The Pixel 9 series is the royal crest of Google’s Android throne
It’s no secret that I’ve always had a strong preference for Pixel smartphones. Although I rarely keep one device longer than 6 months (I swapped the Galaxy S24+, Phone 15 Pro Max, and Pixel 8 Pro in 2023 alone), this might change with the Pixel 9.
The Pixel experience has gotten so refined and seamless, as it should be – a key benefit from being made 100% in-house. And thats not just because it’s one of two devices that hardware and software is created under one company’s roof besides the iPhone – it’s also because the company it comes from makes some of the most used apps on any platform.
The Google Ecosystem
It’s not just the world’s most used search engine that Google is known for: the Chrome web browser, Gmail for email, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Keep Notes for School or Work files, YouTube/YT Music, Play Books and Play Games for entertainment, Google Messages for secure RCS text communication, and Meet for video chatting are just some of the apps that many people use on their smartphones – Android OR iPhone.
Google’s suite of apps give the Pixel 9 the only ecosystem that can go toe-to-toe with Apple
Of course most of these apps are available for every other Android and the iPhone, but that’s not my point. The level of reliability and smooth response of the UI is on another level when it’s all done by one company, much like Apple’s products.
So it’s easy to see potential for greatness in the Pixel ecosystem once you realize these are the default apps on the smartphone. No duplicate apps, no middle-man manufacturer who has to “optimize” Android for their hardware. That and the fact Google owns and maintains the Android OS, the Pixel software experience had better be one of – if not – the smoothest, most glitch-free Android experience. Even if the hardware hasn’t always been top-tier.
Luckily those issues have been resolved with the Pixel 9, as Google as released the best hardware to ever come from Mountain City, CA.
Peony Pleasantries
It might have taken 9 iterations, but the Build Quality feels durable – sturdy without being heavy – and the design language lends credibility to the claim that even the base models of the Pixel 9 are on the same level as the best selling smartphones on the market.
Wintergreen Wonder
Display Quality
The display is coined “Actua-Display”, and it’s an awesome screen. The colors are natural, the screen is bright and sharp – and in direct sunlight it goes up to 2700 nits.
Its stands toe to toe with the best from Apple and Samsung, with yearly improvements to an already great display.
6.3-inch Actua display1 20:9 aspect ratio 1080 x 2424 OLED at 422 PPI Smooth Display (60-120Hz)2 Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 cover glass Up to 1800 nits (HDR) and up to 2700 nits (peak brightness)3 >2,000,000:1 contrast ratio HDR support Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors
Rear Camera Summary Advanced dual rear camera system: 50 MP wide | 48 MP ultrawide with Macro Focus | Super Res Zoom up to 8x13 and optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, 2x13
Wide Camera 50 MP Octa PD wide camera ƒ/1.68 aperture 82° field of view13 1/1.31″ image sensor size Super Res Zoom up to 8x13
Ultrawide Camera 48 MP Quad PD ultrawide camera with autofocus ƒ/1.7 aperture 123° field of view13 1/2.55″ image sensor size
Single-zone LDAF (laser detect auto focus) sensor Spectral and flicker sensor Optical + electronic image stabilization on wide
Front Camera
10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus ƒ/2.2 aperture 95° ultrawide field of view
Camera Features
Super Res Zoom up to 8×13 Add Me Macro Focus Night Sight Astrophotography Portrait Mode Face Unblur Long Exposure Action Pan Real Tone Panorama Top Shot Frequent Faces
Google VPN at no extra cost End-to-end security designed by Google Multi-layer hardware security: Tensor security core, certified Titan M2 security chip, and Trusty (Trusted Execution Environment) Anti-malware and anti-phishing protection Spam protection in Google Phone and Messages Learn more at g.co/pixel/security and g.co/pixel/certifications
Authentication
Fingerprint Unlock Face Unlock Pattern, PIN, password
Battery
24+ hour battery life5 Up to 100-hour battery life with Extreme Battery Saver6 Typical 4700 mAh (minimum 4558 mAh)7 Fast charging – up to 55% in about 30 minutes8 – using Google 45W USB-C® Charger, sold separately Fast wireless charging (Qi-certified)9 Battery Share10
Material
Scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 cover glass Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 polished back with satin finish metal frame IP68 dust and water resistance14 Fingerprint-resistant coating The aluminum in the housing is 100% recycled content15 Made with at least 20% recycled materials based on product weight 100% plastic-free packaging16
Dimensions
6 in (height) x 2.8 in (width) x 0.3 in (depth)
Weight
7 oz
Colors
Peony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, Obsidian
Launch Date
August 2024
Price
$799 (12GB+ 128GB), $899 (12GB + 256GB) Google Store
Conclusion
With the Pixel 9, it feels as if years of incremental refinements and tweaks build up to one of the most complete smartphone packages available today. A premium, flagship-level build, pro-level cameras even in the base model (minus the telephoto lens) and a well rounded ecosystem that comes with 7 years of OS and security updates promise. What more can you ask for from a company that almost had it right with the Nexus brand. If only the gains in market share respond accordingly.
