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Google’s new Pixel 9 Series
Intro: A New Chapter or More of the Same?
Every year, Google drops its latest Pixel gadgets, and each time there’s typically one refrain in particular. It feels less like hardware updates are revolutionary and more like they’re evolutionary — as if Google is content to just inching its tech forward instead of leaping ahead. We’ve grown accustomed to this pattern; every new Pixel series brings with it some small improvements over last year’s model. But this year, with the launch of the Pixel 9 series, things are different.
Rather than hitting us with groundbreaking advancements, they’ve given us what may be the most modest hardware bump in Pixel history. And on top of that lackluster update is a $100 price hike across the board. So let’s dive into what does — and doesn’t — make the Pixel 9 series worth talking about.
The Lineup: A Confusing Array of Choices
The Pixel 9 series consists of three slab phones and a new foldable, but the naming convention around them is a bit confusing. There’s the standard Pixel 9, then there’s a Pixel 9 Pro and a Pixel 9 Pro XL. But don’t let that “XL” fool you — this isn’t some super-sized version of the Pixel Pro. In fact, in terms of size alone, it’s virtually identical to last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. So what exactly is Google offering here?
The real new size in the lineup is the Pixel 9 Pro — a device that didn’t exist before now. It’s essentially a smaller version of the existing Pro model (hence why I’d have thought it should be called the “Pixel 9 Mini,” but with slightly larger screen space than you get on the standard non-Pro model thanks to its thinner bezels. This year, design-wise, we’re shifting to a more boxy aesthetic, with a flat back on the 9 Pro that bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone (though it’s still got that distinct Pixel vibe).
The Camera Hump
One of the most iconic design elements of recent Pixel devices has been the camera bar — that metal frame that ran across the back of the phone. It was bold, it was unique and, above all else, it was undeniably Pixel. But this year, with the Pixel 9 series, that camera bar is gone — replaced by a more traditional-looking camera hump. On one hand, sure: The new design gives things a cleaner look. But visually speaking, it’s not as impactful; it doesn’t pop out at you in quite the same way. Some people might prefer this new style, but from an identity perspective at least, it feels like a step backward.
Performance: A Marginal Improvement?
Underneath their caps, all these new Pixel 9 series devices run on Google’s newest chip — the Tensor G4. Early reports suggest this new chip offers only a modest performance improvement over what we had before; sources indicate around 10% better than last year’s models in terms of processing capabilities. Storage options stay steady as they were before across all models; and as for cameras? They’re mostly unchanged from last year too save for some updates to the front-facing shooter setup.
In terms of battery life per charge, both slab-style Pixels have slightly larger batteries than their respective predecessors — but interestingly enough and somewhat counterintuitively (given how much bigger everything else is, the foldable model actually has a smaller cell inside it this time around compared to its earlier incarnation. And while we’re noticing such subtleties: With these phones being made available exclusively on Verizon initially in America (and also working on other carriers thereafter, those optical fingerprint sensors that’ve been part of the Pixel series for years are gone — replaced by ultrasonic ones that should, in theory, be more reliable in their performance.
The RAM Enhancement
It’s the rise in RAM of the Pixel 9 series that is the most interesting hardware change. The base Pixel 9 is now equipped with 12GB of RAM, whereas the Pro models have a mind-boggling 16GB. This is an unusually high amount of memory for a smartphone and seems to be connected with Google’s far-reaching AI aspirations through Google Gemini.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A Mixed Bag
However, there are some puzzling changes to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It is considerably thinner and has a new snappy hinge, but they’ve changed the aspect ratio of device itself. The original Pixel Fold was unique because it was so squat and one-hand-friendly; this new model is taller and less ergonomic. Apart from that though, there are thicker bezels round it and the crease in screen are actually visible – which seem like strange design choices for what’s supposed to be a cutting-edge 2024 device costing £1,800.
New Features: AI at The Forefront
Pixel phones have always been about AI more than anything else, and this year’s no different. But people weren’t quite sure how to react when they saw all those new features during launch event!
Add Me: Niche But Neat Camera Trick
One such feature is called “Add Me.” You’re out with friends, someone has to step out take picture – so they’re not in shot anymore? Wrong! ‘Cause using “Add Me” software can just stitch them right back into image where they belong! It does feel more like a neat little gimmick rather than game-changer though; sure – having extra RAM on board these pixel devices must help render those complex images but… this ain’t gonna help sell many units.
Pixel Screenshot: Talented Future Teller
Another AI feature that caught my eye was “Pixel Screenshot”; it’s for people who take lots of screenshots on their phones. It lets you search through your screenshot collection using conversational prompts – think “show me all my screenshots from last month”. Now obviously this is an early beta and will get better over time – but just think about how useful that would be! But then there’s also privacy concerns: everything is processed on-device according to Google, but do you really want them analyzing every single one of your screenshots?
Price vs. Value: Is It Worth?
So with such small hardware updates and an extra $100 – is the Pixel 9 series worth it? I mean yeah sure, who doesn’t get excited by more RAM and new AI features.. But can these really justify such a price hike? Admittedly Google does have history of launching things at ridiculous prices only to slash them in half six months later during some sale or another – but right now at launch these seem way overpriced for what they offer.
The Verdict: A Diverse Mishmash
Overall thoughts? Well… On one hand this device introduces some genuinely innovative AI features and bumps the RAM up to levels we’ve never seen in smartphones before; on other though, yes – hardware updates are minimal and some design choices (especially with foldable) feel like steps back instead of forward.
Google’s method of slow-cooking its technology before releasing it is seen here, though it makes a lot of the features seem half-baked at launch. The AI capabilities are underdeveloped — but promising — so we can only hope that future updates will tap into the potential of these devices.
FAQs
Why did Google raise the prices for the Pixel 9 series?
The price increase may be due to more RAM and new artificial intelligence features integrated into the Pixel 9 series, but many feel this doesn’t justify a $100 hike in cost for hardware updates alone.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold worth it?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has some design changes such as a thinner profile and new hinge, but also taller aspect ratios and thicker bezels. Whether or not $1,800 is worth spending depends on how much value you place upon these changes.
What’s the biggest hardware change in the Pixel 9 series?
RAM was increased most noticeably with this generation jumping up from six to eight gigabytes seen previously on Pixels – now coming standard with sixteen GB across all models except Lite which packs four gigs; likely necessary for supporting Google’s AI-driven features like “Add Me” or “Pixel Screenshot.”
Are AI features ready for prime time on Pixel 9 series?
The artificial intelligence options are a little underdeveloped right now despite showing promise. We’re hoping they get better with time.
How does this compare to last year’s phone?
he Pixel 9 Pro is slightly thinner and heavier than its predecessor, featuring an iPhone-like flat back design instead of curved edges found on previous generations while still retaining some camera bar elements but replacing them with traditional humps along with thinner bezels around edge-to-edge displays.
Conclusion:
Overall, it seems like there were moments where innovation was taken carefully into account but ultimately overlooked when considering missed opportunities during this year’s release cycle; even though increased RAM and AI features give us a peek at tomorrow, new hardware is not very exciting so we can only wonder if they played too safe.
