Google Pixel 9 Review: A bit pricier, but worth it

The regular Pixel 9 is the Pixel model that most people should consider.

And not just because of its $800 price, which is considerably cheaper than the $1,000+ Pro models, but also because it's a darn good phone on its own. It has mostly the same design language as its Pixel Pro siblings, and it is powered by the same Tensor G4 chipset.

Even the rear cameras are the same as on the Pro models.

And compared to previous Pixels, this one feels more refined, and that is the good news. The not so good news is the slightly higher price. Two years ago, the Pixel 7 was priced at $600, and then last year, the Pixel 8 was $700, and now this new Pixel 9 now costs $800. This puts it in exactly the same spot as the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24, which are the toughest of competitions. Let's see if the Pixel 9 can live up to its new position in the market.

Disclaimer: We use a new review rating system at PhoneArena, and you may notice the total score is now lower than you might be used to seeing. That, however, does not mean that the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a bad phone. Instead, it is the way our new system works. The idea is to look at the score in comparison to other phones in the same price class, and this new Pixel actually scores on par with rivals like the OnePlus 12.

We have a few exciting specs changes on the Pixel 9. The new ultrawide camera, now same as on the Pro models, is a highlight and a major step up from before. Then, you also have the new Tensor G4 chip and more RAM that enables new AI features.

Also, it comes with a bigger display than the previous Pixel 8 model and a slightly bigger battery too.

The whole Pixel 9 lineup comes in a brand new look, losing the pebble-like shape of previous generations in place for a more blocky one. The front and back panels, as well as the frame itself are flat, while the edges of the phone are curved.

In our opinion, Google has done a great job at preserving the overall unique Pixel look and what makes it stand out from the competition, which is saying something considering Samsung and Apple shape their phones rather similarly.

The flat frame has a matte finish to it, while the back panel is glossy and reflective, with aluminum and glass being the materials Google has used. There is also more durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making the standard Pixel as protected as the pricier Pro variants.

Size-wize, the Pixel 9 is a 6.3-inch phone, so a bit bigger than the 6.2-inch Pixel 8, and it is also a tiny bit thinner. The dimensions are 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm (the Pixel 9 Pro version has exactly the same size).



The Pixel 9 unboxing experience is rather simple because there is not much in the box. We like that the box is made of recycled materials and that it is quite slim, but we regret that useful goodies like a charger, a screen protector and a case are missing. You only get a USB-C charging cable, the user manual and the SIM tool.

As for the hues, here are all of the Pixel 9 colors:

• Obsidian
• Porcelain
• Wintergreen
• Peony

We have a wider variety of colors with the Pixel 9 compared to last year, with one additional hue. This year the colors are also more vibrant, especially if you look at the Peony and Wintergreen variants. What's more, this year we have a beige (Porcelain) instead of a boring gray color.



As for the display, the Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3" OLED screen that Google calls "Actua" (and not "Super Actua" as on the Pros). Is it a good screen? We have run all of our lab tests, and you can see some significant improvements have been made.

Display Measurements:

Google says peak brightness reaches 2700 nits vs. 2000 nits on last year’s model. We don't measure peak brightness (which is measured at just 5% of the screen being white, and all the rest black), but instead we measure the brightness on an all-white display. The Pixel 9 scores 1,970 nits in our testing, more than most other phones we have tested by a big margin. That means it will be much easier to use this phone outdoors, under the bright sun.

One slight niggle is that at night, the lowest brightness level is 1.8 nits, which is not quite as dim as 0.9 nits on the Galaxy S24. This might seem like a small difference, but night owls will notice it.

The Pixel 9 comes with Android 14, which might be a bit disappointing for those expecting the latest, but with 7 years of major Android OS updates, security patches, and Pixel Feature Drop updates (new Pixel-specific features), you are all set for the future.

Android 15 should be arriving as an update over the next couple of months, so there is that.

Of course, it is only fitting that we also get some new AI features to boot. Most of the new AI features this year are around the camera. One is "Add Me," and it allows you to combine two group selfies into one so that everyone can be in the image. This feels like an extension of last year's "Best Take" feature, although even more impressive.

The most powerful one is "Reimagine", which allows you to change the way a picture looks. You can change the sky from a perfect blue to a cloudy one, or you can go even further and place a rocket in the skies behind you, or a cockroach in a photo of food, or a tank on the street. It's incredibly powerful, and a bit scary because there is no indication this is an AI altered photo except for the metadata (and that is not hard to get rid of).

You also have a few new apps such as Pixel Studio, which is an AI image generator offering a few styles, but with more limitations than the Reimagine feature.

You get a brand new Weather app, the first native one on a Pixel.

You have a new Screenshots app, which again uses AI to analyze all of your screenshots and make it easy to search something you have screenshotted long ago.

We like the new design, we like that the phone is even better prepared for AI with 12GB of RAM, we also don't mind the faster Tensor G4 chip, and that ultrawide camera is better indeed.

Was all of that worth the price bump? And should you get the Pixel over a Galaxy or an iPhone?

While we wish the Pixel was a bit cheaper as in the past, we think it is the most advanced AI phone on the market at the time of its launch and best prepared for that future. If that's what you care for, it should be at the top of your wishlist.