ISLAMABAD, AUGUST 15: In addition to reorganizing the Pixel portfolio, Google is deviating from its customary October announcement date this year and choosing to launch in August instead.
The ordinary model is still there, but because a new Pro variation with similar dimensions has been released, it has been moved up the hierarchy.
Design and Display
The Google Pixel 9 includes a 6.3-inch OLED display, preserving the 1080p resolution and smooth 120Hz refresh rate. In a noteworthy update, Google has replaced the optical fingerprint sensor with a more trustworthy ultrasonic one which increases reaction speed and accuracy.
The screen’s peak brightness has received a huge increase, now reaching an astonishing 2,700 nits, a marked improvement from the previous 2,000 nits. The screen is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Internals and Software
The new Tensor G4 chip features a revised core configuration, comprising one prime Cortex-X4 core, three A720 cores, and four A520 cores. This eight-core setup, down from last year’s nine, is complemented by a more efficient Exynos 5400 modem. The Mali-G715 GPU remains largely unchanged, with the exception of a slight increase in clock speed. The Pixel 9 brings significant internal upgrades, particularly in processing power.
A notable improvement is the RAM upgrade. The standard Pixel 9 now boasts 12 GB of RAM, matching last year’s Pixel 8 Pro and surpassing the 8GB in the previous vanilla model. This boost in memory aligns the base model more closely with its premium counterpart.
Google is steadfast in its commitment to provide long-term support, guaranteeing seven years of OS and security patch upgrades. Remarkably, the Pixel 9 series deviates from the norm by debuting with the final version of the operating system, Android 14. As usual, the Pixels will be the first to receive Android 15, which will be ready for release later this year.
Cameras
The Pixel 9 retains the same camera hardware as the other variants despite not having the periscope camera seen in the Pro models. The phone keeps the 50MP module from its predecessor in place for its primary camera arrangement. This camera has an optical image stabilization (OIS) capable lens and uses a 1/1.31′′ Samsung GNK sensor with 1.2µm pixels.
A little improvement is made to the front-facing camera, which is housed in a punch-hole design. It retains the 10.5MP Samsung sensor but adds an autofocus lens for better selfie quality. The ultra-wide module is home to the biggest camera improvement. The Pixel 9 has a 48MP sensor with a 1/2.55′′ size and a 123° lens, which is a significant upgrade over the 12MP 1/2.8′′ module from the previous iteration.
Battery and Pricing
Though Google has always taken a cautious approach to fast charging, the Pixel 9’s charging capabilities have seen some minor upgrades. Official data indicates that the new model, when using a 45W USB-PD charger, can achieve 55% battery capacity in 30 minutes. This is a minor improvement over the 50% indicated for the previous model.
A little increase in battery capacity—the Pixel 9 now has a 4,700 mAh battery, up from the 4,575 mAh in the prior model—accompanies this improvement in charging.
At launch, the Pixel 9 will be available in a quartet of color options, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Buyers can choose from Porcelain, Peony, Wintergreen, and Obsidian, which offer a range of subtle to more vibrant aesthetics. The Pixel 9 has a starting price of $800.
Google Pixel 9 Specifications
Chipset | Google Tensor G4 |
CPU | Octa-core (1×3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4×1.92 GHz Cortex-A520) |
GPU | Mali-G715 MC7 |
OS | Android 14 |
Supported Networks | 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G |
Display | 6.3″ OLED, 1080 x 2424 pixels, 120Hz, 2700 nits peak |
RAM | 12 GB |
Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB |
Card Slot | no |
Main Camera | 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, single-zone Laser AF, OIS 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF |
Front Camera | 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1″, 1.22µm, PDAF |
Colors | Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony |
Fingerprint sensor | Under-display (ultrasonic) |
Battery | 4,700 mAh, 27W wired charging, 15W wireless charging |
Price | $800 |