Google Pixel 9 launches with taller, thinner, redesigned case disguising minimal hardware improvements

Leaks and rumours of the Google Pixel 9 have already given us a solid look at the redesigned exterior of Google's 2024 smartphone line-up, and the Made by Google 2024 keynote (watch below) confirmed all of those aesthetic changes when Google announced the Google Pixel 9.

Underneath the Google Pixel 9's aesthetic redesign lies a few minor hardware updates that should make the new Android smartphone snappier and easier to live with. For starters, the Google Pixel 9 has a brighter display than the Pixel 8, with the 6.3-inch Actua display on the Pixel 9 claiming a maximum brightness of 1800 nits in HDR, with a peak brightness reaching 2700 nits — compared to the Pixel 8's 1400 nits and 2000-nit peak. The OLED display on the Pixel 9 still only supports a 60–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, though, putting it slightly behind devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24(from $719.99 on Amazon), which supports a minimum frequency of 24 Hz.

Of course, the Pixel 9 has also been updated to the Google Tensor G4 SoC, which recent leaks have shown offers negligible performance improvements over the Google Pixel 8's Tensor G3. Of course, the real-world performance benefits on Google devices often come by way of software optimisation and, more recently, AI workloads. Google's Pixel 9 has no shortage of AI features, either, with Gemini and its generative image editing chops taking centre stage for much of the keynote.

As far as hardware goes, the Google Pixel 9 has the same dual-camera wide/ultrawide setup as the Pixel 8, and the main rear camera even has the same 50 MP resolution and f/1.68 aperture. The ultrawide camera, however, has received a more significant update to a larger 48 MP sensor with a 123° FOV and f/1.7 aperture. The slightly larger sensor — 1/2.9-inch on the Pixel 8 vs 1/2.55-inch on the Pixel 9 — means the ultrawide camera on the Pixel 9 should be able to gather more light, giving it better low-light performance.

Despite minor hardware improvements, the Google Pixel 9 has received software improvements, including a rebuilt HDR+ pipeline that Google claims will produce more realistic images. Specifically, Google says it addressed exposure, sharpness, detail, contrast, tone mapping, white balance, and Night Sight for more accurate low-light images. The Pixel 9 family will also now apply its image processing smarts to panorama images to improve realism, detail, and low-light performance.

During the Pixel 9 launch keynote, Google's speaker directly compared a Night Sight panorama image from the Pixel 9 Pro XL to the same scene shot on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the rendition of the Pixel software did seem to be brighter and more detailed. Of course, it remains to be seen how this will work out in the real world, since Google will obviously put its best foot forward in its own example.

While the Google Pixel 9 features the same glass-and-aluminium sandwich design as the Google Pixel 8, although with the redesigned camera bump and flat side rails, the new smartphone claims improved durability via Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and front. The brighter, more saturated Peony colour also replaces last year's Rose, and Wintergreen also looks to give the former Mint colourway the same saturation bump. Altogether, the Pixel 9 is available in four colourways, with Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (off-white) rounding out the aforementioned Peony and Wintergreen. The new Pixel 9 is also nearly 3 mm taller, 1.2 mm wider, and 0.3 mm thinner than the Pixel 8.

Google has priced the Pixel 9 at $799 for the version with 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, while stepping up the storage to 256 GB brings the MSRP up to $899. If you're after something more premium, check out the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

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