Low-Light Performance:**
At night, both phones deliver excellent shots, with the iPhone 15 Pro capturing brighter images with more detail, while the Pixel 9 keeps colors more natural. Despite this, both phones show comparable levels of detail in low-light situations, resulting in a draw in this area.

Overall, while the Pixel 9 improves in several areas, especially with its new ultrawide lens and Tensor G4 AI enhancements, the iPhone 15 Pro still has the edge in terms of overall color accuracy, detail retention at zoom, and low-light performance.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

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The Google Pixel series has traditionally been more about software innovation than raw performance, and while the Pixel 9 series promises improvements, particularly with the new Tensor G4 chipset, it still seems to fall short when compared to other flagship phones in terms of raw power.

AI Performance & Tensor G4:
AI performance is one of the biggest talking points for the Pixel 9. Google claims that the Pixel 9’s upgraded 12GB of RAM, with dedicated memory for AI features, will provide a significant boost in running AI models more efficiently. This should make AI-based tasks like image generation, Magic Lists, and the Gemini Assistant faster and more responsive, with up to 20% faster web browsing and 17% faster app launching. In real-world usage, these improvements are likely to be most noticeable in AI-powered applications and tasks, where the Tensor G4 excels.

Overall Performance:
However, when it comes to general performance in other areas like processing power and multitasking, it seems the Pixel 9 still lags behind the competition, especially compared to rivals like the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24. These phones continue to lead with faster chipsets, more powerful GPUs, and higher benchmark scores. Despite Google’s claims of better optimization, benchmarks and day-to-day tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking still show that the Pixel 9 falls behind in terms of raw processing power.

Efficiency & Optimization:
The Pixel 9 does show improvements in power efficiency, which should help with battery life and maintaining smoother performance over longer periods. The AI-driven optimizations also help in certain scenarios, like better battery management and more responsive AI features, but it’s still a step behind when it comes to all-around performance. For users who want the absolute best in performance for demanding apps or gaming, the Pixel 9 may not quite measure up to the competition just yet.

In summary, while the Pixel 9 offers strong AI performance thanks to the Tensor G4 and dedicated RAM, its general performance and raw power are still not on par with other flagship phones. It’s clear that Google is prioritizing AI and optimization, but for users who value top-tier performance across the board, the Pixel 9 may not be the best choice compared to rivals like Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy S24.

The Pixel 9’s performance continues the trend seen with earlier Google Pixel devices: it’s solid, but not a powerhouse. Despite the improvements in the Tensor G4 chip and 12GB of RAM, its benchmarking scores reveal that it lags significantly behind rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15.

Geekbench and Raw Performance: In Geekbench 6, the Pixel 9 posted a score of 1,758 on the single-core test and 4,594 on the multicore test. While this is an improvement over the Pixel 8’s scores of 1,569 and 3,744, it’s still far behind the competition. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S24, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, scored 2,235 and 6,922, while the iPhone 15, with its A17 Pro chip, scored 2,518 and 6,179. These large gaps highlight that while the Tensor G4 offers some improvements, it still can’t compete with the sheer processing power of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon or Apple’s A-series chips.

Graphics Performance: In terms of graphics, the Tensor G4 also falls short. The Pixel 9 achieved 55.71 frames per second in the Wild Life Unlimited test, which is slightly up from the Pixel 8’s 54 fps, but nowhere near the 72.1 fps of the iPhone 15, let alone the 120.4 fps of the Galaxy S24. This substantial difference is evident in graphics-heavy apps and games, with the iPhone and Galaxy devices providing smoother and more responsive visuals.

Gaming Performance: When it comes to mobile gaming, the Pixel 9 handles games like PUBG Mobile decently, but it struggles with heat and high performance settings. The phone warms up noticeably under heavy loads, and although the gameplay is relatively smooth, it’s clear that specialized gaming phones or higher-end devices like the Galaxy S24 or iPhone 15 would perform better without overheating.

The Gap Widens: While the Pixel 9 does make strides with AI performance, security features, and software optimization, these improvements can’t mask the fact that its hardware performance still lags behind its competitors. For users who prioritize gaming, multitasking, and raw performance, the Pixel 9 simply doesn’t measure up to flagship devices from Samsung and Apple.

Google’s Tensor chips are great for their unique features like AI, but in terms of processing power, it’s clear that they’re falling behind the competition. While Google will continue to innovate with software, it seems that they’ll need to make substantial improvements in raw hardware performance to keep up with the likes of Qualcomm and Apple. Until then, the Pixel 9 is likely to remain a solid, but second-tier, option for those not seeking the highest performance.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE & CHARGING

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The Pixel 9 makes a notable leap in battery life compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 8, thanks to the efficiency improvements in the Tensor G4 chip. While the Tensor G4 hasn’t drastically changed in performance based on benchmarking tests, its optimized power management is clearly evident in real-world usage.

Battery Performance: In Tom’s Guide’s proprietary battery test, the Pixel 9 lasted an impressive 13 hours and 18 minutes while surfing the web over a cellular network. This is a significant improvement over the Pixel 8’s 9 hours and 43 minutes, which was considered subpar compared to flagship competitors. The Pixel 9’s battery life performance now surpasses the iPhone 15, which scored lower in the same test, and comes within 10 minutes of the Samsung Galaxy S24.

This improvement is largely attributed to the efficiency of the Tensor G4 chip, which likely optimizes power consumption without sacrificing overall performance. Google’s decision to incorporate a Smooth display adaptive refresh rate also contributes to this longer battery life by adjusting the screen refresh rate based on usage, further conserving power when high refresh rates aren’t needed.

Comparison to Competitors: With the Pixel 9 managing to outlast the iPhone 15 and come close to the Galaxy S24 in battery endurance, it’s clear that Google’s optimization efforts have paid off. While performance benchmarks may still favor Samsung and Apple, the Pixel 9 now stands as a more competitive option for users seeking longer battery life without compromising on essential features like AI and camera capabilities.

This boost in battery longevity is especially important for users who rely on their phones for extended periods throughout the day. Google’s focus on efficiency with the Tensor G4 chip means the Pixel 9 can now hold its own against the competition when it comes to both performance and battery life.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT

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The Pixel 9 offers some significant advantages when it comes to software support. The 7-year commitment for full Android updates and security patches is a standout feature, ensuring that users can expect support well into 2031. This extended support window is one of the longest in the industry, making the Pixel 9 a solid long-term investment for those who prioritize timely updates.

However, there is a downside: the Pixel 9 ships with Android 14, not Android 15, which is a bit of a letdown given that Android 15 should be released around the same time. While it’s understandable that the phone was launched earlier than expected, it’s still disappointing that it won’t come with the latest software out of the box, especially when Pixel devices typically serve as the first to receive major updates. This means users will have to wait a bit before enjoying the new features of Android 15.

Another concern is the final update when 2031 rolls around. Typically, Google releases new Pixel devices right around the time a major Android update is available, so the Pixel 9 may only receive one final software update after Android 15, which could mark the end of its software support.

Despite this uncertainty about the final update, the 7 years of guaranteed software support is still a strong selling point for the Pixel 9, making it an appealing choice for users who want long-term security and features.

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 REVIEW: VERDICT

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The Google Pixel 9 faces some of the same challenges as its predecessors, especially in terms of the Tensor G4’s performance, which still lags behind competitors like Apple’s and Qualcomm’s best chips. Additionally, the price increase for the second consecutive year and the fact that it launches with Android 14 instead of Android 15 may deter some buyers, though many may not notice the software difference right away.

That said, the Pixel 9 does come with significant upgrades, particularly in battery life, where it shows marked improvement over the Pixel 8. While it may not top the best battery life charts, Google has made a notable leap in this area. The camera performance also holds up well, going toe-to-toe with the iPhone 15 Pro, which is renowned for its camera quality. While the main change in hardware is the upgraded 48MP ultrawide lens, these improvements still highlight Google’s focus on photography and AI-driven enhancements.

If you already own a Pixel 8, the Pixel 9 may not be worth the upgrade unless you’re primarily interested in better battery life. However, for those with a Pixel 7 or older, the Pixel 9 offers a strong case with its brighter display, more RAM, improved camera, and longer software support. The Tensor G4’s AI capabilities further enhance the overall experience, making it a solid upgrade for those looking for a more future-proof device.

Of course, the higher price tag, which now rivals that of an iPhone 15, might make some hesitate, but for those invested in the Pixel ecosystem, the improvements in battery, camera, and AI performance could justify the cost.

Source: Tom’s Guide