Pixel 9 long-term review: No longer the best base model [Video]

Thanks to Google’s decision to get ahead of the curve and drop new devices in August, we’re almost 100 days into the life of the Pixel 9. The big drop of Android 15 means the final piece of the puzzle has been added, but does that make the entry-level model a better buy?

After launching earlier than usual, we’ve had more time to get to grips with the intricacies. With a big software update and a few features bleeding down to older models, the sheen of a new handset has dulled a little, but discounts and a less-than-stellar iPhone 16 lineup now put the Pixel 9 back in the spotlight.

Living with (another) updated design

After a few months of learning to love the new frame, the Pixel 9 has stood out in the 9 series lineup. I would love for Google to at least listen to the outcry for a full matte finish across the entire series. The polish-free chassis is absolutely perfect, but the glossy backplate detracts from this premium addition.

Initially, I found the flatter profile a little off-putting, but it just gives you more to grip. However, the downside is that thicker protective cases can substantially increase the profile. I’ve found that this year, a slimmer case or thin protective cover is all I can stomach.

We also really need more premium case makers designing and producing accessories for the Pixel series—this is a public call out to Nomad, by the way. Yes, things are improving year over year, but I would love more options to protect my phone.

I didn’t feel strongly about the camera island at first. It has grown on me steadily as it offers you a solid edge to rest your fingers in when taking photos in portrait orientation. There’s the added bonus of no wobble on a desk when facing up, but a case fixes that with most phones.

I mention this because even a somewhat small change helps with ergonomics. I loved the Pixel 8 because it was great to use one-handed. The Pixel 9 continues that but with more gripable areas. I’m not sure if the flat side profile helps, but it doesn’t hinder you.

As great as this base model feels sans case, I know most people want a layer of protection. I would 100% recommend going for something a slimline if you can. That way, you don’t lose out or add too much bulk. I am enamored by the Mous Super Thin case lineup this year on all of my Pixel devices. I picked one up that color-matched the Wintergreen model, and it’s gorgeous.

The screen is still one of the best-selling points. A return to uniform bezels is almost enough for me to recommend someone upgrade from an older model – with a heavy emphasis on “almost.” Realistically, the in-display fingerprint scanner upgrade is likely enough for people who have problems with the older optical scanner.

I’m not sure if the scanner is getting faster the more I’ve used it, but it’s instantaneous unlocks with no issues. Face Unlock has improved, too, although it could still be a little better in low-light scenarios; with no IR scanner to get it working, that isn’t likely until we get some other hardware upgrades.

Google has almost always done displays right, and the Pixel 9 remains no exception. Truthfully, in terms of quality, it’s not all that different from the Pixel 8. Don’t get that twisted, though; the screen is excellent, and I love that the bump in brightness means you’re catered for even in the brightest of environments. One side effect of a smaller screen is that I’m not watching as much YouTube on my phone. Instead, I’m watching Instagram Reels way more often.

This ties into just how much fuller the speakers sound this year. If the maximum volume could get another bump, then—dare I say it—they could be perfect. The same can be said of the haptics. Every time I switch away from a Pixel 9 device, I’m reminded of how good the typing experience and general haptics are.

A phone needs a strong connection and connectivity with the updated Exynos modem also has not let me down – even when roaming in mainland Europe. It’s like Google decided to listen to complaints first and fix those that are easy to resolve first.

Android 15 and the day-to-day experience

The biggest reason we are revisiting the Pixel 9 so early in its life cycle is the upgrade to Android 15. This alone has made the biggest change to the experience. While Android 14 has been a fine update overall, a tailored OS for the latest Pixel has been given since the series’ inception.

It’s true that Android 15 is not a quantum leap in visuals. Where it is a big leap is in the core experience. The Pixel 9 feels much smoother and more responsive, and the added coat of paint just tightens up the cohesion of this new form factor. The realignment of the status bar to the selfie camera is small but important. I’m excited for the 80% charge limit to come with the December Pixel Drop. Lots of refinement overall tightens up a very classy experience.

It could be that the extra 4GB RAM over the Pixel 8 is making things a little snappier. There are no doubt some under-the-hood alterations that speed up regular processes, though. By no means is the Pixel 9 a powerhouse performer now that this update has arrived. I still think the Tensor G4 is going to be powerful enough for anyone who isn’t practically abusing their phone.

I’m still annoyed that UFS 3.1 storage persists, as faster storage would have made a big difference to how snappy every little interaction can feel. That’s not an indictment of the performance right now. Anyone who comes from an older device, you’ll have a great time. It’s kudos to how streamlined the experience is on Pixel in general that things feel so slick.

Tensor as a chip platform hasn’t been particularly great and while the G4 chip inside the Pixel 9 isn’t the most powerful, it does offer some minor improvements. I have noticed better thermals, the Pixel 9 doesn’t get hot to the touch like some of its predecessors. Even during the summer launch, I can’t say it overheated or became a laggy mess due to bad heat dissipation. I’ll stop short of saying thermal management is fixed, but it is exponentially better than any previous Tensor-powered Pixel.

One thing to consider is an upgrade beyond the base 128GB storage this year. For the first time, I have gone for the 256GB model for the entire Pixel flagship lineup. I usually fill my phone with video recordings, downloaded memes, and general junk. I’m finding that I’m less worried about deleting files this time around, which means I have less stress when I want to record some 4k 60fps videos—which can fill up your phone very quickly.

Google is selling the Pixel 9 on a ton of AI features, but the only one I use on a nearly daily basis is Pixel Screenshots. For me, this is a killer feature. I tend to take screenshots for receipts, directions, my favorite recipes, messages, and tons more. I haven’t even used the “Collections” mode all that often. The ability to tap in a search term like “cars” or “recipes” and pull up all of the screenshots with that context is a huge timesaver. It helps keep me organized without much effort on my part.

Pixel Studio and Reimagine have improved drastically with more protective guide rails and limits for specific image generation. The latter is actually very impressive and something I feel myself using more and more as time passes.

One of the most annoying aspects of Google’s approach to Pixel features is the regional locks. I would love to have more of the AI-powered functions like Call Notes but we’re still in a minefield of availability. If Google can fix this, I might be more stoked about some of the AI additions. As it stands, I can’t recommend them too highly.

Gemini Live and Pixel Weather have broken free of the Pixel 9 series too. Being able to have contextual conversations with Gemini is fine. I don’t use it every day, but it is good for getting information on sporting events, where to watch specific TV shows, or just for getting an overview of a subject. Is it a killer feature? I’m not so sure.

Battery life

One of the changes I’ve noticed since the Android 15 update is the improvements to device lifespan. It hasn’t been a huge uplift, but a noticeable upgrade to a fairly acceptable key area of the Pixel 9. Whether its the culling of some processes or other under-the-hood changes, the update has made a meaningful difference to how long you’ll be able to use your phone.

I found that I could kill the Pixel 9 in a day without too much effort pre-Android 15. It has improved to be a capable companion now. It is more in lockstep with other phones with similar battery capacities and while I wish the charger was a little faster, you’ll have a solid battery experience with the base model this year.

Tensor G4 is just better at managing power draw. So as long as you’re not using GPS or shooting hours of 4K video per day, you can be confident your phone won’t die during the middle of the day.

Camera

There is something about using a Pixel camera system that gives me confidence when I’m about to take a photo. However, I’m starting to realize how often I use a telephoto lens, and it becomes apparent when a phone doesn’t have a dedicated zoom. The Pixel 9 is no different.

While it has a very competent dual camera system that captures crisp, clear, and high-quality photos, it is starting to become apparent that a telephoto zoom lens might be super handy rather than a dedicated ultrawide. Maybe Zoom Enhance should also come to the Pixel 9 to at least help boost the 8x images because they just aren’t as good as what a dedicated telephoto can do at those smaller zoom ranges.

Despite those protestations, I adore the images I have taken with the Pixel 9. I just know I’ll nail almost all aspects of an image before I take the phone out of my pocket and hit the shutter button. A Pixel camera just gives you confidence that you can capture some of the best photos.

That plus point aside, Google needs to do something about the difference between an image you see in the viewfinder and the end result. Once the super slow processing is done, a photo can look drastically different and almost unrecognizable. It’s a double-edged sword as you get a good photo, but not always the one you expected while framing up a shot.

This is most pronounced in other modes like portrait mode. One upside is that portrait mode can detect edges better now after a few camera updates. Edge detection isn’t perfect, but it’s better than it was at launch. You are probably better off using the main wide lens, punching in marginally, then relying on the natural focus fall-off for better portrait-style shots.

Magic Editor has improved drastically, too. This means that I can take a photo and make meaningful edits to get something that ditches a wandering tourist photobombing a perfectly poised shot, or I can make those tweaks to get rid of annoying aspects.

I have yet to find a situation where I will use Add Me. I’m not discounting the function, but it has little to no use in my day-to-day life. If you’re in a big group or traveling with friends and family, I can totally see how it could be a killer addition. Personally, I think most people will just take a selfie as it’s faster and less reliant on someone else.

The fact of the matter is that, in isolation, the Pixel 9 has a great camera backed by some iffy but interesting AI features. The core experience is excellent. It’s just overshadowed by the more flexible Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL across stills and video modes. It’s something to consider as it’s one of the strongest reasons to upgrade.

Final thoughts

There is an abundance of improvement on the Pixel 9 that undermines just how good Google’s “core” phone is. It’s a great package that has 100% has some flaws. The thing is, these don’t get in the way of a good time.

At the recommended $799 retail, I do think it’s a tough sell because there are other phones that will give you a little more bang for your buck. Factor in discounts, trade-ins, and rebates and it becomes an easier sell. The Pixel 9 underpins the improvements that Google has made to its 2024 lineup – but by modern smartphone standards, it’s sat on the limit of the mid-range, which would be fine if it were a little cheaper.

I didn’t want this to be my conclusion, but the Pixel 9 is somewhat overshadowed by one of its siblings – the Pixel 9 Pro. While I can easily recommend the cheapest device in the 9 series, this year, the middle child gives you all of the best bits in the exact same chassis, which means fewer compromises. You’ll need to work out if the $200 increase is worth it before discounts start to chip at this cost discrepancy.

I like the Pixel 9, but it’s not the best base model anymore.