Google Pixel 9 Series: Anticipation Builds for Next-Gen Smartphones

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: Subtle but noteworthy improvements

The all-new Pixel Google Pixel 9 The Pixel 9 is another excellent smartphone, even more refined than its predecessor. It's compact and features an upgraded 48MP ultrawide camera and a more than capable 50MP primary. The device also has a great battery life, an extremely bright display, and all the new Gemini AI features you need. ProsPremium look and feelGreat camera improvementsExcellent performance ConsCosts $100 more than its predecessorSlow charging $799 at Amazon Continues to impress Google Pixel 8 The Google Pixel 8 remains an excellent smartphone, continuing to receive timely updates. It has a stunning display that's perfect for playing games and watching your favorite movies. The device is also responsive, performs well under a heavy workload, has a decent dual camera setup, and a long battery life. ProsStunning displayLong battery lifeStill has years of software and security support ConsUltrawide camera is a bit disappointingSlow charging $699 at Amazon Google launched the Pixel smartphone series back in 2016, and it has seen various successes over the years. Since then, the Pixel has become known for its excellent camera setup and great performance with superb software support. The latest Google Pixel 9 is hands-down one of the best compact flagships users can buy today, thanks to its stunning display, compact form factor, unique AI features, and long battery life. However, its predecessor, the Pixel 8, remains an excellent alternative that continues to receive timely updates, has a decent battery life, and great camera experience. But how do they fare by comparison? Let's find out. Read our ranking Best Android phones in 2024 Premium smartphones with unique features Price, availability, and specs The Google Pixel 9 is available at most retailers and carriers, as well as directly through Google. The base model features 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and it costs $799, which is a $100 increase over the previous generation. It comes in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony. In contrast, the Google Pixel 8 launched for $700 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It costs $100 more than the Pixel 7 series, so there's an ongoing theme where each new Pixel device gets a little more expensive every year. Aside from the price, the Pixel 8 remains widely available at various carriers and retailers, but many are unloading their stock, so you'll often see the Pixel 8 for as low as $400/$450 during special deal events. The Pixel 8 also comes in four colors: Rose, Hazel, Mint, and Obsidian. Google Pixel 9Google Pixel 8SoCGoogle Tensor G4Google Tensor G3Display typeOLED, 120HzOLED, 60-120HzDisplay dimensions6.3"6.2"Display resolution1080 x 24241080 × 2400RAM12GB8GBStorage128GB or 256GB128GB, 256GBBattery4,700mAh4,575mAhCharge speed27W wired, 15W wireless27W wired, 18W wirelessCharge optionsWired, wireless, reverse wirelessWired, wireless, reverse wirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-CSIM supportNano-SIM and eSIMNano-SIM and eSIMOperating SystemAndroid 14Android 14Front camera10.5MP, f/2.210.5MP, f/2.2Rear camera50MP, f/1.7, OIS main; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide50MP, f/1,7 main; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawideCellular connectivity5G, LTE4G, 5G mmWaveWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7 (Except certain markets)Bluetooth5.35.3Dimensions152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9mmWeight198g187gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, PeonyRose, Hazel, Obsidian Black Read our review Review: The Google Pixel 9 makes me question if I need to go Pro The Pixel 9 has everything most people want from a phone 7 Read our review The Pixel 8 remains the Google phone for the masses The Pixel 8 doesn't need every feature the 8 Pro offers Design Mostly the same, but slightly refined Close On the outside, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 look alike, but there are major differences between the two devices. First and foremost, the Pixel 9 has flatter sides; it's also slightly taller, wider, and thinner, and the camera bump has a completely new design. Both phones are built from premium materials, but the Pixel 9 has the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back with an aluminum frame, while the older model has the standard Victus panel -- that's a small difference. Still, the second generation is slightly more durable and less prone to cracks. In terms of dimensions, the Pixel 9 is 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, while the Pixel 8 measures 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm. The new device is thinner, taller, and wider, and also weighs more at 198 grams, compared to the Pixel 8's 187 grams. The Pixel 9's four corners are also curvier, all while the sides remain flatter compared to its predecessor. It has a more modern look that's reminiscent of flagships from other phone makers. Not a lot else has changed, and both devices feature the same IP68 water and dust resistance, meaning they can be submerged up to 1.5m deep for 30 minutes without a problem. Display The display gets brighter and larger The Pixel 9 has a slightly larger display than the Pixel 8, but not by much. It has a 6.3-inch OLED panel with 2,700 nits of peak brightness, whereas the Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch OLED panel. Both screens support 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+, but the Pixel 8 peaks at 2,000 nits. The Pixel 9 is much brighter outdoors, making the visibility of sunlight far more prominent and useful. The extra brightness is also used for HDR content, which makes supported movies and TV shows pop a lot more on the new device -- still, the Pixel 8 remains competitive. Colors are equally good on both devices. They're ideal for binge-watchers and those who play a lot of games or browse the web. These displays perform well under various types of loads, and we found them rather enjoyable for all types of content, games, and apps. Software and performance Long software support and new Pixel AI features Google's take on Android is minimalist, easy to approach, and, most of the time, very user-friendly. That's not to say it's perfect (far from it), but it's often easier to use for those coming from other operating systems, such as iOS. It's colorful and cheerful, depending on your wallpaper's colors, and it has all the features you need without getting lost in the settings. The new Pixels add even more AI features for taking better photos in fewer steps; this includes editing and manipulating photos with powerful tools and making the entire experience a bit more comfortable. The Pixel user interface is easy to understand. While it lacks a lot of features that'd enable users to fully personalize their experience with custom icons, users can still download and use third-party launchers and replace Google's apps with third-party ones. Luckily, the one department where the Pixels stand out is when it comes to software support. They're almost always the first in line to receive the latest software, features, and security updates directly from Google. And starting with the Pixel 8 series, all new Pixel devices (except the first-generation Pixel Fold) receive 7 years of OS and security support, making them futureproof and a great deal for those who want to hold on to their devices for several years. Battery life Slow charging, enduring battery The Pixel 9 features a 4,700 mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 has a slightly smaller, 4,575 mAh cell inside. Both phones support 27W wired charging, but the Pixel 9 can go from 0% to 55% in 30 minutes, while the Pixel 8 can receive a 50% charge in 30 minutes. That's not to say the Pixel 9 is much faster, as Google, alongside other manufacturers, is well behind competitors in charging solutions. The Pixel feels extremely slow in a world where most Chinese phone makers default to 60W and faster charging. Fortunately, the devices support wireless charging, with the Pixel 9 supporting 15W wireless, while the Pixel 8 supports 18W wireless charging when using the official Pixel Stand. Regarding real-world usage, both devices handle everything from apps to games to multitasking rather well. We found that the Pixel 9 could easily last a full day on a single charge, while power users would often have to top up before the end of the day. The same could be said for the Pixel 8, although the Pixel 9 appears to last ever so slightly longer thanks to the more efficient chipset and larger battery. Camera Competitive cameras access the board During our review, we found that the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 take phenomenal photos in nearly every condition -- pitch black, with little to no light, or broad daylight with the sun's rays hitting the sensor on the back. Both phones take beautiful photos, but the newer Pixel 9 is slightly improved, making it an even better option. The Pixel 9 has a 50MP f/1.7 primary and a new 48MP f/1.7 ultrawide camera. The Pixel 8 had the same 50MP, but a different 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide. The ultrawide is a great step up, as the Pixel 8 didn't always have the best results. In contrast, it looks like Google has fixed our previous nitpicks with the ultrawide with the new sensor, making the Pixel 9 a great upgrade. The third camera, a telephoto, is still missing from the most compact flagships. Still, Google is trying to mitigate it with software, by offering users an option to zoom in that scales up the image, improving the quality. Of course, this isn't as good as a dedicated telephoto camera, but as it stands, it's better than not having any other tools. Regarding camera performance, the devices shoot great photos in all lighting conditions, but the upgraded ultrawide makes the Pixel 9 a clear winner. It's far more versatile, and the quality of the images is more in line with what we expect from current flagships, but the Pixel 8 remains a solid option. Which is right for you? So, which of the compact Pixels should you buy? If you already have the Pixel 8, there's little to no reason to upgrade, although the small refinements might be tempting. If you have the budget and the desire to upgrade, it's a great option. For anyone else, it's probably worth waiting a year or two to see what Google will come up with -- but it's still the best buy, regardless. Excellent new iteration Google Pixel 9 Notable improvements to a great device The Pixel 9 is the most affordable flagship in Google's newest lineup, featuring a stunning display, a long battery life, and an excellent dual-camera setup. It also has various new Gemini AI features that further set it apart from other competing devices. So, the Pixel 9 is an excellent all-arounder at a competitive price point. $799 at Amazon$799 at Best Buy$799 at Google Store As for those still using older devices, the Pixel 9 is an excellent flagship -- one of the best Pixels to date. It's easy to handle, compact, powerful, and has a mighty dual camera setup and a solid battery life. Of course, it's far from perfect. The charging solution leaves a lot to be desired, but if you're in the Google ecosystem, and you like the new Gemini AI features, and the minor refinements, then the Pixel 9 is the phone you should consider. Still great Google Pixel 8 A top-notch device that holds up The Google Pixel 8 remains an excellent bang for your buck, featuring a beautiful display, a stellar camera experience, and a battery that can last a full day. It's the most compact flagship in Google's lineup, and it remains available alongside the Pixel 9 series, at an even more affordable price point that's hard to pass by if you're on a tighter budget. $699 at Amazon$699 at Best Buy$699 at Google Store

The Google Pixel phone I recommend to most people is not a flagship (and it's $200 off)

Compared to similarly priced phones, like the Nothing Phone 2, the Pixel 8 is a far better value. The Google Pixel 9 might be getting all the attention nowadays (especially with its access to Google's new Gemini AI model), but the standard Pixel 8 is still impressive among Google's lineup this year. Also: I compared the Google Pixel 8a with every major sub-$500 Android phone - here's my buying advice That's because the Pixel 8 offers one of the best combinations of specs, features, and premium design at a price considerably lower than the competition. What's more, for the past few months, Pixel 8 deals have been hovering around $499. At that price, the Pixel 8 is not only difficult to ignore but perhaps the only phone you should consider if you're shopping on a budget. You won't find another phone like it under $500, and it's only when you sift through the $800-$1,000 options that you find commendable competition. A big reason why this is such a compelling option is the Tensor G3 chip, Google's latest in-house processor that powers all of the Pixel 8's AI and machine learning features. It's not just a solid Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 alternative but a monumental reason why the Pixel 8 is such a great phone. Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro: This phone sold me on an AI-powered future The chip powers all the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices in the Recorder app to letting you edit photos to your heart's content with the AI-powered Magic Editor. The Google Assistant also takes advantage of the G3 to process your voice quicker and even summarize web pages for quickly consuming information. Alongside powering Google's HDR pipeline for photography, ensuring Android 14 is slick and smooth, the G3 is one of the most capable smartphone chips on the market. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you'll never have a slow day. The display is another huge reason to get this phone. The Pixel 8's 6.2-inch Actua display is a bit smaller than the screen on the Pixel 7, but that makes it easier to hold in one hand. It's also stunning to look at; with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,000 nits of peak brightness, it's one of the brightest and clearest displays on the market. Plus, it's OLED, so colors are vibrant, and inky blacks are plentiful. Look beyond the display, and you'll find a good-looking phone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. Featuring Google's signature camera bar on the back and thin bezels around the display, the Pixel 8 is a stunner among other sub-$700 phones. It's also IP68-certified for dust and water resistance, and it comes in three nice finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (kinda green), and Rose (more of a golden peach, in my opinion). When it comes to Pixel phones, there are two areas you have to talk about: cameras and software. On the camera front, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP main shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are both excellent performers in broad daylight and at night. The cameras easily match or outpace what you'd get with an iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of clarity, detail, and sharpness, while colors are often far more accurate than they ever have been on a Pixel phone. Also: I upgraded to the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature was not the software You also get all of the camera chops that the Pixel name carries like astrophotography, Super ResZoom, dual exposure controls, and Ultra HDR. That's on top of other features like Best Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the smartest you'll find. Plus, video quality has been vastly improved over previous Pixels -- it's flat-out comparable to the iPhone. On the software side, Google's Pixel experience atop Android 14 remains my favorite way to interact with Android. It's clean and minimal and gives you a warm, inviting feeling that no other Android skin can mimic. You get all the features of Android 14, like customizable lock screens, better security, larger fonts, and improved notifications, along with all of the Pixel features you could ask for, such as Call Screen, Now Playing, Direct My Call, AI-generated wallpapers, and --of course --the Pixel Launcher. But the real kicker in the software department is Google's extended support. The company is guaranteeing seven full years of software support, which means you'll get updates until 2030 if you buy this phone. That's unheard of for an Android phone, and it gives devices like the iPhone a run for their money. Also: Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which model should you buy? The Pixel 8 can also last all day on a charge thanks to the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy usage, I typically end days with 30-40 percent in the tank, which means anyone using the phone a bit less could stretch it out to last a day and a half. Plus, you get 30W fast charging to juice back up as well as Qi wireless charging. So, what are the downsides? Honestly, there aren't a lot. The Pixel 8 still gets pretty warm after using it for a while, but that's typical with Google's Tensor processors. I also wish there was a proper telephoto camera on the back; Super Res Zoom is handy for upscaling digitally zoomed photos, but it can only take you so far. Oh, and I still don't trust Face Unlock; Google lets you use it to pay for things now using Google Pay, but it still relies on a flat image of your face to authenticate you. You're not going to find a much better value than the Pixel 8. From the gorgeous display and design to the speedy performance and amazing cameras, Google's standard flagship phone stands on its own with an impeccable balance of high-end features for a lower price than other flagships. Also: Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so far With its sale price of $499, the closest competition happens to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Phone (2), two devices that are perfectly worthy of a spot in your pocket but don't offer the same value as the Pixel 8. Google's phone is a proper flagship with seven years of software support, the latest AI features, and the company's latest camera tricks. The Phone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that balance specs and price well but don't feel as high-end as the Pixel does. Anyone shopping for an Android phone under $600 -- let alone under $700 -- should look to the Pixel 8. The value is simply incredible, and it's by far one of the best phones of the year.

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: same name, different game

No 2024 flagship phone is as confusing as the Google Pixel 9 Pro. If you'd (understandably) assumed that Google's latest flagship was a direct follow-up to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, you'd be wrong. The Pixel 9 Pro is not a full-on successor. Not entirely, at least. That honor falls to the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, which offers a similar blend of top-notch hardware in a super-sized smartphone package. So, what does the Pixel 9 Pro bring to the table, and how does it compare to the Pixel 8 Pro? We've spent plenty of time with both phones, and you'll find our verdict on each device in our Google Pixel 9 Pro review and Google Pixel 8 Pro review. Spoiler alert: the Pixel 9 Pro scores higher. But is it as simple as that? Of course it isn't. There are a few wrinkles thrown in along the way, and the Pixel 8 Pro still gives a good account of itself. Let's take a closer look. Let's take a quick look at the key specifications of these two Google phones before we dive into the finer details. The Google Pixel 9 Pro became available in the US, UK, and Australia on August 22, 2024. That was about two months earlier than expected, with the Pixel 8 Pro arriving on October 12, 2023. Pricing for the Pixel 9 Pro begins at $999 / £999 / AU$1,649 for the model with 128GB of storage, while the 256GB model costs $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849, the 512GB model costs $1,219 / £1,219 / AU$2,049, and the 1TB model costs $1,449 (it's not available in the UK or Australia). That's very similar indeed to the Google Pixel 8 Pro's launch pricing, which started at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 for the model with 128GB of storage. Stepping up to the 256GB model would have cost you $1,059 / £1,059 / AU$1,799, while the 512GB model came in at $1,179 / £1,179 / AU$1,999. The range-topping 1TB model came with a $1,399 price tag (again, this one wasn't available in the UK or Australia). As you can see, things start on roughly equal footing, but the higher storage models of the Pixel 9 Pro are a little more expensive than their Pixel 8 Pro counterparts. Even if we're calling this a tie, though, this represents a price bump on Google's part - and we're not just talking about the fact that you can now buy the Pixel 8 Pro for significantly cheaper if you shop around. As we mentioned in the intro, the Pixel 9 Pro isn't actually the direct successor to the Pixel 8 Pro. That would be the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google has seen fit to tinker with its naming system this year, but the long and short of it is that the Pixel 9 Pro is the one all-new model in the 2024 roster. It essentially takes all of the flagship elements of the Pixel 9 Pro XL and squeezes them into a much smaller package. Think what Apple does with the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. All of which is to say that despite sharing the same launch pricing, the Pixel 8 Pro is a much larger phone than the Pixel 9 Pro. At 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm, the older phone makes the 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm Pixel 9 Pro seem tiny. Interestingly, the Pixel 8 Pro isn't too much heavier than its younger brother. At 213g, it's a relatively trifling matter of 14g. According to Google, the Pixel 9 Pro is twice as durable as the Pixel 8 Pro, though in terms of raw materials, both phones use the same Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and aluminum. Both are IP68 rated, too. It's not just the size that differs in these two designs, either. The Pixel 8 Pro iterates on previous Pixel models, with curved edges and a distinctive camera visor that gently melds into the frame. The Pixel 9 Pro ditches much of this, adopting a flatter, more industrial look that more closely resembles the iPhone 15 Pro. Even the signature Pixel camera module is gone, though the Pixel 9 Pro's wide, prominent pill-shaped module still carries an echo of that stand-out detail. Just about the only shared design flourish is the use of a shiny metal rim and a matte glass rear. The Pixel 9 Pro offers new Rose Quartz and Hazel color options, dropping the Pixel 8 Pro's Bay and Mint, but retaining the Obsidian and Porcelain (black and white). Our reviewer preferred the design of the Pixel 9 Pro, scoring it higher and calling it "the smoothest, most polished phone I've felt in years". Your opinion may vary, but either way, it's genuinely refreshing to see a manufacturer other than Apple put its best foot forward with a compact flagship phone. It shouldn't take a genius to figure out that the Pixel 8 Pro, with its much larger body, has a much larger display than the Pixel 9 Pro. While the new phone has a compact 6.3-inch OLED screen, the older one uses a 6.9-inch panel. The specs are otherwise quite similar. The Pixel 8 Pro has the higher resolution, coming in at 1280 x 2856 compared to the Pixel 9 Pro's 1344 x 2992. However, thanks to the difference in size, they're actually about as sharp as one another, with a 495ppi rating for the Pixel 9 Pro compared to 489ppi for the Pixel 8 Pro. Both are vibrant OLED panels with fluid 120Hz maximum refresh rates, and both use LTPO panel technology to scale all the way down to 1Hz when the current task dictates it. Other than size, the single biggest difference here is brightness. The Pixel 9 Pro gets way brighter, hitting a peak of 3,000 nits in HDR scenarios. The Pixel 8 Pro can hit 2,400 nits, which is still very good, but quite a bit less than its younger brother. Both are great screens, and it all comes down to what you value more - raw real estate or eye-searing brightness on a sunny day. Pixel phones always take brilliant pictures, and Google doesn't tend to change up its hardware as much as other manufacturers. These two points inform the fact that these two phones have very similar - and similarly effective - camera setups. Both have the same 50MP 1/1.31" main camera with an f/1.7 aperture. Both also have the same 48MP 1/2.55" 5x periscope camera with an f/2.8 aperture. There are slight differences with the third and final camera, however. While both of these ultra-wides hit 48MP, the Pixel 9 Pro's sensor is slightly different, with a wider f/1.7 aperture (vs f/2.0) for more light scoopage, as well as a slightly narrower 123-degree field of view (vs 126-degrees). If they sound like minor changes, you'd be right. In fact, by far the biggest hardware change here relates to the front cameras, where Google has upgraded the Pixel 8 Pro's 10.5MP selfie snapper to a 42MP unit in the Pixel 9 Pro. Even so, that's not why we awarded the Pixel 9 Pro camera full marks in our review. Google has always been all about image processing, and it's improved the quality of the pictures that its new phone takes by bolstering its algorithms and switching to a more capable Tensor G4 processor. While both phones take excellent snaps in all conditions, we described the Pixel 9 Pro as "a contender for the top spot on our list of the best camera phones you can buy", with Google having made "worthy improvements across the board to many different camera features". Our reviewer was impressed with the Pixel 9 Pro's new night-time panorama mode, as well as its all-round color handling. It can also up-res 4K videos to 8K, should you wish it to, which the Pixel 8 Pro can't do. Google has made the expected generational performance upgrade with the Pixel 9 Pro, moving up from the Pixel 8 Pro's Tensor G3 to the - you guessed it - Tensor G4. To be brutally honest, it's a pretty minor upgrade in raw CPU and GPU terms. CPU benchmark results suggest a 15%(ish) improvement over the Pixel 8 Pro, while GPU benchmarks range between a 10 and 20% uptick. Naturally, then, we wouldn't choose performance as a major reason to choose one over the other. But the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro don't exist in a vacuum. Both of these phones fall way behind their contemporaries in terms of raw performance. In general usage, you won't notice the difference too much (if at all), but our reviewer was able to make the newer Pixel 9 Pro falter a little while multitasking. This could always be solved with a firmware update, of course, and the Pixel 9 Pro does boast a key spec that makes us think it'll be more future-proof than its older brother. With 16GB of RAM, it has more memory than anything short of a gaming phone - it's certainly a lot more than the 12GB provided by the Pixel 8 Pro. We're not entirely convinced that either of these phones will be able to last the full seven-year span that Google promises to support them for, but the Pixel 9 Pro has more potential thanks to that RAM allotment - especially when it comes to the memory-hungry AI applications that are now coming thick and fast. All of this brings us to the matter of software, which is broadly the same across these two phones. We are talking about two Google phones, after all. Android 15 wasn't ready at the launch of the Pixel 9 Pro, which meant that it shipped with much the same Android 14 version as the Pixel 8 Pro did a year earlier. That's unfortunate, but it's not a deal breaker. Google's UI remains one of the cleanest and most intuitive around. Both phones have gone big on AI, and with the Pixel 9 Pro, Google's Gemini AI assistant is the new default in place of Google Assistant. Other features like the Add Me camera tool (add yourself to group shots) and the Pixel Studio app (create AI images from natural requests) are Pixel 9 Pro exclusives for now, but will almost certainly come to the older phone in time. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery which, unsurprisingly, is larger than the Pixel 9 Pro's 4,700mAh cell. However, we'd say that the Pixel 9 Pro has slightly superior stamina. In our own lab tests, the Pixel 9 Pro lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes, while the Pixel 8 Pro lasted around 10 hours. When it comes to practical usage, both phones will last you a day of normal usage without making you sweat. Neither is among the longest-lasting phones on the market, but they're perfectly adequate in the stamina stakes. In getting such performance out of a smaller device (with a brighter display, don't forget), we'd say we're more impressed with the Pixel 9 Pro in this regard. Perhaps the biggest upgrade in the Tensor G4 is its energy efficiency rather than its outright performance. Neither phone charges up very quickly, though. The Pixel 8 Pro maxes out at 30W wired charging support, while the Pixel 9 Pro tops out at 27W. Both are way behind the best in the business, but both will get you to around 50% in 30 minutes. The Pixel 9 Pro might get you a tad more, but there isn't much in it. Both phones support wireless charging too, with faster speeds capable through Google's own Pixel Stand - sold separately, naturally. The Pixel 9 Pro is a much more interesting upgrade on the Pixel 8 Pro than its name might suggest. For one thing, it's competing in a completely different weight class, with a much smaller body and 6.3-inch display. For another, Google has gone back to the drawing board on the familiar Pixel aesthetic. The new look is a little more iPhone-like than before, but there's no denying how much of an improvement it is in terms of build quality and all-round sheen. Add in a brighter display, an improved camera (if not by an awfully large amount), and battery life that can more than hold its own, not to mention a modest performance boost, and the Pixel 9 Pro is quite clearly the better phone of the two. Of course, bargain hunters will probably be able to pick the Pixel 8 Pro up for significantly cheaper right now, while for others, its large screen will suffice. For everyone else, though, the Pixel 9 Pro is the better buy.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: I love it, and think you will too | Digital Trends

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold MSRP $1,799.00 Score Details "The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an entertainment powerhouse. It's a truly excellent foldable and one I think you'll love." Pros Brilliant screen for games and video Versatile and fun camera Long software update commitment Superb build and design Thin and well-balanced Free year of Gemini Advanced Cons Slow charging Heavy Expensive I've been using the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a few weeks now and am absolutely in love with it. I probably should tease you more about my overall opinion, but when a phone is this good, it seems disingenuous to hide the fact. Contents Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: designGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold: screensGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold: cameraGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold: software and AIGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold: battery and chargingGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold: price and availabilityGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold: verdictShow 2 more items Of course, it's not perfect, but crucially, it manages to overcome one of the biggest hurdles regarding living with a big folding phone daily. What is it? Well, for that, you'll just have to read on to find out. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: design What has happened at Google HQ? This year, it has completely nailed how to build a fantastic smartphone. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are not only good-looking, but also beautifully made, and it's mostly the same story with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The satin aluminum chassis is cool to the touch and expertly rounded, while the entirely silent hinge has a linear, perfectly dampened motion. It feels so well put together that you'd think Google had made folding phones for decades. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 rear panel has a matte finish and a subtle texture, differentiating it from the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 over the screen on the front. The camera module is perhaps the only slight misstep in the design, as it's not as unique or characterful as the Pixel 9 series' stadium-shaped module or the visor design used for the Pixel 8 series. It's also pretty thick and detracts from the otherwise slim 10.5mm closed phone. This is a huge deal. At 10.5mm, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is several millimeters thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open and not much thicker than the Honor Magic V3. During the time I've spent with the 9 Pro Fold so far, it has not felt much different from using my iPhone 15 Pro Max in its case. If you've been waiting for a folding phone that's ergonomically extremely similar to a big, non-folding phone, this is it. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels so well put together. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has overcome this long-standing folding phone problem, it is still a heavy phone at 257 grams, which makes it more portly than its competition and very noticeable in your pocket. Put it in a case and it only gets heavier, but I've been using it without and relying on the build and IPX8 water resistance to keep it safe. The other jarring design aspect is the decision to curve the glass on the front and back at each corner but not the metal chassis. It looks a bit strange and, paired with the cover screen's thick bezel, makes the phone look bigger than it actually is. However, I'll take a gawky design decision and a few grams over what would be anideal weight when the rest of the build and the overall engineering are otherwise spot-on. Google has set the bar high for smartphone design and construction with the Pixel 9 series, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comprehensively eclipses the old Pixel Fold's design and build. It is a truly delectable piece of hardware. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: screens On the outside of the closed Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a 6.3-inch OLED Actua Display with a 2424 x 1080 pixel resolution, a 60Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, and a 1,800 nits of brightness. Open the phone up, and you get an 8-inch Super Actua OLED screen with a 2152 x 2076 pixel resolution, a 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, and a 1,600-nit brightness. The open screen is the reason you should buy the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It's bright, sharp, colorful, and fantastic for playing games, watching videos, or browsing apps and the internet without straining your eyes. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's 5.1mm thickness, when unfolded, makes it really easy to hold, and because the balance is so well-judged, it never becomes fatiguing. I've spent far too long browsing Reddit, trying to choose a watch on Watchfinder's website through Chrome, and scrolling through Threads. Instagram still looks pretty poor, but otherwise, I found compatibility with the open screen to be acceptable. I've been playing Air Attack 2, which not only looks great, but is much easier to play on the large open screen, as there's more space around your finger as you guide the plane around. I don't notice the crease when the screen is open and a video is playing unless I'm viewing it at an angle, but you do feel it with your finger when playing games. I don't find it a problem, though. The Tensor G4 chip does not cause the phone to get hot in my experience, and I have not noticed any slowdown when playing games or when using the software. Multimedia is where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's strengths lie, and while you can run two apps side by side on the open screen, you can't add a third floating window. And the process for opening apps is more convoluted and less reliable than on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, for example. There's no dedicated taskbar either, only the usual Android app toolbar, which has fewer options and slows things down when switching between multiple apps. I'd choose the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for work-related multitasking, but I love the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for video, photo editing, and general entertainment. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: camera The camera on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is weird, at least when you compare its specs with other Pixel 9 cameras and then take the price into consideration. It has a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 10.5MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom and a maximum 20x Super Res Zoom. It has optical and electronic image stabilization (OIS and EIS) on both the primary and ultrawide cameras, plus laser autofocus and a spectral sensor for color accuracy. Despite the Pro name, it has a lesser specification than the Pixel 9 Pro and is also different from the Pixel 9. It has more in common with the previous-generation Pixel phones on paper, and that's not a good look when Google expects you to pay twice the price of a Pixel 9 for it. But numbers don't always tell the whole story, and the good news is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera still takes great photos. Previous Next 1 of 16 I wrote an entire feature on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera, which I used to go car spotting in Berlin and put its 5x telephoto camera through its paces. It takes sharp, clean, and colorful photos with plenty of detail, even when you crop down. What I like the most is the color and contrast balance, which carries over to the primary and ultrawide cameras. The results are consistent between all three cameras; it rarely fails to give photos a beautiful and natural tone, but it never oversaturates. In low light, it still brings out color, even in the shadows. There's even an effective (if a bit fiddly to activate) macro mode to get close to subjects. The numbers don't do the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera justice. It takes excellent photos in almost any situation without any fuss. Plus, there are all the fantastic editing features available in Google Photos, and they're even more powerful than ever. Like the phone itself, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera is an excellent all-rounder. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: software and AI Android 14 is installed on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and it'll get seven years of main OS and security updates, which means Android 15 will count as one of them when it's released. However, before you get too up in arms about it, consider whether you'll still own the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in six years' time. Google's Tensor G4 and 16GB of RAM provide the behind-the-scenes power. Google isn't using Android, the camera, the folding screen, or handy features like the split Gboard keyboard that makes typing on the open screen so simple to sell the Pixel 9 phones: It's using Google Gemini AI. Just like other Pixel 9 series phones, the Gemini AI platform takes the place of Google Assistant here. Like other AI systems, it can help plan events, teach you about different subjects, translate text, summarize emails and messages, generate images, and perform a host of other somewhat helpful tasks. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with one year of free access to Gemini Advanced, like the other Pixel 9 Pro phones. What's it like? I'm so conditioned to using a text-based Google Search query that I have to force myself to use Gemini Advanced. I'm considering starting to play Magic: The Gathering Arena, and I wanted to get an idea of how it compares to my days of playing the physical card game. I asked Gemini Advanced for advice, and the conversation flowed well. There was no need for continued clarification of the subject, and I felt it answered my questions in a satisfactory manner. It was certainly faster than me doing a text-based search, and Gemini's responses were instant. Otherwise, the functionality is quite niche, and you may not use it all that often. My life isn't so hectic that I need Gemini to help plan things, for example, and features like generating images are playthings I can't imagine I'd use apart from trying it out. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's software has been faultless. Compared to using basic Gemini on the Pixel 9, it's a far more feature-rich experience. If you have already seen where Gemini Advanced will save you time, it's worth experimenting with if you buy the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. You'll quickly learn whether it'll be worth the $20 per month to continue with it after a year. However, Gemini works on many other modern Android phones, so you don't have to buy a Pixel to use it. It's also definitely not a reason to buy a Pixel 9 phone. Still, Android itself remains superb on Google's phones, with a fun, clean, customizable design, plus very smooth and responsive performance. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's software has been faultless for me and is a genuine advantage over other Android phones, while Gemini is capable and nice to have, but not essential at all. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: battery and charging The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 4,650mAh battery inside that is recharged using a USB-C cable or Qi wireless charging. You do not get a charging block in the box, but the phone supports up to 45-watt wired recharging. During my use, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's battery lasts, on average, for two days without playing games. However, when you add gaming to the mix, it's unlikely to make it deep into the second day. Expect between three-and-a-half to five hours of screen time from a single charge. Given the multitasking and productivity potential of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, this may not be adequate for power users. Watch a 30-minute, 2160p YouTube video at full brightness, and the battery depletes by 6%, and a 30-minute session of Air Attack 2 uses up about the same amount. Keep the brightness on auto, and battery life does improve, but I've found the ambient light sensor is quite aggressive, resulting in me manually increasing the brightness fairly often. When it comes to charging, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is disappointing. I used an Anker Prime charger with a compatible USB-C cable, and it took 90 minutes to recharge the 9 Pro Fold's battery. This is twice the amount of time it takes to recharge the OnePlus Open's battery using its proprietary 67W charger. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's battery life and recharging match that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and are average rather than outstanding. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: price and availability Take a deep breath because this is an expensive phone. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold costs $1,799 or 1,749 British pounds, and you only get 256GB of storage space. You can now purchase it through Google's online store and other outlets. Big-screen folding smartphones are all expensive, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold costs basically the same as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, the OnePlus Open Apex Edition, and the Honor Magic V3. Only the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 costs less, and there's a reason for it -- it's a midrange phone, not a flagship. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's biggest problem is that non-folding flagships cost a lot less. You can save at least $500 by buying the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, or the iPhone 16 Pro Max. No, they won't fold up, but they will do everything else really well, if not better, than the 9 Pro Fold. You should think carefully before spending so much on Google's folding phone, regardless of how good it is. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: verdict I'm in love with the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Closed, it's as close as I need to a "normal" phone's shape and dimensions, and opened up, it's a video and entertainment powerhouse. The build quality and design are superb, far better than any previous Pixel phone, and it feels substantial in your hand. It's an expensive smartphone, but importantly, it also looks and feels like one. I'm in love with the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The software is a delight to use. The camera is versatile, fun, and takes great photos in almost all situations -- plus, there's a wealth of editing tools that are a joy to play with on the open screen. I've mostly forgotten that it's a big-screen folding smartphone, by which I mean it has overcome many of the ergonomic issues that earlier models suffered from. It's more fun than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, but it's not quite as wonderfully well-rounded as Samsung's phone, which is better for multitasking and work. I'm also a fan of the Z Fold 6's slender cover screen, which makes the phone lighter and more compact, plus I have more faith in its long-term durability due to the dust resistance and special Armor Aluminum construction. Over the last weeks, I've gone from using the Google Pixel 9 to the Pixel 9 Pro to, finally, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. I've definitely saved the best for last, and it's the one I'd keep my SIM card in long-term if I had that choice. The cost is the obvious issue, as although I'm raving about this phone, $1,800 is an obscene amount to spend on a smartphone. However, if you can stomach it and plan to keep your new phone for several years to eke out as much value from it as possible, there isn't another real reason not to get one.