Google Pixel 9 Review: Initial thoughts

Google’s new flagship vary of telephones goes on sale tomorrow and I’ve been utilizing the Pixel 9 for nearly every week.

I haven’t used it sufficient to convey you a full evaluation but, largely because of a wave of latest software program options together with Gemini, however I’ve loads of ideas up to now on the design, {hardware} and extra.

We now have a full Google Pixel 9 Professional XL evaluation which it is best to learn.

Design

Though I’ve been a fan of Pixel cellphone designs because the begin, I’m a bit torn this yr.

Google has at all times ensured that Pixel handsets have had a definite character, from the two-tone backs of early generations to the divisive digital camera bar launched with the Pixel 6.

I’ve at all times appreciated Google’s aesthetic of pebble-like shapes and largely good colors however the Pixel 9 collection has had one thing of an overhaul in a brand new path.

The construct high quality definitely feels higher than ever however Google has, to place it merely, gone iPhone with the design this yr.

Chris Martin / Foundry

The flat sides and rounded corners are straight out of the Apple design ebook and other than delicate particulars like button placement and the shiny rear cowl, it’s solely the digital camera bump that might be the large giveaway for those who blindfolded me and handed me the Pixel 9 and iPhone 15.

It’s not that Google has performed something overtly improper right here – I just like the iPhone 15 – but it surely’s a disgrace to lose many of the Pixel persona and conform to tendencies as a substitute. I choose the previous digital camera bar design that blended into the perimeters, and the shiny again is without doubt one of the most slippery I’ve ever used (the Execs have a matt again however shiny steel sides).

Chris Martin / Foundry

A case is just about a requirement and, as ever, it’s a disgrace to cover many of the cellphone. Particularly as I actually just like the Wintergreen colourway I’ve been testing – Obsidian, Porcelain and Peony are additionally obtainable.

{Hardware}

You might argue that Google has at all times been slightly bit behind on {hardware} with the Pixel telephones, though not in any main approach.

Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 has a variety of upgrades that convey it nearer to the requirements of a premium cellphone.

In fact, you get the most recent Tensor G4 chipset, which up to now in my testing has been operating the cellphone completely easily. There’s additionally a giant 50% bump to the reminiscence so that you get 12GB as commonplace now (the Professional fashions get 16GB).

Chris Martin / Foundry

A extra noticeable improve is the most recent Actua show, which is loads brighter than earlier than so I’ve discovered it simpler to make use of exterior. A thinner bezel makes the Pixel 9 look extra premium, too.

It nonetheless lacks LPTO tech as a way to drop the refresh price right down to 1Hz, however I’ve discovered battery life respectable from the bigger 4700mAh cell, so I gained’t grumble an excessive amount of. It’s tech that’s understandably reserved for the Professional fashions.

Fortunately, Google has lastly swapped from an optical fingerprint scanner to an ultrasonic one and efficiency is a lot better on this entrance. Facial recognition works effectively, too.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Issues are related on the digital camera entrance, with the principle improve being a leap from 12- to 48Mp for the ultrawide digital camera. I’m nonetheless testing the cameras however the outcomes up to now have been as spectacular as we’ve come to anticipate from Pixel telephones.

You continue to want to purchase a Professional to get a telephoto lens, in fact – in addition to a better decision selfie digital camera.

Right here’s a number of samples from my testing up to now.

Software program

It could come as a shock that the Pixel 9 collection ships with Android 14. It’s because Google has launched the collection earlier within the yr than traditional and Android 15 isn’t fairly prepared but. Nevertheless, you’ll be the primary to get 15 when it does arrive, and Google nonetheless affords seven years of OS and safety updates, so I don’t take into account it to be a giant downside.

There’s nonetheless loads of new stuff right here regardless, and that’s the principle purpose why I’m not able to convey you a full evaluation. Google Gemini is the principle one, and such is the AI drive in tech proper now that there’s loads to interrupt down and check out.

Chris Martin / Foundry

I don’t suppose Google has performed the perfect job of speaking what Gemini is and its particulars, like whether or not it’s a direct alternative of Google Assistant (it’s on the Pixel 9 telephones).

As with loads of AI instruments, it’s additionally laborious to know precisely what it will possibly and might’t do.

The primary time I opened Gemini, it advised me it might create photographs – however once I requested for one it stated it couldn’t do this. The Pixel Studio app, which is devoted to this process, additionally isn’t on the cellphone regardless of the setup course of mentioning it by title.

Gemini must also be capable to assist with particular requests, like altering cellphone settings. Whereas it will possibly flip Bluetooth on and off, for instance, it will possibly’t change the size of my display screen timeout.

Chris Martin / Foundry

The opposite little bit of confusion, which could be very not like Google, is over the brand new climate app. I actually prefer it up to now however there are, the truth is, two: the one constructed into the homescreen beneath the date hyperlinks to the previous model, and the cellphone even prompted me to create an app icon for it.

We don’t prefer to see gadgets delivery with the promise of options coming sooner or later but it surely may need been higher for Google to iron these points out and launch them with Android 15 later within the yr.

The three Android 15 options I can’t wait to attempt first

What I do have is the Pixel Screenshots app, which I feel I’m going to seek out actually helpful. I take loads of screenshots – restaurant menus, maps and all types – and the app not solely filters them into their very own app however means that you can seek for info in the identical approach you may seek for ‘burgers’ on Google Pictures. It’s more likely to be an actual time-saving boon for info you recognize is in there someplace however can’t discover manually.

Chris Martin / Foundry

I even have new options like ‘Add Me’ within the digital camera app, which permits the photographer to be within the shot by taking two images and merging them with the assistance of AI. I’ll point out how I get on with this and different digital camera options within the last evaluation.

Value

The ultimate factor to say for now could be that the value has gone up as soon as once more. Over the previous couple of years, the Pixel collection has crept up and has now hit £799/$799 for the most cost effective mannequin.

It wasn’t that way back that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 had been £599/$599, so Google is now clearly positioning itself as a extra premium choice, fairly than a worth choice, when in comparison with the likes of Apple, Samsung and the perfect smartphones cash should buy.

It makes it laborious to advocate and brings up the ‘purchase final yr’s mannequin’ argument much more convincingly, particularly as Google’s seven-year software program promise applies to the Pixel 8 vary which, in fact, has been discounted now it’s the earlier gen.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Early verdict

The TL:DR abstract right here is that I’m extra torn (and confused) in regards to the Pixel 9 than I often can be about Google’s telephones.

The design could be very iPhone, shedding persona, and whereas there are numerous welcome {hardware} upgrades and a bunch of latest software program options, I’m not completely certain they’re sufficient to justify one other value hike.

Examine again quickly for my full evaluation.

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