Pixel 9: A Smartphone Enthusiast’s Perspective

As a self-proclaimed smartphone enthusiast with a particular passion for mobile photography, I’ve always been drawn to Google Pixel phones. Their camera-centric approach aligns perfectly with my interests. Over the years, I’ve owned various Pixel models, starting with the Pixel 4a 5G and then the Pixel 5, often switching between iPhones and Pixels, with a few Samsung devices thrown in for good measure.

While iPhones offer a polished and consistent experience, especially when it comes to media handling and app interactions, Pixel devices possess an undeniable charm that’s hard to resist. The Pixel 7 Pro, for instance, remains a top contender among my all-time favorite phones, thanks to its exceptional camera and sleek design. It was a welcome upgrade from the Pixel 6 Pro, which, to put it bluntly, was a disappointing experience.
The Pixel 8 Pro, while a refinement of its predecessor, still fell short in terms of hardware quality. Issues like the optical fingerprint sensor, a power-hungry modem, and thermal performance ultimately led me to abandon the phone despite its appealing design and updated Android features.

However, the Pixel 9 series marks a significant leap forward. After spending time with the iPhone 15 series, I returned to the Pixel 9 with renewed enthusiasm. This generation feels more focused and refined, addressing many of the shortcomings that plagued previous models.

Here’s what impressed me most about the Pixel 9:

Improved Camera Performance: The cameras are more reliable, producing consistently excellent images.

Enhanced Thermals and Battery Life: Thermal management and battery life have seen significant improvements, making for a smoother and longer-lasting user experience.

Upgraded Modem: While still not on par with Apple’s modem technology, the Pixel 9’s modem is a vast improvement over its predecessor, offering significantly better cellular performance.

Stunning Display: The Pixel 9 series boasts incredibly bright and vibrant displays that excel in sunlight readability, surpassing even the Samsung S24 Ultra in this regard.

However, some areas still need improvement:

Media Handling: Google continues to lag behind in media handling. While photos are generally great, editing processes can sometimes strip HDR from images. The lack of HEIF image output is also disappointing.

Video Recording: While video quality has steadily improved, it still falls short of iPhone standards, particularly in stabilization, white balance consistency, and handling color shifts. The “Video Boost” feature, while helpful, is a cloud-based workaround that highlights the need for better on-device processing.

Sensor Size: Google needs to adopt physically larger camera sensors to compete with the iPhone’s impressive low-light performance.

Despite these drawbacks, the Pixel 9 is a compelling device. It’s the best Pixel I’ve used to date, offering a delightful camera experience, a stunning display, and improved overall performance. While it may not dethrone the iPhone in terms of image and video fidelity, it possesses a unique charm and character that keeps me coming back for more.

I’m optimistic about the future of Pixel phones and eager to see how Google further refines its hardware and software in the coming generations.