Google’s highly anticipated Pixel 9 has finally arrived, marking the latest addition to their flagship smartphone lineup. This base model succeeds the Pixel 8 and boasts an attractive price point, making it an enticing entry point for users seeking a premium Google experience. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 9.
Price and Availability
The Pixel 9 is available for preorder on the Google Store starting at $799. Expect to see it at major retailers and carriers like Amazon and Best Buy. Preorders are set to begin shipping on August 22, coinciding with the start of regular sales.
Design and Display
The Pixel 9 showcases a bold new design, departing from the camera bar of its predecessor. Instead, it features a centered camera island that protrudes slightly, adding a touch of distinctiveness. The phone boasts polished metal edges and a matte back, available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony color options. Despite the design changes, the Pixel’s signature aesthetic remains intact, clearly identifiable with the centered Google logo on the rear.
In terms of size, the Pixel 9 measures 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 7 ounces. Impressively, it shares the same footprint as the Pixel 9 Pro, demonstrating Google’s commitment to catering to users who prefer a smaller form factor without sacrificing powerful specs. The phone also features IP68 water and dust resistance, offering protection against complete immersion and dust ingress.
On the front, a 6.3-inch Actua OLED display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensuring scratch and shatter resistance. The screen can reach up to 1800 nits in HDR and 2700 nits in peak brightness, guaranteeing excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. While impressive, this falls short of the 2,000 to 3,000 nits achievable by the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The display boasts a 20:9 aspect ratio with a 1080 by 2424 resolution, resulting in a crisp 422 pixels per inch. It also supports a variable refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz, ensuring smooth and responsive scrolling, though it won’t match the sharpness and responsiveness of the Quad HD OLED screen found on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Camera Capabilities
The Pixel 9 boasts a dual rear camera system: a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor with macro focus. This setup allows for 4K video recording at 24/30/60 frames per second (fps). Super Res Zoom and optical zoom are supported at 0.5x, 1x, and 2x. However, the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens might be a dealbreaker for those who prioritize zoom capabilities. In that case, the triple camera array on the Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL might be more suitable.
The selfie camera features a 10.5MP sensor with a 95-degree ultrawide field of view, capable of recording 4K video at 30/60 fps. While more than sufficient for standard selfies and video calls, it falls short of the 42MP sensor found on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Pixel phones are renowned for their exceptional camera performance, and the base model is no exception. Building on the success of the Pixel 8, the Pixel 9 leverages AI-powered photo editing tools, ensuring stunning image quality.
Performance and Battery Life
The Pixel 9 delivers lightning-fast performance thanks to the powerful Google Tensor G4 processor. This is coupled with 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 256GB. For users seeking even more memory or storage, the Pro models offer 16GB RAM and additional storage options of 512GB and 1TB. The Pixel 9 is expected to excel in gaming, multitasking, and general browsing. The Tensor G4 processor, partially based on the Samsung Exynos 2400 (found in the Samsung Galaxy S24 outside the U.S.), promises comparable performance.
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 houses a 4,700mAh battery, matching the capacity of the Pixel 9 Pro but smaller than the 5,060mAh cell in the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google estimates a 24-hour+ battery life, further extending to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode enabled (which disables features like 5G data and puts apps to sleep). The phone supports 27W fast charging, requiring a 45W USB-C charger (not included), and achieving 55% charge in 30 minutes. Fast wireless charging at 15W is also supported.
Software and Features
The Pixel 9 runs Android 14 and, like all Pixel devices, is guaranteed seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. This ensures it will be among the first to receive the upcoming Android 15 update. AI is central to the Pixel 9 experience. Google’s Gemini is integrated into the phone, and Pixel 9 owners receive a year of the advanced Gemini Advanced model for free. Gemini Live can be set as your default assistant, replacing Google Assistant, though this is optional. Gemini’s capabilities extend to various apps and services, including Google Calendar, providing insights into upcoming events.
The Pixel 9 also features a redesigned weather app, incorporating AI forecasts and summaries. Additionally, panels display information like 10-day forecasts, humidity, and more. Two new apps grace the home screen: Pixel Screenshots and Pixel Studio. Pixel Screenshots, similar to Microsoft’s Recall for Copilot+ PCs (though more restrictive), allows users to opt into saving and processing all their screenshots. Gemini can then be used to extract information from these screenshots, including recipes, directions, and text processing. Pixel Studio, resembling Midjourney or Dall-E 3, is an AI-powered image generator capable of creating new images from scratch or reworking existing ones. Information can be provided through voice commands via Gemini or text.
The final two AI features revolve around photos. Add Me enables you to combine two separate images of people or groups, seamlessly incorporating missing members. Magic Editor, on the other hand, allows for additional enhancements like framing, expanding the scene, or even changing the background.
With its compelling design, powerful performance, and innovative AI features, the Pixel 9 stands out as a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market. Whether you’re looking for a reliable everyday companion or an advanced AI-powered device, the Pixel 9 delivers a compelling experience.
