Pixel 9 Is a Pricey Mediocrity You Absolutely Don’t Need
Hello everyone. Today we’re prescribing a full dose of truth serum to shove down the throat of Google’s “compact flagship” – the Pixel 9. Yes, the Pixel 10 is looming behind the curtain like a stage prop in a theatre nobody actually bought tickets for, but before the hype machine spins its wheels again, let’s dissect this poor creature Google threw at us in 2024. Scalpel, forceps, sarcasm – let’s go.
A Decent, But Not Groundbreaking Patient
Here’s the thing – in 2024, I’d probably tell you to buy the Pixel 9. Not because it was magical or revolutionary, but because it was… fine. Fine like packaged hospital food: edible, sustains life, won’t make memories. The cameras? Great for most people, the battery? Acceptable. Google’s AI nonsense? Surprisingly fun at parties. And the promised software updates? Enough to make Samsung look over its shoulder with mild day terrors.
But lurking under that pleasant baseline was a diagnosis of chronic mediocrity. The $100 price hike out of nowhere. Launching with old Android software like it’s thrift store tech. Missing hardware features that its competitors have been flaunting for years. It’s “good”, but you’re paying premium prices for something still dressed in last year’s specs.
The Software Stumble and Recovery
Yes, Google “accidentally” launched this thing with Android 14 while Android 15 was already peeking around the corner. Their excuse? The phone was ready too early. That’s like your surgeon telling you, “We had the scalpel ready, but the anesthesia was still on its way. Don’t worry, we cut you open anyway.”
At least they didn’t leave us bleeding. Android 15 dropped soon after, with incremental quality-of-life upgrades. Then Android 16 arrived a shockingly short nine months later thanks to an accelerated release schedule. Two major updates in under a year! On paper, brilliant – in practice, still waiting for that “big overhaul” that’s supposed to make the OS pretty, tactile, and delightful instead of just functional.
$100 Price Hike – For What Exactly?
Somebody please explain to me how you price gouge without actually delivering competitive hardware. Yes, the Tensor G4 processor and 12GB RAM are respectable, but the Pixel 9 is no Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 beast. It handles the basics fine: social media, casual gaming, photo snapping – even some AI-image tomfoolery. But it’s got glaring omissions where it matters.
- Two-camera setup – no telephoto, stuck at unimpressive 8x zoom.
- No Pro Controls, no 8K video, no 50MP high-res mode.
- No Night Sight video or Video Boost – despite the hardware being capable.
This is where my gaming brain screams “content gating” – holding back features to upsell you to the Pro model. It’s season pass design philosophy shoved into a smartphone. Buy the ‘Pro’ loot pack if you want the good toys, peasant.
Battery Life: Great… If You Don’t Charge It
Ironically, battery life is good – you’ll coast through a day easily. But charging? It’s like respawning in a survival game only to find all your gear’s gone and your respawn point’s miles from safety. Without a Google-certified charger, you might as well brew a pot of coffee and crochet a sweater while you wait. “50% in 30 minutes” is their marketing boast; in reality, it’s more like “50% in 30 minutes…but only if you’ve purchased our magic beans.”
The Pixel 9a Undermines the 9
Enter the Pixel 9a – the cheaper sibling that looks at the Pixel 9 and says, “I can do most of that for $300 less.” Sure, it’s got a bit less RAM, uses less durable materials, and is missing some flashy camera modes – but it even has a bigger battery. That’s like the understudy outperforming the lead role on matinee day. Frankly, merging these two into one reasonably priced handset would’ve made far more sense than fragmenting the lineup for no obvious benefit.
Should You Wait for Pixel 10?
Honestly? Probably yes. Rumors suggest a triple-camera setup, possibly with the long-awaited telephoto lens, a better chip, and even Qi2 magnetic charging. If Google resists the urge to bump the price again, the Pixel 10 could be the true redemption arc. Until then, the Pixel 9 is fine – adequate – but not a compelling buy at full price unless you’re allergic to waiting.
The Pixel 9 is the definition of “serviceable” – you won’t hate it, but you also won’t remember it fondly in two years.
Diagnosis? Mild innovation anemia, chronic camera gating, with a side effect of questionable value proposition. If you must buy a Pixel now, at least try to nab a Pixel 9 on sale or step up to the Pro. Otherwise, keep your money in your inventory – Pixel 10 might finally be the boss fight you actually want to win.
My verdict: Stuck somewhere between “good enough” and “why is this so expensive?” I’ll call it average overall – but distinctly underwhelming given its ambitions.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is entirely my opinion.
Article source: Google Pixel 9 one year later: I have mixed feelings, https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google-pixel/google-pixel-9-one-year-later
