Google Pixel 9 review: Impressive camera for premium Android segment!

Introduction

Welcome back to another review! Today, we're diving into the Google Pixel 9, a device that stands out in mobile photography and videography. This smartphone offers a unique experience that many will find appealing. Before we begin, I want to point out that my review unit, which I received as a loan, has been updated. However, I still don’t have access to some features mentioned during the announcement, such as Pixel Studio. I’ll focus more on the overall smartphone experience for this review. Let’s get started!

Design

The first thing that catches the eye is the new camera bump design, which has taken on a peel shape as opposed to the previous model. This design is subjective; however, I personally find it adds subtle character and identity to the Pixel 9 series. The finishing on the device exudes quality — the polished and matte metal sides are gorgeous, creating a premium feel.

The Pixel 9 comes with an IP68 rating, offering better water and dust resistance, which allows for some adventurous outdoor activities. Just keep in mind that smartphones should still be treated with care.

With a 6.3-inch display, the Pixel 9 caters to all hand sizes, providing comfort whether you have small or large hands. Overall, I would rate the design above average.

Camera

The rear features a dual camera setup with a 50-megapixel main camera and an upgraded 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera capable of macro shots. The front-facing camera remains at 10.5 megapixels. The main camera shines, consistently delivering stunning photos with great dynamic range and warm color temperatures. Portrait shots taken with the main camera are excellent, while the ultra-wide camera captures wide shots with minor distortion noticeable at the edges.

In low light conditions, the Auto Night mode kicks in, but for the best results in night photography, the Night Sight feature is recommended. The ultra-wide camera performs admirably but can suffer at higher zoom levels, leading to pixelation. Thankfully, it retains good low-light performance.

The selfie camera performs surprisingly well, delivering stunning shots in both good and low-light conditions.

Videography

Both rear and front-facing cameras support 4K video up to 60 frames per second and HDR. While the main camera performs excellently, the ultra-wide camera may introduce noise in difficult lighting scenarios. Selfie videos are impressive in bright daylight but can struggle in low light. Additional video features include the Bou video effect, although this is limited to full HD at 30 frames per second and the main camera only.

Performance

Running on the Google Tensor G4 paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, the performance is top-tier. However, if you're into heavy photography or gaming, opting for the 256GB version is advisable, as the 128GB model fills up quickly.

The Tensor G4 offers flagship-level performance, though it may lag compared to other leading models. Mobile gaming performance is generally good, though high-demand games may encounter frame drops.

Display and Audio

The Pixel 9 features a vibrant 6.3-inch OLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,700 nits peak brightness. The display quality is stunning, and scrolling is incredibly smooth.

The stereo speakers provide decent audio quality, particularly for content consumption. They have a bit of a bass-heavy sound profile which works well for EDM music.

Battery Performance

The Pixel 9 houses a 4,700 mAh battery with support for 45-watt fast charging. Google claims it can reach 55% in just 33 minutes. In real-world usage, the battery lasts a full day but might deplete quickly with heavy photography or gaming.

5G connectivity works exceptionally well, and the fingerprint scanner performs quickly and accurately.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel 9 retails in Malaysia starting from RM3,999 for the 128GB version, while the 256GB model is RM4,499. I highly recommend opting for the latter to better manage your storage needs.

Overall, the Pixel 9 provides an outstanding premium Android experience, particularly in mobile photography and videography, making it perfect for content creators and photography enthusiasts.

I rate the Google Pixel 9 a solid 8.6 out of 10. It’s a phenomenal device that showcases the synergy of software and hardware to produce exceptional photo and video quality.

Thank you to Google Asia Pacific and Google Malaysia for providing a loan unit for review. This is my honest experience based on a week of using the Pixel 9.

Keywords

Google Pixel 9, mobile photography, videography, design, camera, performance, display, battery, review.

FAQ

1. What is the price of the Google Pixel 9?
The starting price for the Google Pixel 9 in Malaysia is RM3,999 for the 128GB version and RM4,499 for the 256GB version.

2. Does the Pixel 9 have water resistance?
Yes, the Pixel 9 has an IP68 rating, making it water and dust resistant.

3. How is the camera performance on the Pixel 9?
The Pixel 9 features a 50MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide camera that excels in various lighting conditions, offering excellent dynamic range and color temperature.

4. What is the battery capacity of the Google Pixel 9?
The device is equipped with a 4,700 mAh battery that supports fast charging.

5. How does the Pixel 9 perform for gaming?
While it offers decent gaming performance, it may lag behind other flagship devices, especially for high-demand games.