Just the right size with some pro-level camera tech and AI
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Google Pixel 9
Best Buy
It’s small enough for a pocket but large enough to see.
Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
Display is bright and usable.
AI is built right in, but not obtrusive.
Battery life is good; charges fast on 45W chargers.
Best Buy
Camera bar looks good but does stick out a bit.
Still feels fragile; needs a case.
Front camera has way fewer megapixels than Pro line.
Pixel 9 runs Android 14.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
AI may be overrated and ethically dubious.
It comes in black, white, mint green, and an orange-pink Peony color.
The Pixel 9 also has twice the contrast ratio as the 8.
It’s just so good-looking.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
The Tensor G4 chip makes its first appearance here; the Pixel 8 ran on a Tensor G3.
The dual rear cameras are also an upgrade from Pixel 8.
The optical zoom comes in at .5x, 1x, and 2x.
Pixel Studio Preview on Pixel 9.Lifewire / Rob LeFebvre
Pixel Studio is also new, letting you create images from text prompts.
It’s unlike any other phone and really sets the 9 apart.
I’m also a big fan of the glass panel on the back.
That’s not the case with this 6.3-inch diagonal display.
I can reach almost everything onscreen with my thumb, and that makes using it a joy.
It does feel fragile, though.
Add Me works fairly seamlessly.
There was even some occlusion, where my left shoulder looked naturally behind hers.
Now, we can all be in it.
Ultimately, the tech is underwhelming at best.
