By Aulah Najjuka
The Google Pixel 9 series, released in 2024, continues Google’s tradition of blending cutting-edge hardware with powerful AI-driven software. The series includes the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. According to Kakande Lamar of Fix it Uganda, each phone offers unique features but shares the same core functionalities that make Pixel phones standout.
Design and Display
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL come with stunning OLED displays. The Pixel 9 Pro features a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pro XL upgrades to a 6.8-inch display. Both screens are vibrant with sharp resolutions and excellent brightness, making them ideal for media consumption.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold combines a 6.3-inch external display and an 8-inch internal foldable screen, making it good for multitasking and content creation. It offers the familiarity of a traditional phone when folded and the flexibility of a tablet when opened.
Performance
At the heart of all Pixel 9 models is Google’s new tensor G4 chipset, which ensures smooth performance for both daily tasks and heavy-duty applications like gaming and video editing. The Pro models come with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold also has 16GB, making it one of the most powerful Pixel devices to date.
These phones also come with AI features such as gemini AI assistant, which provides advanced voice interaction and call transcription, and enhanced computational photography, which uses AI to enhance image quality across various shooting conditions.
Cameras
The Pixel 9 series shines in photography, continuing Google’s reputation for offering top-notch cameras:
The Pixel 9 has a 50MP primary camera and advanced image processing features while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL come with a 5x optical zoom lens in addition to the 50MP primary sensor. The AI-powered photography tools make low-light shooting and portrait photography stand out. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has been slightly scaled down in camera specs, it still boasts a 48MP main camera, with additional 10MP lenses that leverage Google’s computational photography.
Ian Asabo, who says the Pixel 9 series camera is one of a kind: “I own a Google Pixel 9 and I can say it may be the bargain of the hour when it comes to the best smartphones for photography which is so important for me as a sports content creator.” (https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-pixel-9-ai-camera-features/)
Battery life
Battery life on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is particularly impressive, lasting up to two days on a single charge with moderate use. The base Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro offer good battery life as well, easily lasting a full day. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is designed to support its power-hungry dual displays but still manages a full day of regular usage.
Software
The Pixel 9 series comes with Android 14, offering the cleanest and most optimised version of Google’s mobile OS. It has exclusive Pixel features like call screen to filter spam calls, live transcribe and real-time translation for global connectivity, and the pixel studio app for on-device photo and video editing.
Pricing
The price of the Pixel 9 starts at approximately $799 (approximately Shs2,996,250 at the current exchange rate). The Pixel 9 Pro begins around $999 (approximately Shs 3,746,250, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099 (approximately Shs4,121,250). The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with its innovative foldable design, comes with a higher price tag, starting at $1,799 (approximately Shs6,746,250).
Pros
- Top-tier AI integration across all models.
- Stunning displays and design.
- Industry-leading camera performance.
- Long-lasting battery life, especially in the Pro XL model.
Cons
- The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is quite expensive.
- Some users report that the foldable model’s cameras aren’t as robust as those in the Pro XL.
Overall, the Pixel 9 series is a fantastic choice for those who want an AI-enhanced, premium smartphone experience. The powerful Tensor G4 chipset and Google’s focus on AI and computational photography make these phones excellent for both professionals and casual users alike.
