The Google Pixel 9, with its impressive camera and sleek design, has garnered significant praise. However, a key concern for potential buyers is the lack of expandable storage. Unlike its Pro counterpart, the Pixel 9 does not offer an SD card slot, leaving users with the limited internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB. This limitation is not unique to the Pixel 9, as many high-end smartphones have abandoned expandable storage.
While the Pixel 9 Pro offers more storage options, reaching up to 1TB, users of the standard Pixel 9 are left with the choice of buying a larger storage variant or seeking alternative solutions. One such solution is cloud storage, where users can store their data online and access it from any device.
Several cloud storage services are available, including Microsoft OneDrive and Mega, but Google One, integrated seamlessly with Google Photos and Drive, is a compelling option. The free tier offers 15GB of storage, but users can upgrade to paid plans for increased storage and additional benefits. The $1.99 per month plan provides 100GB of storage with the ability to share it with five other users, while the $9.99 per month plan offers 2TB of storage along with features like unlimited photo saving with Magic Editor and premium workspace features. For those seeking even more, the Google One AI Premium bundle provides 2TB of storage and access to Gemini Advanced, integrated into core apps like Gmail and Docs.
While the absence of an SD card slot might be a drawback for some, the diverse cloud storage solutions offered by Google One and other providers provide a viable alternative for managing your data and ensuring you have ample storage space for all your needs.