For years, Google has adhered to a consistent release schedule for its Pixel phones, unveiling new models every October. However, 2024 breaks this tradition with the Pixel 9 series arriving earlier than ever, officially announced on August 13th. This year, Google is not only delivering new Pixels ahead of schedule, but also expanding the lineup with four new models: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. I recently had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with all the non-folding new Pixel models, and even this brief hands-on experience revealed plenty to be excited about.
One of the most striking aspects of the Pixel 9 series is its new design. Leaks had hinted at a departure from the iconic camera bar that graced previous generations, and indeed, the Pixel 9 series introduces a floating camera module with a distinct oval shape. This aesthetic change is a refreshing departure, while still maintaining a distinct Pixel identity. The oval module also provides a comfortable resting point for the finger when holding the phone.
Beyond the new design, the Pixel 9 phones boast exceptional hardware. Compared to the Pixel 8 series, the Pixel 9 features flatter frames reminiscent of the iPhone 15, a change I initially questioned from leaked renders but have come to appreciate after hands-on use. The phones retain rounded corners, and the construction feels smooth and seamless, ensuring a comfortable grip without any sharp edges.
Google has also expanded the Pixel 9 Pro options, offering two variations: the Pixel 9 Pro XL with a 6.8-inch display and the Pixel 9 Pro with a more compact 6.3-inch display. Both Pro models share enhanced specs including a triple-camera system, 16GB of RAM, and brighter displays. This choice empowers users to enjoy all the Pro features in a more manageable size, a welcome addition for fans of smaller flagships.
Google’s Actua Display technology, introduced last year with the Pixel 8 series, is back and even better in the Pixel 9 lineup. All displays are now brighter, reaching a peak of 2,700 nits on the Pixel 9 and 3,000 nits on the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL. The screens are sharp, vibrant, and provide ample brightness. All three Pixel 9 models also benefit from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for improved durability. Another impressive display upgrade is the uniform, thinner bezels across all three phones, making for a more modern and immersive viewing experience.
As with every Pixel release, photography is a central focus for the Pixel 9 family. While a detailed analysis of the new camera sensors awaits future reviews, two new software features stand out: Add Me and Auto Frame. Add Me solves the challenge of group photos where someone needs to be in the picture but isn’t available to take it. Using AI, the Pixel 9 takes multiple photos from different perspectives to create a single composite image with everyone included.
Auto Frame, a new feature within Magic Editor, leverages generative AI to automatically adjust the framing of photos. It offers options to zoom in, center, or re-adjust the composition, ensuring perfectly framed pictures with minimal effort.
One of the most intriguing additions to the Pixel 9 experience is the new Pixel Screenshots app. This app simplifies the process of finding information within screenshots by allowing users to search within their screenshots using natural language. AI summaries help to digest lengthy text-based screenshots, and users can group screenshots into folders, set reminders, and create calendar events directly from screenshots.
While initial impressions of the Pixel 9 series are overwhelmingly positive, there are a few concerns. The Tensor G4 chip, while an improvement over the Tensor G3, may still fall behind competing chipsets from Qualcomm. Although the Pixel 9 series boasts increased RAM (12GB for the base model and 16GB for the Pro models), the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and upcoming Gen 4 chips might hold a performance advantage.
Another concern is battery life. While the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro have larger batteries compared to the Pixel 8 models, the efficiency gains from the Tensor G4 may not be significant enough to overcome the demands of the larger displays and more powerful features.
Despite these concerns, the Pixel 9 series is off to a promising start. The Pixel 8 series had a successful run, and the Pixel 9 series looks poised to build upon that success with its combination of refined design, impressive hardware, innovative software features, and exceptional displays. The Pixel 9 starts at $799, the Pixel 9 Pro at $999, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL at $1,099. Pre-orders for all three phones are open now.
