We’ve grow to be accustomed to seeing new Pixel flagships simply earlier than Halloween, however Google has shocked us with a summer season launch for 2024.
And it’s been a bumper occasion, with no fewer than 4 Pixel 9 telephones. That features the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, a rebranded successor to the unique Pixel Fold.
Nonetheless, on this article, we’re specializing in the three non-foldable units: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional and the brand-new Pixel 9 Professional XL. There are just a few variations between them, together with the 5x telephoto on Professional telephones and ranging display sizes, however in addition they have a lot in frequent.
That features most of the most fun upgrades from the Pixel 8 vary. Listed here are the enhancements that I’m most trying ahead to.
Quick(er) charging
It’s exhausting to imagine, however Pixel telephones have by no means exceeded charging speeds of 30W. That determine solely applies to the Pixel 8 Professional, with many different fashions a lot slower (the Pixel 8a can’t transcend 18W!).
Nonetheless, Google has lastly begun to handle this on the Pixel 9 vary. All three fashions can hit 45W, even when the mandatory charger remains to be bought individually.
After half an hour, Google says the 9 and 9 Professional can go from 0-55%, whereas the 9 Professional XL can attain 70%.
It’s nonetheless miles away from the quickest charging telephones round (a few of which exceed 100W), however it’s at the very least on par with Samsung’s Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Extremely. Nothing frustrates me greater than sluggish charging, so it is a welcome step ahead.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Reimagining group images
Whereas the common Pixel 9 will get a greater 48Mp ultrawide lens, Google hasn’t made any enhancements to the rear digicam {hardware} on the Pixel 9 Professional, with the 9 Professional XL sporting an identical specs to its smaller sibling.
Nonetheless, there are some thrilling enhancements on the software program aspect, with ‘Add Me’ my private favorite. In concept, it eliminates the stress of group images, avoiding the necessity to give a stranger your telephone, stability it on a wall or awkwardly take a selfie.
As a substitute, one individual takes a daily picture of everybody else, then swaps with another person. The brand new photographer then takes one other group picture, utilizing AR (augmented actuality) to place the unique photographer in the very best spot.
Then, utilizing AI, Google fuses the pictures collectively to nice a practical group shot with out everybody needing to be within the body. You possibly can take just a few, then use the present Greatest Take characteristic to verify everybody seems to be good.
Even higher selfies
After all, there are nonetheless instances the place you’ll wish to take a selfie, which Google recognises.
The Pixel 8 and eight Professional have stable front-facing cameras, however they’re solely 10.5Mp lenses. Whereas the common Pixel 9 sticks with this, the 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL each have a brand new 42Mp digicam.
The next megapixel depend doesn’t assure higher images by any means, however this could nonetheless end in an enchancment in selfie high quality.
An enormous step for efficiency
Each Pixel 9 telephone has been upgraded to the Tensor G4. Whereas based mostly on Samsung’s Exynos line, that is very a lot a Google chipset.
In comparison with Tensor G3, which powers the Pixel 8 and eight Professional, Google says you may count on 20% sooner internet searching and 17% faster app launches. Alongside at the very least 12GB of RAM (16GB on Professional and Professional XL), this could end in very sturdy efficiency.
It stays to be seen whether or not Tensor G4 can genuinely rival the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or upcoming 8 Gen 4. Nevertheless it seems like an enormous step ahead, which makes me excited.
A key promoting level of earlier Tensor chipsets has been their energy effectivity (which advantages battery life), and it’s additionally the driving drive behind Google’s AI options.
Preserving their cool
Nonetheless, that further efficiency comes with the potential for the build-up of extra warmth. It’s of specific concern for the Professional fashions, given their bigger shows and elevated RAM. The Pixel 8 Professional additionally obtained noticeably heat throughout testing.
With that in thoughts, Google has geared up the 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL with a brand new vapour chamber cooling system. In a media briefing, the corporate mentioned it’d been designed for “peak efficiency throughout probably the most demanding workloads”.
Prime-tier efficiency and nice thermal administration? That sounds very optimistic certainly.
Your least expensive route into the Pixel 9 collection is the common mannequin, which begins at £799/$799. You’ll pay at the very least £999/$999 for the Professional, whereas the brand-new Professional XL begins at £1,099/$1,099.
All three fashions can be found to pre-order now through the Google Retailer, forward of a launch date of twenty-two August.
