Google unveils ninth-generation Pixel phones

Google's "Made by Google" event is almost two months earlier than 2023, but this year's event will once again focus on the company's own smartphones from the Pixel series. One characteristic detail remains: the camera bar on the back. Although it no longer extends completely from one edge to the other, the camera lenses are still arranged horizontally so that the new Pixel models lie flat on the table without tilting.

However, Google is breaking with another tradition, probably to the delight of many users: the Pixel 9 comes in three variants: 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL. Until now, users of Pixel phones had to decide whether they wanted a handy device or the maximum expansion level of the rear camera, as the telephoto lens was reserved for the much larger Pixel Pro. This time, the small 9 Pro and the large 9 Pro XL are equipped identically, apart from the battery capacity and display. The 9 without Pro is the technically slimmed-down entry-level model and is just as handy as the 9 Pro.

The screen of the Pixel 9 measures 6.3 inches (16 centimeters) diagonally and has a resolution of 2424×1080 pixels (20:9, 422 dpi). With a height of around 15 centimeters and a width of 7.2 centimeters, the size is roughly the same as the current Pixel 8. The display supports a variable refresh rate between 60 and 120 Hertz. Google has improved the display brightness, which should reach up to 1800 cd/m² in the normal control range and even a peak brightness of 2700 cd/m² for a short time. This would make the Pixel 9 one of the brightest displays on the market. Other manufacturers have already promised similar brightness values, but did not achieve them on the c't test bench.

The Pixel 9 Pro has a resolution of 2856×1280 with the same diagonal and an even finer resolution of 495 dpi. It also outperforms the entry-level model in terms of the promised brightness, with 2000 or 3000 cd/m² in the short-term peak. In addition, the OLED on the Pro clocks between 1 and 120 Hz, which could ensure a slightly longer battery life. The larger sibling now goes by the name Pixel 9 Pro XL and, in addition to the full camera configuration, has a larger screen diagonal of 6.8 inches (17.1 centimeters) and a resolution of 2992×1344 pixels (20:9, 486 dpi).

Good camera

The entry-level model still has a main camera with a 50-megapixel sensor with a field of view of 82 degrees and an aperture of f/1.68. It has laser autofocus, a flicker sensor and stabilizes the images optically and electronically. The Super Resolution Zoom function achieves a zoom factor of eight – with the help of AI, which ensures sharp and attractive photos, at least on the Pixel 8. The main camera is supported by an ultra-wide-angle camera that captures a field of view of 123 degrees, has an aperture of f/1.7 and shoots with 48 megapixels. The Pixel 9 Pro and the larger Pro XL are also equipped with a 48 MP telephoto lens.

In all three Pixel phones, the camera app once again includes some AI functions for image enhancement. For example, the familiar night vision mode is on board, as is the portrait or sharpening function for blurred faces. There are also the "Top Photo" and "Add Me" features, which generate a synthetic photo from several shots in group photos, in which all people show the best facial expression and the photographer is integrated into the group photo via a separate shot.

Solid features

There are few surprises under the hood. The fourth-generation Tensor SoC developed together with Samsung is used here. Google promises that it has been improved in terms of performance and power consumption. Apps should start around 17 percent faster and the battery should last 20 percent longer. So far, runtime and performance have not been the Tensor CPU's main strengths.

Google did not provide information on the number of CPU cores at the presentation. However, leakers claim to have discovered that Google has abandoned the design with nine cores. According to rumors, the Tensor G4 uses a powerful Cortex-X4 with 3.2 GHz, which is supported by three Cortex-A720 cores with 2.6 GHz and four Cortex-A520 cores with 1.95 GHz.

Google has increased the memory: the Pixel 9 now has 12 GB of RAM instead of 8 GB; the 9 Pro and Pro XL have 16 GB of RAM. Customers can choose between 128 and 256 GB of internal storage, while the 9 Pro and Pro XL also offer 512 GB and 1 TB variants. As the phones cannot be expanded using a memory card, this should be particularly appealing to those who take plenty of photos and videos and/or do not transfer their data to the Google Cloud.

There is no leap forward in terms of the battery. Google puts the capacity of the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro at 4700 mAh, while the XL model has 5060 mAh. This means that all three phones are roughly on a par with their predecessors, which are not exactly known as proven long runners. With the hardware and software improvements, Google promises more than 24 hours of battery life. If the juice runs out, all three smartphones charge with 45 watts – but only on the separately sold Google charger. It charges the smaller models to 55 percent in half an hour, while the Pro XL is said to have a charge level of 70 percent.

One novelty is that the phones are not the first models to be launched with the new Android version. Apparently, Android 15 is not yet ready, which is why the 9 Pixel is being delivered with Android 14. This is not a problem, as Google always supplies its phones first and the updates will arrive from the day of release. Google also guarantees operating system and security updates for the next seven years, meaning that Android 22 will reach the 9 Series Pixel with the same release cycles. In addition, there will be feature drops for the same duration, with which Google will also roll out new Pixel-exclusive functions to older models, provided their hardware is sufficient.

As indicated at the Google developer conference in May, Google is relying heavily on AI. The Google Assistant has given way to the Gemini AI, which now takes over voice assistance on the Pixel 9 phones. For demanding AI tasks, Pixel 9 users receive a "Google One AI Premium" subscription with Gemini Advanced and 2 TByte cloud storage for one year with the device.

The Pixel 9 is available to order in the colors Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen and Peony – or as we would say: Black, White, Green and Pink. Google offers the 9 Pro and Pro XL in the colors Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel and Rose Quartz. All three phones are now available to pre-order from Google. The Pixel 9 starts at 899 euros and the Pixel 9 Pro at 1099 euros. Google is charging 1199 euros for the XL model. That is 50 to 100 euros more than the predecessors cost when they were launched.

(spo)