I have considered all Pixel Smartphone Since the brand was first introduced in 2016, there’s something about Pixel 9 series makes me think of Google’s latest hardware like all grown up. It’s impossible to pinpoint a single new feature as the source of this feeling. Instead, it’s a combination of changes that have taken place over the past three years—since the company started cramming Tensor Processor into these phones to power its advanced software.
The combination of polished hardware, powerful internals and useful software has created a phone that is consistent with what you get from Samsung and Apple. But all that elegance comes at a price. At $799 for the Pixel 9, $999 for the Pixel 9 Pro, and $1,099 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, these are some of the most expensive Pixels yet. Here’s your constant reminder that you can get great smartphones for under $500 (including devices made by Google such as Pixel 8A).
But for anyone who doesn’t mind spending money on the most important piece of tech in their lives, the Pixel 9 line offers some of the best mobile camera experiences money can buy. The Pixel 9 also serves as a fascinating window into the AIization of our personal technology—whether that’s something you want or not.
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Subtle design makes the Pixel 9 stand out even more. The iconic camera cover has been a mainstay since Pixel 6 The Pixel 3 is still present, but in a more elegant pill-shaped design. Don’t worry, it still screams “Pixel.” It’s hard to mistake this phone for anything else, especially if you pick up the adorable pink color. (I appreciate that the fun color isn’t limited to the “non-Pro” model, as it is on other brands and phone models.)
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
I don’t find the camera bump to be excessive or unsightly; the phone doesn’t wobble when laid flat on a table, which is a big plus. I like flat screens, as well as flat edges. The square design is easier to hold, and your grip doesn’t interfere with the touchscreen like it does on smartphones with “waterfall” screens that curve to the sides where your fingers grip the body of the phone. Just know that the Pro’s glossy edges are prone to fingerprints, so you’ll have to wipe them down often. (Is that just me?)
Speaking of fingerprints, Google has equipped these models with an ultrasonic in-display scanner that’s much more reliable than the optical fingerprint sensors it’s been using on Pixels for years, finally matching the quality on other devices. Android Phone. On the other hand, the Pixel is still one of the few Android phones with secure face scanning, so it’s nice to have both biometric options, although I’d like to see improvements to make face unlock work better in the dark.
The choice also represents a maturation of the product line. For the first time, you have options for the Pixel 9 Pro’s size—6.3 inches or 6.8 inches for the XL—which means you no longer have to feel like you’re missing out on features just because you prefer a smaller phone. Even though I have big feet, I prefer the size and feel of the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s nice and compact.
