Design and Build

The Google Pixel 9 is designed with a premium and fashionable view that features an aluminum frame of aerospace grade, a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front, and a matte glass back. It is only 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.34 inches (152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm) and weighs 7.0 ounces (198g), so it is a small, one-handed, easy, and premium phone. The product is offered in the following colors – Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Rose Quartz – and has a hidden under-display fingerprint sensor with no face unlock. It uses a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port and in most regions, you can use eSIM and nano-SIM simultaneously as well.

• Aerospace-grade aluminum frame
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back
• IP68 rating (water and dust resistance up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
• Under-display fingerprint sensor (no face unlock)
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port for charging and data transfer
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM

Pixel 9 Display

The Pixel 9 is a 6.3-inch Actua OLED device with a 1080 x 2424 pixels resolution (422 PPI), HDR10+ support, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Unlike others, LTPO technology is missing for this model, which means it cannot automatically change the refresh rate. It can go up to 2700 nits, which makes it very good for the eyes when the sun is out, although selections like 144Hz of the non-OLED competition are faster. The bezels are kept this way, but customization like Always-On Display present in more recent flagships is not there.

• 6.3-inch OLED (Actua Display)
• 1080 x 2424 resolution, 422 PPI
• HDR10+ support
• 2700 nits (peak)
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection
• 120Hz refresh rate (no LTPO or Always-On Display customization)

Performance and Software

The Pixel 9 chips are steered by Google Tensor G4 (4nm), sustained by an 8-core CPU, Mali-G715 GPU, and built-in AI accelerators of the 12nm process. It ships with Android 15 and is also guaranteed to be supported by OS and security updates for 7 years up to 2032. Its processor, along with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, makes it comparable with or even outperforms the Pixel 8 Pro for most tasks. It is available with 128GB (for $799) and 256GB (for $899) variants, the second one cannot be expanded. The lack of LTPO for the display is detrimental to the device's ability to save power by having fewer areas to be updated.

• Google Tensor G4 chip with 8-core CPU, Mali-G715 GPU, AI accelerators
• 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB
• Android 15 (7 years of updates)
• Optimized for AI, photography, and gaming

The Tensor G4 offers strong AI and daily performance, rivaling Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but its GPU lags in high-end gaming. Reviewers praise its software polish, but the base 128GB storage feels restrictive for the price.

Camera System

The Pixel 9 comes with a dual rear camera setup, namely a 50MP primary (f/1.68, 25mm, OIS) and a 48MP ultra-wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV). It does not have a telephoto lens as opposed to the Pixel 9 Pro. The front camera is 10.5MP (f/2.2) and has autofocus.

• Rear: 50MP Main (25mm, f/1.68, OIS), 48MP Ultra-wide (f/1.7)
• Front: 10.5MP (f/2.2, autofocus)
• Video: 4K 60 fps
• Modes: Night Sight, Magic Eraser, Portrait
• LED flash

Battery and Charging

The Pixel 9 is equipped with a 4700mAh battery, which runs about 11.75 hours in video playback or 10-12 hours in real-world use. The device is compatible with 27W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) and 15W Qi wireless charging, but it does not support faster 45W charging, which is featured in the Pixel 9 Pro. No charger is provided, only a USB-C cable. The battery life is actually really good for its capacity and usage, but customers with high consumption might be required to recharge the phone every day, as the inefficiency limits of the Tensor G4 are still there.

• 4700mAh battery
• Up to 11.75 hours video playback, ~10–12 hours real-world
• 27W wired charging (50% in 30 min)
• 15W Qi wireless charging
• No charger included (USB-C cable only)

Connectivity

The Pixel 9 is powered by a modem that allows 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave) connectivity, bringing a faster internet experience where those kinds of networks are accessible. mmWave, on the other hand, is not the best as it is only available in some spots. The internet is going to be supported by Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.3, taking care of all the connections at a very fast speed and being reliable at the same time. The phone is required to use nano-SIM and eSIM, unlike the Pixel 9 Pro, which misses out on UWB on the side of the eSIM, but the GPS satellite is not for emergency aid. GPS is at its best with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS support

• 5G modem (sub-6GHz, mmWave)
• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM
• No UWB chip
• No satellite connectivity
• GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS

Pricing and Availability

The base version of the Pixel 9, consisting of 128GB, costs $799, while the 256GB alternative has a price of $899. The opening of pre-orders took place on August 13, 2024, with the launch date coming on August 22, 2024, through three main outlets: Google Store, operators (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile), and retailers such as Best Buy. Its features make it the mid-tier flagship of Google that also has the highest trade-in value and can be bought at a reduced price, remaining the best value in the range. The price rising above the Pixel 8's ($699) sparked disputes, but the improved display and AI functions make the spending worthwhile for the majority of users.