Google is using the identical top-end Tensor G4 processor because the Pixel 9 collection, although you get solely 8 gigabytes of RAM versus 12 on the Pixel 9 and 16 on the Pixel 9 Professional. For probably the most half, efficiency feels equivalent to Google’s flagship telephones. Apps launch rapidly, multitasking is snappy, and it did not battle with the few cell video games I attempted.
However the lesser RAM means just a few Gemini-powered software program options from the Pixel 9 collection aren’t out there, just like the Pixel Screenshots app and Name Notes, which mechanically gives a textual content abstract of your telephone calls. I discover these useful, so it is a disgrace they don’t seem to be right here, however not sufficient to ding the telephone’s rating for it.
I additionally had some points with Assistant Voice Typing—the souped-up voice-to-text tech—although this will likely or is probably not associated. It received just a few issues incorrect as I spoke. That is frequent for different telephones, however I normally have a virtually flawless expertise on Pixels.
The massive enchancment over its predecessor is battery life. There’s now a beefy 5,100-mAh cell, the biggest thus far in a Pixel telephone. You are not going to get two-day battery life, however I’ve usually ended most days with a snug 30 to 40 p.c left over. On the day of the Nintendo Swap 2 announcement, I used to be posting stay for an hour on Bluesky, to not point out utilizing Slack and enabling the new spot perform to edit and add some images from a pill. By 5:30 pm, the Pixel 9a was at 15 p.c. Heavy customers might have to tote round a energy financial institution.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
I have never had many points with the remainder of the {hardware}. I like that I can wirelessly cost this Pixel even when it is utilizing the older, fundamental Qi commonplace. Wi-fi charging is not a given on low cost and midrange telephones, so it is a plus. Google has upgraded the IP ranking to IP68 now, which means the telephone may be submerged for longer intervals and nonetheless come out OK. The optical fingerprint sensor is quick and dependable, and this stays one of many solely Android telephones with a safe face unlock that works with banking and different delicate apps. It is a disgrace that Google’s face-scanning biometrics system nonetheless does not work effectively at nighttime, and it is not as safe as Apple’s Face ID (it may be spoofed).
The Pixel Eye
The twin-camera system consists of a 48-megapixel foremost sensor and a 13-MP ultrawide, with a 13-MP selfie digital camera on the entrance. As with just about each Pixel telephone, it is arduous to not be impressed with the digital camera high quality in comparison with its friends. This Pixel can also be aware of most of the new AI software program options Google debuted on the Pixel 9, like Add Me, Greatest Take, Reimagine, and Auto body. I explored quite a lot of these options right here and in my Pixel 9 overview.
Pictures is probably not as sharp as what you may get from the iPhone 16e’s digital camera, however you’d solely discover if you happen to zoomed in. Whether or not it is in the course of the day or at evening, you’ll be able to anticipate a pointy, colourful, and vivid photograph, one that may deal with high-contrast scenes decently. Even some 4K 60-frames-per-second video footage I shot in a dimly lit karaoke room got here out wanting completely usable, if a bit grainy.