Google Pixel 9: A Bold Redesign and AI Powerhouse — First Impressions Revealed

The latest flagship smartphones from Google have arrived sooner than anticipated, showcasing a fresh design, enhanced hardware, and an even greater array of AI capabilities compared to previous models. The new collection features four devices: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. For the first time, customers in India will have the option to purchase all four models. I’ve spent a few days with the smaller Pixel 9, which is available for Rs. 79,999, and I’m here to share what’s fresh in this base model.

To begin with, the Pixel 9 boasts a novel design in contrast to last year’s Pixel 8. The edges are now flat, reminiscent of the iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S24, and the rear camera visor has been substituted with a pill-shaped camera bar that stretches horizontally across the back panel, while the front bezels are now uniform around the display. Even with this redesigned camera bar, the Pixel identity remains unmistakable. Additionally, the phone features upgraded glass protection, now employing Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back. It continues to maintain the IP68 rating from its predecessor.

The display on the Pixel 9 is brighter and has consistent bezels all around

The Pixel 9 now comes with a slightly expanded 6.3-inch display, making the device taller than the Pixel 8. It retains the OLED panel with full-HD+ resolution and a refresh rate ranging from 60 to 120Hz, but the brightness has been enhanced. It also features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner as opposed to the optical one found in the previous model. Our review unit arrived in the Porcelain option, although it is also available in Obsidian, Peony, and Wintergreen colors.

The familiar camera visor at the back has been replaced by a pill-shaped bar. However, it still protrudes similarly to before. The rear hosts a dual-camera setup with the unchanged primary sensor from last year but introduces a new upgraded 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The glass housing for the camera bar is larger than its predecessor. The front-facing camera remains a 10.5-megapixel sensor like that of the Pixel 8, but it now includes auto-focus.

The redesigned camera bar resembles the Google search bar

The Pixel 9 series marks the first time in recent memory that new Pixels do not launch with the latest Android version, due to their early release. However, with the Gemini Nano model running on the device, you receive Android 14 out-of-the-box alongside a host of AI functionalities. Powered by the new 4nm Tensor G4 chipset, it comes with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This new system-on-chip allows for many of the latest AI features, which I intend to test extensively. New applications such as Pixel Screenshot, which enables content searches through screenshots, and Pixel Studio, allowing users to create images from scratch, have also been introduced. Besides the enhancements in AI, Google claims the new SoC brings advancements in performance and efficiency that I will evaluate in my full review.

In addition, the Pixel 9 is equipped with a slightly larger 4,700mAH battery, still supporting 27W fast charging like before, along with wireless charging capabilities.

Google’s Pixel 9 presents several appealing upgrades over last year’s Pixel 8, notably with the introduction of the new ultra-wide camera, a brighter display, and the Tensor G4 chipset. The abundance of new AI features is impressive, but will these improvements and AI enhancements justify the increase in price? Can the Pixel 9 compete with forthcoming models like the iPhone 16 series? Stay tuned for the full review to discover more.