The Google Pixel was all the time destined to be the iPhone for Android customers. This yr, that perception feels stronger than ever, with the brand new Pixel 9 collection coming in commonplace, Professional, and Professional XL flavors and costs beginning at $799, $999, and $1,099, respectively.
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If the pricing mannequin and configurations do not trace at an Apple-esque playbook, wait till you see and really feel the telephones in particular person. I spent an intimate morning with the newest units forward of right now’s Made by Google occasion, and the brand new design language — which favors flattened edges, pastel colours, and ultra-thin bezels — typically jogged my memory of the iPhone 15 Professional that was tucked in my pocket.
To be clear, that is a very good factor, and I am not alone in considering that Google ought to construct a cellphone that is extra comfy to carry, exudes premium, and appears much less like Cyclops from X-Males. After testing the three Pixel 9 fashions, this is my fast tackle every as you contemplate whether or not they’re well worth the improve.
Google Pixel 9 shall be a sleeper hit
The vanilla Pixel 9 is just not as flashy as its Professional siblings, however at $799 ($100 greater than final yr’s Pixel 8), Google did give it important upgrades throughout the board. Taking place the listing, the adjustments embrace a bigger, brighter show that ramps as much as 2,700 nits, a bigger 4,700mAh battery, 12GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, an improved 48MP ultrawide sensor, and Google’s new Tensor G4 chip.
Additionally:Â The $799 Pixel 9 could also be Google’s sleeper hit this yr. This is why
These are all flagship-grade options, ones you’d sometimes discover on a cellphone that prices a whole lot of {dollars} extra, however I might guess that many shoppers will contemplate the Pixel 9 for one different purpose: coloration choices. I commend Google for being just a little extra bold with its industrial design this yr, coating the flattened kind issue with pastel hues that may be finest described as refreshing. This can be the primary time I ever thought of choosing up a pink-colored cellphone to make use of each day — that is how good “Peony” seems to be in particular person.
The Pixel 9 can be the identical dimension because the Pixel 9 Professional, with a 6.3-inch show that makes it comfy to carry and navigate one-handedly. It does not have the identical LTPO panel because the Professional, which means the refresh fee will not drop under 60Hz to scale back animation load and, due to this fact, cut back battery consumption, however the 4,700mAh capability ought to maintain the Pixel 9 operating for a full day.
Additionally:Â I am a diehard Pixel person, however I am contemplating a change for 2 causes (and I am not alone)
Lastly, the 48MP ultrawide digicam with autofocus seems like an improve that customers will not respect till they use it. A sharper and bigger sensor means which you can now pull in additional coloration and element when capturing scenic views, and there is additionally the advantage of higher macro photographs.
Google Pixel 9 Professional will get an XL dimension (and extra complicated)
Because the very first Pixel, Google has all the time launched its smartphones in pairs: one in an everyday, market-appropriate dimension and one other that is a couple of point-inches bigger. The truth is, the unique Pixel had an “XL” mannequin, which the corporate later changed with the “Professional” branding. That additionally meant that the smaller, non-Professional cellphone typically missed out on flagship digicam options, show upgrades, and different software program advantages.
Additionally: I went hands-on with Google’s $1,799 Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and I am prepared to change from Samsung
This yr, Google is combining the perfect of each worlds, providing a Pixel 9 Professional XL mannequin that meets the wants of big-screen buffs whereas additionally conserving a smaller Professional variant that fields the identical digicam configuration and have set. The latter is a significant win for customers who need flagship options with out the customarily uncomfortable dimension. This additionally means there at the moment are 5 Pixel cellphone fashions to select from, together with the budget-oriented Pixel 8a and bleeding-edge Pixel 9 Professional Fold.
Apart from dimension choices, paying up for the Pixel 9 Professional additionally will get you 16GB of RAM (as an alternative of 12GB on the Pixel 9), as much as 1TB of storage, a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a extra sensible 42MP front-facing digicam. From my demo, what impressed me essentially the most with the front-facing digicam wasn’t the decision and element however how a lot of my environment it may body. With a 103-degree field-of-view, the Pixel 9 Professional may be the best cellphone to take group selfies and scenic portraits with.
Additionally:Â Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: 4 finest options that make it the foldable cellphone to beat
Different digicam upgrades embrace the power to course of Tremendous Res Zoom in video, which suggests higher element when capturing distant topics, and Video Enhance, which upscales content material to 8K — nice for videographers or professionals who wish to clip out high-res pictures.
Google is bundling a yr’s price of Google One AI Premium Plan with the Pixel 9 Professional fashions, which incorporates entry to the newest Google AI options like Gemini Stay and 2TB of cloud storage. In fact, how helpful that is is determined by how a lot you depend on Gemini to summarize, create, and interpret data. After demoing most, if not all, of the brand new software program options coming to the Pixel, which embrace Add Me, Pixel Screenshots, Name Abstract, and Gemini Stay, there are actually sufficient instruments that make the Pixel 9 Professional worthy of your consideration for the AI alone.
