Google’s Pixel 9 series is here, and if you’re planning on buying one, chances are you’ve got your sights set on a specific colorway.
Whether it’s vibrant winter green or more muted rose quartz, there are plenty of exciting finishes to choose from.
At least that’s what you might think. Unfortunately, color availability varies wildly depending on the model you choose. In fact, Porcelain (off-white) and Obsidian (black) are the only ones offered with all four phones.
With the 9 Pro Fold, you’re limited to those two colors, while the 9 Pro and Pro XL add Rose Quartz (light pink) and Hazel (gray) to the list. The standard Pixel 9 also gets two additional colors, but they’re different: Peony (a darker pink) and Wintergreen (light green).
So far, it’s very frustrating. If you wanted that Rose Quartz finish but don’t want a huge phone, you’re out of luck. You can find a case in a similar color, but it’s not the same.
If you opted for the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro Fold, the inconveniences end there. Both storage options (128GB or 256GB for the Pixel 9, 256GB or 512GB for the 9 Pro Fold) on these phones are available in all colors.
However, things get even more complicated if you want one of the other devices. Want the Porcelain or Rose Quartz versions of the Pixel 9 Pro? You’ll have to settle for 128GB or 256GB of storage in the UK, or just 256GB in the US. The 512GB version is exclusive to the Hazel or Obsidian finishes.
But it’s the Pixel 9 Pro XL that takes home the unfortunate prize for the most complicated buying process.
The Rose Quartz model is oddly limited to the 256GB model, though the Porcelain and Hazel finishes are also offered with 128 or 512GB of storage.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Then if you want 1TB of storage you will have to have to get an Obsidian model. It’s only available on the 9 Pro XL in the UK, but also on the 9 Pro in the US.
Why offer such exciting colors if they’re only available on a few select configurations? We’ve reached out to Google for clarification on this and will update this article if we hear back.
But assuming nothing changes, you might be in for a nasty surprise when you go to buy your Pixel 9 phone.
The situation is explained in our guide to the best Pixel 9 deals, which includes various direct and contract options in the UK and US.
You might also want to know the truth about Pixel 9 charging speeds.
