The Pixel 9 phone range was first revealed earlier this year at the annual Made by Google event on August 13, 2024. A week and a half later, on August 22, the first two devices in the lineup, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, were released. The upgraded 9 Pro XL launched a month later, on September 4.
On release, the Pixel 9 lineup of devices was immediately met with positive reception. Major review outlets like CNET and Tom’s Guide, in particular, highlighted that Google had finally fixed the biggest flaw with the Pixel devices—the battery life. The new artificial intelligence-powered features, camera, and Tensor G4 chip were a huge step up.
If you’re looking to get into the Android ecosystem, the Pixel 9 series is a great choice and a strong competitor to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy devices and the latest OPPO devices. The Pixel devices also feature seamless integration with Google’s other products, like the Pixel Watch.
Google also released the successor to the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It is the second foldable Android smartphone the company has released.
If you’re wondering about the Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8 and how the phones compare, we’ll cover everything you need to know, how the technology has improved, and if it’s worth upgrading.
The Features of The Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 9's base model features a design similar to that of the previous Pixel 8 series. The phone is available in Peony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, and Obsidian colours.
Display
The phone features a 6.3-inch (160 mm) Actua display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. The phone is powered by a 1080 x 2424 OLED at 422 PPI. The screen is an eye-catching improvement over the Pixel 8 and also supports 60-120Hz refresh rates.
The phone’s screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which guards it against scratches and wear. It also allows up to 1,800 nits (HDR) and 2,700 nits (peak brightness).
Dimensions & Weight
The Pixel 9 is slightly heavier than the Pixel 8, coming in at 198 grams. Its measurements are 152.8mm (height) x 72mm (width) x 8.5mm (depth). The base Pixel 9 is the smallest phone in the series’ line up.
Battery & Charging
The Pixel 9 shines with its battery capacity and charging capabilities. The phone supports fast charging, averaging 55% in about 30 minutes using the official Google 45 W USB-C charger. It also supports fast wireless charging.
The device features a typical battery capacity of 4700 mAh. Based on tests from PhoneArena, the Pixel 9 battery life averages around 17-18 hours when browsing, 8.5 hours when watching videos, and 10 hours of gaming. Data also reveals that the Pixel 9’s battery lasts longer than its bigger sibling, the 9 Pro.
Performance
The Pixel 9 comes with Google’s new custom Tensor G4 chip—an upgrade over the G3. This new chip outperforms the G3 in all areas, providing better day-to-day performance, especially during intensive tasks like gaming.
In most tests, the Pixel 9’s new Tensor G4 chip also ran cooler than the Tensor G3. The phone also comes with 12GB of RAM, which allows it to handle more apps at once and more efficiently use the built-in AI tools.
Gemini AI
The Pixel 9 features Gemini, Google’s new built-in AI assistant. Gemini can help improve daily tasks, like taking notes for you or making recipes based on what is in your fridge from a photo. AI can also help with photo editing, such as removing objects and fixing blur.
What Has Been Improved Since The Google Pixel 8
The Pixel 9 is a substantial upgrade to the Pixel 8, improving every aspect of the phone—from the camera to performance, memory, display, and more. To begin with, the Pixel 9 features improved build quality with the Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The Pixel 9 features a better screen than the Pixel 8, too. The display is slightly bigger, measuring 6.3 inches compared to the 8’s 6.2-inch screen. The Pixel 9 also allows for increased brightness (up to 2,700 nits), which is great for outdoor visibility.
The new Tensor G4 chip in the Pixel 9 also outperforms the Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 chip in all areas. Users can expect improved CPU performance, better performance whilst gaming, and better battery life as the G4 is better optimised.
This is because the Tensor G4 chip features a 7% higher CPU clock speed, higher GPU frequency, and better instruction set architecture. The Pixel 9 also features 12GB RAM, which is a big upgrade from the 8GB RAM featured in the Pixel 8.
The Pixel 9 also features an enhanced camera with a better ultrawide lens with a 48MP sensor and autofocus on the selfie camera. The phone also features more advanced AI capabilities compared to the Pixel 8.
Is It Worth Upgrading to A Pixel 9
Whether it’s worth upgrading to a Pixel 9 will depend on a few factors. If you’re running a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro and looking to experience the latest Google has to offer, it’s worth picking up the 9 (or 9 Pro) if you don’t mind the price tag.
If you’re satisfied with what the Pixel 8 (and Pixel 8 Pro) offer, you could probably just wait until the inevitable Pixel 10 phones are released. If you’re running any Pixel device earlier than the Pixel 8 or looking to jump ship from the Apple ecosystem to Android—The Pixel 9 is the perfect phone to start with.
The Pixel 9 runs laps around the Pixel 7 series of devices, which utilise the Tensor G2 chip and the budget Pixel 8A phone. The Pixel 9 is also guaranteed seven years of support from Google, which will end in August 2031.
This support will include major operating system updates, security patches, and feature drops. In comparison, the Pixel 8 and 7 are expected to end support in 2030 and 2029 respectively. At the time of writing, the Pixel 9 is the ultimate Google phone, delivering on every promise regarding performance, battery life, and the award-winning camera.
Buy Refurbished Pixel Phones at OzMobiles
For the best deals on Pixel phones, buying refurbished or second-hand is a great way to cut down the cost. Here at OzMobiles, we stock a large range of refurbished Google products and pride ourselves on offering the best prices. If you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10 (terms and conditions apply).
OzMobiles already stocks refurbished Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL models. They also come with a battery life guarantee, a free 12-month warranty, and a 30-day risk-free return period. So, if you run into any issues or have a change of heart, our team will be there to support you.
All the devices we sell, including the Pixel 9 lineup, go through a comprehensive, 72-point certification check as part of the refurbishment process. The device is looked over by a qualified professional in our Melbourne headquarters and tested to ensure it is fully functional and running optimally.
If you have any questions about our refurbishment process, shipping, or our Pixel 9 devices, contact us today. The OzMobiles team would love to hear from you and help connect you with the perfect phone.
