Google Pixel 9 review: The go-to Android smartphone

By 
 

 

 For the first half of Android’s existence, Google was happy simply being in charge of the OS while other manufacturers built a massive ecosystem of devices. Things changed in 2016 with the launch of the original Pixel, a phone that married the company’s hardware and software designs. But even that combo wasn’t enough to immediately catapult Google’s flagship to the front of the pack. However, between the continued evolution of its devices and former major players like LG and HTC getting out of the game, Google has become the third-largest Android phone maker in the US, just barely behind Motorola.

Enter the Pixel 9, which sports a slick new design, a brighter screen, better cameras and even more sophisticated software tricks. In many ways, this thing feels like it best represents Google's vision for what a smartphone should be and it’s here to claim its title as the default Android handset.

The default Android flagship phone


Thanks to a slick new design, improved software, upgraded cameras and a vibrant display, while Samsung’s Galaxy S line might be more popular, the Pixel 9 is the true Android phone to beat.

Pros
  • New ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
  • Upgraded cameras
  • Super bright OLED display
  • Solid performance
  • Slick design
  • Excellent software and AI tools
Cons
  • No Qi2 magnetic wireless charging
  • Zoom Enhance is only available on Pixel 9 Pro
  • AI can still hallucinate or be manipulated to produce unsavory results

I usually hate making this comparison, but it’s hard to ignore that the Pixel 9 looks a lot like an iPhone. Similar to recent Apple handsets, the base ninth-gen Pixel features flat sides with rounded corners and a smooth matte finish. Its front and back panels are made out of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which when combined with the phone’s recycled aluminum frame results in a device that Google says is two times more durable than before.

The big difference though is the Pixel 9’s rear camera module. Gone is the edge-to-edge bar we’ve become familiar with over the previous three generations and in its place is a simple pill-shaped visor. Compared to Apple’s arrangement — which still looks like the top of a stove to me — Google’s design is the essence of simplicity. There are two lenses on the left and a flash on the right, with some additional components like a tiny microphone and a single-zone laser-detect autofocus system scattered throughout. Sure, it’s a bit tall and bulky, but because it largely spans the width of the device, it means the phone doesn’t wobble when you rest it on its back. Points to Google for a more elegant solution.

In front, the Pixel 9 sports Google’s latest 6.3-inch OLED Actua display, which offers an even higher peak brightness of 2,700 nits (versus 2,000 nits for the Pixel 8). Granted, that’s a few hundred less than the 3,000 nits on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, but even when viewed side-by-side, you’d be hard-pressed to notice a difference. As before, the Pixel 9 has a variable refresh rate that jumps between 60Hz and 120Hz to help save on battery while Google has tweaked little details like evening out the phone’s bezels so that they are the same size all the way around. Altogether, it’s an excellent display with accurate colors and rich tones. I’ve got to give Google credit, because over the past few years, Pixel displays have made major leaps to the point where they can now hold their own against both Apple and Samsung.

One final small but very welcome upgrade is a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner hidden beneath the Pixel 9’s displays. It’s even more reliable than the optical sensor used before and, in my testing, it’s unlocked the phone nearly instantly every single time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Samsung Galaxy S26 Model Numbers Spotted, No Plus Variant

By
Image
 Samsung has been in the news a lot in recent weeks. Just yesterday, the company launched its new foldable Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, among other products. However, the rumor mill continues to swirl, and the firm’s next flagship mobile phones are already showing signs of life. In a recent development, the model numbers for the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup have been spotted by a certification body. The most interesting aspect seems to be the potential absence of a “Plus” model for 2026. For years, Samsung’s top-tier S-series phones have generally followed a predictable pattern: a standard model, a “Plus” variant, and a super-premium “Ultra.” But as new model numbers for the Galaxy S26 begin to surface, there’s a glaring omission: where’s the Galaxy S26 Plus? Samsung Galaxy S26 model numbers leave out the S26 Plus Database listings (spotted by SammyPolice) from GSMA currently show three devices. There are model numbers for the core Galaxy S26 (SM-S942), a distinctive Galaxy S2...
Read more

Samsung Phones May Get On-device Voicemail, Following iOS steps

By
Image
 Samsung appears to draw inspiration from the success of iOS’s Live Voicemail feature. The South Korean tech giant could be planning to incorporate a similar functionality in One UI soon. A teardown of the One UI 8 beta code has indicated that Samsung may be planning to offer on-device voicemail functionality for Galaxy devices. Samsung could offer on-device voicemail in One UI for Galaxy products The folks over at Android Authority have spotted an on-device voicemail feature within Samsung’s One UI 8 beta code. As per the string of codes, Samsung’s feature will allow users to set the Galaxy phones to redirect incoming calls to an on-device voicemail. Similar to the Live Voicemail functionality in iOS, users can intercept the call while the caller is recording their message or check voicemails later. Furthermore, the strings reveal that users will likely be able to customize the ring time before the call redirects to voicemail. As of now, the One UI code doesn’t mention anything ab...
Read more

Poco F7 review

By
Image
  Introduction Poco has officially unveiled the new Poco F7, positioning it as a strong contender in the value flagship segment—right where it belongs. As the successor to the widely praised F6, the F7 stays true to Poco's playbook: delivering blazing performance and sleek design without the flagship price tag. Over the years, the F-series has become synonymous with exceptional performance for the price. Remember the trailblazing Poco F1 from 2018? Successive models like the F3 and F5 carried that legacy forward, packing top-tier chipsets and high-refresh-rate OLED displays. The F7 picks up the baton, positioning itself just above the X-series while undercutting Xiaomi's own premium killers - all with the trademark confidence that has come to define Poco. With the Poco F7, you get a Snapdragon 8-series processor (the S variant, but still technically a flagship chip), a vibrant 120 Hz AMOLED display, and a dual-camera setup promising everyday excellence. All of this comes wrappe...
Read more