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This year Google introduced three new Pixel flagship models, expanding from its usual two with an additional Pro model. We are here to talk about the standard Pixel 9 though, which has significant changes and upgrades, including a major visual overhaul in the form of a blocky design with a new look for the camera module.
The Pixel 9 is twice as durable as its predecessor, and it now comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The display is also significantly brighter and has thinner more uniform bezels.
What's truly exciting is the new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that is embedded in that display. It is much faster than the optical ones Google used previously.
The battery size has increased compared to last year's model, and Google claims substantially longer battery life on the Pixel 9, which our battery life tests confirmed to be generally true.
There is a new chipset on board, the Tensor G4, which comes with performance improvements as well as better power efficiency compared to the Tensor G3 from last year.
In addition to the new chip, the entire Pixel 9 lineup has more RAM than the predecessors. This enhancement is intended to support new on-device AI features and Google's Gemini multilingual AI model that can now understand not only text but also images, audio, and speech.
One awesome new feature is Emergency Satellite SOS, which enables users to call emergency services via a satellite connection.
The Pixel 9 features a new 48 MP ultrawide camera, a significant upgrade from the 12MP sensor in its predecessor. This new sensor not only offers higher resolution but is also more sensitive to light, improving image clarity and low-light performance.
Google Pixel 9: Get at Amazon
Snatch the Pixel 9 with fancy new Gemini AI features at Amazon. The latest non-Pro model with a G4 chip is currently available at its standard price. This is the model in Obsidian.
The Pixel 9 was announced by Google on August 13, 2024, during the Made by Google event. Pre-orders begin today, on August 13, the same day as the announcement. Pixel 9 sales start on August 22.
We've included a table showing the launch dates of recent Pixel models below.
Pixel 9 device family
Announcement date
Market release date
Pixel 9
August 13, 2024
August 22, 2024
Pixel 8
October 4, 2023
October 11, 2023
Pixel 7
October 6, 2022
October 13, 2022
Pixel 9 Price and Deals
The new starting price with the Pixel 9 is $799, which puts it right next to the likes of Apple's iPhone 15 and Samsung's Galaxy S24. This price is for the base 128 GB model; the 256 GB Pixel 9 costs $859.
You might be wondering if there are any Pixel 9 deals that are already live… We can make a few assumptions based on last year's deals from Google itself, as well as the popular US carriers during the Pixel 8's launch.
Google: There is a Google Store trade-in program that you can use to greatly reduce the price of your next purchase of a Pixel phone. Currently, Google accepts phones it made itself, but also phones from Apple, Samsung, and Motorola. Google sends a trade-in kit with a prepaid label, eliminating the need to visit a store. Besides the trade-in discount, Google (alongside Amazon and Best Buy) had already placed the Pixel 8 at $150 less, so we expect to see something similar with the Pixel 9 too.
AT&T: On the carrier side of things, AT&T shaved as much as $400 from the Pixel 8 if you had an eligible trade-in, which was almost 60% of the total price. AT&T might keep the same $400 discount this year for the Pixel 9, which would be less in terms of percentage given the price hike, but it would still be an awesome deal.
Verizon: If you had Verizon myPlan, you were able to get a Pixel 8 for free with select trade-in on qualified Unlimited plans. There were also bundle deals that gave you a Google Pixel Watch 2 if you bought a Pixel 8 from Verizon.
The Pixel 9 comes with the first meaningful ultrawide camera upgrade in a while, replacing the old 12 MP snapper with a new 48MP one. In fact, this is the same 48MP ultrawide that the Pro models have.
The 10.5 MP selfie camera is the same, but this year it comes with autofocusing enabled.
50 MP Octa PD wide camera, ƒ/1.68 aperture, 82° field of view, 1/1.31" image sensor size, Super Res Zoom up to 8x, Optical + electronic image stabilization on wide
48 MP Quad PD ultrawide camera with autofocus, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 123° field of view, 1/2.55" image sensor size
10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus, ƒ/2.2 aperture, 95° ultrawide field of view
Pixel 9 Storage
Google continues to offer its standard flagship phone in two memory/storage variants, so you can buy the Pixel 9 either with a 12/128 GB or 12/256 GB. Also, the Pixel 9 has the same UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR5X RAM.
Pixel 9 storage versions:
128GB
256GB
Pixel 9 Design Changes
The Pixel 9 has a very different look than previous Pixel models, although it still keeps the spirit of the Pixel’s design.
Instead of the pebble shape previous generations had, the Pixel 9 has flat sides, a flat display, and a flat back. This gives it a more block-like appearance that resembles the iPhone 15 quite a bit.
The iconic camera no longer touches the frame of the phone. Instead, the camera module now has an oval shape and it is centered at the top of the back panel. If you have the Pixel 9’s back turned towards you, the dual camera system and sensors are on the left side of the new camera module, and on the right you have the flash.
Pixel 9 dimensions: 152.8 height x 72.0 width x 8.5 depth (mm)
The Pixel 9 comes with thinner bezels than its predecessor, which are now also completely uniform. Its display also has higher peak brightness, 2700 nits compared to the 2000 nits of last year’s model. Google claims the display is 35% brighter than before.
The new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 9 is 50% quicker than the optical ones on previous Pixel models. Samsung has been using the same biometrics technology on its flagship Galaxy phones for years.
Besides the higher brightness, the Pixel 9 has mostly an unchanged OLED display measuring at 6.3 inches with a resolution of 1080 x 2424. It has a 20:9 aspect ratio, 60-120Hz refresh rate, and HDR support. One small difference is that this year it is protected by the more durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Pixel 9 Battery
The Pixel 9 battery is slightly larger than its predecessor, with a capacity of 4700 mAh. Google claims the Pixel 9 can last more than 24 hours with this battery, or even up to 100 hours if you use the Extreme Battery Saver feature.
Google claims the battery life on the Pixel 9 is 20% longer compared to the Pixel 8.
Google has not stated exact charging speeds, but it appears charging might be faster on the Pixel 9, as it is said to go from 1-55% in about 30 minutes using Google’s new 45W fast charger.
For context, the Pixel 8 charged 1-50% for that amount of time, but Google had made that measurement with its 30W adapter instead. Stay tuned for our own dedicated charging tests where we will find out more.
Pixel 9 Features and Software
The Pixel 9 comes with Android 15 straight out of the box, and it will receive 7 years of Android updates, security patches, and Google’s Pixel Drop updates (with unique Pixel-specific features).
The Pixel 9 comes with a new and improved Gemini Nano, which now has multi-modality. This means it can now understand now only text, but also speech, images, and even audio.
Thanks to the increased RAM and more powerful Tensor G4, Gemini can also carry out many more tasks on-device. You will be able to use Gemini for scheduling appointments, summarizing documents, writing messages and a bunch of Pixel 9 AI features.
One such Pixel 9 AI feature this year is the Add Me, which let’s users combine two group photos into one, so that everyone can be in the frame.
Pixel 9 Hardware
The Pixel 9 comes with Google’s Tensor G4 chipset and 12GB of RAM. The new processor is more powerful than the Tensor G3, but presumably not by much. Google states it offers 20% faster web browsing and 17% faster app launches. Undoubtedly weird metrics to give as an example when showing off a new chipset, but that’s what we have to go on until we do our own benchmark performance tests.
The 12GB of RAM is great, but keep in mind that a good chunk of the memory is carved out specifically for the on-device AI functionalities. This might mean that there is less RAM available for everything non-AI related.
Pixel 9 Comparisons
Google has announced the Pixel 9 and we already have a few comparisons that you might find interesting. Below, you can find how the Pixel 9 stacks against its main rivals and other Pixel models.
Google Pixel 9 vs Pixel 7: Are we in peak Pixel territory yet? — The Pixel 7 was a great phone for its day, but only two years later and the Pixel 9 might be good enough to elicit an upgrade. With longer battery life, faster charging, and all kinds of spec bumps, it might be time to turn in the old Pixel for a brand new one.
Google Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8: What's changed with the most affordable Pixel? — The Pixel 9 comes with a few key improvements over the Pixel 8. More RAM to accommodate the on-device AI features, a brand new 48MP ultrawide camera, and more. Is it reason enough to drop the Pixel 8 though?
Google Pixel 9 vs Galaxy S24: Can the vanilla Pixel prove its worth? — Now that they come with the same price tag, the battle between these two friendly Android rivals is more fierce than ever. Still, it appears not much has changed when comparing the base Pixel to its Samsung competitor.
Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8a: The price gap widens — The Pixel 9 is $100 more expensive than its predecessor, which means the gap between it and the Pixel 8a is larger than it used to be in previous generations. This might make the more affordable Pixel mode appealing than before.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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