The much-awaited Google Pixel 9 is finally here. It launched on September 19, 2024, with high hopes from users and fans. Google’s Pixel series has always been known for its clean software, smooth performance, and great camera quality. But this time, the Pixel 9 faces tough competition. Despite being a solid phone, it’s struggling to stand out in a market filled with some exceptional alternatives.
Let’s take a closer look at what the Pixel 9 offers and where it falls behind.
Design and Build Quality
The Pixel 9 continues the same design language as its predecessors. It has a sleek, minimalistic look with a glass back and aluminum frame. The phone feels sturdy in hand, but there’s nothing particularly new or exciting about the design. It looks clean, but many would say it’s too plain compared to other flagship phones. The available colors are safe, with the usual black, white, and soft pastel options.
Google’s choice to stick with a traditional design might disappoint users looking for something more eye-catching. In 2024, most high-end phones are moving toward more adventurous designs. Foldable phones, for example, are becoming quite popular, and compared to those, the Pixel 9 seems outdated in its design approach.
Display
One of the areas where the Pixel 9 shines is its display. It comes with a 6.3-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The colors are sharp and vivid, making watching videos or playing games a pleasant experience. Google has made sure the display is bright enough for outdoor use, and the high refresh rate makes scrolling feel incredibly smooth.
But when compared to some other phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 or iPhone 15 Pro, the Pixel 9’s display lacks the same “wow” factor. These competing phones offer better brightness, and more advanced HDR features, and in some cases, even larger screens that offer a more immersive experience. While the Pixel 9’s display is solid, it doesn’t outshine its competitors.
Performance
Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with its new Tensor G3 chip. The phone performs well in most tasks, from multitasking to gaming. Apps open quickly, and there is little to no lag when switching between them. The AI features powered by this chip are another highlight, making tasks like image processing faster.
However, compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in many other flagship devices, the Tensor G3 doesn’t quite match up. The Pixel 9 performs well for everyday tasks, but hardcore gamers or users who need top-tier performance may notice a difference. Phones like the OnePlus 12 or Xiaomi 14 Pro offer faster processors and better performance, especially in heavy-use situations.
Camera Quality
Google has always excelled in the camera department, and the Pixel 9 doesn’t disappoint in this area. The main camera is 50MP, and it produces sharp, clear photos with vibrant colors. The Night Sight feature, which has been popular in previous Pixel models, has seen improvements. Low-light photography is better than ever, with more details and less noise in dark environments.
The phone also comes with a 12MP ultra-wide camera, which captures good-quality shots. However, the telephoto lens is missing from the base model, something that many competitors include. This is a drawback for users who like to zoom in on distant objects without losing quality.
Phones like the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra still hold the edge in overall camera performance. While the Pixel 9 is a strong contender, it feels like it’s playing catch-up in some areas.
Software and User Experience
One of the strongest points of the Pixel 9 is its software. It runs on a clean version of Android 14, free from bloatware and unnecessary apps. Google’s integration with its own services is seamless, and updates are guaranteed for several years.
Google’s software features are also worth mentioning. The on-device AI helps with real-time translations, photo editing, and even suggesting responses in messaging apps. Features like “Magic Eraser” allow users to remove unwanted objects from photos with ease, and “Real Tone” ensures that photos of people of all skin tones come out accurately.
That said, even though the software is excellent, many people who use other phones with heavily customized interfaces, like Samsung’s One UI or Xiaomi’s MIUI, might find Pixel’s experience too bare-bones. These other manufacturers offer more customization options, which many users prefer.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 9 comes with a 4,700mAh battery. In general, it can last a full day with moderate use. Google has optimized the battery well, and with the new power-saving features in Android 14, users won’t have to worry about running out of juice too quickly.
However, when compared to other flagship devices, the Pixel 9’s battery life is just average. Phones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra both offer longer-lasting batteries. The Pixel 9 also supports only 30W wired charging, which is relatively slow in today’s market where 65W or even 100W charging is becoming the norm.
Wireless charging is supported, but once again, it’s slower than what some competitors offer. This is another area where the Pixel 9 feels a bit behind the times.
Pricing and Value
Google has priced the Pixel 9 at a starting price of $699. On paper, this seems like a fair price for what you get. The phone offers solid performance, an excellent camera, and clean software. But when compared to some of its competitors, like the Samsung Galaxy S24 or even Google’s own Pixel 9 Pro, the base Pixel 9 feels like a middle-ground option.
There are phones in this price range that offer better features, such as faster charging, more powerful processors, or more advanced displays. This leaves the Pixel 9 feeling like a good phone, but not a great one when you consider the competition.
Google Pixel 9 is a good phone, but it’s overshadowed by other great ones. It has a solid display, smooth software, and excellent cameras, but in a year filled with top-tier flagship phones, it doesn’t stand out enough. The design feels too familiar, the battery life is average, and the performance, while good, isn’t the best available.
For loyal Pixel fans or those who prefer a clean Android experience, the Pixel 9 is still a worthy option. But for users looking for cutting-edge features or the best bang for their buck, there are better options out there this year. Google has created a good phone, but in 2024, good might not be good enough.
