We’ve become accustomed to seeing new Pixel flagships just before Halloween, but Google has surprised us with a summer launch for 2024.
And it’s been 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: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the brand-new Pixel 9 Pro XL. There are a few differences between them, including the 5x telephoto on Pro phones and varying screen sizes, but they also have plenty in common.
That includes many of the most exciting upgrades from the Pixel 8 range. Here are the improvements that I’m most looking forward to.
Fast(er) charging
It’s hard to believe, but Pixel phones have never exceeded charging speeds of 30W. That figure only applies to the Pixel 8 Pro, with many other models much slower (the Pixel 8a can’t go beyond 18W!).
However, Google has finally begun to address this on the Pixel 9 range. All three models can hit 45W, even if the necessary charger is still sold separately.
After half an hour, Google says the 9 and 9 Pro can go from 0-55%, while the 9 Pro XL can reach 70%.
It’s still miles away from the fastest charging phones around (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 regular Pixel 9 gets a better 48Mp ultrawide lens, Google hasn’t made any improvements to the rear camera hardware on the Pixel 9 Pro, with the 9 Pro XL sporting identical specs to its smaller sibling.
However, there are some exciting enhancements on the software side, with ‘Add Me’ my personal favourite. In theory, it eliminates the stress of group photos, avoiding the need to give a stranger your phone, balance it on a wall or awkwardly take a selfie.
Instead, one person takes a regular photo of everyone else, then swaps with someone else. The new photographer then takes another group photo, using AR (augmented reality) to position the original photographer in the best spot.
Then, using AI, Google fuses the images together to great a realistic group shot without everyone needing to be in the frame. You can take a few, then use the existing Best Take feature to make sure everyone looks good.
Even better selfies
Of course, there are still times where you’ll want to take a selfie, which Google recognises.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have solid front-facing cameras, but they’re only 10.5Mp lenses. While the regular Pixel 9 sticks with this, the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL both have a new 42Mp camera.
A higher megapixel count doesn’t guarantee better photos by any means, but this should still result in an improvement in selfie quality.
A big step for performance
Every Pixel 9 phone has been upgraded to the Tensor G4. While based on Samsung’s Exynos line, this is very much a Google chipset.
Compared to Tensor G3, which powers the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Google says you can expect 20% faster web browsing and 17% quicker app launches. Alongside at least 12GB of RAM (16GB on Pro and Pro XL), this should result in very strong performance.
It remains to be seen whether Tensor G4 can genuinely rival the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or upcoming 8 Gen 4. But it sounds like a big step forward, which makes me excited.
A key selling point of previous Tensor chipsets has been their power efficiency (which benefits battery life), and it’s also the driving force behind Google’s AI features.
Keeping their cool
However, that extra performance comes with the potential for the build-up of more heat. It’s of particular 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 vapour chamber cooling system. In a media briefing, the company said it’d been designed for “peak performance during the most demanding workloads”.
Top-tier performance and great thermal management? That sounds very positive indeed.
Your cheapest route into the Pixel 9 series is the regular model, which starts at £799/$799. You’ll pay at least £999/$999 for the Pro, while the brand-new Pro XL starts at £1,099/$1,099.
All three models are available to pre-order now via the Google Store, ahead of a release date of 22 August.
