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

[Aneres11]

So Google have pushed back my delivery date for the 9 Pro. Originally the expected delivery was between 9th and 13th. Now it's between 13th and 16th.
I really don't know what's going on with this model. First the month later release after the XL and normal 9 and now the date being pushed back.

They will definitely have people just waiting for the iPhone now if this keeps up.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

So Google have pushed back my delivery date for the 9 Pro. Originally the expected delivery was between 9th and 13th. Now it's between 13th and 16th.
I really don't know what's going on with this model. First the month later release after the XL and normal 9 and now the date being pushed back.

They will definitely have people just waiting for the iPhone now if this keeps up.

And they will need to address their yearly Android OS releases because buying a new Pixel phone with the previous years OS means they are now actually giving you 6 years of OS updates. My Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 9/Pro will get cutoff at the same time unless Google says otherwise. What makes matters worse is the Pixel 9a will start with Android 15.

So if Google plans to release their phones early, they need to release the new version of Android, prior to their new phones.

 

[Aneres11]

And they will need to address their yearly Android OS releases because buying a new Pixel phone with the previous years OS means they are now actually giving you 6 years of OS updates. My Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 9/Pro will get cutoff at the same time unless Google says otherwise. What makes matters worse is the Pixel 9a will start with Android 15.

So if Google plans to release their phones early, they need to release the new version of Android, prior to their new phones.

That was an odd move all round really. I get they brought the hardware release forward to likely steal some of the iPhone crowd, but as you say, the OS cycle is now out of sync with it which doesn't make sense.
I haven't even really looked into the additions with the new OS versus previous / current, but I recall reading that there's very little changing?
Which makes you wonder why they didn't just release it altogether.

Urgh. Another week (at least) on my P8, then.

 

[Bkdodger]

Probably if released before year end you get the OS update for 7 yrs just by the year your phone was released. Though I just need a year OS update

 

[webkit]

And they will need to address their yearly Android OS releases because buying a new Pixel phone with the previous years OS means they are now actually giving you 6 years of OS updates. My Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 9/Pro will get cutoff at the same time unless Google says otherwise. What makes matters worse is the Pixel 9a will start with Android 15.

Google does monthly Android updates, not just yearly updates. Therefore, Pixel 9 phones are still going to get seven years of Android updates (ending August 2031). Pixel 8 updates end October 2030. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 "cutoff" is not the same.

 

[tbayrgs]

And they will need to address their yearly Android OS releases because buying a new Pixel phone with the previous years OS means they are now actually giving you 6 years of OS updates. My Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 9/Pro will get cutoff at the same time unless Google says otherwise. What makes matters worse is the Pixel 9a will start with Android 15.

So if Google plans to release their phones early, they need to release the new version of Android, prior to their new phones.

I won't be surprised if next year the new version of Android is in sync with their new product releases again.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Google does monthly Android updates, not just yearly updates. Therefore, Pixel 9 phones are still going to get seven years of Android updates (ending August 2031). Pixel 8 updates end October 2030. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 "cutoff" is not the same.

So did AP get it wrong?

”Seven years of software support is still among industry-leading standards for Android flagships, but using the same version of Android that shipped with the Pixel 8 on its successor effectively means you're getting six years of software support on the Pixel 9 instead of the eight we would like.”

It's official, the Google Pixel 9 series won't ship with Android 15

Google makes it clear the Pixel 9 series won't ship with Android 15

www.androidpolice.com

 

[HouseLannister]

6 versions of Android if there is a new version every year and it comes out in the fall every year, which was never promised. It could just as easily be 5 or 4 versions of Android. As it is, 13, 14, and 15 all kind of bleed into one another. Not a lot of changes outside of foldable lately.

But 7 years of patches and updates. That’s the promise. That will happen.

 

[psp123]

Anyone know when the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Watch 3 reviews will start to drop? I will be watching the Apple event closely tomorrow, BUT if they underwhelm me i’m thinking about keeping my iPhone as my second phone and trading in my S24 Ultra towards the Pixel 9 XL.

BUT for me i still need a good smart watch, which my Apple Watch Ultra is, accurate when running which i do a lot of. I also love my AirPods Pro 2, so anything that can rival those would be great. I like the form factor of the Pixel Watch 3, especially now that they have made a bigger version. Gemini Live on the Pixel buds sounds awesome, at least from the demo we all saw when watching the Pixel event.

I'm expecting the watch reviews to show up tomorrow, one day before the release.

I've had the Apple Watch for three years now and it's been great but I'm still not a fan of the square design or the boring watch faces. I got the Pixel Watch 2 last year with the 8 Pro but unfortunately payments weren't reliable and neither was the heart rate sensor during certain activities.
Google really improved the phones this year and hopefully the watch is also better. I really like the design and the fun watch faces. Finger crossed.

 

[Dave245]

I'm expecting the watch reviews to show up tomorrow, one day before the release.

I've had the Apple Watch for three years now and it's been great but I'm still not a fan of the square design or the boring watch faces. I got the Pixel Watch 2 last year with the 8 Pro but unfortunately payments weren't reliable and neither was the heart rate sensor during certain activities.
Google really improved the phones this year and hopefully the watch is also better. I really like the design and the fun watch faces. Finger crossed.

I still don’t understand why Apple still haven’t made a watch face store. I have the Ultra and it is a beast of a watch, definitely a big watch but i do like that.
I like the circle design of the Pixel Watch 3, this year they have also added more running features. Fingers crossed they have improved it this year with battery life too.

 

[tbayrgs]

I still don’t understand why Apple still haven’t made a watch face store. I have the Ultra and it is a beast of a watch, definitely a big watch but i do like that.
I like the circle design of the Pixel Watch 3, this year they have also added more running features. Fingers crossed they have improved it this year with battery life too.

I surprised and not surprised at the same time. Apple likes to fully control as much of their products as possible, especially the aesthetics. God forbid someone creates some hideous watch face that the whole world can see.

That being said, they obviously don’t care as much as they used to considering the new customization options coming with iOS 18 (the tinting is particularly ugly in most circumstance, IMO) and we all know how much they LOVE any new source of revenue, especially services revenue. I’ll wager if it’s not something new introduced along side the new watches this year, it might very well be something we see in WWDC 2025. Nothing like collecting another 30% of some other App Store purchase…

 

[Cod3rror]

I don’t remember being able to run app on the phone while the other app is running on the car screen. Is that new?

Unless I am mistaken, it was like that. Makes no sense to disable the whole phone while Android Auto is on.

 

[Dave245]

I surprised and not surprised at the same time. Apple likes to fully control as much of their products as possible, especially the aesthetics. God forbid someone creates some hideous watch face that the whole world can see.

That being said, they obviously don’t care as much as they used to considering the new customization options coming with iOS 18 (the tinting is particularly ugly in most circumstance, IMO) and we all know how much they LOVE any new source of revenue, especially services revenue. I’ll wager if it’s not something new introduced along side the new watches this year, it might very well be something we see in WWDC 2025. Nothing like collecting another 30% of some other App Store purchase…

I agree, in fact I was surprised Apple announced the customisation features that they did at this years WWDC. For me at the moment (at least from the rumours I've heard) this years iPhones are not going to be very much different from last years, in fact tomorrows whole event seems like it's going to be dry. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to watch it but I just don't have that excitement I once did for Apple events (at least not for tomorrows event).

Google seem like they are ahead when it comes to the AI stuff, the Pixel 9 lineup saw a new design change. iPhone hasn't had a design change in a while! Pixel also gets regular feature drops, we have to wait until WWDC for big features.
In my opinion Apple need to stop playing the safe game, push the boundaries like they use to do! Because they may very well find themselves being overtaken by the likes of Google, at least in a few years to come.

 

[Bkdodger]

Unless I am mistaken, it was like that. Makes no sense to disable the whole phone while Android Auto is on.

I'm with it allowing you to use the phone but I kinda remember it not working this way previously, think on a previous Samsung phone.

 

[tbayrgs]

I agree, in fact I was surprised Apple announced the customisation features that they did at this years WWDC. For me at the moment (at least from the rumours I've heard) this years iPhones are not going to be very much different from last years, in fact tomorrows whole event seems like it's going to be dry. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to watch it but I just don't have that excitement I once did for Apple events (at least not for tomorrows event).

Google seem like they are ahead when it comes to the AI stuff, the Pixel 9 lineup saw a new design change. iPhone hasn't had a design change in a while! Pixel also gets regular feature drops, we have to wait until WWDC for big features.
In my opinion Apple need to stop playing the safe game, push the boundaries like they use to do! Because they may very well find themselves being overtaken by the likes of Google, at least in a few years to come.

Yeah, I have very little excitement for tomorrow’s event as I don’t expect anything to make me want to open the wallet. The iPhone rumors points to one of the least substantial upgrades to their phones in recent memory. I usually get the new iPhone every year and hand down mine to one of my three children but I don’t see anything compelling coming and will likely let my older son get his first brand new phone (he’s rocking a 12 PM that’s starting to show it’s age). I’ll just keep pressing on with my 15 PM and wait and see if there’s anything substantial next year.

To be honest, I’m really liking my experience with the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold and am using it for far more of my day to day stuff outside of phone calls and messages than I’ve done on Android in years.

 

[Dave245]

Yeah, I have very little excitement for tomorrow’s event as I don’t expect anything to make me want to open the wallet. The iPhone rumors points to one of the least substantial upgrades to their phones in recent memory. I usually get the new iPhone every year and hand down mine to one of my three children but I don’t see anything compelling coming and will likely let my older son get his first brand new phone (he’s rocking a 12 PM that’s starting to show it’s age). I’ll just keep pressing on with my 15 PM and wait and see if there’s anything substantial next year.

To be honest, I’m really liking my experience with the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold and am using it for far more of my day to day stuff outside of phone calls and messages than I’ve done on Android in years.

I'm glad it's not just me who feels that way about tomorrow's event. I think so far Google is taking this year for the most improved devices and being innovative. Even the new Pixel Fold is appealing to me, and I've been against foldable's (mainly due to durability and size).

 

[webkit]

So did AP get it wrong?

”Seven years of software support is still among industry-leading standards for Android flagships, but using the same version of Android that shipped with the Pixel 8 on its successor effectively means you're getting six years of software support on the Pixel 9 instead of the eight we would like.”

Based on what you quoted, they got it wrong. Google does monthly Android updates and quarterly platform releases. Google Pixel 9 models are getting that software support through at least August 2031 which is seven years from launch, not six years. The fact that Android 15 is releasing after the launch of the Pixel 9 does not mean monthly Android updates and quarterly platform releases will end at six years (2030).

 

[tbayrgs]

See really enjoying putting the P9PF through its paces. I'm still bumping up against some of the usual obstacles I encounter when trying to use an Android phone (they're generally all Android related issues, not Pixel related and stem most from someone still relying heavily on Apple gear and services but I won't belabor that in this thread) but the hardware itself is rock solid. I only have one major quibble..

Not including Qi2 is a huge omission IMO. I realize this hits me harder because I've been living the MagSafe life for the past couple of years but it's such a game changer once you've adopted it. I have MagSafe chargers and stands everywhere--my nightstand, my desk, in the kitchen, in our cars and it's so useful. Hell, my wallet mounts to my phone via the MagSafe magnets.

I even ordered a couple of standard upright Qi charging stands and can't/won't use either of them as one has it's charging location too high to work with the P9PF and the other uses a micro-USB to USB-A cable (seriously?). If anything I order comes with micro-USB, it's getting returned immediate or just thrown in the the trash bin. USB-A at this point is already bad enough but micro-USB? 🤮

I think I've successfully repositioned one of the adhesive metal rings to allow for me to use it with MagSafe but now it has an ugly black ring on the back of that beautiful porcelain color.

It's certainly not enough to make me return it but damn it's pretty f'n annoying.

 

[Jason2000]

Google seem like they are ahead when it comes to the AI stuff, the Pixel 9 lineup saw a new design change. iPhone hasn't had a design change in a while! Pixel also gets regular feature drops, we have to wait until WWDC for big features.
In my opinion Apple need to stop playing the safe game, push the boundaries like they use to do! Because they may very well find themselves being overtaken by the likes of Google, at least in a few years to come.

Considering the Pixel 9 looks exactly like an iPhone does Apple really need to change the design? It must be pretty darn good already. And I do not see Google overtaking Apple anytime soon. Don't get me wrong. The Pixel 9 is an excellent phone and I have enjoyed using it for the past week but it's not the hardware that keeps people coming back to the iPhone. Is the complete ecosystem. Something the others have yet to figure out.

 

[Dave245]

Considering the Pixel 9 looks exactly like an iPhone does Apple really need to change the design? It must be pretty darn good already. And I do not see Google overtaking Apple anytime soon. Don't get me wrong. The Pixel 9 is an excellent phone and I have enjoyed using it for the past week but it's not the hardware that keeps people coming back to the iPhone. Is the complete ecosystem. Something the others have yet to figure out.

The Pixel 9 range looks good, but I wouldn’t say it looks like an iPhone outside of the boxy design. The camera design is different for example. The iPhone is great don’t get me wrong, my main phone is an iPhone 15 Pro Max, i use AirPods Pro 2, a MacBook Air, Apple Watch Ultra and iPad Pro. I’m entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, BUT i do feel like Apple are getting stale when it comes to the iPhone and it’s design.

IOS 18 looks great dont get me wrong, but already some features have been delayed (Google do this too don’t get me wrong). I just feel like Apple haven’t moved the needle when it comes to the iPhone, in a VERY long time.

 

[Bkdodger]

When are we getting iOS 18? I need something new on this phone LOL

 

[The Game 161]

Main SIM is on my pixel 9 pro XL

Been a while since that happened. iPhone will be back in a few weeks though but it's enjoyable

 

[Dave245]

When are we getting iOS 18? I need something new on this phone LOL

maybe after todays event

 

[Bkdodger]

Main SIM is on my pixel 9 pro XL

Been a while since that happened. iPhone will be back in a few weeks though but it's enjoyable

I was supposed to switch today to the ZF6, but I think I’m gonna keep it in a little bit longer lol

 

[HouseLannister]

When are we getting iOS 18? I need something new on this phone LOL

3 months ago. Join the beta. All the Apple Intelligence is pushed to 18.1, 18.2, and 18.4 apparently, so might as well join the beta train now and stay on board for all the fun.