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Google Pixel 9
Sharper, brighter and smarter
The Pixel 9 comes with a brighter OLED show, extra RAM for smoother multitasking, and a higher-resolution ultrawide digital camera, but it surely’s dearer and has a probably divisive design.
benefit- Greater decision ultra-wide digital camera
- Extra RAM for multitasking
- Brighter OLED show
shortcoming- Value is greater at $799
- Designs can diverge
- Processor marginal enhancements
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Google Pixel 8
Compact and budget-friendly
The Pixel 8 gives a stable, compact design with robust battery life and quick charging, but it surely sacrifices RAM and digital camera decision in comparison with its successor.
benefit- Cheaper price $699
- Compact and light-weight
- Highly effective fast-charging battery
shortcoming- Much less reminiscence, solely 8GB
- Decrease ultrawide digital camera decision
- Previous Gorilla Glass Safety
Google has formally launched the Pixel 9 to the world, launching it alongside different new {hardware} at its annual Made by Google {hardware} occasion.
Whereas a lot of the hype naturally surrounds Google’s new premium merchandise — the Pixel 9 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional XL, and Pixel 9 Professional Fold — the common Pixel 9 appears like a worthy flagship in its personal proper. Within the context of a flagship Pixel cellphone, its $799 asking value is definitely simpler to swallow than the Pixel 9 Professional’s a lot greater MSRP of $999.
With the Pixel 9 now obtainable for pre-order, we check out the way it compares to final yr’s Pixel 8 and assess whether or not Google has made sufficient modifications to entice customers to improve to the brand new mannequin.
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Costs, specs and availability
Fundamental variations
Google Pixel 9 is priced at US$799 and is introduced to be obtainable for pre-order in August 2024. The Pixel 8 can be launched in October 2023 for $699, with comparable show specs however 8GB of RAM, a Tensor G3 processor, and a smaller battery. Each fashions are IP68 rated and run Android 14.
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Google Pixel 9 Google Pixel 8 model Google Google exhibit 6.3 inch actuator 6.3 inches, Actua OLED, 2400 x 1080, 428ppi, 60-120Hz, as much as 2000nits reminiscence 12GB 8GB storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB/256GB Battery as much as 24 hours 4575mAh, 30W quick charging, 12-18W wi-fi port USB-C USB-C working system Android 14 Android 14 entrance digital camera 10.5 million pixels 10.5MP rear digital camera 50 million pixel huge angle, 48 million pixel extremely huge angle 50MP huge angle + 12MP extremely huge angle facet 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches 150.5×70.8×8.9mm, 187g weight 6.9 oz (196 g) 187 grams Safety degree IP68 IP68
design and construct
Pixel 9 follows the flat design development
The Pixel 9 is aesthetically in step with the remainder of Google’s 2024 smartphone portfolio. Following the business development set by Apple with the discharge of the iPhone 12 sequence, Pixel 9 adopts a squarer and flatter design than its predecessor.
This new design language is used all through the Pixel 9 chassis, with narrower nook radii and flat sides, giving the gadget a relatively industrial feel and look.
One attainable level of rivalry is Google’s alternative to alter the look of the now-iconic Pixel digital camera bar on the again of the cellphone. Whereas final yr’s Pixel 8’s digital camera bar was built-in into the gadget’s aspect body, the newer Pixel 9’s digital camera bar is its personal island.
In fact, whether or not this design change is a constructive or detrimental comes down to private desire. The excellent news is that the Pixel 9 nonetheless appears very very like a Pixel cellphone, retaining a whole lot of distinctive Pixel DNA.
By way of shade choices obtainable this yr, the Pixel 9 is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Holly, and Peony. By comparability, the Pixel 8 is available in Obsidian, Ecru, and Rose colors.
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exhibit
Pixel 9 show is way brighter than its predecessor
Google has geared up the Pixel 9 with a brand new 6.3-inch OLED panel that the corporate says is 25% brighter than final yr’s mannequin. The show dimension is barely bigger than the Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch display, however the total footprint of the 2 units remains to be comparable. The Pixel 9 is barely bigger total to accommodate the brand new show.
Different show particulars stay unchanged from final yr, together with 2400 x 1080 FHD+ decision, 120Hz refresh fee and HDR assist. Defending the show this yr is a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a more recent era tempered glass resolution than the Pixel 8’s commonplace Gorilla Glass Victus.
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inside construction
Say hey to the Tensor G4 processor
Google/Pocket-lint
By way of inside {hardware}, the Pixel 9 is a primary instance of a spec bump. Google’s new Tensor G4 processor replaces final yr’s Tensor G3, and RAM has been elevated from 8GB to 12GB.
Apart from that, not a lot has modified, and we’ll must put the brand new Tensor G4 to the take a look at to get a greater thought of how a lot of an enchancment it’s over the outgoing processor.
The rise in RAM is very welcome as it can assist future-proof the gadget over time. That is very true contemplating that Google is delivering on its promise of seven years of safety and working system updates for the Pixel 9.
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digital camera
The decision of ultra-wide-angle lenses has been enormously improved this yr
The Pixel 9 shares the identical 50-megapixel predominant digital camera sensor as its predecessor, the Pixel 8.
The larger story right here is the Pixel 9’s new 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, which gives a major enhance in decision in comparison with the Pixel 8’s 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. Once more, a head-to-head comparability would reveal extra particulars, so we’ll reserve judgment for now.
For selfie followers, Google has one other perk for the Pixel 9: the front-facing lens now helps autofocus, which was lacking from final yr’s mannequin. In principle, this could assist produce sharper photos than the earlier era.
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Verdict: Is the Pixel 9 a worthy successor to final yr’s Pixel 8?
worth proposition
General, the Pixel 9 seems to be a stable, albeit unspectacular, improve over final yr’s Pixel 8. Past that, the brand new fashions largely construct on the stable basis laid by Google with its landmark Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional releases in 2021.
Editor’s Alternative
Google Pixel 9
Pixel 9 has a 6.3-inch show and a well-known design. It helps including a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens in addition to Google Gemini and AI features to the rear digital camera array.
Finest Worth
Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 8 gives a lot of the key options of the high-end Pixel 8 Professional, together with a robust processor, nice design, and top-notch cameras, at a lower cost.
I predict the most important problem for the Google Pixel 9 would be the identical as final yr’s Pixel 8 – the gadget sits between the extra inexpensive Pixel 8a and the higher-end Pixel 9 Professional. Whether or not there’s sufficient room within the search large’s pricing ladder for such an in-between gadget is not solely clear.
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