We’ve gotten used to seeing new Pixel flagships just before Halloween, but Google surprised us with a summer launch for 2024.
And it was a bumper event, with no fewer than four Pixel 9 phones. That includes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a rebranded successor to the original Pixel Fold.
However, in this article, we’re focusing on the three non-foldable devices: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and the all-new Pixel 9 Pro XL. There are a few differences between them, including the 5x telephoto lens on the Pro phones and different screen sizes, but they also have a lot in common.
This includes many of the most exciting improvements to the Pixel 8 lineup. Here are the improvements I’m most looking forward to.
(Faster) loading
It’s hard to believe, but Pixel phones have never gone beyond 30W charging speeds. That figure only applies to the Pixel 8 Pro, with many other models being much slower (the Pixel 8a can’t go beyond 18W!).
However, Google has finally started to address this issue with the Pixel 9 lineup. All three models can reach 45W, although the necessary charger is still sold separately.
After half an hour, Google claims the 9 and 9 Pro can go from 0 to 55%, while the 9 Pro XL can reach 70%.
It’s still a long way from the fast-charging phones on the market (some of which exceed 100W), but it’s at least on par with Samsung’s Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra. Nothing frustrates me more than slow charging, so this is a welcome step forward.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Reimagining group photos
While the standard Pixel 9 gets a better 48MP ultra-wide lens, Google hasn’t made any improvements to the Pixel 9 Pro’s rear camera hardware, with the 9 Pro XL sporting identical specs to its smaller sibling.
The software does have some nice improvements, though, including “Add Me,” which is my favorite. In theory, this takes the stress out of group photos, avoiding having to hand your phone to a stranger, balance it on a wall, or awkwardly take a selfie.
Instead, one person takes a regular photo of everyone, then swaps with someone else. The new photographer then takes another group photo, using augmented reality (AR) to position the original photographer in the best spot.
Then, using AI, Google merges the images together to get a realistic group photo without everyone needing to be in the frame. You can snap a few photos and then use the existing Best Take feature to make sure everyone looks good.
Even better selfies
Of course, there are still times when you’ll want to take a selfie, which Google recognizes.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have solid front-facing cameras, but their lenses are only 10.5MP. While the regular Pixel 9 sticks with that, the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL both have a new 42MP camera.
A higher megapixel count by no means guarantees better photos, but it should nevertheless result in improved selfie quality.
A big step towards performance
All Pixel 9 phones have been upgraded to the Tensor G4. Although based on Samsung’s Exynos line, this is actually a Google chipset.
Compared to the Tensor G3, which powers the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Google says you can expect 20% faster web browsing and 17% faster app launches. Paired with at least 12GB of RAM (16GB on the Pro and Pro XL), that should translate into very strong performance.
It remains to be seen whether the Tensor G4 can truly compete with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the upcoming 8 Gen 4. But it looks like a big step forward, which I’m excited about.
One of the main selling points of previous Tensor chipsets was their power efficiency (which benefits battery life), and it’s also the driving force behind Google’s AI features.
Keep your cool
However, with that extra performance comes the risk of extra heat buildup. This is especially a concern for the Pro models, given their larger displays and increased RAM. The Pixel 8 Pro also got noticeably warm during testing.
With that in mind, Google has equipped the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL with a new vapor chamber cooling system. In a press conference, the company said it was designed for “optimal performance during the most demanding workloads.”
High-level performance And excellent thermal management? This sounds very positive indeed.
The cheapest way to get into the Pixel 9 series is with the standard model, which starts at £799/$799. You’ll pay at least £999/$999 for the Pro, while the all-new Pro XL starts at £1,099/$1,099.
All three models are available for pre-order now via the Google Store, ahead of a release date of August 22.
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