Google Pixel 9 review: super smarts in a small smartphone

After spending some quality time with the Google Pixel 9, I must say I am thoroughly impressed! As someone who spends a significant portion of my day scrolling through screens, this display is nothing short of a dream come true. The Actua OLED Display is bright, vibrant, and easily visible even under direct sunlight – a feat that has often left me squinting at other phones.

Google has a reputation for being intelligent, from its powerful search engine to its advanced artificial intelligence and top-notch hardware. It’s not surprising then that Google Pixel phones are often ranked among the finest smartphones globally.

2021 sees the Google Pixel 9 collection pushing boundaries with a revamped aesthetics, innovative hardware components, and artificially intelligent tools that are smarter than ever, designed to simplify your everyday tasks. These devices are among the most groundbreaking Pixel smartphones we’ve seen so far.

Introduced together with the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Pixel 9 stands out as the most budget-friendly model. I believe it will be an excellent choice for many due to its affordability.

Currently, as a gamer about to hit ‘buy’, the Google Pixel 9 sets me back £799 for its 128GB base model. If I crave extra storage, it bumps up to £899. With anticipation of sweet deals coming our way in the upcoming year, keep your eyes peeled if you’re eyeing this beauty soon!

Google Pixel 9 review: what’s new

Compared to its predecessor, Google has made significant changes to the design of its ninth-generation smartphone, the Google Pixel 9. If you place the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 9 together, the most noticeable difference is in their design: instead of a long camera bar spanning the back, the new model features an island centered on the phone. Additionally, the latest model is slightly thinner but heavier than its previous version.

The recently introduced Google Pixel 9 model is available in several fresh hues: Obsidian Black, Porcelain White, Wintergreen Green, and Peony Pink. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 8 can be found in Obsidian Black, Hazel Green, and Rose Pink.

Compared to the Pixel 8’s screen size of 6.2 inches, the Pixel 9 boasts a larger 6.3-inch display. Additionally, it boasts an improved brightness level, now reaching up to 2,700 nits compared to its previous 2,000 nits. To add to its durability, the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2 has been incorporated for enhanced protection.

Google enhanced the camera setup on the Pixel 8, swapping out its previous 12MP ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture for a 48MP ultrawide camera featuring an f/1.7 aperture. However, they kept the same 50MP main lens. As for the front camera, it retains the same megapixel count (10.5MP), but now comes with autofocus capabilities instead of a fixed focus length.

An enhancement made in the Google Pixel 9 lies in its internal hardware, now powered by the Google Tensor G4 chipset along with 12GB of RAM, compared to the Google Pixel 8 which uses the Tensor G3 chipset and 8GB of RAM. Additionally, the battery capacity has been boosted, rising from 4,575mAh to a 4,700mAh battery.

In keeping with Google’s tradition of innovation, the 2024 Pixel model will be packed with numerous exciting features such as Add Me and Zoom Enhance for the camera, which will be exclusive to Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 Pro devices. Additionally, you’ll have access to Satellite SOS for the first time, a novel method for managing screenshots, and updates to Call Assist. We’ll share more details about these features soon.

Google Pixel 9 review: design

If you’re on the lookout for a smartphone that exudes modern aesthetics and is comfortable to hold, the Google Pixel 9 fits the bill perfectly. Notably, Google has skillfully redesigned its premium models while preserving its distinctive and familiar style.

At the rear of the device, the innovative dual-lens camera module stands out, boasting a textured finish that starkly contrasts with the sleek, glossy surface beneath it. A subtle Google emblem and eco-friendly aluminum rim adorn the borders. The phone is absolutely flat on all sides, yet boasts rounded edges for a smooth feel, giving it an iPhone 15-like aesthetic.

Although the camera notch protrudes noticeably, due to its central location, it won’t make the phone wobble when set on a table. With the addition of a Pixel case, it will sit even more flat.

In simpler terms, the edges of this device feature a volume rocker, a USB-C port, and a button designed for activating the new Gemini voice assistant as well as locking the phone.

There are two options for unlocking your screen: facial recognition or an in-display fingerprint scanner, both of which have been consistently fast whenever I’ve tried them out.

The Pixel 9 boasts a user-friendly design. At 198g and dimensions of 15.28 x 7.2 x 8.5cm, this device is compact enough for easy handling, making it suitable even for those with smaller hands to use comfortably in one hand.

Although this product boasts a sleek appearance, its flat layout doesn’t provide the same slippery feel as earlier models. In case of accidental drops, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers robust protection against significant harm. Moreover, it has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, ensuring it can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Just got my hands on the new Pixel 9, and let me tell you, the obsidian black variant is a sight to behold! Dived right into gaming sessions with this beauty.

Google Pixel 9 review: display

For the Pixel 9 smartphone, Google chose a 6.3-inch Actua OLED screen. This display offers a resolution of 1080 x 2424 pixels with a pixel density of 422 pixels per inch (PPI). It also features a variable refresh rate that ranges from 60Hz to 120Hz, and the phone’s brightness can peak at 2,700nits.

The outcome: A crisp, luminous, and vivid presentation that’s effortlessly readable, even in bright sunlight. To my surprise, I found that I could easily discern the screen contents even when it was directly exposed to sunlight.

When I brought it indoors, the striking difference in the display stood out even more distinctly. I sampled several shows across top-tier streaming platforms, such as “Presumed Innocent” on Apple TV+ and “Camden” via Disney+, and in every program, I could discern every aspect of the scene, whether it was filmed in dim light or a dark area.

Additionally, you’ll find scrolling and swiping actions exceptionally fluid on the Pixel 9, due to its top-notch refresh rate. This feature is especially advantageous for mobile gamers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t adjust to a minimum of 1Hz to save battery life, but considering the price point, one can’t expect everything.

Google Pixel 9 review: camera

As a gamer, I’ve noticed some cool enhancements in the camera system on my Google devices. Now it features a 50MP primary lens and a 48MP ultrawide shooter, along with a 10.5MP selfie cam that focuses automatically.

To provide a more authentic representation of details like textures, skin tones, shadows, etc., Google has upgraded its HDR+ imaging system for a better rendering of photos. Additionally, the Pixel 9 comes with Zoom Enhance, an AI-powered feature that fills in missing pixels when zooming in on images, resulting in a clearer and sharper final shot.

I captured various scenes – landscapes, wildlife, portraits, blooming flora, and diverse culinary delights. I took photos both under the sun and under the stars, utilizing all my lenses. Freshly arrived from using the Google Pixel 8, you can clearly notice an improvement in picture quality.

In summary, I strongly believe there’s no camera that offers better quality for under £800. The images it produced were incredibly lifelike, showcasing clear details even in the shadows and accurately reproducing colors. The subjects were well-defined without overshadowing the background. On occasion, I wished for slightly more vibrant colors and better subject emphasis, but overall, I was quite satisfied with its performance.

Certain electronic gadgets, such as top-notch Samsung phones, often intensify photo colors to give them a more dynamic appearance. However, Google has chosen not to do this in this case, and whether you find that appealing or not will depend on personal preference. Personally, I appreciate the less vivid tones because they appear less overly manipulated or artificial.

Google has added some fun AI-powered tools to use both pre and post-capture:

As an enthusiast, I discovered this fascinating feature called “Add Me” that effortlessly incorporates multiple people into a single photo. Here’s how it works: first, I pose for the initial shot, then I swap roles with the photographer and dash into the frame. The magic happens when these two images are seamlessly merged together. Although there’s a slight layering effect, if you didn’t know about it, you wouldn’t bat an eye!

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2024-08-21 20:19