The Google Pixel 9 is the latest offering from Google that is packed with AI features. However, my overall opinion remains the same as it did a year ago when I reviewed the Google Pixel 8 phones. I believe that Google is focusing too much on AI features that are ultimately unnecessary and, at times, even detrimental.
Starting with the price and specifications, the Pixel 9 is $100 more expensive than its predecessor, priced at $799. This increase in price gets you more RAM, better cameras, and additional AI features. The phone comes with a Google Tensor G4 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The only variant available is the 256GB model, which comes at an extra $100. The design of the Pixel 9 features flat, aluminum sides instead of the curved surfaces seen on the Pixel 8. While it may look sleek, I find the flat sides to be less ergonomic and less grippy. The camera bump on the back has also been redesigned to be horizontal and oval-shaped, giving it a different look compared to previous Pixel phones.
Moving on to the display, the Pixel 9 offers an improved display with a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits, making it ideal for use outdoors on a sunny day. The adaptive 60-120Hz refresh rate seen in the previous generation is retained, giving the Pixel 9 an advantage over competitors like Apple. The display size has also increased slightly, with the Pixel 9 sporting a 6.3-inch display compared to the 6.2-inch display of the Pixel 8.
One area where the Pixel 9 falls short in my opinion is its excessive reliance on AI features. While the Pixel 8 introduced features like Magic Editor for photo edits, the Pixel 9 takes it a step further with around half a dozen new AI toys. However, these features range from “inoffensive” to “I don’t know why this exists.” For example, the Reimagine feature allows you to turn a street into a river using AI, and the Add Me feature creates group photos that never actually happened. While they may work, I question their usefulness and see them as unnecessary additions. The new native Pixel Weather app gives an AI summary of the day’s weather, but I find this redundant as I can easily gather the same information from other weather apps.
The excessive focus on AI features continues with the Pixel 9’s performance. While the phone’s specs and base RAM suggest excellent performance, the Geekbench multi-core score of 4,358 falls short compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S23. Although I didn’t encounter any major performance issues during my usage, it’s disappointing to see that the Pixel 9 isn’t as powerful as some older phones.
On the bright side, the Pixel 9 excels in terms of battery life. It boasts an impressive battery life that outperforms its predecessor, lasting around 24 hours with normal usage. Even when running a TikTok video on loop with 50% brightness, the Pixel 9 lasted for 19 hours and 20 minutes, outperforming the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Battery life is one area where Google did not disappoint.
The camera capabilities of the Pixel 9 remain outstanding, which is in line with previous Pixel phones. The upgraded ultra-wide lens provides clear shots, and the combination of hardware and software processing ensures high-quality photos. The low light sensitivity of the ultra-wide lens is a notable improvement, allowing for clearer photos in low-light conditions. The portrait mode and selfie camera also deliver excellent results.
In conclusion, while the Google Pixel 9 is a solid Android phone with impressive battery life and exceptional camera capabilities, I believe that Google has gone too far with its AI features. Many of these features feel unnecessary, and I question their usefulness and impact on the overall user experience. I would like to see Google focus more on real innovation and prioritizing user comfort and experience.
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