The Pixel 9 looks and feels like an iPhone, through and through.
Im not just saying that to be inflammatory and get a rise out of the Android versus iOS crowd.
I have lots to say about each of the Pixel 9 models launching this phone season.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
(you’re free to alsoread this abridged versionif you want the low down.)
Granted, a few phones have just a bar across the back.
Im not saying that Google purposefully designed this after the iPhone.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 9 Pro comes in two flavors this generation: small and big (XL).
The plastic backside over the last few generations felt chintzy.
This time, it feels like a $1,100 phone.
It comes in three variants this year.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 8 Pro compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Heres a general breakdown of the models:
All three devices run on the fourth-generation Google-made Tensor G4 processor.
They ship with Android 14 (where isAndroid 15, anyway?
), and each has a battery to accommodate the various screen sizes and capabilities.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 9 in its three flavors: Pixel 9Pro (left), Pixel 9 Pro XL (middle), and Pixel 9 (right).
They also have the same battery size.
All phone models come in four colors, two of which are black and white.
The fundamental differences between models are size, performance, and camera capabilities.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 9 was the only one of the three new devices to stick to Google’s promise of 24 hours of battery.
Like the Pixel 8 before it, the Pixel 9 is a barebones Pixel experience.
This extra bump-up in memory is necessary for all that Google is pushing with its AI capabilities.
The Pixel 9 Pro seems like the best deal for all.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
And unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL dont differentiate in optical zoom.
Youare just choosing whether you want a big or small phone.
I had trouble with that weeks ago on vacation with the Pixel 8.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
I did not have that kind of confidence these last two generations.
Its also equipped with satellite connectivity, which Ill get into shortly.
If you scope outthe headlinesnow, youll see mention that the chip performs behind Qualcomms equivalent chipsets.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
Battery performance is the best its ever been for the Pixel series, though its still not iPhone-level.
We mainly test for on-screen time by streaming a YouTube video until the phone dies.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted nearly 23 hours in our battery rundown test.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The iPhone 15 Pro Max outlasted it by over two hours.
The smaller Pixel 9 Pro managed a little more than 20 hours.
The Pixel 9, despite having the same screen size and battery, lasted nearly 24 hours.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
Panorama mode on the Pixel 8*
That can be attributed to itsbasicActua display versus the LTPO used in the Super Actua on the Pro variants.
Sometimes, brighter isnt better, especially if it taxes on your battery.
Googles version isSatellite SOS, which works like ApplesEmergency SOS.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
The feature lets you use a satellite connection to contact to call for help.
Satellite SOS is carrier agnostic, though it will only work in the continental U.S. at launch.
Youll have touse the Google Messages app to access it,just like on iOS.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
Qualcomm has been working on itssatellite offeringwith Iridium, the web link that powers up the Garmin web link.
Satellite SOSbecame available right after I published this review.
I did receive a notification ping that it was ready to use.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
Its the same 50-MP pixel-binning camera with a slightly larger sensor to capture more light.
The 9 Pro/Pro XLs primary camera lens has an aperture open at f/1.68 over the Pixel 8 Pros f/1.7.
The difference can help with things like depth effect and, of course, night mode.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoWhat the Google Photo Add Me feature looks like when it’s prompting you.
The ultrawide camera sensor was also upgraded to a full 48-MP sensor compared to 12-MP in last years release.
The front-facing cameras on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL are disparate experiences across the board.
I was disappointed with my experience with the Pixel 8s front-facing camera during my year of using it.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoBe sure to turn on Video Boost before you shoot your video.
Googles other new feature is the enhanced Panorama mode.
It mainly involves interface changes in the panorama prompt to help you stitch the photo.
At the very least, I plan to use this to get additional background details into a picture.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoGemini Live on the Pixel 9 Pro.
I went for a night walk to test this out.
The only thing is that youll have to wait for Google Photos to do the boosting.
I can have a conversation with Gemini Live.
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo / AI generated!
But its still limited in scope.
Gemini said, Sorry, no, can do.
Pixel Studiois another big part of the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XLs enhanced AI capabilities.
© Florence Ion/ GizmodoWhich will it be? The Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL?
Its an image generator based on the latest Imagen 3 text-to-image models.
I can fake photos of Hello Kitty with it.
I dont plan to use it much because it still struggles with creepy image generation.
Its too horrifying to drop into a kids birthday party invitation.
If it wants to keep users on, Google needs a better way to let people opt out.
Its here to entice you away from Apples walled garden.
Dont immediately jump on the Pixel 9 if youre on another Android rig.
In the past, Ivebeen quick to concludethat the latest Google Pixel flagship istheAndroid phone to own.
Im changing my tune with this generation.
Its too much too forced right now.
I will trade in my base-model Pixel 8 for a Pixel 9 Pro.
My unit is scheduled to arrive after the iPhone madness comes upon us.
Then, well also have new iPhone devices to compare to the Pixel 9.
Stay tuned for more.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
Meta Pissed Off Everyone With Poorly Redacted Docs
Meta is being very transparent on accident.
