I think Google might have done it. The only reason I hesitate is because I’ve had this exact same feeling—and said this same line—before about, like, the Pixel 6. But Google’s phones have always been all about software, and we just wanted them to get their hardware over the hump to have a complete competitive phone. This time, I think they did it.

Google had their Pixel 9 event today, and there’s actually a bit more than just the Pixel shown off. There’s also a new watch and new Pixel Buds, and I’ll get to those, but I just want to focus this article on the new phones because I’ve been waiting for these for a while.

The Lineup

There are several phones: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Some people are saying the names are a bit confusing. Honestly, it’s not really that bad, except maybe the Fold.

• Pixel 9: Priced at $799, it features a 6.3-inch screen with a new design—flat matte metal sides and a polished glass back. Available in four colors: Porcelain (white), Obsidian (black), Wintergreen, and Peony (giving off kind of Cosmo and Wanda vibes).
• Pixel 9 Pro & Pro XL: The 9 Pro is the exact same size as the Pixel 9, similar to what Apple’s been doing. The XL, on the other hand, is larger with a 6.8-inch screen and a bigger battery. The Pro phones start at $999 and $1,099. They offer an extra third telephoto camera, more RAM, and switch to glossy rails with a soft-touch glass back. Colors include Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel (which looks nice), and Rose Quartz (a more faded pink).

First Impressions

I got to handle these phones for about two hours, and right from the beginning, I was like, “Oh, wow, yes. Okay, Google’s done it.” These phones really feel and look like actual flagships. It’s not just because the trend these days is to do flat sides—though I do like that—but that’s not the only thing. They feel a little bit heavier in the hand now, which gives them a more solid feel.

The screens are all much brighter. The Pixel 9’s Actua display is 35% brighter than the Pixel 8, and there’s thinner bezels all the way around. And yes, finally, it’s an ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the display, not optical. The camera visor around the back is polarizing, but the huge lens opening, I think, just looks promising.

Of course, I’m going to have to test all these things for the full review and really see what they’re made of, so stay tuned for that. But my first impression, at least, is that these photos are going to end up very Pixel-like: very punchy and contrasty, with bigger sensors than before, so potentially more shallow depth of field. Aesthetically, the camera bump, even though I liked the older ones better, I still kind of don’t mind these new ones. I know it’s not the full visor all the way around like before, and I miss that, but it’s now this perfectly flat island, and that is still distinctive. It’s pretty unique as a Pixel thing.

Specs Overview

Here’s a rundown of the specs that I’ve been able to confirm:

• Processor: All these phones, across the board, have the same Tensor G4 chip. The new chip is more powerful and more efficient, with dramatically better AI capabilities.
• Cameras: The primary and ultrawide cameras are identical between the base and Pro models. The Pro adds a telephoto lens.
• Display: Slight improvements in screen quality on the Pro models.
• Memory: More RAM on the Pro variants.

Again, this makes the base Pixel 9 look like a great deal, considering the minimal hardware differences for a $200 price gap. But for the Pro, you get enhancements like a slightly better screen, a telephoto camera, more RAM, and a better selfie camera.

Google claims the Tensor is 20% faster with web browsing and 17% faster with app launching, and from my brief hands-on, these phones do feel quick and snappy.

I’m also glad they made the smaller phone with all the benefits of the Pro because many people want a better phone without the heft.

AI Features

These wouldn’t be Pixel phones without a boatload of AI, and there are definitely some new AI features with the Pixel 9 series:

• Weather App: Redesigned with a modern look featuring tiles and an AI-generated comment about the weather at the top.
• Screenshots App: A new app that organizes all your screenshots, scanning each for information to assist with reminders or searches.
• Pixel Studio App: Allows you to create AI-generated art on-device with a simple text prompt. It’s impressively quick, generating images in about three seconds, and works offline.
• Magic Editor’s Reimagine Feature: Beyond erasing or reframing, you can now highlight sections and reimagine them as something entirely different based on your input.
• Add Me Feature in Camera: A standout feature where you can take group photos without needing someone to hold the camera. It intelligently merges separate photos to include everyone.

Other features include enhanced Clear Calling, Call Notes for summarizing phone calls, and Gemini Live for dynamic conversations with the assistant.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Enter the folding phone: the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. While the naming might be a tad perplexing, the device itself is a significant leap from last year’s Pixel Fold, maintaining the same price at $1,799.

This new Fold boasts:

• Display: A larger 6.3-inch outer screen and an 8-inch inner display, both significantly brighter than before.
• Design: Thinner bezels, metal rails, soft-touch matte glass, and an impressively slim profile—each side is barely thicker than a USB-C port.
• Performance: Powered by the Tensor G4 with 16GB of RAM and all the AI perks of the Pixel 9 series.
• Durability: IPX8 rated, meaning it’s water-resistant.
• Colors: Available in Porcelain (white) and Obsidian (black).

While the camera bump’s design might not be the most elegant, the overall feel and functionality of the device are top-notch. It’s potentially the foldable that could bring me back to using foldables as my daily driver, especially given the usability of the outer screen and the expansive inner display.

Other Announcements

• Pixel Watch 3: Retains a similar design but now offers two sizes, with the larger 45mm size providing 40% more screen real estate. Features include a brighter 2,000-nit display, a new body score feature summarizing your health metrics, and a dual-chip architecture promising up to 36 hours in Battery Saver mode. Pricing remains at $349 for the smaller version and $399 for the larger.
• Pixel Buds Pro 2: Now more compact, these buds feature a stabilizer fin for a secure fit. Powered by a custom-designed A1 chip based on Tensor, they promise improved active noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and the ability to engage in conversations with Gemini Live.

I’ll be diving deeper into these devices in future reviews, so stay tuned. Let me know what you’re most excited about—be it the AI features, the new camera capabilities, or the revamped hardware—in the comments below.

On a side note, I once polled my Twitter followers about phone case usage, and three-quarters of you said you use one. Given the rising cost of phones, that’s understandable. If you’re in the market for a case, I recommend checking out the Grip Case from our channel sponsor, dbrand. It’s got it all: matte black finish, superior grip, clicky buttons, strong magnets, and robust protection. You can find a link below to explore further.

Thanks for reading. Catch you in the next one.