I have reviewed every Pixel smartphone since the brand was first introduced in 2016, and something about the Pixel 9 series makes me think of Google’s latest hardware as All grown upIt’s impossible to point to one new feature as the source of this feeling. Rather, it’s an amalgamation of changes that have taken place over the past three years, ever since the company began incorporating its own Tensor processors into these phones to power its cutting-edge software.
The combination of polished hardware, powerful internals, and useful software has resulted in a phone that’s on par with what you can get from brands like Samsung and Apple. All that elegance comes at a price, though. At $799 for the Pixel 9, $999 for the Pixel 9 Pro, and $1,099 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, these are some of the most expensive Pixels to date. This is the usual reminder that you can get great smartphones for under $500 (including Google-made devices like the Pixel 8A).
But for anyone who doesn’t mind splurging on the most important piece of tech in their life, the Pixel 9 series offers some of the best mobile camera experiences money can buy. The Pixel 9 also serves as an enticing window into the AI-fication of our personal technology — whether that’s something you want or not.
The phone issue
A refined design helps the Pixel 9 shine. The iconic camera viewfinder that’s been a mainstay since the Pixel 6 is still present, but in a sleeker, pill-shaped design. Don’t worry, it still screams “Pixel.” It’s hard to mistake this phone for anything else, especially if you opt for the lovely pink colors. (I appreciate that the fun color isn’t limited to the “non-Pro” model, as it is on other phone brands and models.)
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
I don’t find the camera bump excessive or unsightly — the phones don’t move around when laid flat on a table, and that’s a big plus. I like the flat display panel, as well as the flat edges. The square design is easier to hold, and your grip won’t interfere with the touchscreen like it does on smartphones with “waterfall” displays that curve up to the sides where your fingers grip the body of the phone. Just know that the Pro phones have glossy edges that attract fingerprints, so you’ll be wiping them off often. (Just me?)
Speaking of fingerprints, Google has equipped these models with an in-display ultrasonic scanner that’s far more reliable than the optical fingerprint sensors it’s been using on Pixels for years, and finally matches the quality found on other Android phones. On the other hand, the Pixels are still some of the only Android phones with secure face scanning, so it’s great that it has both biometric options, though I would have liked to see improvements to make face unlock work better in the dark.
Choice is also a deciding factor in demonstrating the maturity of a product line. For the first time, you have a choice in the size of the Pixel 9 Pro (6.3 inches or 6.8 inches for the XL), meaning you no longer have to feel like you’re missing out on features just because you prefer smaller phones. Even though I have big paws, I prefer the size and feel of the Pixel 9 Pro. Nice and compact.