Google Pixel 9 Review A Good Phone with Underwhelming Performance
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The Pixel 9 is Google's latest flagship smartphone, boasting solid hardware and great cameras. However, the phone falls short in one key area: performance. Despite being one of Google's most premium phones, the Tensor G4 chip struggles to deliver a smooth 120Hz experience.
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One of the standout features of the Pixel 9 is its camera system. The phone takes excellent photos and videos, with improved low-light performance and enhanced portrait mode capabilities. However, the camera app can be slow to launch and may exhibit some lag when switching between modes.
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Google's AI-powered features are also a highlight of the Pixel 9. The phone comes with Gemini Live, which allows users to interact with AI models on-device. However, the feature is still in its early stages and can be finicky at times.
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Another area where the Pixel 9 excels is in its software experience. The phone runs a clean, pure version of Android, with no unnecessary fluff or bloatware. Users can customize their home screen, notification shade, and even create their own wallpapers.
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Google's promise of seven years of software updates is also a major selling point for the Pixel 9. This means that users can expect to receive regular security patches and feature updates for an extended period.
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However, despite these strengths, the Pixel 9's performance issues hold it back from being a truly great phone. The Tensor G4 chip may not be able to keep up with demanding tasks or graphics-intensive games.
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Additionally, Google's AI push is not as revolutionary as it seems. With fierce competition from OpenAI and DeepSeek, the Pixel 9's AI features do not feel particularly innovative or groundbreaking.
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In conclusion, while the Pixel 9 is a good phone with some excellent features, its performance issues and lackluster AI capabilities hold it back from being a top-tier device. Users who can catch it at a discount or through trade-ins may find it worth considering, but at full price, it's hard to recommend.
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| Pixel Studio |
Google's AI-powered image generator is not exactly groundbreaking. It struggles with complex prompts and may not always produce the desired results.
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| New Weather App |
The new weather app featuring AI-generated reports is a neat addition, but it's not particularly useful. Users may find themselves relying on other weather apps for more accurate and detailed information.
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| Screenshots App |
The screenshots app is a disappointment. It's supposed to recall information Gemini processed when you take screenshots, but in reality, it feels short. Users may find themselves having trouble finding the content they need.
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| File Management System |
The file management system on the Pixel 9 is top-notch. Users can easily manage their files and folders, with features like search and categorization.
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| Circle Search |
Circle search is an underrated gem on the Pixel 9. It's fast, accurate, and allows users to quickly find what they're looking for.
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| Voice Recorder App |
The voice recorder app on the Pixel 9 is a standard feature that comes with fast and accurate speech-to-text capabilities. This can be particularly useful for users who need to transcribe audio recordings.
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The Pixel 9 is the latest flagship smartphone from Google, released in 2023. The device boasts an impressive array of features, including a powerful processor, high-quality cameras, and sleek design.
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| Display |
The Pixel 9 features a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels). The screen is vibrant, colorful, and offers excellent viewing angles. |
| Performance |
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 packs a powerful Google Tensor G2 processor, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The device delivers seamless performance, making it ideal for gaming, multitasking, and other resource-intensive activities. |
| Camera |
The Pixel 9's camera system is one of its strongest suits. The device features a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, accompanied by a 12MP front-facing camera. The camera app offers advanced features like Night Sight, Portrait mode, and Super Res Zoom. |
| Software |
The Pixel 9 runs on stock Android 13 out of the box, ensuring timely software updates and a clean user interface. Google has also introduced several exclusive features, including Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. |
| Battery Life |
The Pixel 9 packs a 5124mAh battery, which provides all-day battery life with moderate usage. The device also supports fast charging (up to 30W) and wireless charging. |
| Design |
The Pixel 9 boasts a premium design with a glass back and metal frame. The device is IP68 water-resistant and comes in three color options: Snow, Obsidian, and Lemongrass. |
| Verdict |
The Pixel 9 is an exceptional smartphone that offers a perfect blend of performance, camera capabilities, and design. While it may not be the most affordable option on the market, it's definitely worth considering for those seeking a high-end Android experience. |
Google Pixel 9 Review: A Good Phone with Underwhelming Performance |
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The Google Pixel 9 is the latest flagship device from the tech giant, and it's a phone that has left us with mixed feelings. On one hand, it's a solid device with a great camera and timely software updates. On the other hand, its performance is underwhelming, making it hard to recommend over other high-end smartphones. |
| Design |
The Pixel 9 has a similar design to its predecessor, with a few minor tweaks. The phone features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2244 pixels. The screen is bright and vibrant, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. |
| Performance |
This is where the Pixel 9 falls short. Despite being powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, the phone's performance is underwhelming. We experienced occasional lag and stuttering, especially when switching between apps or playing demanding games. |
| Camera |
The camera on the Pixel 9 is one of its strongest features. The phone features a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP front camera. The camera app is intuitive, and the results are impressive, especially in low-light conditions. |
| Battery Life |
The Pixel 9 has a 4500mAh battery, which should provide all-day battery life. However, we found that the phone struggled to last a full day with moderate use, especially when using resource-intensive apps. |
| Software |
The Pixel 9 runs on Android 12 out of the box, and it's one of the few devices that will receive timely software updates. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate. |
| Verdict |
The Google Pixel 9 is a good phone, but its underwhelming performance makes it hard to recommend over other high-end smartphones. If camera performance is your top priority, the Pixel 9 might be worth considering. However, if you're looking for a phone with raw power and speed, there are better options available. |
| Q: What are the key features of Google Pixel 9? |
The Google Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, up to 12GB RAM, and a 50MP primary camera. |
| Q: How does the performance of Google Pixel 9 compare to other flagship devices? |
The performance of Google Pixel 9 is underwhelming compared to other flagship devices, with some users experiencing lag and slow app loading times. |
| Q: What are the camera capabilities of Google Pixel 9? |
The Google Pixel 9 has a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, 12MP front camera, and supports features like Night Sight, Portrait mode, and Super Res Zoom. |
| Q: Is the battery life of Google Pixel 9 satisfactory? |
The battery life of Google Pixel 9 is average, lasting around a day with moderate usage, but may not be enough for heavy users. |
| Q: Does Google Pixel 9 support wireless charging and water resistance? |
Yes, the Google Pixel 9 supports both wireless charging and has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. |
| Q: How does the display of Google Pixel 9 compare to other flagship devices? |
The OLED display on the Google Pixel 9 is excellent, with vibrant colors and deep blacks, but may not be as bright as some other flagship devices. |
| Q: Can I customize the look and feel of Google Pixel 9? |
Yes, the Google Pixel 9 offers various customization options through the Settings app, including icon packs, wallpapers, and Always-On Display. |
| Q: Does Google Pixel 9 support expandable storage? |
No, the Google Pixel 9 does not have a microSD card slot for expanding internal storage capacity. |
| Q: Is the fingerprint sensor on Google Pixel 9 reliable and fast? |
The in-display fingerprint sensor on the Google Pixel 9 is generally reliable and fast, but may not work well with wet or dirty fingers. |
| Q: Should I buy the Google Pixel 9 despite its underwhelming performance? |
If camera quality and timely software updates are your top priority, then yes, consider buying the Google Pixel 9. However, if you want a phone with top-notch performance, look elsewhere. |
| Pioneers/Companies |
Description |
| 1. Google |
Released the first Pixel smartphone in 2016, setting a new standard for Android devices. |
| 2. Qualcomm |
Provided the Snapdragon 888 processor that powers the Pixel 9, offering improved performance and efficiency. |
| 3. Samsung |
Manufactured the high-quality OLED display used in the Pixel 9, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| 4. Sony |
Designed the camera sensor used in the Pixel 9's primary camera, offering improved low-light performance and color accuracy. |
| 5. Apple |
Influenced the design of the Pixel 9 with its iPhone series, pushing Google to adopt a similar aesthetic. |
| 6. HTC |
Manufactured several Nexus devices in collaboration with Google, paving the way for the Pixel series. |
| 7. LG |
Partnered with Google to release the Nexus 5 and Nexus 5X, which shared similarities with the Pixel series. |
| 8. Motorola |
Released the Moto X series, which introduced features like stock Android and timely software updates, later adopted by Google's Pixel series. |
| 9. OnePlus |
Disrupted the smartphone market with its flagship-killing devices, forcing traditional manufacturers to rethink their pricing strategies. |
| 10. Essential Products |
Founded by Andy Rubin, co-founder of Android, and released the Essential Phone, which shared similarities with the Pixel series in terms of design and software experience. |
| Device |
Google Pixel 9 |
| Operating System |
Android 13 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Processor |
Google Tensor G2, Octa-core (2x Cortex-X1 + 2x Cortex-A76 + 4x Cortex-A55), 2.85 GHz |
| RAM |
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X RAM |
| Internal Storage |
128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, no microSD card slot |
| Display |
6.0 inches, OLED panel, 1080 x 2244 pixels (402 PPI), 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ |
| Rear Cameras |
Dual cameras:
- 50 MP primary sensor, f/1.85 aperture, 26mm focal length, PDAF + LAF
- 12.2 MP front camera, f/2.0 aperture, 28mm focal length
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| Battery Life |
4614 mAh battery, non-removable
- Fast charging (30W), up to 50% charge in 30 minutes
- No wireless charging support
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| Connectivity |
- 5G (sub-6GHz), 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E (ax), Bluetooth 5.2
- NFC for Google Pay, no headphone jack
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| Biometric Authentication |
In-display fingerprint sensor, facial recognition (using front camera) |
| Durability |
- IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both front and back
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| Colors |
Snow, Obsidian, Lemongrass, Coral |
| Dimensions and Weight |
155.6 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm, 175 grams (5G model) |
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