Google Pixel 9 Series (9/9 Pro/9 Pro XL/9 Pro Fold)

[noobinator]

Just got my Hazel 9 Pro XL and I took a few videos for you guys before I even turned it on.

Click the link/video to see all 3.

https://imgur.com/a/Ag6tlkC

1. First video is indoors w/ artificial lighting (LED)
2. Second video is outdoors on my patio in the shade
3. Third video is outdoors in bright natural sunlight

The only one where I see some green is in the bright outdoor sunlight. My wife commented that it looks just like my iPhone (Natural Titanium 15 Pro Max).

@Aneres11 Took these videos with you in mind in particular.

 

[HouseLannister]

Just got my Hazel 9 Pro XL

Soooo.... how's the battery life?

 

[jamezr]

Soooo.... how's the battery life?

I am not sure anyone can tell battery life of a new phone after just turning it on and setting it up. It takes days before you can get a feel for battery life......

 

[Tig Bitties]

I may be totally wrong but I believe I read somewhere that 4gb of RAM is reserved at all times to AI, even if you turn the AI off. If that is the case...these are not quite proper RAM updates.

That's correct, I read that multiple times, the Pixel 9 Pro's only use 12GB RAM for the phone's performance and UI, etc...and the other 4GB is just for AI stuff only.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Just got my Hazel 9 Pro XL and I took a few videos for you guys before I even turned it on.

Click the link/video to see all 3.

https://imgur.com/a/Ag6tlkC

First video is indoors w/ artificial lighting (LED)
Second video is outdoors on my patio in the shade
Third video is outdoors in bright natural sunlight

The only one where I see some green is in the bright outdoor sunlight. My wife commented that it looks just like my iPhone (Natural Titanium 15 Pro Max).

Looks great, but then it doesn't look great LOL. Google copying the Apple iPhone design is a major turnoff and screams copycat in a sad way, plus the iPhone is ugly AF anyways.

I always liked how Google Nexus and Google Pixel phones were their very only thing design wise, they were always super unique and totally different looking, good or bad, love it or hate it type thing.

Like I wouldn't want the Pixel 9 to copy the Samsung S24 Ultra look either that'd be just as bad.

I miss the panda look the cool design of the Pixel 2 XL, or the Pixel 4 XL, those were beautiful. So was the Nexus 6P, LOVED that design.

Oh well, it is, what it is.

 

[Carrotstick]

Looks great, but then it doesn't look great LOL. Google copying the Apple iPhone design is a major turnoff and screams copycat in a sad way, plus the iPhone is ugly AF anyways.

This looks better than the iPhone. The only thing Google copied here if you can call it that is the sides of the iphone.

The back is totally Google.

 

[Tig Bitties]

 

[tbayrgs]

This looks better than the iPhone. The only thing Google copied here if you can call it that is the sides of the iphone.

The back is totally Google.

That’s being generous. From the front, with the phones turned off, you can’t tell the Pixel from the iPhone. Watch the first 10 seconds of this video. The back certainly fits the Pixel aesthetic. But as I said, I’m actually glad they changed the design—personally love the rounded corners with flat sides.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

IDK, cause I love the look of the iPhone, they are pretty slick looking. The only thing I don't like about the iPhone is the rear camera that's begun to look like a tumor. I find nothing wrong with the look of the iPixel. Google did a really nice job. At least we weren't given Apple's version of the dynamic island.

 

[tbayrgs]

Fully agree... And this is why I'm still slightly hesitant about the 9 Pro Fold... My current Pixel Fold is faultless, immaculate / as new and does all I need from it... Plus I still absolutely love the form factor of it. It suits my fat hands very well indeed...

I do genuinely wonder what upgrade the 9 Pro Fold will offer me bar the slightly bigger screens and brighter screens...

🤔

I think the difference between the original Pixel Fold and the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold are far more dramatically different than the changes to the other Pixel phones from last year‘s models.

I found the aspect ratio to be too short for my liking and love that they’ve adopted the exact same proportions as the standard Pixel 9/9 Pro when closed. Also very excited that the device folds completely flat and that they adopted the flat edges on the Fold as well.

I think I’m a bit of a contrarian to most folded device users in that I use the device folded open far more than I do closed so I welcome the extra screen real estate in the new model.

 

[Carrotstick]

From the videos I seen and read the build quality is much improved but video is lacking. Those on pixel 8 might wait for pixel 10

 

[tbayrgs]

IDK, cause I love the look of the iPhone, they are pretty slick looking. The only thing I don't like about the iPhone is the rear camera that's begun to look like a tumor. I find nothing wrong with the look of the iPixel. Google did a really nice job. At least we weren't given Apple's version of the dynamic island.

Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but I really like the extra info provided by the Dynamic Island and would welcome it on a Pixel if it meant I’d get a really good face ID equivalent.

 

[tbayrgs]

From the videos I seen and read the build quality is much improved but video is lacking. Those on pixel 8 might wait for pixel 10

Let’s be fair, outside of us nerds here on smart phone forums, nobody should be upgrading year after year whether it’s an iPhone, a Galaxy or a Pixel. The real world difference in performance only really becomes significantly noticeable when you’re talking about a 2, 3 or 4 year upgrade.

 

[noobinator]

The hazel color does look very similar to the natural titanium iPhone too. I guess I like what I like.

 

[drinkingtea]

Reviews seem to be lackluster. 😬

 

[Bkdodger]

Yes sir agree, is it an upgrade? Yeah it is lol it's got a brighter screen got a new look The visor looks different colors going to look different in my normal black case, it's newer so it's better 100% I don't care what anybody says lol... When I pick up the Pixel 10 next year that one's going to be better too! If you jumped in on the early upgrade and trading incentives that alone is worth the upgrade. Especially those that had phones to move. I'm looking forward to tomorrow finally seeing mine in person.

 

[Bkdodger]

The hazel color does look very similar to the natural titanium iPhone too. I guess I like what I like.

I love my natural titanium iPhone haha maybe that's why I also like the hazel

 

[danb1979]

I think the difference between the original Pixel Fold and the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold are far more dramatically different than the changes to the other Pixel phones from last year‘s models.

I found the aspect ratio to be too short for my liking and love that they’ve adopted the exact same proportions as the standard Pixel 9/9 Pro when closed. Also very excited that the device folds completely flat and that they adopted the flat edges on the Fold as well.

I think I’m a bit of a contrarian to most folded device users in that I use the device folded open far more than I do closed so I welcome the extra screen real estate in the new model.

My PF folds nice and flat and the screen size for me is about perfect for my slab hands and fat fingers...

Like you I use it open, a lot and feel the inner screen suits the device well...

Everyone will have their own preferences

 

[Aneres11]

The Pixel 9 Pro cameras are not much of an upgrade at all. That's exactly what he says. Other than the selfie camera, these are the Pixel 8 Pro cameras.

Dude all you have done is find videos where people are not praising the phones.
It really feels like you're just looking for a justification for you not ordering and trying to ram it down our throats.

Just move on and buy something else or stick with your S24U that you also praised to high heaven over the pixel before now declaring it a dead weight as you have switched back to the 8 Pro.

No hate or malice, but every post is "no upgrade, same phone, same performance, not good battery". Just be happy with your decision for not buying if this doesn't tickle your fancy. It's all good.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Let’s be fair, outside of us nerds here on smart phone forums, nobody should be upgrading year after year whether it’s an iPhone, a Galaxy or a Pixel. The real world difference in performance only really becomes significantly noticeable when you’re talking about a 2, 3 or 4 year upgrade.

THIS.

I've heard others say this too, that smartphones have plateaued, they are now like an appliance in your home, no different than a dishwasher or refrigerator or oven. Do people upgrade their washing machine year to year? Do you get a new stove every year? No, only unless it broke and doesn't work anymore.

Same should be with smartphones, a 2023 flagship smartphone compared to a 2024 flagship smartphone are no different. Even a smartphone from 2021 or 2022 does the same exact tasks as a 2024 smartphone, they all make phone calls, they all send texts and e-mails, they all take photos and videos, they all get you on the internet, they all have GPS navigation.

I truly see the smartphone craze fading away soon, and people won't be waiting in line for a brand new release, or preordering a new phone and foaming at the mouth for the delivery Pretty soon, the iPhone 19 or Pixel 13 or Galaxy S27 Ultra just won't be that exciting or supercool anymore, they will have become like your refrigerator, where people stop thinking about wanting a new one.

 

[jamezr]

Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but I really like the extra info provided by the Dynamic Island and would welcome it on a Pixel if it meant I’d get a really good face ID equivalent.

for me the dynamic island is dead space. I don't see it or anything that is displayed there.

 

[jamezr]

THIS.

I've heard others say this too, that smartphones have plateaued, they are now like an appliance in your home, no different than a dishwasher or refrigerator or oven. Do people upgrade their washing machine year to year? Do you get a new stove every year? No, only unless it broke and doesn't work anymore.

Same should be with smartphones, a 2023 flagship smartphone compared to a 2024 flagship smartphone are no different. Even a smartphone from 2021 or 2022 does the same exact tasks as a 2024 smartphone, they all make phone calls, they all send texts and e-mails, they all take photos and videos, they all get you on the internet, they all have GPS navigation.

I truly see the smartphone craze fading away soon, and people won't be waiting in line for a brand new release, or preordering a new phone and foaming at the mouth for the delivery Pretty soon, the iPhone 19 or Pixel 13 or Galaxy S27 Ultra just won't be that exciting or supercool anymore, they will have become like your refrigerator, where people stop thinking about wanting a new one.

so that means you are not buying a new phone for a few years?

 

[Tig Bitties]

Dude all you have done is find videos where people are not praising the phones.
It really feels like you're just looking for a justification for you not ordering and trying to ram it down our throats.

Just move on and buy something else or stick with your S24U that you also praised to high heaven over the pixel before now declaring it a dead weight as you have switched back to the 8 Pro.

No hate or malice, but every post is "no upgrade, same phone, same performance, not good battery". Just be happy with your decision for not buying if this doesn't tickle your fancy. It's all good.

Uh no.

I'm not purposely looking for negative reviews on the new Pixel phone, that's not me, I LOVE the Pixel line. These are just popping up in my feed, which is telling, that many techies aren't finding the Pixel 9 line that amazing, just more of the same. It's pretty obvious. Why get upset at the obvious? To defend or justify your own purchase?

I think the older I get, I just realize this "smartphone craze" is just silly and kind of dumb now. What are we doing with our lives that we must rush out and get the brand new latest smartphone, to replace a perfectly great smartphone from last year. It's kind of weird and super strange actually. Because at the end of the day, this new phone will work and behave almost no different than last years phone.

As far as purchasing the Pixel 9 Pro XL myself, I have my Google account still open, I have my BB account open, I have ca$h in hand or an S24 Ultra to trade-in, My point I can easily afford to "upgrade" to the new Pixel 9 line right now if I want. But for the first time ever, I'm just not wanting too because of the same old, same old thing.

I think I'm still burned from my Pixel 6 Pro to Pixel 7 Pro experience, I remember that one clearly, when I went from the 6 Pro to 7 Pro a couple years ago, there was like virtually no difference between the two phones, after a week, my 7 Pro felt exactly like my 6 Pro, like literally the exact same phone. And I was mad, like WTF, what was the point of this "upgrade" there's zero difference. I used to call my Pixel 7 Pro the Pixel 6.25 Pro.

Rant over.

 

[Carrotstick]

Uh no.

I'm not purposely looking for negative reviews on the new Pixel phone, that's not me, I LOVE the Pixel line. These are just popping up in my feed, which is telling, that many techies aren't finding the Pixel 9 line that amazing, just more of the same. It's pretty obvious. Why get upset at the obvious? To defend or justify your own purchase?

I think the older I get, I just realize this "smartphone craze" is just silly and kind of dumb now. What are we doing with our lives that we must rush out and get the brand new latest smartphone, to replace a perfectly great smartphone from last year. It's kind of weird and super strange actually. Because at the end of the day, this new phone will work and behave almost no different than last years phone.

As far as purchasing the Pixel 9 Pro XL myself, I have my Google account still open, I have my BB account open, I have ca$h in hand or an S24 Ultra to trade-in, My point I can easily afford to "upgrade" to the new Pixel 9 line right now if I want. But for the first time ever, I'm just not wanting too because of the same old, same old thing.

I think I'm still burned from my Pixel 6 Pro to Pixel 7 Pro experience, I remember that one clearly, when I went from the 6 Pro to 7 Pro a couple years ago, there was like virtually no difference between the two phones, after a week, my 7 Pro felt exactly like my 6 Pro, like literally the exact same phone. And I was mad, like WTF, what was the point of this "upgrade" there's zero difference.

Rant over.

i see what you mean. I’m gonna wait till Black Friday for sales for the Pixel 9. I’m also keen on the redesigned Mac mini M4 so no rush there.

After looking at the some more videos, it’s a minor upgrade for the price you pay. Keep the S24 U it’s a great phone. Tensor ain’t gonna last long at least for video, the base iPhone 15 takes better videos than the 9 Pro XL.

Overall it looks like Google focused on AI this year a bit too much. Waiting to see what Apple does but likely won’t be buying the iPhone too. Got my eye on a Mac this year. 😅 it’s tempting tho.

 

[aggie99]

Got mine in and been playing with it for a couple hours. Haven't played with any of the AI stuff. Build is definitely much nicer. Display a bit nicer. Otherwise it feels just like my Pixel 8 Pro, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Modem does seem improved in my office as I usually had to connect to wifi on previous pixels. I'm at a point where I love the Pixel experience but I love a foldable more. May return and either keep on with my OP Open or order the 9 Pro Fold.

That's not to say this is not a great device. Its just a marginal upgrade just as seen year over year with iPhones and Galaxy devices. AI is going to be the selling point for this one and we will probably see a bigger upgrade with the Pixel 10 and the TSMC produced SOC.