Google Pixel 9: The New Star of Android Smartphones

Why the $799 Google Pixel 9 is the real star of this year's Android phone lineup

The hardware improvements over last year's model are relatively small,. I had a chance to attend the Made by Google event earlier this month, and after the keynote wrapped up, I was more excited to go hands-on with the baseline version of the Pixel 9 than the Pro or the Pro XL. Why? Because the Pixel 9's accessibility makes it a fascinating device, and one I recommend for a handful of reasons. I'm spoiling this review right at the top, but it's true. Google's new entry-level flagship, the Pixel 9, starts at $799 ($100 more than last year's version) and even though its hardware is a minor improvement over the Pixel 8, it's an impressive phone overall. It offers a new design, slightly upgraded performance, slightly better cameras, a slightly bigger battery, and a host of new AI features. Google has positioned the Pixel 9 as the default Android alternative to the iPhone 15 (soon to be the iPhone 16), partly because it looks like one. Google gave the entire Pixel 9 family flat sides with rounded corners, which makes it look like something from a design lab in Cupertino. The good news is that it makes these phones look and feel great. Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Pixel 9 Pro XL for two weeks - and can't go back In fact, they're my favorite-looking Pixel phones yet. The Pixel 9 feels especially unique while still offering a premium feel that's blissfully cold to the touch when you pick it up. The sides are aluminum, while the front and back feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The whole thing is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, and it's just the right size for use with one hand. Another characteristic of the Pixel is its nice display, and the Pixel 9 definitely has one. It features a 6.3-inch Actua display a tenth of an inch bigger than the Pixel 8. The sharp 2424x1080 resolution, OLED panel, and 120Hz dynamic refresh rate give the Pixel 9 exceptional visuals whether you're just reading email or watching your favorite movie. This year, the screen can reach way up to 2,700 nits of brightness, making it one of the brightest Android phones you can buy. Also: This Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro camera shootout has a clear winner - and one big surprise Also, its performance feels better. Powered by the new Tensor G4 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage, the Pixel 9 is a screamer. It's one of the most responsive Android phones I've used all year, and that's just with the standard version of this phone. The cameras are also impressive. Google kept the same 50MP main camera as last year but swapped the old 12MP ultra-wide for a new 48MP 123-degree camera. Photos are simply stunning on this phone, and Google's post-processing algorithms do a great job of retaining details and contrast. Video quality is also very good, especially with the company's Video Boost technology. This phone can easily rival any device that costs $200+ more. If there's a downside to the hardware, it's the inclusion of the lower-quality 10.5MP selfie camera, whereas the Pro phones get a new 42MP camera. There's also an extra telephoto camera on the Pros, so you won't get the same zoom quality on the regular Pixel 9. Regarding this phone's AI features, Google has jammed quite a bit into the Pixel 9. Not only does it ship with the company's Gemini chatbot out of the box, but thanks to the Tensor G4 processor, it also comes with Gemini Live, so you can have real-life conversations with it. Also: Android 15's Gemini overlay feature can answer questions about anything on your screen It requires a Google One AI Premium plan, but you'll get one for free if you buy a Pixel 9. I've asked it numerous questions that were similar to web queries ("What's the best place to live near New York City that's relatively affordable," "How many stars are in the sky-wait, in the galaxy?") and it answered them all with ease -- even with speech interruptions. It's in the early stages, but it's exciting technology that could change how we use our phones. You also get features like Add Me, which allows you to take a picture of your friends, then have them take a picture of you in the same place, and merge the two so no one's left out. I've played around with it during my testing, which worked surprisingly well. There are also some nice updates to Magic Editor for framing your photos. Google also included two new AI-powered apps on the Pixel 9 series: Pixel Screenshots and Pixel Studio. With the former, you can organize your screenshots and search through them with AI prompts, allowing you to easily reference information like Wi-Fi passwords or recipes. Meanwhile, the latter lets you generate images on the fly and customize them with text, stickers, and other effects. I've enjoyed using both apps in my limited testing time, but I'll need to play with them over the long run to see whether they're worth it. Also: The Pixel phone camera was already the best, but these new features make it even better I found battery life to be quite good. There's a 4,700mAh cell inside that can last all day on a charge and then some, which means you won't need to worry about this phone's battery after a long day. Google includes 45W charging support on the Pixel 9 series, which is awesome, but you'll need to buy a separate wall adapter to take advantage of it. In addition, there's 15W wireless charging (not Qi2, notably) and 5W reverse wireless charging called "Battery Share." If your budget is $800, it's hard not to recommend Google's Pixel 9. Sure, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a tough competitor, but I actually think this is the better buy. It gives you access to some useful new AI features, and you get all the perks of the Pixel experience, like excellent software, display quality, and cameras. The Pixel 9's Pro and Pro XL versions might be flashier, but the baseline version of Google's flagship phone should not be overlooked.

Google Pixel 9 Pro review: the iPhone of Android | Digital Trends

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us? Google Pixel 9 Pro MSRP $999.00 Score Details "With a compact design, excellent hardware, lovely cameras, and more, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is one of 2024's best smartphones." Pros Beautiful hardware and display Compact size without compromises It's pink! Long battery life Great cameras Mostly good AI tools Seven years of updates Cons Slow charging speeds 128GB base storage The Google Pixel 9 series is here, and for the first time, those who want a smaller Pro phone can finally have it without needing to compromise on features. Google has given me the Pro phone that I've been hoping for, unlike Apple (for now). Contents Google Pixel 9 Pro: designGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: screen and performanceGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: camerasGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: software and AI featuresGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: battery life and chargingGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: price and availabilityGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: verdictShow 2 more items The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the middle child of the Pixel 9 line. It's physically the same size as the base model Pixel 9, but it has the same features as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. It's the Goldilocks of the Pixel 9 slabs. If you want a flagship Android phone that is not monstrously large, packs in plenty of power, has a gorgeous design, and even comes in pink, then the Pixel 9 Pro is one of the best choices you can make. Google Pixel 9 Pro: design The Pixel 9 Pro's design is one of my favorite things about the phone. While the Pixel line has always had a unique look that sets it apart from the competition, the new aesthetic for the Pixel 9 lineup as a whole really stands out. In a way, it feels so much more modern and sleek than before. This year, Google flattened the frame across the entire Pixel 9 family, similar to what Apple has done for several years with the iPhone. When you combine this with the rounded corners, the Pixel 9 Pro is very comfortable to hold, even for extended periods of time. Another big change is the new camera bar. Rather than extending out to the phone's edges, it is now an elongated capsule shape that's more like a camera island. Honestly, I like this new design better than the old one. It's still distinctive, like the camera bar, but it looks much cleaner. The Pixel 9 Pro's design is one of my favorite things about the phone. The back of the Pixel 9 Pro is a matte finish glass, and the aluminum frame has a glossy polish, making it look very premium. The buttons are tactile and have a nice click when pressed, the speakers sound great, and the new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is very reliable. The Pixel 9 Pro also has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, so it's extremely durable. Also, props to Google for keeping a physical SIM card tray at the bottom. I've seen people say that the Pixel 9 redesign feels very iPhone-like, and that's fair criticism. But maybe that's also why I like it so much. The Pixel 9 Pro is just well-made hardware with a premium look and feel. It's really beautiful this year. And hey, Google gave us a pink (Rose Quartz) color, which I absolutely love. If pink isn't your color, there is also Obsidian, Porcelain, and Hazel. Google Pixel 9 Pro: screen and performance The Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, just like the base model Pixel 9, but it is a Super Actua LTPO OLED panel with 1280 by 2856 resolution at 495 pixels per inch (ppi) and a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. It also gets 2,000 nits of brightness for HDR content and peaks at 3,000 nits, making this display very usable outdoors. Further, the screen features a uniformly thin bezel all around. By default, the Pixel 9 Pro is set to the "high resolution" option, which is a slightly lower 960 by 2142 resolution to save battery power. Changing it to "full resolution" was one of the first things I did when I set up my Pixel 9 Pro -- it's worth the slight battery drain, in my eyes. The Pixel 9 Pro's Super Actua display is just beautiful. The Pixel 9 Pro's Super Actua display is just beautiful, and everything looks great. The colors are bright and vibrant without being overpowering. Whites are truly white, and blacks are deep and inky. Text is sharp and crisp, and scrolling is incredibly fluid with the "Smooth display" setting on. Regarding performance, the Pixel 9 Pro packs quite a punch with the Tensor G4 chip and 16GB RAM, a first for the Pixel line. Though Google's Tensor chips had a rough start, it began to shape up with G3, and the G4 has been doing quite well so far in my testing. I have not experienced any overheating issues with the Pixel 9 Pro, which was a problem with previous models, and all of my apps and games run smoothly without any issues. Opening apps, switching between them, taking many photos, playing games, and everything else is done seamlessly without fault. Google Pixel 9 Pro: cameras Pixels are known for having reliable cameras, and thankfully, that doesn't change with the Pixel 9 Pro. Even though this is the smaller version of the Pro this year, Google did not skimp out on the camera hardware, unlike Apple with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a triple-lens camera system on the rear that features a 50-megapixel main camera, 48MP ultrawide camera, and 48MP telephoto camera. On the front, we have a 42MP selfie camera. The rear cameras are the same as the Pixel 8 Pro, but the selfie camera significantly improved from its 10.5MP predecessor. No matter what I'm taking a photo of, the Pixel 9 Pro makes getting a great picture effortless. I've been thoroughly enjoying using the cameras on the Pixel 9 Pro because no matter what I'm taking a photo of, the Pixel 9 Pro makes getting a great picture effortless. I primarily use the primary camera for my shots, and it produces punchy yet balanced colors and packs plenty of detail into each shot without overdoing it. Even lowlight images come out fantastic. Of course, let's not dismiss the secondary cameras on the Pixel 9 Pro. The 48MP ultrawide camera is a big jump from its predecessor (a 12MP lens), and the 123-degree field of view (FOV) lets you get more of a scene into the frame. The jump in resolution also means better colors and detail than before. The ultrawide lens is also used for macro shots, with good results. The 48MP telephoto lens is also great. It's capable of 5x optical zoom, though you can go as far as 30x with Super Res Zoom. I have had pretty good results with the telephoto camera, though I did notice that some images seem to have a bit of noise and grain if there is a black or dark surface. I'm not sure if that's because I went further than 5x, but it's just something to keep in mind. And for the front-facing camera, selfie lovers rejoice! You'll get accurate skin tones, plenty of detail, and good color in your selfies. Having autofocus is a nice improvement this year, and the Pro models have a wider 103-degree FOV than the 95 degrees of the base model Pixel 9. I've really been enjoying taking photos with my Pixel 9 Pro. I have yet to take a bad picture and have been reaching for my Pixel 9 Pro over my iPhone 15 Pro for the cameras (and more). Google knocked it out of the park this year. Google Pixel 9 Pro: software and AI features The most peculiar thing about the Pixel 9 line this year is that it ships with Android 14, not Android 15, as we had originally anticipated. This is the first time a Pixel has launched without the newest version of Android. Despite that, the Pixel 9 Pro still has a handful of new software and AI tricks. First, the Pixel 9 series has its own dedicated weather app, Pixel Weather. It has a beautiful design with dynamic backgrounds, and it places the most important data front and center. Pixel Weather also uses AI to generate a simple one-sentence weather report, though you can expand it to include additional data points. Underneath the weather report is the hourly and 10-day forecast, followed by small tiles of various weather metrics. These tiles can be rearranged with a drag-and-drop gesture to prioritize what you want to see first when scrolling. Another new app is Pixel Screenshots. Many of us take screenshots of something we see on our phones to remember later. But when you take a lot of them, it can be hard to find a specific one, and they add clutter to your camera roll. The Screenshots app changes all of that. With Pixel Screenshots, any new screenshots you capture are saved here instead of Google Photos. You can organize screenshots into groups and collections and even search through them using Gemini, all done on-device. Google is also putting Gemini front and center, as it replaces the legacy Google Assistant, though you can switch it back if you want to. With the Pixel 9 Pro devices (including the XL and Fold), you can also get a year of Gemini Advanced for free, while regular Pixel 9 users can get a one-month trial of Gemini Advanced. Once you sign up for Gemini Advanced, you can access Gemini Live. This is Google's conversational experience with Gemini that allows you to have a free-flowing conversation with Gemini as if it's an actual person. It can understand natural language, and you can even interrupt it to provide more context or change the subject. If you want to refer back to it later, your conversations are saved as a transcript. I've tried Gemini Live, and while it's pretty cool how well it can understand a flowing conversation, I don't think I'll be using it that frequently. It is helpful for small things like setting reminders and alarms, but restrictions like no access to contacts, shopping lists, or smart home devices make it a bit limiting. Then, there's the Pixel Studio app. This is the image generation app where you can enter a prompt, and it will create an image for you. It's a fine idea, though it's also had a troubling start by generating a lot of inappropriate and questionable photos. I'm not a big fan of image generation in general, though I will say that the Pixel Studio app itself is simple and easy to use. I could live without it, but if this is your sort of thing, it's here. Google has added more AI photo tools to the Pixel 9 lineup, including Add Me and Reimagine with Magic Editor. The Add Me tool lets you take two group photos, one of which has the original photographer, and merge them together so that everyone is in the shot. The Reimagine tool in Magic Editor is a little more concerning. This tool lets you tweak sections of a photo with nonhuman objects and change it to something else by typing in a text prompt. While you can use it to change backgrounds to something fun and cute, it can also be used in nefarious ways since these images don't have an AI watermark. In a world already full of misinformation, is this really a tool that Google should have given everyone with a Pixel 9? I'm not sure. Aside from that, the software on the Pixel 9 Pro is pretty much the same stock Android that we've come to know and love on Pixel devices. The Pixel 9 lineup is slated to get seven years of Android upgrades, security patches, and feature drops. Unfortunately, Android 15 will count as one of those major Android upgrades, which is unfortunate. But will you still be using the Pixel 9 Pro in 2030? Google Pixel 9 Pro: battery life and charging Inside the Pixel 9 Pro is a 4,700mAh capacity battery cell. While previous Pixel phones weren't too impressive in terms of battery life, I'm happy to report that the Pixel 9 Pro breaks that streak. Of course, the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL has superior battery life due to the larger 5,060mAh battery, but the Pixel 9 Pro (and even the Pixel 9) is not shabby at all. I've been using the Pixel 9 Pro for the past week, and I typically end the day with around 40% left -- less if I push it during the day. I've been averaging around three to four hours of screen time. I think Google's claim of around 24 hours of battery life this year is accurate. You can even bump that up to about 100 hours if you enable Extreme Battery Saver. If I'm pretty light on the usage, I can easily go around another half-day before plugging it in. Like most companies, Google does not include a power adapter in the box, but you do get a USB-C cable. While the Pixel 9 Pro XL gets the fastest charging speed of 37W, the Pixel 9 Pro only gets 27W. This equates to about 55% charge in 30 minutes and a little over an hour for a full charge. For wireless charging, you can get up to 21W speeds with the second-generation Google Pixel Stand or 12W with standard Qi-certified wireless chargers. There is also reverse wireless charging. Unfortunately, Google chose not to add Qi2 support this year. Google Pixel 9 Pro: price and availability Google announced the entire Pixel 9 lineup on August 13. While the base model Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available to purchase now, the Pixel 9 Pro (along with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold) will launch on September 4, with preorders available now. The Pixel 9 Pro comes in four colors: Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian, and Porcelain. It costs $999 for 128GB, $1,099 for 256GB, $1,219 for 512GB, and $1,449 for 1TB. You can purchase the Pixel 9 Pro from the Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy, and most carriers in the U.S. Google Pixel 9 Pro: verdict Since I started using Android, I've been partial to Pixel phones, but Google hit a home run with the Pixel 9 Pro. This is the best way to experience Android, and the hardware is simply fantastic. The best part of the Pixel 9 Pro is its size. I'm a fan of smaller phones, and I love that Google is finally giving us a choice if we want the Pro model without compromises. I've been reaching for the Pixel 9 Pro over my iPhone 15 Pro and even prefer it to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra simply due to how compact it is. Combine that with the excellent construction, fun new camera design, and the pink color, and I'm a happy camper. I've been reaching for the Pixel 9 Pro over my iPhone 15 Pro. While I'm not a massive fan of all the AI additions, I must admit that some are useful -- like the Pixel Weather and Pixel Screenshots apps. Add Me is a fun little gimmick, but I'm not sure if I'll use it all the time for group photos. I wish that Google put more thought into the ramifications of specific tools like Reimagine. I also hope Pixel Studio gets better about the wild images it can generate. Whether you like those features or not, the good news is that you can use the ones you like and ignore the ones you don't. Either way, you still get top-notch hardware, excellent cameras, great battery life, and reliable performance. What's not to like? If you've been waiting for a powerful flagship phone that isn't a pain to hold and use, the Pixel 9 Pro is absolutely the phone for you. It's the best compact flagship available today and one of the best phones available in 2024. Don't miss out on this one.

6 ways Google did a better job with the Pixel 9 than Apple did with its iPhone lineup

Google's answer to the latest Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices went live at the company's Made by Google event. Looking at the Google Pixel 9 series' new design language with flat edges, aggressive rounded corners, naming scheme, and pricing strategy, shows the search giant takes inspiration from its Cupertino-based rival. When comparing the standard model with the expensive Google Pixel 9 Pro, Google isn't as aggressive as Apple and delivers a better deal for budget-conscious buyers. 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 6 1 Same CPU as the Pro models Powered by the same Tensor G4 as the Pro models Source: Google Not long ago, Apple offered the same CPU across the entire iPhone lineup. However, things changed for the worse with the iPhone 12 lineup, where Apple offered the A14 Bionic chip on the iPhone 12 Pro but continued with the previous year's A13 CPU on the standard iPhone 12. Since then, Apple has followed the same pattern by using different CPUs on standard and Pro models. Samsung follows a similar approach by packing an Exynos CPU on standard S-series phones (in some regions) and a slightly superior Snapdragon chip on Ultra models. Unlike Apple and Samsung, Google doesn't show partiality between standard and Pro models. Whether you pay $800 or $1,000, Google's flagship Tensor G4 runs the show. This approach is advantageous for device longevity and guarantees new software updates operate smoothly without lagging. 2 A 120Hz panel No compromise in display smoothness Until the release of the Pixel 7 series, Google equipped the base Pixel model with a 90Hz display. With the introduction of the Pixel 8, Google unified the lineup by offering a 120Hz refresh rate on all Pixel models. Despite some disparities in display characteristics like brightness, PPI, and resolution between the standard and Pro versions, the difference is subtle enough that you may not discern it, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate now present on the entry-level models. In comparison, Apple offers a 60Hz panel on the standard iPhone models. Looking at the recent leaks, it appears this will persist with the upcoming iPhone 16. Related Review: The Pixel 9 Pro is Google's Goldilocks flagship Not too big, not too small; just right 3 3 Construction materials Different finishing, but the same aluminum material Since the launch of the iPhone X, Apple has consistently differentiated the frame materials between standard and Pro models. The economical iPhone versions received aluminum frames. The high-end models are constructed with stainless steel and, recently, titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro. Samsung followed the same trend with the S24 series. While Google chose different finishes (satin for the Pixel 9 and polished for the Pixel 9 Pro), the same aluminum metal frame is used for both models. 4 USB-C port High-speed USB-C 3.2 on the entire lineup When Apple switched from Lightening to a USB-C port on the iPhone 15, the company opted for a slower (up to 480Mb/s) USB 2.0 port on the standard models compared to USB 3.0 (up to 10Gb/s) on the Pro models. While the difference may not affect most users' workflow, it's evident for professionals who deal with large files frequently. Google doesn't bottleneck its standard models with such tactics. You get the same high-speed USB-C 3.2 port across the board. 5 AI features Access all Gemini AI features on the cheapest Pixel 9 Link Image Given the uniform integration of the Tensor G4 chip, Pixel 9 users have access to the same Gemini and additional AI capabilities (apart from certain camera functions such as Video Boost, Super Res Zoom Video, and Zoom Enhance). On the other hand, because of the older A16 CPU, the newly introduced Apple Intelligence (AI) features will not be available for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Only the iPhone 15 Pro gets AI features and a revamped Siri experience with ChatGPT integration. Related The 7 best Google Pixel 9 features All the crown-winning features Google offers 1 6 Primary camera system The main camera and ultra-wide sensor remain the same Although the vanilla Pixel 9 skips on a telephoto lens, the main camera and ultra-wide lens remain identical to the Pixel 9 Pro models. The resolution, aperture, field of view, and image sensor size stay the same. Conversely, there are subtle distinctions in the camera systems between the regular and Pro models of the iPhone. The ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 15 features an f/2.4 aperture, while the iPhone Pro boasts a slightly superior f/2.2 aperture. Only the higher-end models come with Apple's second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization. Moreover, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, the ability to switch between focal lengths (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm) is not available on the standard editions. Get a flagship experience on a budget Apple does a barebones job with the standard iPhone model, pushing buyers towards pricey Pro models. To some extent, Samsung does the same with their S-series. However, Google takes a different approach with the Pixel 9, offering an experience comparable to its Pro counterpart. Our review of the Pixel 9 made us reconsider whether paying an additional $200 for the Pro version is necessary. Google Pixel 9 9/ 10 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. $799 at Google Store$799 at Best Buy$799 at Amazon

6 Pixel 8 shortcomings Google fixed with Pixel 9

Although the Pixel 8 series offered numerous upgrades and a generally attractive package, it was not without its shortcomings. From a below-average battery life that struggled to keep up with heavy workflows to an optical fingerprint scanner that failed to authenticate you several times, the Pixel 8 had its flaws. With the launch of the Google Pixel 9 series, the search giant seems to have taken these criticisms to heart. From delivering the best compact Android phone without any compromises to little design tweaks to enhance its premium appeal, here are the top Pixel 8 flaws Google rectified with the Pixel 9 series. 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 1 A premium makeover The Pixel 9 aesthetics are on point Ever since the original Pixel series, Google's flagships have always followed form over function; they were never high on aesthetics. Even last year's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro didn't match the level of finesse of Samsung and Apple's high-end offerings. In comparison, the Pixel 9 series is a visual delight, especially the Pro models rocking a silky matte back with polished finish metal. With flat edges, thinner and symmetrical bezels, a unique camera cutout, and aggressive rounded corners, the Pixel 9 surely justifies the four-digit price tag. Some may find the new Pixel 9 design language Apple-inspired, but once you flip it over, the pill-shaped camera cutout proudly shouts its Pixel inheritance. Even the Pixel 9 color options are better than its predecessor (seriously, what was Google thinking with the Bay Pixel 8 Pro?); Hazel (dark green) being the crowd favorite so far. Related 6 ways Google did a better job with the Pixel 9 than Apple did with its iPhone lineup Google specs up their standard flagship way better than Apple 5 2 A significant RAM boost Very handy for on-device AI tasks The entire Pixel 9 series received a significant RAM boost, with the vanilla Pixel 9 boasting 12GB of RAM, while the Pixel 9 Pro duo has a class-leading 16GB of RAM. The extra RAM definitely comes in handy with ever-growing on-device AI tasks. Additionally, it offers better future-proofing because Google is committing to seven years of OS updates. In comparison, last year's Pixel 8 had only 8GB of RAM. While it sounds like it's more than enough for daily tasks, the search giant has already confirmed that its latest Gemini Nano LLM won't come to the Pixel 8 due to that same 8GB of RAM. 3 Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner Authenticate your identity in no time Google opted for a slower optical fingerprint scanner when it revamped the Pixel lineup with the Pixel 6 series, and continued doing the same for three years. However, with the Pixel 9 series, Google finally listened to growing feedback and integrated an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. This ultrasonic fingerprint scanner offers better security since it creates a detailed 3D map of your fingerprint and improves reliability even with wet or dirty fingers. Most Android OEMs already offer ultrasonic fingerprint scanners on their flagships, and it's good to see Google boarding the same train. 4 Better battery life Stays cool and delivers higher SOT A significant issue with the Pixel 8 series was its thermal performance, as the Tensor G3 would heat up rapidly, resulting in subpar battery life for the Pixel 8 models. With the introduction of the latest Pixel 9 devices, Google has addressed these major drawbacks. In our reviews of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9, we found that the Tensor G4 is efficient enough to last an entire workday. Google has enhanced charging speeds, too. Using a dedicated 45W USB-C adapter, it can fast-charge up to 55% in roughly 30 minutes. Any boost in charging efficiency is certainly a positive development for the search giant. Related Review: The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL may be the best Android phone I've ever used Google's big flagship earns its $100 price bump and then some. 5 5 A resolution boost to the selfie camera Snap trendy selfies The selfie shooter on the Pixel 9 received a welcome resolution boost to 42MP. Apart from capturing better details than Pixel 8's 10.5MP lens, it offers a wide field of view at 103-degrees. Given that the Pixel series focuses heavily on camera quality, it's surprising that it took Google this long to introduce a high-resolution selfie camera. Related How to take a perfect selfie: 16 tips for a killer self portrait Taking a good selfie is harder than it looks 6 A compact flagship Smaller doesn't mean less With the Pixel 8 series, if you wanted to enjoy the 5x telephoto lens, high-resolution display, and other Pro goodies, you had no option but to opt for a larger 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Pro model. Following the growing demand from the Pixel community, Google finally released a compact 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro model. Interested buyers can purchase and enjoy the best from Google with a compact form factor. Google's strong upgrade game with Pixel 9 Looking at the Pixel 9 reviews, Google seems to have hit it out of the park with the 9th generation of the Pixel series. The company is surely on the right track with year-on-year improvements. That said, the latest flagship isn't without its share of shortcomings. For instance, even with new AI features, the Pixel 9 operates on last year's Android 14 -- a first for any Pixel. They will be the first in the line to get the Android 15 flavor, though. For more on the newest version of the OS, check out our separate guide to learn everything about the upcoming Android 15 update. 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. $799 at Google Store$799 at Best Buy$799 at Amazon 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. 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. $1099 at Google Store$1099 at Best Buy$1099 at Amazon

Pixel 9 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: Google Is Finally Catching Up

With the Pixel 9 Pro, Google has finally launched a true competitor to Apple's iPhone 15 Pro. While both phones offer a similar form factor, you'd be surprised to know that the Pixel beats the iPhone in not one but many aspects. To give you a better idea, here's a detailed comparison between the two flagships. Availability and Price The Pixel 9 Pro is available from $999 for the baseline variant with 128GB of storage. You can purchase the phone via retail stores starting August 22, 2024. The iPhone 15 Pro (released in September 2023) is available from $999 for the base variant with 128GB of storage. However, with some digging, you can get the phone at a discounted price. Pixel 9 Pro Is Slightly Bigger Than The iPhone 15 Pro When it comes to design, the Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro have a couple of similarities. For instance, the flat metal frame with rounded corners and a matte glass finish on the Pixel 9 Pro increase its resemblance with the iPhone 15 Pro. However, Google uses aluminum for the frame, while Apple flaunts a Grade 5 titanium casing on the regular-sized Pro model. For protection against nicks and scratches, the Pixel features Corning Gorilla Glass 2 (front and back), while the iPhone has Ceramic Shield on the front. The key differentiators, in terms of design, are the front/rear camera housings, the placement of buttons, and, of course, the colors. On the front, the Pixel phone has a punch-hole camera, whereas the iPhone sports the Dynamic Island, which houses the TrueDepth camera for Face ID and the front camera. This year, Google has redesigned the horizontal camera visor, which, instead of merging in the frame, has a circular boundary on both sides. The iPhone 15 Pro, however, sticks with a square-shaped camera island toward the top left of the rear panel. The Pixel 9 Pro houses the power and volume buttons on the right frame, while the iPhone 15 Pro has the wake/sleep button on the right frame; the volume rockers, along with the Action Button, are situated on the left frame. The Pixel 9 Pro measures 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, making it slightly taller, wider, and thicker than the iPhone 15 Pro, which measures 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm. Even though the Pixel uses aluminum, which is lighter than titanium, it weighs 199 grams, making it 12 grams heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro (187 grams). Regarding colors, the Pixel 9 Pro is available in four options: Porcelain, Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose Quartz. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro is also available in four finishes: White Titanium, Black Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Blue Titanium. And yes, both phones feature an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. Looking for a Brighter And Sharper Display? Get the Pixel 9 Pro While the Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO display with a pixel density of 495 ppi and 2,000 nits HDR brightness, the iPhone 15 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with 460 ppi and 1,600 nis HDR brightness. Both phones support a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz (called Smooth Display by Google and ProMotion Display by Apple). Even though a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and HDR support are common on the handsets, the iPhone supports True Tone technology for adjusting the screen's temperature according to the ambient light. You get an always-on display on both phones, but the way Android and iOS implement the feature is slightly different. On Android, you'll see the clock and a few other details over a black background, while on iOS, the feature dims the entire lock screen wallpaper. The Google Pixel 9 Pro supports 24-bit depth for 16 million colors, while the iPhone 15 Pro supports the P3 color gamut. All things considered, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a bigger and brighter screen, which also features an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. However, if you like Dynamic Island and the way it provides fun ways to interact with the pill-shaped notch, you'd love the iPhone 15 Pro. The Tensor G4 Is No Match for Apple's A17 Pro Chip The Pixel 9 Pro sports Google's latest chipset: the Tensor G4. It features an eight-core CPU with a 3.1GHz prime core, Mali-G715 GPU (940MHz), and the Exynos 5400 modem. The chipset is paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, up to 1TB of storage, and a vapor chamber that sustains peak performance for longer. Unlike the Pixel 9 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro has a hexa-core A17 Pro chip with two performance cores clocked at 3.78GHz. The system-on-chip also has a six-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, and the Snapdragon X70 5G modem. However, the phone doesn't have a vapor chamber. According to a test by Android Authority, the Tensor G4 on the Pixel 9 Pro XL scores 33% less than the A17 Pro in the GeekBench 6 tests, and the Pixel 9 Pro should be no different. Even so, early reviews suggest that the smartphone performs better than its predecessors, and users shouldn't face any problems with day-to-day multitasking or casual gaming. However, if you're a professional gamer or someone who edits videos on your phone, the iPhone 15 Pro would do better. Google Has Nailed It With the Cameras While the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't quite catch up with the iPhone 15 Pro's beastly performance, it does have a more versatile camera system. Google's latest flagship features a 50MP (f/1.68) primary camera and a 48MP (f/1.7, 123° field of view) ultrawide camera. To kick things up a notch, it comes with a 48MP (f/2.8) telephoto camera that provides 5x optical zoom and Super Res Zoom up to 30x. On the front, you get a 42MP (f/2.2, 103° field of view) selfie shooter that provides a broader field of view. Besides the capable hardware, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a slew of photography features, such as Pro Controls, Add Me, Macro Focus, and Night Sight, along with several AI-based features like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, and Photo Unblur. For the first time, the smartphone can record 8K videos at 30 fps. You also get video recording features like Video Boost, Night Sight Video, Super Res Zoom Video, and Audio Magic Eraser. Moreover, the Pixel offers more room to express your creativity while capturing and editing pictures. Like the Pixel 9 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro also features a triple-camera setup, headlined by a 48MP (f/1.78) primary camera with sensor-shift stabilization. Further, there's a 12MP (f/2.2, 120° field of view) ultrawide camera and a 12MP (f/2.8) telephoto sensor that maxes out at 3x zoom. Besides, the phone provides digital zoom up to 15x. Last but not least, there's a 12MP (f/1.9) selfie camera with autofocus. To assist you while shooting pictures, the handset ships with Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5. Additionally, there's Night Mode, Photographic Styles, and Macro photography support. Regarding videos, the phone can record 4K videos at up to 60 fps. It also has features like Cinematic Mode (up to 4K HDR at 30 fps) and Action Mode (up to 2.8K at 60 fps). However, the iPhone lacks all the AI-based editing features one gets on the Pixel 9 Pro, which, by the way, also offers better zoom. Pixel 9 Pro Outlasts the iPhone 15 Pro's Battery The Pixel 9 Pro sports a 4,700 mAh battery that supports up to 27W wired charging (with Google's 45W USB-C charger) and up to 15W wireless charging. Although the phone supports Qi wireless charging, Google missed a huge opportunity by not including support for Qi2 wireless charging. Anyway, the phone can provide more than 24 hours of battery life with moderate usage and up to 100 hours of battery life with Extreme Battery Saver. In his review of the Pixel 9 Pro, How-To Geek's Justin Duino mentions the phone getting him through most days with at least 30% battery left. The iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, features a 3,274 mAh battery that supports 27W wired charging. Further, it features MagSafe charging (15W) and Qi2 wireless charging (15W). In its own fashion, Apple says the iPhone 15 Pro lasts up to 23 hours and 20 hours of offline and online video playback, respectively. However, folks at Tom's Guide have found out that the Pixel 9 Pro offers a better battery life than the iPhone 15 Pro. In their test, the Pixel lasts for over 13 and a half hours, while the iPhone shies away from 11 hours. Are You on Team Android or Team iOS? Link Image Out of the box, the Pixel 9 Pro runs on Android 14, making it the first Pixel phone to launch without a new operating system. Nonetheless, Google will push the Android 15 upgrade soon, and the Pixel phones will be among the first smartphones to get it. What's great is Google's promise of providing seven years of operating system upgrades, security fixes, and quarterly Pixel Drops. If you get a Pixel 9 Pro today, it should receive software updates till 2031. Regarding the software experience, Pixels are known to provide the most refined and secure Android experience. Those looking for some fancy AI-based features won't be disappointed, as the phone comes with Google AI, a suite of advanced capabilities like Add Me and Pixel Screenshots. The Pixel 9 Pro also has Gemini integrated into its core experience. The iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, ships with iOS 17 and will be among the only iPhones to support Apple Intelligence when it arrives with an iOS 18 upgrade later this year. Usually, Apple provides around five to six years of software updates before. Hence, the 2023 flagship should easily get new iOS versions until 2028 or 2029. While the Android versus iOS debate is beyond the scope of this article, iOS is getting better in terms of customization. Further, several Apple apps, such as Music, Messages, and Siri, will get better with the arrival of AI-infused features. Which Is Right for You? One could approach the answer in three different ways. If you've been an Android user for years and don't wish to switch to iOS, the Pixel 9 Pro offers everything that a 2024 flagship should. On the flip side, long-time iPhone users should go with the iPhone 15 Pro. However, if you're confused between the two smartphones, here are a few things to consider. The Pixel 9 Pro offers a slightly bigger screen, more AI-based features integrated into the Android operating system, and a better telephoto camera. It even lasts longer than the iPhone 15 Pro on a single charge. The iPhone 15 Pro would be ideal for users who already have a couple of Apple devices, like an iPad, a MacBook, or AirPods. It features a more compact display, a titanium frame, and, most importantly, the raw performance needed for intensive tasks.

My Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro camera shootout has a clear winner - and a big surprise

Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL beating the iPhone 15 Pro in most instances wasn't a surprise, but the new Android phone has one big issue. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the new top-of-the-line flagship from Google. The Pixel 9 Pro is closer to the iPhone 15 Pro, which I've had since launch. The two Google phones differ in pricing and size but the Pixel 9 Pro sports the same camera setup as the Pixel 9 Pro XL; so this comparison is valid for both $999 and $1,099 Google flagships with the $999 Apple phone. I spent the past week shooting and comparing photos with the two flagship phones. I wasn't surprised with the results but this gave me insights on where Apple needs to improve with the iPhone 16 Pro and alerted me to certain Pixel limitations that make no sense. Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Pixel 9 Pro XL for two weeks - and can't go back The Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL come equipped with a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide angle sensor with a 123-degree field-of-view, and a 48MP 5x optical zoom-capable telephoto lens. By comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro sports a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide angle lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, you get a 42MP camera, while the iPhone has a 12MP selfie shooter. The on-paper specs aren't enough to know the full story. Here's why. Note: All photos were taken in point-and-shoot, which means I didn't tap to focus on the subject. The phones were pointed on the subject and the choice of focus was left on the algorithms. I'm choosing limited sample photos because of web limitations. Both primary cameras shoot great images in daylight. They offer details in the shadows, good dynamic range, and vibrant colors. However, when it comes to skin tones, Google gets closer to real colors. While the human subjects shot on the iPhone look fine, when comparing side by side, you'll notice the warmer skin tones and Google colors being closer to reality. The differences start showing up in tricky lighting situations and humans as subjects - both situations that are most prevalent in day-to-day life. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL shoots portraits in 1.5x or 2x with an option to zoom in for 3x. By contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro takes portraits in 1x, 2x, and 3x. The above shot was taken in 1.5x and 1x, respectively. The iPhone struggles with darker skin tones, while the Pixel did well to bring out the face. Both the shots look smoothed due to the light source behind the subject, but the story of the appearance of better skin tone continues with the telephoto cameras. Also: Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: I tested both and here are the key differences Google uses the primary camera to take portraits. The 5x telephoto on the Pixel 9 Pro XL can't be used to take portrait shots and is limited to certain photo and video modes. I asked Google why it is that way, and the reply was, "Today, we support 1.5x and 2x photos in Portrait Mode. For 5x portraits, we recommend using Portrait tools in Google Photos (such as Portrait blur and Portrait light)." I'm not impressed with the reasoning because I use the telephoto camera on other phones to take a lot of portraits. It would be easier to shoot a 5x portrait than to go to photo editing and blur the background -- which works well but takes time to process. The above shots were taken on max zoom toggle present on the screen for both phones (2x on Pixel 9 Pro XL and 3x on iPhone 15 Pro). You can zoom in to 3x on the Pixel but it further degrades the details in portrait shots. I prefer the iPhone shot here because of more details on the face and better, more natural software blur around the hair. It looks better overall. Also: 5 reasons why Pixel 9 stopped me from ditching Google phones for Nothing I have taken 5x portraits on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and they look absolutely fantastic; sometimes close to a DSLR in natural light. I can always take a 5x photo and use Photo Blur in Google Photos on the Pixel 9 Pro but the user experience for getting a good 5x portrait bugs me every time. Moreover, when shooting in 5x Photo mode, the viewfinder pixelates, so the subjects appear to be grainy, but post-processing is fine. In Photo mode (not Portrait), I found the Pixel 9 Pro XL shots to be better than the iPhone 15 Pro. Even the 3x digital zoom was better than the iPhone's 3x optical zoom. The above shot is 5x to illustrate the advantage of having a 5x telephoto lens when compared to an aging 3x sensor. Google's shot is optical zoom, so it was likely to be better, but iPhone's digital zoom is below average. The Pixel 9 Pro series' 5x sensor shoots good skin tones and details even in tricky situations where the light source is behind the subject. I use the ultrawide camera to take architecture shots or group photos. While I didn't meet a group of friends this past week, I could get a sample of at least one use case. The Pixel 9 Pro has a wider field of view and a more prominent fish-eye effect around the edges. Also: These three AI features sold me on the Google Pixel 9 Pro - and they're very clever I would prefer the iPhone shot for this particular image, but I can see myself using the wider FoV and fisheye effect on the Pixel 9 Pro when I'm traveling. The Google phone also fared better in low light with the ultrawide camera. That being said, the colors were consistent across three lenses on both phones. When indoors, I would prefer using the Pixel 9 Pro XL over the current iPhone because the Google phone fares better with getting more light in to produce more details; with all three cameras. The above shot was taken on the primary camera, and both of them look fine. But the differences kick in when you zoom in or use the Portrait mode. These are the kind of shots I take indoors - artificial lighting and zoom in to get close to a subject. When at a home party or even having dinner with friends, I use my phone camera to take photos like these. It was taken without toggling the night mode manually and the phones were left doing what their algos told them to. The Pixel 9 Pro XL shot looks brighter but when you pixel-peep, you'll notice the iPhone photo to have more details in my hair, which is missing to an extent on the Google phone. The edge detection struggles in Portrait mode on the Pixel 9 Pro when indoors, while the 3x portraits shot on the iPhone in such conditions look grainy. Overall, indoor shots from the Pixel look better than the iPhone, unless you are pixel-peeping on a 3x photo. The iPhone 15 Pro holds up well in indoor and artificial lighting conditions but fails in low light. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is hands-down better in low light situations where the light sources are the moon and lamps. The above shot of the dog was taken on without toggling the night mode manually. The Pixel took 2s to take it, while the iPhone turned it on for 1s. Also: I went hands-on with Google's $1,800 Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and I'm ready to leave Samsung The iPhone 15 Pro shot looks bad, despite the dog not moving, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL was able to capture the subject when it was about to move by the time the shutter was processed. I would pick the new Google phone for night shots unless the iPhone 16 Pro comes with better Night Mode algorithms. I like the selfie shooter on the iPhone 15 Pro and have found it better than Android phones. But it tends to blow out highlights sometimes. I didn't find that to be an issue on the Pixel 9 Pro. The above two selfies were taken in zoomed-out mode to check for the edge distortion (none) and FoV. I like the Pixel 9 Pro XL selfie here but the iPhone was able to get more details around the hair. But you can see areas around my forehead and cheeks where the highlights are blown out. However, both look social media worthy and I'm impressed by the selfie camera on the Pixel 9 Pro. It does a better job than the iPhone when the light source is behind you. The Pixel's 5x telephoto camera not supporting portraits is a big miss. I would rather get a good portrait from taking it within the Camera app than to mess around with the edits in Settings. You can still get good results, and Google recommends using the software features but it's not the ideal solution. Also: Your Android phone is getting an anti-theft upgrade, thanks to AI. How it works The iPhone 15 Pro does well with 3x optical zoom and portraits; where the new Google phone struggles with getting the edge detection right. However, the Pixel 9 Pro beats the iPhone in other scenarios. It gets the skin tones right and better exposes the subject in tricky lighting situations. The Pixel also fares better in low light. I was also able to get better selfies out of the Pixel 9 Pro XL than the iPhone 15 Pro. I expect the iPhone 16 Pro to do better in the aspects where the iPhone 15 Pro lost. However, I would pick the Pixel 9 Pro XL as my phone camera of choice right now.

Google Pixel 9 Pro series vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which is right for you?

Google Pixel 9 Pro Google's flagship Pixel 9 Pro line features a Tensor G4 chip, a beefy camera array, 16GB of RAM, and a slick design. Plus, you can opt for the standard Pro model or the Pro XL that sports a bigger battery and display. ProsTensor G4 chip16GB of RAMXL model option ConsLimited improvements over last generation $999 at Best Buy$999 at Amazon$1000 at T-Mobile$1050 at AT&T Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra This ultra-premium Android phone sports a huge AMOLED display, 12GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, a meaty battery, and an epically impressive 200MP main camera sensor. Plus, you get a slew of AI features, too. If you're looking for a no-compromises Android, this is it. ProsTop-notch hardwareLong list of featuresPremium feel ConsExpensive $1300 at Samsung$1300 at Best Buy When looking for a new phone, the best Android phones are always worth considering, especially so the top Samsung Galaxy models and greatest Google Pixels. But when it comes to flagships like the Pixel 9 Pro series, which includes the Pro and Pro XL, or the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which should you buy? We're here to help with the ultimate Pixel 9 Pro series vs Galaxy S24 Ultra comparison. Price, availability, and specs The S24 Ultra is still quite expensive You can get a Pixel 9 Pro for $999 or a Pro XL for $1099 at your retailer of choice. If you want more storage, definitely expect to spend some extra cash. You also get to choose from four different colorways: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz on both the Pro and Pro XL. The S24 Ultra is also available at your retailer of choice. The base 256GB model will cost you a princely $1300, and that goes up depending on how much storage you want, capping out at $1660 for the 1TB version. You do get a good variety of six different colorways to choose from, though. Google Pixel 9 ProGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraSoCGoogle Tensor G4Google Tensor G4Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyDisplay6.3-inch Super Actua display, OLED, 2856x1280, 1-120Hz, up to 2000 nits (HDR) and 3000 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 26.8-inch Super Actua display, OLED, 2992x1344, 1-120Hz, up to 2000 nits (HDR) and 3000 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 26.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate, 501 PPI, 2,600 nits peak brightnessRAM16GB16GB12GBStorageUp to 1TBUp to 1TB256GB, 512GB, 1TBMicro SD card supportNoNoNoRear camera50MP f/1.68 main (wide) camera + 48MP f/1.7 ultrawide, 123-degree FOV + 48MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom50MP f/1.68 main (wide) camera + 48MP f/1.7 ultrawide, 123-degree FOV + 48MP telephoto, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom200MP main (f/1.7), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto (f/2.4), 50MP periscope telephoto (f/3.4)Front camera42MP Dual PD, f/2.2, 103-degree FOV42MP Dual PD, f/2.2, 103-degree FOV12MP wide (f/2.2)Battery4,700mAh5,060mAh5,000mAhCharge speed45W wired, 21W Fast wireless charging45W wired, 23W Fast wireless charging45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wirelessConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G (mmWave + sub-6GHz)Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G (mmWave + sub-6GHz)5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E/7, Bluetooth 5.3Dimensions6.0x2.8x0.3 inches (152.8x72.0x8.5mm)6.4x3.0x0.3 inches (162.8x76.6x8.5mm)6.39x3.11x0.34 inches (162.3x79x8.6mm)Weight7 ounces (199 grams)7.8 ounces (221 grams)8.22 ouncesIP RatingIP68IP68IP68ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium YellowOperating SystemAndroid 14Android 14Android 14, One UI 6.1Price$999$1,099Starting at $1,299 Related Google Pixel 9 series: Everything there is to know about Google's latest flagship phones The Google Pixel family is bigger than ever with this year's iteration. Here's everything you need to know. 2:27 Related Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review: The most feature-packed, do-it-all phone in the world The Galaxy S24 Ultra's new AI features along with (slightly) improved camera system and build make for the most maximal, do-it-all phone Design and display Two attractive smartphones Close Big picture, both the S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro series are sleek phones. However, the S24 Ultra features a more industrial look with harder, more angular corners that can make it not the comfiest phone to hold, especially compared to the softer, more rounded design of the Pixel 9 Pro line. The Pro XL is a match for the size of the S24 Ultra, while the Pro is slightly smaller. Though, both the Pro and Pro XL are lighter than the S24 Ultra, which comes in at 8.22 ounces compared to the Pro's 7 ounces and Pro XL's 7.8 ounces. The differences here aren't too stark, but they are noticeable. With display, the S24 Ultra sports a 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel with a 3120x1440 resolution, whereas the Pro has a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED panel with a 2424x1080 resolution and the Pro XL has a 6.8-inch 120Hz OLED panel with a 2992x1344 resolution. The S24 Ultra has the edge in terms of resolution, but the Pro XL has a higher peak brightness. Overall, thanks to the flexibility of the multiple sizes of the Pixel, it just barely edges ahead of the Galaxy. Altogether, with a more comfortable in-hand feel, a lighter construction, and the versatility of being able to choose between sizes of phone, the Pixel 9 Pro series is the winner in design and display, if not necessarily by a wide margin over Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra. Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro series Hardware and performance Tensor vs Snapdragon Image credit: Google There are some key differences to keep in mind when it comes to hardware. For one, the Pixel 9 Pro series has 16GB of RAM, while the S24 Ultra has 12GB. In regards to the processor, the Pixel 9 Pro series has Google's Tensor G4 chip, which is an improvement over the last-gen G3 chip, but in benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the S24 Ultra still pulls ahead of the Tensor. In most cases, though, the difference between the chips here may not be noticeable, like the increase to 16GB of RAM on the Pixel. Nonetheless, if you want the most powerful chip, go for the S24 Ultra, and if you need the most RAM, go for the Pixel 9 Pro series. Both Google and Samsung are leaning heavily into AI, so you can expect a bevy of AI tech on both smartphones. Outside of all that, it's worth keeping in mind how the camera setups on these phones differ. Although, we haven't yet had a chance to get our hands on the Pixel 9 Pro. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Two great setups With the S24 Ultra, in our review we were impressed by its camera performance, saying "the S24 Ultra's main camera has no noticeable shortcomings" compared to offerings from Apple, Google, and OnePlus at the time. The periscope zoom lens on the S24 Ultra was a highlight for us, and the overall system performed very well, if not up to the standards of the very best Chinese flagship phones out there. That said, we were similarly impressed by the camera setup on the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro, however, has an upgraded ultrawide camera with improved phase detection autofocus and a wider f/1.7 aperture, and it also has a significantly better 42MP selfie camera as compared to the 10.5MP selfie camera on the Pixel 8 Pro. Plus, the Pixel 9 Pro is bringing some new camera features to the table, too, like 8K video support. In general, the last-gen Pixel 8 Pro was a strong competitor with the S24 Ultra in camera quality, so we'd wager the Pixel 9 Pro will perform as well if not better than the S24 Ultra. Altogether, both these phones are pretty promising, but Google will likely have better image processing, while Samsung has the better hardware with its telephoto cameras. Winner: Tie Battery life Not much to complain about We haven't reviewed the Pixel 9 Pro just yet, so stay tuned for that, but there are some takeaways. In our S24 Ultra review, we didn't have trouble getting through 14-hour days without needing to charge. On the other hand, we had a similar experience with the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro series, though, is set to pack in a more efficient chip as well as a bigger battery on the Pro XL. Nonetheless, whichever phone you go with likely won't give you trouble with battery life. Depending on our time with the Pixel 9 Pro, particularly the XL, it may even see better overall battery life than the S24 Ultra, but right now, that remains to be seen. Winner: Tie Overall winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro series All told, thanks to a comfortable design, light construction, the versatility of multiple models, lots of RAM, and what's shaping up to be a solid camera array and impressive battery life, the Google Pixel 9 Pro series is our top choice, but there are reasons to prefer the S24 Ultra. Winner Google Pixel 9 Pro Google's flagship Pixel 9 Pro line features a Tensor G4 chip, a beefy camera array, 16GB of RAM, and a slick design. Plus, you can opt for the standard Pro model or the Pro XL that sports a bigger battery and display. $999 at Best Buy$999 at Amazon$1000 at T-Mobile$1050 at AT&T Samsung's S24 Ultra has the beefier processor, so if that's a primary concern, it could be well worth it. Plus, you may not be bothered by its more angular design or slightly lower RAM capacity. If you've got the money to spend on one, the S24 Ultra is still a top-tier phone. Runner-up Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 9/ 10 This ultra-premium Android phone sports a huge AMOLED display, 12GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, a meaty battery, and an epically impressive 200MP main camera sensor. Plus, you get a slew of AI features, too. If you're looking for a no-compromises Android, this is it. $1300 at Samsung$1300 at Best Buy

Camera Clash: We Put the iPhone 15 Pro Max Against the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival. As we wait for the rumored iPhone 16 to make its debut, I wanted to take a look at Apple's current Pro iPhone and see how its cameras stuck up against Samsung's best. The titanium-clad and -colored Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max have some of the best phone cameras you can find today. Both capture absolutely amazing photos even in challenging environments like high-contrast scenes (think a sunset) or places where the lighting is dim (think a restaurant). But Apple and Samsung take very different approaches to photography. The shiny $1,300 Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with four rear cameras, including two dedicated to zooming and one with a 200-megapixel sensor. Apple's $1,200 iPhone 15 Pro Max packs three rear cameras, one for zooming and a main one with a 48-megapixel sensor. Read more: Samsung Unpacked Event 2024: What to Expect, From the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to Galaxy Ring and More Before I took a single snap, I expected the S24's array of zoom cameras to handle distanced subjects better. And yet I also knew that Apple is no slouch and might bury Samsung's best efforts with the iPhone's masterful photo processing and video image quality. How do they stack up against each other? I took them around San Francisco to find out. After I shot hundreds of photos and videos with both phones and compared them side by side, a more complex reality revealed itself, with the iPhone and Ultra excelling in some situations and struggling in others. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a trio of lenses: wide, ultrawide and telephoto. The main camera has a 48-megapixel sensor, while the other two have a resolution of 12 megapixels. There's a bit of a gulf in terms of zooming between the main 1x camera and the 5x telephoto. And that's where the differences between the two phones start to reveal themselves. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a similar trio of lenses but adds a second telephoto, with a 3x zoom level. Think of it as if Apple took the 15 Pro Max and added the iPhone 15 Pro's dedicated 3x telephoto to the back, thus creating an actually nonexistent iPhone 15 Ultra with both 3x and 5x cameras. That's a lot of damn cameras. Remember the days when phones had just one? The S24 Ultra's main camera has a 200-megapixel sensor, and the new 5x telephoto camera has a 50-megapixel one. Both Apple and Samsung use their main camera's high resolution sensor (and in Samsung's case the one on the Ultra's 5x telephoto camera) to combine multiple pixels to create 12-megapixel photos that are brighter and have more detail and less image noise. The phones can also use sensor crop to effectively turn the main 1x shooter into a 2x camera that takes 12-megapixel photos (without pixel binning). It's curious that the Ultra's 3x 10-megapixel camera takes 12-megapixel images. Where does it get those two extra megapixels from? In regard to the shooting experience, I love the S24 Ultra's new screen, which is far less reflective than the iPhone's. I don't have trouble seeing what's on the 15 Pro Max, even in direct sunlight, but the Ultra's display feels more immersive because there's less glare when taking photos. The camera apps on both are packed with familiar options like dedicated photo, video and portrait modes, as well as the ability to shoot Raw files and change resolution on some of the cameras. The iPhone can capture ProRes video files and spatial videos (which can be viewed on the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 VR headsets). Samsung's camera app has dedicated pro modes for photos and videos, and is more customizable. I can move the camera modes around to my liking and add ones I prefer. I can also use the Ultra's S Pen as a remote shutter button to take a photo. One of my favorite options is adding a floating shutter button that can be positioned anywhere on screen to take a photo. It's great for those times you can't reach the absolute bottom of the screen to tap the regular shutter button, or when using volume buttons isn't an option. Both phones take excellent pictures. Below are a few of my favorites. But let's get to the good stuff: head-to-head photo comparisons. And let's start with the images below of a challenging high contrast scene of a sunset in San Francisco's Mission District. The photos are from the main cameras, and I'm impressed with both. The biggest difference is the way each phone handles the glare from the sun, which is more pronounced in the iPhone's photo. The S24 Ultra's snap is a tad brighter, especially when you pinch in a bit. The S24 Ultra boosts the shadow details -- notice the trees on the bottom right. In the iPhone's picture, the trees kind of get lost in the shadows, but in the Ultra's image, you can actually make out more of the individual branches. Below is another set of main camera images, this time of a plant in a window. At first glance they look similar, but notice how the S24 Ultra rolls off the highlights on the leaves -- so smooth. The text on the books under the plant is readable in both images, though it's crisper in the iPhone's snap. I took the photos below, of my CNET colleagues Jessica Fierro (left) and Amy Kim playing foosball, with the ultrawide cameras. Compared to the main camera, there's a definite step down in image quality from both phones, but compared to each other they're similar. Both phones applied a lot of noise reduction. The ceiling in the iPhone's photo is riddled with image noise, and in the Ultra's photo, the noise is gone but the same ceiling looks overly soft and almost blurry. Notice how the phones handled the image noise on Jessica and Amy. In the iPhone's photo, Jessica's skin and hair looks more natural, albeit soft from motion blur. Whereas in the Ultra's image, she almost looks like a painting from all the noise reduction and over sharpening. I absolutely love this photo from the Ultra of my CNET pal Celso Bulgatti, taken with the dedicated 3x zoom camera. There's a good balance when it comes to detail, and the highlights look so good. It's subtle, but the cutout effect looks clean, with the transition between in-focus and out-of-focus looking natural. His skin tone is a bit more saturated than in real life, but it looks good. Speaking of 3x, remember the Ultra has a dedicated 3x camera whereas the iPhone is using a 3x digital zoom to get the same image. And you can see the difference below. The iPhone's photo isn't bad, but it has artifacts from the digital zoom, especially around the flag. Overall the iPhone's photo looks softer -- notice the details in the ornamentation on the building in the background but also in the bricks in the building on the right. Here's another pair of 3x photos -- of a Star Wars figurine on my desk. The Ultra's photo looks better in every way. Here are some photos of downtown San Francisco that I took from a rooftop with the 5x camera on both phones. Right away, the iPhone nailed the focus, which the Ultra struggled to do. I don't know if it was the sun reflecting off Salesforce Tower, but the Ultra hunted for focus in this setup anytime I used the 5x camera, especially as I started to zoom in digitally. Below are 5x optical zoom images, both in focus. I like the Ultra's more. It feels like the iPhone is protecting highlights by ramping down the exposure, and as a consequence the shadows are darker. The Ultra has good detail throughout -- notice the trees in the foreground and the windows on Salesforce Tower. I kept zooming in further on this scene. Below are 15x digital zoom photos. And again the Ultra struggled to get focus. I took four photos and all are out of focus, with the fourth one below the least out of focus. The iPhone's maximum digital zoom is 25x. Below are photos from both phones at that magnification. You might get away sharing these on social media, but neither photo looks good. I give the edge to the Ultra's photo, which looks cleaner. But the Ultra can zoom even more, with the image quality deteriorating even more. Below is a 50x digital zoom photo. As you can see, the noise reduction is making the image look more like a painting than a photo from a $1,300 phone! And here's one last photo of this scene, taken at 100x digital zoom. It's so processed and soft that it doesn't look like a photo. And again the Ultra struggled to get focus. Below is a pair of 5x photos of Maisie the cat. Both look good. The iPhone captured more of the texture in her fur and is overall brighter. I can't believe I've made it this far without mentioning AI. For years, phones have used AI, algorithms and machine learning to improve photos and create unique modes, like for portraits or night photos. None of this is new to either phone. But the S24 Ultra has some new generative AI tools called Galaxy AI, similar to the technology that powers ChatGPT and Dall-E and ranging from novelty to useful. Most of this happens in the Ultra's Gallery app and can be applied only after you take a photo or record a video. For instance, I can use the Generative Edit tool to remove a person or object from a photo and fill in the empty space. I can also move a person or object around or change their size. This tool and others still feel more experimental than dependable. Sometimes when I removed an object or a person there were obvious signs that something was manipulated, whether it was a strange texture or an odd halo of what was there before. Other times, the AI generated something random to fill in the space. For example, I tried to have it remove a person from the photo below only for the Ultra to replace him with a circular cafe table. Did it remove the person? Yes. Is it odd for there to be a cafe table on the roof of a building where there isn't a cafe or other tables? Yes. One area where the Generative Edit tool is useful is for straightening photos. When I straighten a photo on the iPhone (and most other phones) the picture is cropped in to get the desired result. On the S24 Ultra, Generative Edit can fill in the parts of a photo beyond the frame, that weren't even there, eliminating the need to crop in. Obviously, the iPhone doesn't have any of these generative AI features built in to its Camera or Photos apps. At this point, I don't think that's a miss, but as generative AI features improve and become more useful, their absence could be a huge disadvantage. Even though portrait mode doesn't use generative AI, think how much better it is today versus the clumsy background blurs of years past when the feature first came out. As you've seen, both phones take excellent photos. In my time with the Ultra, I've been blown away by the quality of the photos, especially those from the 3x lens. And I absolutely love that low-reflection screen, it's a small but significant improvement. Though I didn't go into comparisons of all the various modes or videos, both phones are evenly matched in those areas as well. The iPhone has a slight edge in its ability to record ProRes video files, though there are third-party Android apps that can do the same. The biggest barrier for me, and most people, is going to be the price. Paying $1,200 or $1,300 or more for larger storage is a giant investment that goes well beyond just how good the cameras are. I'd likely push people toward a smaller iPhone 15 Pro, or Google's Pixel 8 Pro. Both still cost a grand, but are hundreds less than the Ultra or 15 Pro Max. Want to see how the Ultra does against one of the other best phone cameras? Check out our camera comparison between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Pixel 8 Pro.