Google has improved all aspects of its new series of smartphones, which have a new appearance and deploy a variety of functions powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that make it more attractive, maintaining outstanding photography as a hallmark.
The technology company presented its new terminals on August 13, when it announced that its new series was made up of three devices, one of them standard (Pixel 9) y two of them Pro (Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL); The latter being the one that lived up to its name by incorporating a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED panel.
The other two models, on the other hand, have a smaller size, 6.3 inches (OLED in the case of Pixel 9 and OLED LTPO, in the case of Pixel 9 Pro) with Actua technology -Super Actua in both Pro-, and built with tempered glass Gorilla Glass 2with IP68 certification, which indicates that they are protected against water and dust. In both cases, it is evident that narrower and more uniform margins have been chosen, which gives the impression of greater use of the screen.
Although it is true that they are very similar devices in appearance, they reflect certain differences, both between them (the standard versus the Pro) and with respect to the Pixel 8. This is noted when reviewing their appearance, which changes completely with this new generation as we have verified in the test that we have been able to do of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
One of the most notable changes in its appearance is the camera module which abandons its characteristic horizontal metal strip and acquires a capsule-type format that covers practically the entire width of the device in both models. That it is more prominent than in the previous family is not a problem, since when placed on a flat surface It barely moves or “dances” when you touch the screen, which did happen with its predecessors if they did not have a cover.
Its structure has also been modified, improving its finish to offer a more premium appearance, along with a completely smooth panel, without the slight curvature that it had on both sides in Pixel 8. So much so that it resembles too much that of the terminals manufactured by Apple .
The only “but” in this sense is reserved for the brightness of the back, since the Pro models have it in a matte finish, while the standard has a glass back. In this way, during use it is very common for fingerprints to remain impregnated. When testing the black Pixel 9, this has been very evident. However, it has a curiosity since, compared to the shiny finish on the back, it has a matte aluminum frame, precisely the opposite of the Pro models, which have a polished aluminum frame.
The camera module has also changed and has nothing to do with the previous series, which had its characteristic horizontal metal strip. This time, it has rounded bezels, just like the device itself, which gives a more pleasant feel to the hand.
What remains from the previous generation is the brand logo, located in the center of the back, with a G for Google, as well as a fingerprint integrated into the screen and placed at the ideal height. This allows for faster unlocking of the terminal – something also driven by the ultrasonic reader, which acts more quickly than the Pixel 8 optical reader – and its use with one hand without extending the finger too much, since equipment from other manufacturers lowers the reader to a less accessible height.
At the composition level, it is also important to note that these ‘smartphones’ arrive with the Tensor 4 self-developed chipwhich promises to be 20 percent faster in browsing and 17 percent faster in opening applications than Tensor 3.
We have verified that, indeed, promotes a smooth user experience and fast, which shows that Google has made good use of a processor manufactured using Samsung’s 4 nanometer process, which offers very good performance and heats up much less than expected.
Good progress is also reflected in the battery section, since the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro have a 4700mAh one (the largest Pro version, a 5060mAh), with enough autonomy to exceed 24 hours on with normal use. In addition, Pixel 9 Pro XL charges at high speed: in just half an hour it reaches more than 60 percent of its capacity. The negative, once again in Pixel phones, is that the 45W USB-C charger from Google is sold separately.
THE CAMERA MAINTAINS ITS POWER
Pixel 9 Pro XL surprises again in the photographic section, because it comes with the same as Pixel 8 Pro: a professional triple rear camera, with a 50 MP wide angle, 48 MP ultra wide angle and 48 MP telephoto lens with five times optical zoom; that reaches the greatest possible detail. However, the photographs They remain too bright in automatic modewhich invites on more than one occasion to play with contrast and try other options.
The most interesting thing in this case comes from Artificial Intelligence (AI), because these terminals come with Gemini already integrated and powered by the aforementioned Tensor G4. One of the most interesting options is My inclusionwhich allows you to add people to the photo naturally, something it achieves most of the times we have tried it.
best version, For example, it can be used to get group photos in which all the people appear well (ideal for those who always move at the last moment, for example), where the results obtained are quite realistic thanks to AI.
Thanks to this technology it is also possible to make a more than decent sweep (as long as the user has a little skill to experiment with photography) with Motion Mode, which also includes the Long Exposure option. With better take It is possible to save frames from a non-static photo.
There are many photography modes it offers (Night Vision, Portrait Mode, Astrophotography, etc.) and, in addition to the features mentioned, one of the most successful is Real demand, which makes skin tones look more natural and doesn’t overlight shots.
In short, with an attractive design, better autonomy and photography that is difficult to criticize, the Pixel 9 family is a good option for anyone looking for a superior Android device. The only “but”“When buying one of them it is your precio. Unlike the Pixel 8, whose standard model started at 799 euros in its basic configuration (8GB of RAM and 128GB), this series arrived for 100 euros more -999 euros if the ROM is expanded to 256 GB-, which can be a problem when evaluating your purchase.
The Pro models start at 1,099 euros in the case of the Pixel Pro and 1,199 euros for the Pixel Pro XL. These also offer an additional color to the Pixel 9, since, in addition to black (Obsidian), Porcelain (white) and Wintergreen (green), it is also available in pink (Peony). The latter can be combined with the Google Pixel Watch 3, which was presented at the same time as the ‘smartphones’.