It’s no secret how much the Android Police staff have enjoyed the Google Pixel 9 series. Google addressed multiple areas of concern, making the Pixel 9 family some of the company’s best work. Google put the era of inferior displays behind it with its Super Actua panels. The new modems included in the Pixel 9 provide the performance we expect from a flagship. The company controlled Tensor’s heating issues by adding a vapor chamber. We love the phone, but we wanted to know what others think about the latest hardware from Mountain View. Here’s what we found out.
9 Super Actua makes all the difference
Poor displays plagued previous Google Pixel devices. These dim, depressing panels were barely viewable outdoors even at max brightness. That’s no longer an issue with Google’s Super Actua displays. They are bright, vibrant, and crisp, exactly what we’ve been looking for.
8 Google nailed the design
Absolutely! The Pixel 9 Pro XL is Google’s most refined design, eliminating the awkwardness of the Pixel 6. It’s a traditionally beautiful device.
7 Still a Pixel camera
It’s hard to argue with the output. Google is known for its excellent smartphone cameras, and the Pixel 9 series is no exception. If you’re a shutterbug who fell in love with the Pixel for the cameras, you have nothing to worry about.
6 Fingerprint scanner problems are over
The Pixel 9’s fingerprint scanner is an upgrade. It’s a small thing, but you’ll notice it when you use it numerous times a day. The scanner on the Pixel 9 is fast and accurate, making the horrors of the Pixel 6’s fingerprint reader a thing of the past.
5 Tensor has improved
I get it. The Pixel 9 doesn’t feature a Snapdragon, but that’s not the concern it used to be. Tensor had growing pains, but Google did a wonderful job making its custom chipsets more power and heat-efficient. You’ll still notice gaming issues, but the Pixel 9 flies in daily tasks.
4 Lasts all day
It’s worth noting how good the Pixel device’s battery life has been. The Pixel 8 Pro made strides, giving us over eight hours of screen on time, but the improved Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes things further.
3 Google still has work to do
While there have been significant hardware improvements, Google still has work to do on the software side. Updates are more reliable, and Android 14 is running well. However, we’d still like to see more comprehensive customization options like with Samsung’s One UI.
2 Optimization matters
It isn’t all about the specs. I understand that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has more horsepower under the hood, but optimization matters. When you use them side-by-side, the Pixel 9 Pro XL holds its own.
1 Much better modem
Enjoying your smartphone experience is difficult if you can’t keep a connection. It seems basic, but Google Pixel phones have struggled with modem connectivity, often dropping signals or having difficulty moving from 5G to 4G LTE. The Pixel 9 has been a marked improvement, and others seem to agree.
So far, so good
Google must still navigate the Android 15 rollout, but early returns for the Pixel 9 are promising. It felt like Google ignored users for too long, not addressing glaring errors with its product. The Google Pixel 8 Pro was a step in the right direction, proving the company could release a reliable phone. I’m glad to see the Pixel 9 series building on that progress.
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Google Pixel 9
The Pixel 9 is Google’s most affordable 2024 flagship, making a few compromises when compared to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL while retaining the Google smarts the lineup has become known for. An upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera is paired with a 50MP main shooter, and the selfie cam added autofocus. All of this comes with new Gemini AI features and a 2,700-nit Actua display for exceptional value at its price point.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro is a new addition to Google’s lineup, slotting in as a smaller premium flagship to pair with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The latter is the direct successor to 2023’s Pixel 8 Pro despite its new XL moniker, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro brings a new form-factor to Google’s high-end offerings, sporting the same dimensions as the standard Pixel 9 model while packing all the AI and camera prowess we’ve grown accustomed to from Google’s Pro lineup.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a new name, but it fills the same slot as 2023’s Pixel 8 Pro, having similar specs with roughly the same footprint. The non-XL Pixel 9 Pro is new to the lineup as a smaller premium flagship offering. With the 9 Pro XL, however, you get Google’s fastest charging, a bigger screen and battery, and all of the camera and Gemini AI smarts you’d get in the smaller 9 Pro.
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