Google Pixel 9 Review: Google’s AI Brilliance Wrapped in a Gorgeous (and Hot) Package

In a surprising twist, Google has shaken up its usual October launch schedule by unveiling the Pixel 9 lineup this September. With the AI landscape evolving rapidly, it seems Google is eager to make its mark with the latest offerings. The Pixel 9 series includes the standard Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. I've been diving into the base Pixel 9, and it's evident that this isn't just another smartphone; it's a powerful conduit for Google's ambitious Gemini AI.

PROS

• Clean software experience with long-term support (7 years of updates).
• Excellent AI features like Magic Editor, Live Translate, and Recorder.
• Outstanding camera performance, especially in daylight and low light.
• Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable.
• Excellent build quality and eye-catching design

CONS

• Heats up a lot.
• Geo-locked features like Call Screen and Call Notes aren’t available in all regions.
• Slow charging speeds (27W wired), limiting for a flagship device.
• It’s on the expensive side
• Front camera is not up to the mark at this price point

Google Pixel 9: Specs Overview

Design and Build: A Flashy Throwback With a Modern Twist

First things first: the Peony color is an absolute showstopper. The bright pink stands out everywhere I go, making even my sister's iPhone 13 look pale in comparison. Also, the Pixel 9's aluminum frame and flat edges remind me of the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24, which feels modern, even though it's not groundbreaking. The back is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensuring durability without compromising style.

Accidentally, I ended up testing the phone's durability twice when I dropped it from chest height. To my surprise (and relief), there were no dents or cracks, despite my concerns about the protruding camera bar. But this glass back is slippery, so I highly recommend getting a case, especially if you're clumsy like me.

The new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is a huge improvement. It's faster and more reliable than previous Pixel models, working even when my hands were a bit wet. The only gripe? Its placement. I find it slightly higher than where my thumb naturally rests, but it's not a dealbreaker.

Overall, the design is sleek, functional, and premium, but it does carry a sense of déjà vu. Google has clearly leaned into the modern smartphone design playbook, but with little Pixel-specific touches-like the iconic camera bar and vibrant colors-that keep it from being a total clone of its competitors.

Lastly, the Google Pixel 9 comes in a variety of striking color options to suit different tastes. You can choose from:

• Obsidian (classic black)
• Porcelain (a soft, off-white)
• Wintergreen (a subtle minty green)
• Peony (a vibrant, eye-catching pink)
• Ports and Connectivity: Just the Usual

The Google Pixel 9 offers a well-rounded set of ports and connectivity features, though it sticks to the industry-standard minimalism. You won't find a 3.5mm headphone jack here, but it does support USB Type-C 3.2, which handles both charging and data transfer.

For wireless connectivity, the Pixel 9 shines with Wi-Fi 6E/7 for ultra-fast internet and Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD for high-quality audio streaming. It also supports NFC for mobile payments and other tap-based interactions.

Additionally, the Pixel 9 is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, meaning it can survive in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, making it durable for everyday mishaps.

Display: A Bright, Smooth Experience

The Google Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch OLED display that's more than capable of delivering a premium viewing experience. The Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2424 pixels) ensures crisp details and vibrant colors, making everything from social media scrolling to watching Netflix a visually pleasing experience.

With HDR10+ support, the Pixel 9 excels at presenting deep contrasts, richer colors, and more lifelike visuals, especially when watching HDR content like movies or shows. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, the 2700 nits peak brightness guarantees excellent visibility, even in bright sunlight.

What makes the display truly shine is its 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth animations and seamless transitions. You can feel the difference when scrolling through apps, switching between tasks, or even playing games-the responsiveness is top-notch. The adaptive refresh rate is also a nice touch, as it automatically switches between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the task at hand, balancing performance and battery life.

Performance: Powerful, but Still Runs Hot

The Google Pixel 9 is powered by the new Tensor G4 chipset, and while it's capable of handling most tasks smoothly, it's not without its flaws-specifically, the issue of heat. During normal usage, like scrolling through Instagram or taking photos, the phone tends to get warm after 30 minutes or so. I've noticed this with various apps, though interestingly, when streaming YouTube videos, the phone stays cooler. However, as soon as I start using the camera or gaming, things heat up pretty fast.

In particular, during gaming, the phone can get hot after about 20 minutes of play. I tested this with Asphalt Legends, and while the gameplay was smooth at 60 FPS, the rear panel and frame became noticeably warm. The same goes for extended 4K video recording, where the phone starts to heat up after just a few minutes, and performance can suffer. Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated issue-it's a known quirk of Google's Tensor chips, which are manufactured by Samsung.

Google's decision to stick with Samsung for the Tensor G4 chipset has been a point of contention, and I personally think it's time for Google to cut ties and consider alternatives. Even mid-range phones from other brands with vapor-cooling systems run cooler under heavy loads. The Pro models of the Pixel 9 do have better heat management thanks to a vapor-cooling chamber, but the standard Pixel 9 lacks this, making the heating issue even more prominent.

When it comes to benchmarks, don't expect the Pixel 9 to dominate. It delivers respectable scores, but it's no match for the likes of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Check out the scores for yourselves:

The good news is that Google seems to be aware of the issue and has plans to address it in future models. Rumors suggest that the Pixel 10 series will come with a TSMC-manufactured Tensor G5 chip (courtesy of a report from Android Authority), which could bring much-needed improvements in thermal management and performance. TSMC already manufactures chipsets for Qualcomm, known for their superior efficiency and heat control, so the switch to TSMC could be a game-changer for Pixel phones. However, we'll have to wait until next year to see if these changes really pay off.

Moving on, in day-to-day tasks, the Tensor G4 handles multitasking, app switching, and general performance without any major hiccups. I didn't experience lag or random app crashes, and with 12GB of RAM, the phone keeps multiple apps in memory without slowing down. It's just unfortunate that the heat issue keeps this otherwise capable processor from truly shining, especially under more demanding workloads.

Camera: Pixel Delivers-With a Catch

The Google Pixel 9 continues the Pixel legacy of delivering top-tier smartphone photography. It's equipped with a 50 MP main camera and a 48 MP ultrawide camera, both of which are enhanced with Google's AI magic to make shooting easier and more fun.

Photography: Signature Pixel Quality

In typical Pixel fashion, the main camera captures sharp, detailed images with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The Ultra-HDR feature brings out rich details in shadows and highlights, giving photos that signature Pixel look-deep blacks, punchy colors, and a balanced dynamic range. Even in tricky lighting situations, the Pixel 9 manages to deliver impressive results, and the dual pixel autofocus makes sure your subject is always sharp.

The 48 MP ultrawide camera is another strong point, providing an expansive 123-degree field of view that captures a lot more in one frame without losing much detail, thanks to its autofocus. I've found the consistency between the main and ultrawide cameras to be excellent; there's no drastic color shift when switching between the two lenses, which keeps the photo quality seamless.

One feature that stands out is Add Me, which is powered by Google's AI and allows you to add yourself into group photos even if you're the one behind the camera. The blending is surprisingly natural-lighting, shadows, and color tone match the original scene so well that it's hard to tell you weren't there. I've had a lot of fun by including my dad in different poses in the same shot!

In low-light conditions, the Pixel 9's Night Sight continues to impress, delivering usable shots even in almost complete darkness. What I appreciate most is the reduced need to hold the phone steady for long-Night Sight works faster now, capturing clear images in just a few seconds without excessive noise or blur. However, in some cases, I prefer photos without Night Sight, especially when I want to preserve the moodiness of a dimly lit scene without over-brightening it.

Portraits: A Mixed Bag

Portrait mode on the Pixel 9 works well overall, but it's not without its flaws. The edge detection is mostly accurate, though it occasionally struggles with fine details like hair. In terms of depth, the blur can sometimes feel a little too aggressive, but I still found the portrait shots to be social media-ready with little to no editing required. Skin tones are rendered beautifully, with accurate coloring and good detail, a hallmark of Google's camera software.

Front-Facing Camera: Decent in Daylight, Disappointing in Low Light

The 10.5 MP front-facing camera on the Google Pixel 9 is serviceable, but not quite what you'd expect from a flagship device. In well-lit conditions, the autofocus helps deliver sharp, detailed selfies with accurate skin tones, and the 95-degree field of view is perfect for group shots. The Auto-HDR feature ensures balanced lighting, making sure that both the subject and the background are properly exposed.

However, in low-light or indoor settings, the front camera struggles. Details tend to get muddy, and noise creeps into the photos, making them less sharp. While Night Mode works wonders for the rear cameras, it doesn't seem to translate as well to the front camera. Instead of enhancing the shot, Night Mode often makes the photos look unnaturally bright and over-processed.

If selfies are a top priority, this could be a bit of a letdown.

Videography: Good, but Watch the Heat

When it comes to videography, the Pixel 9 can shoot in 4K at 60fps across all cameras, which is great for capturing high-quality video. The stabilization is solid, especially in Active Mode, which smooths out shaky footage when you're on the move. The Cinematic Blur feature is fun to experiment with, adding a nice depth-of-field effect to videos, but it's not quite at the level of Apple's Cinematic Mode in terms of polish.

The problem, however, is that the phone tends to heat up during extended video recording, especially when shooting in 4K at 60fps. During one of my tests, I was recording a 4K video, and after about 6 minutes, the phone became uncomfortably warm. Shortly after, I received a warning that the phone was overheating and that video quality would be reduced to prevent shutdown. While the recording didn't stop, the footage became noticeably choppier, and the phone's performance took a hit.

Zoom and Additional Modes

The Super Res Zoom feature, while digital, is good enough for capturing distant subjects without losing too much detail. It's not on par with optical zoom, but the results are more than acceptable for casual use.

The Cinematic Pan and Long Exposure modes are also fun additions for those who want to experiment with creative effects in their photos and videos.

Final Thoughts on the Camera

The Pixel 9's camera system excels at point-and-shoot photography, making it one of the best phones out there for quick snaps that are social-media ready. The AI-driven features like Magic Editor, Add Me, and Super Res Zoom make it an easy phone to love for photography enthusiasts.

However, if you're heavily into videography, especially long-form or 4K shoots, the heating issue will be a concern, particularly during extended recording sessions. Despite this, for everyday photo and video tasks, the Pixel 9 still holds its own as a strong camera phone.

Software: Pixel Experience for the Win

The Google Pixel 9 stands out with its clean, bloat-free Pixel UI on top of Android 14. If you value a minimalistic interface without unnecessary pre-installed apps, this phone hits the mark. The experience is fluid, streamlined, and optimized for daily use. What makes it even better is Material You, which personalizes your interface by adapting the system's colors based on your wallpaper, making everything from icons to buttons match your style effortlessly.

One particularly cool feature is Now Playing, which automatically identifies songs playing in the background without needing any app to be open. As a music lover, this is one of those small but incredibly useful features that makes the Pixel feel a little smarter. However, not all features are available everywhere-some, like Call Screen and Call Notes, are geo-locked, meaning they're unavailable in certain regions, including India. It's frustrating, especially since these tools add real value to the phone's smart capabilities.

A small surprise was that the Pixel 9 launched with Android 14, rather than the latest Android 15, but the promise of 7 years of OS and security updates means you'll be covered for the long haul.

Google's Gemini AI: The Heart of Pixel 9

The real star of the software experience is Google's Gemini AI, which adds layers of intelligence to the phone. One of my favorite tools is the Magic Editor. I've used it for editing product shots, and it's a game-changer. With just a few taps, you can adjust lighting, swap backgrounds, and enhance images-it's like having a mini Photoshop right in your pocket. The simplicity of it saves time and makes even the blandest photos look professional.

Another exciting addition is Pixel Studio, where you can generate AI-driven images on the go. It's like Google's version of Midjourney or DALL·E, letting you create unique visuals, though there are some limitations (no human images allowed for now). Still, it's perfect for generating custom stickers or adding a personal touch to images in a fun and creative way.

However, the Pixel Recorder app has been nothing short of a game-changer. It doesn't just record audio; it transcribes conversations with near-perfect accuracy, and I can instantly export those notes to Google Docs. As someone who works as a tech journalist and writes for a living, this feature has saved me so much time-it's like having a personal assistant on hand to take notes and create drafts in real time. Honestly, it's one of those tools I'd pay for separately if it wasn't bundled with the phone.

The bad part? It's a Pixel-exclusive feature, and unfortunately, it's not available on other Android devices. For anyone who relies on voice notes or transcription for their workflow, this is one of those unique perks that's hard to let go of.

Battery Life and Charging: A Bit of a Drag

The Google Pixel 9 comes with a 4700 mAh battery, and I've found it reliable for day-to-day use. On average, I'm getting around 5.5 to 6 hours of screen-on time, which is enough to comfortably last a full day of moderate use-things like browsing, social media, and messaging. However, when I switch over to 5G for most of the day, the battery life does take a noticeable hit, and I expect that screen-on time would dip a bit faster.

As for charging, this is where things slow down a bit. While I use a 100W GaN charger, the Pixel 9 itself is capped at 27W for wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and PPS standards. Google advertises that you can get around 55% in 30 minutes, which aligns with my experience, but it's still much slower compared to some other devices out there that offer much faster charging speeds at a fraction of the price.

Wireless charging is supported up to 15W with the Pixel Stand (while I have an Acefast Wireless Charger), but it's noticeably slower than wired charging and tends to heat the phone up during the process. It's fine for overnight charging, but if you're in a rush, the limited speeds can feel like a drag.

Should You Buy the Google Pixel 9?

The Google Pixel 9 has a lot going for it, especially if you're into AI-driven features. The Gemini AI, Magic Editor, and Pixel Recorder are genuinely useful and help the Pixel stand out in a sea of lookalike smartphones. For everyday use, multitasking, and casual photography, it excels.

But here's the thing: ₹80,000 is a lot of money, and at that price, I expected better in areas like charging speeds, heat management, and the front camera. If you're not tied to Google's software and AI perks, there are other flagships in this range that offer a more well-rounded experience, especially when it comes to performance and battery life.

That said, if AI is your jam and you're all about Google's ecosystem, the Pixel 9 is an easy recommendation. For those who want a powerhouse of a phone with clever AI tricks and solid photography, it won't disappoint. Just be prepared for a few quirks along the way.