The Pixel 9 Completely Changed My Perspective on Google Phones
I’ll admit it: I’ve never been a fan of Google Pixel phones. Every year, I would eagerly await the latest release, purchase it, and ultimately walk away disappointed. Google’s phones just never felt as premium as the competition. But the Pixel 9 has completely turned my opinion around. It’s not just the best regular-sized phone I’ve ever used—it’s convinced me to fully embrace Google this year and invest in the Pixel 9 Pro as well.
One of my frustrations with the Pixel 8 Pro was its size. I’ve been waiting for Google to deliver a Pro phone without compromises, and the Pixel 9 series finally delivers. For most users, the standard Pixel 9 is the ideal choice, but if you’re looking for enhanced display quality, battery life, charging capabilities, and camera performance, the Pixel 9 Pro is the clear winner.
Here’s how the Pixel 9 changed my mind about Google’s phones.
The Pixel 9 Prioritizes Usability
It’s rare for a company to release a lineup where every phone is universally praised, but this year, Google has hit that mark. While we’re still waiting on reviews for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL have all received glowing feedback.
Every improvement Google has made with the Pixel 9 series has enhanced its usability. The rounded edges provide a more comfortable grip, and Google’s AI features—while quirky—are genuinely useful. While the Pixel 8 Pro felt a bit immature, the Pixel 9 series feels refined, mature, and exceptional.
Features like Add Me are not only clever and intuitive but also enjoyable to use. The Magic Editor showcases impressive generative AI capabilities, and the Made You Look feature makes capturing photos of my energetic 3-year-old niece much easier. With Reimagine and Pixel Studio, you can let your creativity run wild.
I expected to encounter some flaws, but the Pixel 9 has made my iPhone 15 Pro Max feel almost redundant. If there’s ever been a phone that captures the essence of an Android equivalent to the iPhone, it’s the Pixel 9 series. Small touches add a certain charm to the Pixel 9 experience, giving it an unmistakable “je ne sais quoi.”
Why Google Got the Pixel 9 So Right This Year
Google has made three key improvements to the Pixel 9 that have significantly impacted its performance: subtle hardware tweaks, enhanced performance and cooling, and fun, innovative AI features.
The size of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro is just right. I’ve tried countless phones, but none feel as good in hand as these. The closest contender might be the Samsung Galaxy S24, but the Pixel 9’s rounded curves make it more ergonomically friendly. It’s a device you’ll want to pick up again and again, thanks to its perfect blend of practicality and usability.
My main concern with the standard Pixel 9 was the absence of a telephoto lens. I often rely on telephoto for photography, and while there are moments when I miss it on the Pixel 9, these instances are surprisingly rare. Up to 4x zoom, the camera delivers thanks to excellent image processing, but beyond that, the limitations become more apparent.
Even the battery life has exceeded my expectations. Despite its 4,700mAh capacity being smaller than that of the Pixel 8 Pro, it lasts longer. The Super Actua display is slightly smaller but equally brilliant, and there’s no substitute for the Pixel 9’s friendly, manageable size. Google has achieved what no other manufacturer has: a smaller Pro phone without any significant compromises.
Why the Pixel 9 Pro Is Likely My Long-Term Smartphone
The only real shortcoming of the Pixel 9 is the lack of a telephoto lens—or rather, its inability to zoom beyond 8x. That’s why I’m making the switch to the Pixel 9 Pro. The addition of a telephoto lens, improvements in display and charging, and a much better selfie camera sealed the deal for me.
Then there’s Gemini Advanced. The standard Pixel 9 includes a one-month trial of Gemini Advanced, which features some of the best AI capabilities, but the Pro models come with a full year of free access—a value of $240. When you combine that with the excellent trade-in offers for the Pixel 9, upgrading to the Pixel 9 Pro was an easy decision.
Last year, I switched from the Pro model to the iPhone 15 Pro Max after Apple added a 5x telephoto lens to its largest smartphone. While the larger iPhone offered several advantages over the smaller Pro model, adjusting to its size was challenging.
The Pixel 9 has reminded me why I preferred the smaller Pro model in the first place, and the Pixel 9 Pro has reinforced that preference. It’s earned a permanent spot in my pocket—and completely changed my view of the Google Pixel lineup.
https://github.com/QuintenVerheij/GithubDemo/issues/24
https://github.com/deeef13/GitHub—govinss-shakrdp/issues/2
https://github.com/Mindinventory/mindinventory.github.io/issues/1
https://github.com/everruler12/roam2github/issues/21
https://github.com/manishbarikmb/manishbarikmb.github.io/issues/2
https://github.com/amigoscode/learning-git/issues/4
https://pastelink.net/voiovmtg
https://linksome.me/trdsvewdwesa
https://open.firstory.me/user/cm0idxuf4001301sfgnw4cu9g
