2024-08-21 17:03:11
The new Pixel phones may only be minor hardware updates, but both devices still stand out in the premium phone market, thanks in large part to their standout cameras and better value than iPhones.
At first glance, Google’s new Pixel phones look similar to their predecessors. They’re a bit boxier in design, showing off their metal casing more, and the long bar on the back where the cameras were located since the Pixel 6 has been replaced with a sort of island. The result is a bit sleeker, but not enough to write home about.
The same goes for the rest of the devices. The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s screen is slightly brighter than before, and the phone charges a little faster, but overall it’s clear that the era of big annual revolutions is over.
The new Pixels, however, have several nice surprises in store for those who don’t change their phone every year and will give them a chance.
Camera: the great strength of Pixels
The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers three rear cameras of excellent quality.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
I recently took dozens of photos at a birthday party, some on an iPhone 15 Pro, others on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It was a challenging setting, with three different lighting options (an LED ceiling light, sunlight, and small light bulbs in the background) and kids who were restless after overdosing on chocolate frosting.
The difference between the two was significant: the lighting in photos was much more accurate with the Pixel than with the iPhone, subjects were better defined, and background blur was more realistic. And the same was true for videos.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL particularly stands out for its portraits and color management.
Photo : Maxime Johnson.
All modern phone cameras are capable of taking nice shots outdoors in broad daylight, but in more challenging situations, it’s clear that the Pixels produce the best results more often than not.
The Pixel’s camera is also more fun to use, with a wealth of advanced settings and modes that let you, for example, capture a moving car or bike and make the shot look like it was taken by a professional with years of experience.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
Photo : Maxime Johnson
New AI tool Add Me lets you add a person to a group photo.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
Final result.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
Google also added a new mode this year called “Add Me,” which lets you take a photo of a group, pass the phone to someone else, and have them pose for you to be automatically added to the original photo. The result isn’t always perfect, but it’s often impressive, and easy to use.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL allows you to take pictures from very close (the vegetation on the bark of a tree with the macro mode) to very far away (the mast of the Olympic Stadium, with the 5X optical zoom).
Photo : Maxime Johnson
It’s worth noting that the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL’s two main cameras—the main lens and the wide-angle lens—are the same. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, however, has the addition of a 5X telephoto lens, which I personally hardly ever use.
Lots of AI features
The new Pixel 9s offer several AI features. The Pro models also come with one year of free access to the Gemini Advanced chatbot, along with 2TB of cloud storage.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
The other big strength of Pixel phones is their AI features. In addition to those related to the camera (like Add Me mode, and the “Video Boost” mode, which slightly improves the quality of enlarged videos or videos shot in the dark), there is for example a recorder capable of transcribing what is said and Pixel Studio, a software to generate images with AI (in English only for now).
The most intriguing new feature on this front is probably Pixel Screenshots (also in English), a software that analyzes all your screenshots and then allows you to find them with a text search. For example, you can take a screenshot of an email received when making an AirBNB reservation and then ask the software what the password is for your apartment’s Wi-Fi.
The concept is promising, but my first tests weren’t very conclusive. The generative AI made some mistakes in analyzing my screenshots and answering my questions. My impression is that some people will use it often, but most will never open the app.
Right now, in August 2024, the Pixels lead the iPhones in their use of AI, but with Apple Intelligence tools coming to iOS 18 this fall, it’s still too early to really name a leader in this category between the two big brands.
A flea trailing behind
Google’s Tensor G4 chip lags behind chips found in other high-end phones on the market.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
Overall, the new Pixels have a lot going for them. Their battery life is excellent (I mostly tried the Pixel 9 Pro XL, though), the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s display is one of (if not the) best on the market, and the Pixel 9’s display is also superb.
There is one area that disappoints, however: Google’s Tensor G4 system-on-chip. In my various tests, it seems to be about a generation behind Qualcomm’s latest chips, which are found in phones from OnePlus and Samsung, among others. It’s also far behind the A17 Pro in the latest iPhones.
Is this a problem? Yes and no. You can run the heaviest software and games, and the interface is still smooth and responsive, but there are still some points where the lack of power is felt. If you take a photo with an AI tool (like Portrait mode), for example, you will always have to wait a while before seeing the final result.
The finish of the Pixel 9 Pro XL (left) is particularly successful.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
If the Pixel 9 Pro XL had come with a more powerful chip, I would have written it as the best smartphone on the market. With the Tensor G4, the reality is a little more subtle, and it’s hard to crown just one device.
Other minor disappointments include the fact that satellite emergency services are only available in the United States. Some features found in other Android devices, such as lossless wireless audio, are also missing.
Bottom line: an excellent high-end buy
The Pixel 9 Pro XL will start at $1,499 without a contract, and the Pixel 9 will start at $1,099 without a contract.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
Overall, the new Pixel phones are still excellent quality. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a bit big for my taste, with its 6.8-inch screen, but the arrival of the Pixel 9 Pro this fall, in the same size as the Pixel 9, should fix that.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro XL the best device in every way? No. In terms of raw power, it clearly lags behind. But it’s the best on the market in several important aspects, like the camera.
At $1,499, which is $300 less than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and $250 less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it’s one of the best value premium devices on the market if you want a device from a major brand (at $1,069, the OnePlus 12 offers even more bang for your buck).
At $1,099, the Pixel 9 is a little less impressive in this regard, but it’s still a great phone.
We like
- High quality cameras.
- The screens, especially with the Pro model.
- The purchase price is cheaper than their direct competitors, at least in the case of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
- The many AI tools.
- Updates guaranteed for the next 7 years.
We like less
- The chip that lacks power.
- No Qi2 wireless charging.
- To better stand out, the Pixel 9 should be sold for less.
- Some features missing, like satellite emergency services.
THE Pixel 9 et Pixel 9 Pro XL are already available for pre-order and will launch on August 22 in Canada. The Pixel 9 Pro will be available this fall.
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