Pixel 9: A New Era of Flagships

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Google Pixel 9/Pro/Fold Impressions: They've Finally Done It?

Marques Brownlee

Aug 13, 2024

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Science & Technology

Google Pixel 9 series achieves flagship status

  1. Google's Pixel 9 series marks a significant improvement in hardware, potentially achieving a complete competitive phone status, similar to previous expectations with the Pixel 6.
  2. The Pixel 9 event introduced not only the new phones but also a new watch and Pixel Buds, although the focus here is on the phones.
  3. The series includes several models: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with some confusion around the naming, particularly the Fold.
  4. The base model, Pixel 9, is priced at $799, featuring a 6.3-inch screen, flat matte metal sides, and a polished glass back, available in four colors: Porcelain, Obsidian, Wintergreen, and Peony.
  5. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL share the same size as the Pixel 9, with the XL offering a larger 6.8-inch screen and battery. They are priced at $999 and $1,099, respectively, and include an extra telephoto camera, more RAM, and a glossy rail with a soft-touch glass back.
  6. The Pro models come in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz, with the latter being a more faded pink.
  7. The phones have a solid feel due to their heavier weight, brighter screens, and thinner bezels, enhancing their flagship appeal.
  8. The Pixel 9's Actua display is 35% brighter than its predecessor, the Pixel 8, and features an ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the display, replacing the optical one.

Pixel 9 series enhances AI and camera features

  1. The new Google Pixel 9 series features a distinctive camera design with a large lens opening, promising improved photo quality with punchy and contrasty images. The larger sensors may offer a more shallow depth of field, although the camera bump design has changed from previous models.
  2. All new Pixel phones are equipped with the Tensor G4 chip, which is touted to be more powerful and efficient, enhancing AI capabilities significantly. This chip is consistent across all models, including the base and Pro versions.
  3. The primary and ultrawide cameras are the same in both the base and Pro models, making the base model a cost-effective option. The Pro model, however, offers additional features such as a slightly better screen, a telephoto camera, more RAM, and an improved selfie camera, justifying its higher price.
  4. Google claims the Tensor chip improves performance by 20% in web browsing and 17% in app launching, contributing to the phones' quick and responsive nature. The smaller phone model retains the benefits of the Pro version, catering to users who prefer compact devices.
  5. The Pixel 9 series introduces new AI features, including a redesigned Weather app, a new Screenshots app, and Pixel Studio, enhancing the user experience with modern and functional applications.

AI features enhance Pixel 9's functionality

  1. The Pixel 9 series introduces an AI-generated weather comment feature, providing users with weather updates and suggestions on attire. This feature is integrated into the stock weather app, which may appeal to users who frequently use such apps.
  2. A new Screenshots app is available, designed to organize all screenshots in one place. It scans each screenshot for information, allowing users to set reminders or search through them later, enhancing productivity and organization.
  3. The Pixel Studio app allows users to create AI-generated art using simple text prompts. This app operates entirely on-device, ensuring quick image generation even without internet connectivity, making it useful for creating memes or art for social media.
  4. Magic Editor in photos now includes a Reimagine feature, enabling users to erase, reframe, or completely transform sections of images into something new. This feature allows for creative manipulation of photos, similar to Samsung's sketch to image.
  5. The Add Me feature in the camera app facilitates group photos by allowing the photographer to be included in the shot. It guides users through taking a group photo by capturing the environment in 3D space and then positioning the photographer in the image.

Google Pixel 9 series shows significant improvements

  1. The Google Pixel 9 series introduces innovative features like merging photos to create group images, maintaining original photos, and offering futuristic functionalities such as Clear Calling and Call Notes, which can summarize phone calls.
  2. Gemini Live is a new feature that allows for interactive conversations with the assistant, although it remains somewhat confusing to users.
  3. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a significant upgrade from the previous Pixel Fold, maintaining the same price of $1,799 but offering enhanced features.
  4. The new foldable phone boasts a larger 6.3-inch screen, thin bezels, and an 80% brighter display compared to its predecessor.
  5. The internal display is an eight-inch screen that mirrors the home screen layout of the cover display, enhancing user experience.
  6. The phone's design includes metal rails and a soft-touch matte glass, contributing to a more premium, flagship feel.
  7. Despite a less thoughtful camera bump design, the overall design of the phone is impressive, being one of the thinnest foldables available.
  8. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is considered an improved version of the previous best foldable, the OnePlus Open, though battery life and camera quality are yet to be determined.

Google's Pixel 9 series impresses with features

  1. The Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, is receiving positive first impressions, particularly for its flagship-level features and AI capabilities.
  2. The devices are powered by the Tensor G4 chip and come with 16GB of RAM, enhancing their performance and AI functionalities, such as Pixel Studio and the Screenshot app.
  3. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is IPX8 rated, indicating water resistance, and Google is collaborating with developers to optimize games for its interior screen.
  4. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available in two colors: Porcelain (white) and Obsidian (black), and features a large eight-inch display, one of the largest in a phone.
  5. The Pixel Watch 3 maintains a similar design but introduces a larger 45mm size, offering a 40% larger screen and a brighter display at 2,000 nits.
  6. The watch includes a new body score feature, summarizing health metrics, and new running features, with a dual chip architecture for extended battery life up to 36 hours in Battery Saver mode.
  7. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have been redesigned to be smaller with a stabilizer fin, and feature a custom A1 chip for improved noise cancellation and sound quality.

Google Pixel 9 series impresses with AI and design

  1. The Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, are being positioned as true flagship devices, indicating significant improvements in design and features.
  2. A notable feature of the new Pixel series is the integration of advanced AI capabilities, allowing users to engage in interactive conversations with the Gemini Live assistant, enhancing user experience.
  3. The reviewer expresses eagerness to test these devices, highlighting interest in both the AI features and the new camera technology, which are expected to be major selling points.
  4. The hardware design of the Pixel 9 series is described as impressive, suggesting a focus on aesthetics and build quality that aligns with flagship standards.
  5. The text references a previous Twitter poll where a majority of users indicated they use protective cases for their phones, reflecting consumer behavior towards device protection.
  6. The reviewer recommends the Grip Case from dbrand, noting its protective features, grip, and additional functionalities like strong magnets, although this is a promotional mention.