Category: Google

Finally, a smaller Pro phone!

Without a shadow of a doubt, Google makes some of the best Android phones — its handsets are some of the most popular iPhone alternatives and the biggest competition tends to be Samsung’s flagship phones.

So what sets them apart? Pixels offer the most intelligent AI and search features on any phone, killer camera systems and unique designs. What’s great about Pixels is that there are options for every budget, even if you buy an affordable handset like the Pixel 8a you won’t have to make too many sacrifices.

Previously, if you wanted the very best Pixel you would have to buy a Pro phone with a huge screen. While that works for some people, others will inevitably be put off by having a handset that feels more like a mini tablet than a smartphone and will barely fit in your pocket.

Now for the first time, Google has shrunk the size of its Pro handset. The Pixel 9 Pro has the same 6.3-inch screen as the Pixel 9 and Google has launched a separate XL phone for those who do want a big 6.8-inch display. But how else does the latest 9 Pro smartphone compare to its predecessor, the Google Pixel 8 Pro? And which one should you buy?

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Pros

• Now much more affordable
• Similar camera set up to the 9 Pro
• Most of the same software as the latest phone

Cons

• Dimmer display
• 10.5MP selfie camera

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Pros

• Comes in two sizes: 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch
• Latest Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM
• One year of Gemini Advanced for free

Cons

• Expensive
• Smaller battery cell

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Design and display

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two generations is the size, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is smaller than its predecessor, a lot smaller. The Google Pixel 8 Pro had a 6.7-inch screen whereas the Pixel 9 Pro is only 6.3 inches. For those who prefer a bigger handset, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch screen but is otherwise a very similar bit of kit.

Another big design change is to the look of the long camera bar on the back, the 9 Pro replaces it with an island that sits in the middle at the top of the phone. Google has also done away with the glossy glass and curves, using polished matte glass and a flat back instead. Which of the two you prefer will be entirely up to you but the latest model undeniably keeps up with the trends, making it look super modern in comparison.

The two devices come in slightly different colours: the Google Pixel 8 Pro is available in obsidian black, porcelain white and bay blue, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in obsidian black, porcelain white, hazel green and rose quartz pink.

Both handsets use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to protect them from scrapes and both are IP68 water and dust resistant.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch screen with a resolution of 1344 x 2992 pixels at 489ppi with 2,400 nits of peak brightness, whereas the Google Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 2856 pixels at 495ppi and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Both are very bright handsets but the Pixel 9 Pro takes things a step further and it’s a noticeable difference especially when you use it under bright sunlight.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Camera

Upgrades to the camera system have been minimal, both the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro feature a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. In saying that, the Pixel 9 does widen the aperture of its ultrawide camera from f/2.0 to f/1.7 so it will let more light in and improve the quality of the final photos, particularly in low lighting.

The front camera has had a bigger refresh going from a 10.5MP snapper to a 42MP camera on the Pixel 9 Pro, and it now has a wider field of view and can take in more light.

（Image from Google Pixel 9 Pro） （Image from Google Pixel 8 Pro）

Google’s cameras are so effective because of the selection of camera software to boost the look of photos both pre and post-capture. And every year it adds more of them into the mix.

The Pixel 9 Pro will get all the same features as the Pixel 8 Pro and some of the new tools for 2024 will be available in the eighth generation (but not all of them).

One feature unique to the latest series is Add Me which gets everyone in the photo, even the photographer — you just take a picture, switch photographers and take it again, the phone will then combine the two to create one final image. 8K video recording will also be limited to the newer model.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Performance and battery

Performance has been boosted for the ninth series which will help the phone cope with even more AI features packed into the system.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro uses the Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM, boosted from the Tensor G3 processor and 12GB of RAM in the Pixel 8 Pro. Both phones run smoothly but the Pixel 9 Pro is particularly slick, even if it still doesn’t reach the speeds of the most powerful phones on the market.

Because of the smaller body, the battery has shrunk from a 5,050mAh cell in the Pixel 8 Pro to 4,700mAh in the Pixel 9 Pro (the same size as the Pixel 9). But it’s worth remembering that it also has a less demanding phone to power. In practice, both easily last a full day out and about, although both will need charging before you leave the house the next morning.

Charging has had a slight downgrade where the Pixel 8 Pro supported 30W charging, the Pixel 9 Pro only supports 27W charging. In my experience it was a little slower because of it, the Pixel 8 Pro took about an hour for a full charge but the Pixel 9 Pro took about 80 minutes.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Software

Both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro ship with Android 14. The 9 series launch happened earlier than usual so didn’t line up with the release of the next version of the software.
Both came with seven years of software updates which means the Google Pixel 8 Pro will last until 2030 while the Pixel 9 Pro should still be going strong until 2031.

For the most part, the two devices will have the same extensive list of software features. Upgrades to Call Assist will be available on both handsets, with a new tool to transcribe your phone calls. Google’s Gemini AI chatbot is available across both too.

There are a few features that will only be available on the latest version. If you buy a Google Pixel 9 Pro you will get one year of Gemini Advanced for free, it works across Gmail and Drive and comes with 2TB of cloud storage. You’ll also get Satellite SOS to call for emergency help without the need for cellular, and some extra camera tools like Add Me and 8K video.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?

If you want Pro features but you’re not keen on having a huge smartphone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro will be a better option than the Pixel 8 Pro. However, it will set you back £1,000 or more unless you can find a good Pixel 9 deal.

In comparison to the Pixel 8 Pro, avid selfie snappers will enjoy the upgraded front camera on the Pixel 9 Pro, mobile gamers will appreciate its speedier performance and AI fans will be pleased with the year of Gemini Advanced that comes included. But ultimately the difference in size will likely be the deciding factor.
If you’d rather keep the price low and you’d prefer to have a big screen, Pixel 8 Pro deals should build momentum in the coming weeks and months. 

Samsung better watch it

I was initially skeptical of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, especially because I didn’t get a chance to try the previous phone.

Foldable phones exist in a vulnerable area where it’s hard to know who these phones are really designed for. The gimmick of the foldable screen is the high price and specifications, which are often not as good as flagship phones at the same price. It’s no wonder they’re hard to pull off quickly – but after using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a week, I’m feeling a lot better about this smartphone subcategory.

This year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are closer to the Galaxy S24 series in terms of specs and aesthetics, but this is only Google’s second attempt at a foldable phone. Google’s phones are also known for being underpowered compared to other Android devices – that’s true of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but Google’s excellent operating system makes the transition to a foldable form much easier – and, in my opinion, it makes all the difference.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Open up

I’m quite a big fan of the Google Pixel range. Ever since the gentle reboot that introduced the camera bar with the Pixel 6 range, it has maintained a top spot for me as the phone I recommend to iPhone users that want to leave to Apple’s walled garden. I don’t think Google’s phones are as well suited for longtime Android users as you’ll get better performance from similarly priced flagship phones from Samsung, but the clean and lightweight Android OS on Pixel phones would give Apple lovers a sense of familiarity.

That’s absolutely true for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold – this phone is great if you’re an iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 user who wants to upgrade to a foldable, but don’t want to deal with a lot of the complications some versions of Android bring. It’s well designed and feels like a genuine competitor to Samsung’s foldable, while being cheaper than Samsung’s Fold.

That being said, it’s a bit expensive at $1,799 / £1,799 / AU $2,699 – a huge price increase from the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 price tag. I don’t think the screen necessitates such a drastically higher cost than what is, specs-wise, a better phone, but it does make for a great option if you want a tablet and a phone in one device. If Google could make the price of its foldable more competitive, I think there’d be a lot more to love with this device.

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

The problem with foldables is that they exist in a small market with underlying disadvantages. You’re asking users to pay quite a lot of money for a gimmick that offers not much actual benefit, fitted to a device that’s not as powerful as flagship devices. That’s Samsung’s pitch at least – and although I do love Samsung’s latest slew of folding phones, it’s no wonder why international sales were reportedly low (per Phone Arena).

But I think that these problems expose a general advantage that Google can obtain over Samsung in the foldable market. Because it’s such a small space within the larger phone market, Google has a real opportunity to make some headway and convert iPhone buyers into the Android ecosystem with a flashy gimmick that has consumers curious. At the same time, foldable-curious Android users could latch onto the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as their first try at the technology.

The specs differences between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the 9 Pro XL are subtle, with the 9 Pro XL including a much more impressive camera array and a bigger battery – but the differences are not as dramatic when comparing the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. A better camera system, better processing power and probably the best display you can get on a smartphone right now are just some of the things that put the S24 Ultra against its foldable cousin.

So the real win for Google stems from the fact that they’ve closed the gap between their flagship device and their foldable. I can’t give Google too much credit for this, given that Pixel phones are underpinned by an SoC that is effortlessly bested by Snapdragon’s silicon in Samsung devices, but it does lead to a great option for consumers – a cheaper book-style foldable than what Samsung is offering. Couple this to Google’s much friendlier OS and I think there’s an absolute winner here.

But it’s up to Google to do something really interesting here

Of the three foldables released over the past three months, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold has won my heart – but despite this discussion of synchronization between foldables and flagships, Samsung’s Z Flip 6 is still technically the budget winner, even if the foldable aspect is less useful. 

It’s honestly difficult to talk about the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Pixel Fold 9 Pro in the same article because the Z Flip 6 is much less powerful than its flagship counterparts and it’s a massively different form factor to its foldable siblings. The Flip is a winner as a compact phone (as its predecessor is currently listed as the one to pick on ourbest phonespage) and the design is easy to love if you long for the pre-smart phone age of flipping screens, but it’s an anomaly beyond these two niches.

My hope is that with an upcoming generation of Pixel devices, a Pixel Flip will launch as well. Google could avoid higher year-on-year costs by releasing updated Flip and Fold models interchangeably, so that one year there’s a Flip and one year there’s a Fold. Better yet, it’d be great for Google to release a foldable that has more in common with the standard Pixel device for its small form factor and less powerful specs, both as a way of further reducing the price and to introduce a better separation between the standard Pixel range and the annually-released ‘A’ series model – which is often so good that I’ll happily recommend it to people over Google’s standard range of devices.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a brilliant phone and I’ve loved using it. It feels great to use as a tablet at home and the office, as well as a phone on the go. I would love to see Google keep the momentum going with future devices, in presenting an accessible product in terms of both price and operating system. 

It’s like an iPhone, but running Android

It’s difficult to break out of the Apple ecosystem. Sure, plenty of people find it a comfortable place to be, as Apple provides an exceptionally well-crafted user experience and interface, but for folks wanting a little bit more out of a device – particularly for better compatibility with Windows devices and a greater range of apps – Android is there for you… if you can deal with Android. Thankfully, Google offers the best Apple detox.

Back in 2022, I switched from the iPhone 12 mini to the Google Pixel 6a, and I loved it. I instantly fell in love with Google’s assortment of apps and the on par experience offered by Google. The search giant completely mastered the ins and outs of a competitive Android experience, backed up by a range refresh with the Pixel 6 phones from the year prior. It’s no surprise why I liked the phone so much; while Samsung and Oppo are both competitive smartphone rivals in terms of performance and stats, Google went all in on user experience and mastering the camera.

And in my opinion, this remains the secret sauce of the Google Pixel range – which I have rediscovered with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Samsung’s phones are brilliant, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains my personal phone because of its immense performance. Google Pixels are, however, the best iPhones that Apple doesn’t make.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Looking to quit Apple? Start with a Pixel

Using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL over the past week has been brilliant. Google’s phones remain the easiest Android devices to get used to, without unnecessary bloatware heaped on top of the OS. The bloatware problem remains an annoying disadvantage to phones from, for example, Oppo and Asus – and to a lesser extent Samsung.
Instead of a slurry of apps from a wide range of developers, Google sticks to its own in-house developed apps and nothing more until you hop on the Play Store. The company already has the best maps app in the world, along with what I would consider to be the best cloud-based Drive and Photos app, so those bases are well covered.

For many Android phones, setup is an awkward tap dance between services linked to Google and services linked to the phone maker. Many of the apps made available to me on my Galaxy S24 Ultra have gone unused because I simply don’t want to use Samsung’s version of them (for example, Samsung Gallery and Samsung Pay) when I can simply use Google’s versions.

On a Pixel, setup is simple and reliant on a Google account that you probably already have (by virtue of Gmail being the world’s most popular emailing service, which doubles as a Google account). If you don’t, that’s fine, you can use a non-Gmail account to create a Google account. It’s an extremely clean process that’s helped by a really user-friendly OS design.
And then once all of this is done, you’re free. Install the apps that you want and enjoy the wider compatibility with non-Apple devices (including Android and Windows devices). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to Apple, but the Pixel represents an easy way out if you’re looking for one.

Not only does Google’s approach to software make it an attractive Apple alternative, but the hardware side of things has gotten noticeably more premium in recent years.

The camera bar, introduced with the Pixel 6 range, made the phones look both unique and exceptionally premium, while also ushering in a new camera system that put Pixels on the same stage as the iPhone and Galaxy S range. The Pixel 9 range includes a fairly redesigned camera bar that’s much more rounded, essentially making the need for a case necessary for how much it protrudes out.

>>>GS35E Battery for Google Pixel 8

But it’s not all Pixel perfect

In fairness, Google has squandered one of the more competitive aspects of the Pixel range. A modest price jump for thePixel 8 andPixel 8 Proin 2023, followed by another price jump in 2024 for thePixel 9and Pixel 9 Pro XL (spurred by the introduction of the Pixel 9 Pro as a separate device from the Pro XL) has made the phone noticeably less competitive on the price front. 

Keep in mind that Google’s proprietary Tensor processors, now theTensor G4 chipwith the latest phones, is historically less powerful than its competition from Apple and Samsung. This performance gap was previously alleviated by a much lower cost, but it’s now exacerbated by costs that put it in more heated rivalry with those other companies. Most people probably wouldn’t notice a performance gap, but it’s something that might irk power users who use hugely demanding apps or play graphically intensive games.

Google has also opted out of a ‘Titanium’ model, bucking a trend established by Apple with the iPhone 15 Pro and followed by Samsung with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Unlike higher-end Samsungs, which also followed through with a price increase, there’s also no vapor cooling chamber to speak of and a noticeable lack of UFS 4.0 storage (Google uses 3.1) which results in slower read/write speeds compared to the S24 range.

So this is where my head is at: if you’re looking to try out an Android phone for the first time, then I would strongly recommend theGoogle Pixel 8aas a starter phone. If you want something more powerful, then consider gravitating to the Pixel 9 for better performance, or the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL for better photography. 

If you’re comfortable with the Android world, then I would highly recommend the phones from the Samsung Galaxy S24 range or many other phones.

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

Google has announced that the final version of Android 15 has been pushed out to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) – that’s where developers and manufacturers can pick up the code, and adapt their apps and Android releases accordingly.

It’s an important step towards a public release, but we’re not quite there yet. Google says Pixel phones like the Google Pixel 9 will get the update “in the coming weeks” (most likely October), while phones from other manufacturers (such as the Samsung Galaxy S24) will be getting Android 15 “in the coming months.”

Google’s announcement post highlights some of the new features we heard about at Google I/O 2024 back in May: a Private Space for your most important apps, better support for multitasking on large screens, improved battery life, and a low light boost for the camera that makes it easier to see what’s in the frame before you take a shot.

Now it’s up to Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and the rest to add their own tweaks and flourishes to Android 15 before it’s pushed out to users. For Pixel phone and tablet users, that could well include new screensavers and avatar options.

While the wait for Android 15 continues, Google has also pushed out four new Android updates. Google hasn’t specified which versions of Android these are for, so we’re assuming that means they’ll work on most modern phones and tablets running Android.

(Image credit: Google)

1. Earthquake alerts 
Google has been experimenting with using Android phones as earthquake detectors for years, but now the feature is expanding across the whole of the US, which means a lot more people can get an important heads up about seismic activity. Google has posted a dedicated blog post about the feature, which explains more about how it works.

2. Audio descriptions powered by Gemini AI
Of course, AI is involved too: Android includes a TalkBack screen reader to describe images for those with visual impairments, and those descriptions are now going to be powered by Gemini AI. That should mean more detailed information about what’s on screen, whether it’s pictures in a chat thread, on a shopping website, or in a phone’s camera roll.

>>>GS35E Battery for Google Pixel 8

(Image credit: Google/Samsung)

3. Search for music with Circle to Search
As previously rumored, Circle to Search is getting the ability to identify songs. If it’s available on your phone, you can activate Circle to Search with a long press on the home button or navigation bar, then tap the music button to identify a song – whether the song is playing somewhere around you or in an app currently running on the phone screen.

4. Chrome can read out webpages to you
This is something we’ve previously seen tested, but it’s now officially available for everyone: in Chrome for Android, you can tap the three dots in the top-right corner of a browser tab, then choose Listen to this page to have it read out to you. You even get some simple, podcast-style playback controls (including speed control), and a choice of voices.