Google launched the shiny new Pixel 9 lineup – Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold at Made by Google. The audience was treated with some cool upgrades in design and new AI features. But before you get swept away in the excitement and reach for your wallet, let’s take a step back and talk about why you might want to hold off on buying these new Pixels.
Table of Contents
1. Do You Need These AI Features
Let’s be real – will you really be using all those AI features? Sure, AI is a hot topic, and everyone’s talking about it but will you prioritize AI over other essentials like performance, battery life, or heat?
I’ll share a quick story – I snagged the Samsung Galaxy S23 not too long ago, and I was all hyped about the Galaxy AI features. I wanted to make sure my phone was future-proof. Guess what? I haven’t used a single AI feature yet. Not one. How many people you know use Circle to Search?
So, my advice? Ensure you’re 100% certain you’ll need or use these features before you shell out the cash. If AI is your thing, maybe check out the Samsung Galaxy S24 series which is better than the Pixel 9 lineup in many ways.
2. The Tensor G4 Chip – Not Flagship Level
The Pixel 9 series comes with the Tensor G4 chip, which should be faster and more efficient on paper. But here’s the catch – it’s not the chip Google originally planned to roll out. Instead, it’s like a beefed-up version of last year’s model. If you’re into gaming or heavy multitasking, this might not be the powerhouse you’re hoping for. Wait for our in-depth review that is coming out soon.
There’s also been talk that Google wanted to use a new chip with TSMC, but for some reason, it got delayed, and they had to go with Samsung’s 4nm process. So, maybe hold off for another year when the Tensor G5 could come out with the Pixel 10, potentially built on TSMC’s 3nm node. We might finally see a Tensor chipset that can go head-to-head with Snapdragon and Apple’s flagship processors in terms of raw power and efficiency.
3. 128 GB Storage in 2024 Is Low
We’re talking about a phone that’s over $1,000, and yet Google is still sticking with 128 GB of storage for the base model. Most Android phones in this price range already offer up to 256 GB as the starting point. On one hand, Google’s touting Pixel phones as the best for capturing photos, but then give us a Pro model with just 128 GB to start.
When you think about keeping the phone for the long haul (Google promises 7 years of software support), that small storage space might feel like trying to squeeze your life into a shoebox.
But hey, if 128 GB works for you, go for it. Just keep in mind, if you’re in it for the long haul, you might want to shell out the extra $100 for more storage to future-proof your Pixel 9.
4. Battery Life – Would It Be Enough
Battery life is always a big deal, especially with all the AI features and camera magic these phones pack. Google claims the Pixel 9 series offers up to 20% better battery life, but let’s be honest – we’ve heard similar promises before, and they don’t always pan out.
Speaking of charging, the entire Pixel 9 lineup still offers 27W charging speed, though the Pixel 9 Pro XL gets a slightly better 37W charging support. On the other hand, some Chinese brands are already offering phones with 200W fast charging with RealMe showcasing a crazy 320W charger recently. Compared to that, the Pixel 9 series’ charging speed seems underwhelming.
To make things worse, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has even less battery capacity than its predecessor. It’s now down to 4,650mAh from the 4,821mAh in the original Pixel Fold. Google says they installed a new vapor chamber to reduce heat and improve performance and efficiency, but we’ll see how that holds up once we put it through some tests.
Speaking of heat, last year’s Pixel 8 with the G3 chip wasn’t exactly great at managing it. We noticed it ourselves, and there were mixed reactions online – some users had issues with heating, others didn’t. So, before you go for the Pixel 9, wait for our full review to get a clearer picture.
5. Performance Is Not Up There
Pixel 9 saw a price bump compared to last year’s models. The new image AI features are cool, but some specs haven’t changed, and that price hike is not justified it seems.
We ran some Geekbench 6 benchmarks, and the results were shocking. The Pixel 9 Pro XL scored 2005 for single-core and 4835 for multi-core. Yes, it’s an improvement over the Pixel 8 Pro, but it barely outpaces the iPhone 12 Pro from 2020. You can check out the full chart below.
If you’re not completely sold on the new bells and whistles, it might be worth sticking with your current phone or even looking at last year’s model at a discount.
6. Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A Familiar Camera Setup
Pixels are known for their Camera prowess but the camera setup hasn’t changed up. There are some new software features like video boost, macro mode, and pro controls, but when it comes to the hardware, it’s almost the same as the first-gen Pixel Fold. We’re still getting a 10.5 MP ultra-wide, a 10.8 MP telephoto, and 10 MP front and cover cameras. These are decent specs, but nothing groundbreaking, especially considering the price of the 9 Pro Fold.
It’s not like the competition is blowing us away either – the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 isn’t exactly offering mind-blowing camera hardware. But we were hoping Google would step up with something better.
So if you’re big on photography, you might want to wait for real-world results. We think Google is relying more on the Tensor G4 and its computational photography to work its magic, even if the hardware isn’t top-tier. We’ll be testing the camera with the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup soon, so stay tuned for that.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – reasons why you might want to wait before jumping on the Pixel 9 bandwagon. It’s not that these phones don’t have a lot to offer, but with the weak chipset, heat, and battery issues, it’s worth taking a closer look at what you’re getting. And don’t forget to check the Google Pixel support in your region. There are plenty of stories about people struggling with after-sales service.
