Google Pixel 9 series: 5 Reasons of Why You Should Not Buy? 

Google’s latest Pixel lineup, the Pixel 9 series, has been one of the biggest refreshes in years as claimed by the brand. The Google Pixel 9 series now includes the base Google Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. With a redesigned look featuring flatter frame edges and a revised camera visor, the new Pixels are certainly eye-catching. However, despite the temptation to get your hands on one, especially the stunning Peony color variant, there are a few compelling reasons why you might want to hold off and wait for the Pixel 10 series instead.

Let’s have a look at the concerning notes from our experts at Gadgets.live:

Wait for the superior Tensor G5 Chip?

The Google Pixel 9 series is powered by the new Tensor G4 chip, which is still manufactured by Samsung Foundry. While the Tensor chips have been quite powerful, they haven’t quite matched the performance and efficiency of their rivals Apple, MediaTek, and Qualcomm. Additionally, the Tensor chips have been known to suffer from thermal throttling issues.

However, with the Pixel 10, it’s rumored that Google could be ditching the Samsung Foundry and instead moving to TSMC for the production of the Tensor G5 chip. This could be a significant move, as the Tensor G5 could be Google’s first truly custom-made chip, offering improved performance and power efficiency on par with the best in the industry. If you’re after the most cutting-edge and optimized smartphone experience, it might be worth waiting to see how the Tensor G5 fares.

Also Read: Google Pixel 9, Tensor G4 Chip test: Performance loss up to 50% under high load

Where’s the Qi2 Support in Google Pixel 9 Series?

In 2023, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced a new wireless charging standard called Qi2, which is built on Apple’s MagSafe technology. Qi2 promises better alignment and energy efficiency for wireless charging, but unfortunately, it’s not supported by the Google Pixel 9 series.

The Google Pixel 9 series still only support the original Qi-compatible wireless charging up to 12W, or 15W to 23W with the second-generation Google Pixel Stand. There are no guarantees that the Pixel 10 will support Qi2, but it would be a missed opportunity for Google not to adopt the new standard and offer a more seamless and efficient wireless charging experience.

Modest Battery Capacity Improvements

If you were hoping for a significant boost in battery life with the Google Pixel 9 series, you might be disappointed. The battery capacities have seen only modest increases compared to the previous Pixel 8 lineup.

The Pixel 8 had a 4,575mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 Pro had a 5,050mAh battery. The new Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro feature 4,700mAh batteries, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 5,060mAh battery. While these are slight improvements, the changes are not substantial enough to significantly improve the overall battery life compared to the Pixel 8 series.

If you found the battery performance of the Pixel 8 line underwhelming, the Google Pixel 9 series may not offer the dramatic upgrade you were hoping for. It’s possible that the Pixel 10 could bring more significant battery life improvements, especially if the switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5 chip leads to better power efficiency.

Still No Fast Charging??

Similar to the modest battery capacity improvements, the charging speeds of the Google Pixel 9 series also remain largely unchanged from the Pixel 8 line.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro supported 27W and 30W fast wired charging, respectively. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro also have a maximum of 27W charging, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL bumped it up to 37W.

In comparison, the latest flagship smartphones from Samsung and OnePlus offer significantly faster charging speeds. The Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 Ultra both support 45W wired charging, and the OnePlus 12 offers at least 80W charging in the U.S. and 100W elsewhere.

It’s disappointing that Google did not opt for a more substantial upgrade in charging speeds with the Pixel 9 series, especially on the Pro models. Hopefully, the Pixel 10 will address this shortcoming and bring the Pixel lineup on par with the competition.

Similar Hardware in the Variants

While the Pixel 9 series does feature some improvements to the camera hardware, the changes are relatively modest, especially for the Pro models.

The Pixel 9 gets a nice upgrade, with a 50MP main camera and a 48MP ultrawide lens. This should result in better detail and improved color reproduction in ultrawide shots. However, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL essentially retain the same camera setup as the previous Pixel 8 Pro, with a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom.

It would have been great to see Google push the boundaries of the Pixel’s camera capabilities by incorporating higher-resolution main cameras, such as 108MP or even 200MP sensors, similar to what Samsung has done with its Ultra smartphones. The Google Pixel 9 series cameras will undoubtedly deliver excellent performance, but the lack of significant hardware upgrades may disappoint those who were hoping for a more substantial camera improvement.

Too Many Similar Models, Causing Confusion

Google has expanded the Google Pixel 9 series smartphones including “main” phones and a foldable option, which can be seen as an attempt to cater to a wide range of user preferences. However, this strategy has inadvertently created more confusion than clarity.

The Google Pixel 9 series smartphones are all very similar in size and weight, with the Pro and Pro XL models being only slightly larger and heavier than the base Pixel 9. The screen sizes and camera setups vary, but the overall user experience may not differ significantly enough to justify the price jumps between the models.

Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL seem to be the same phone with slightly different screen sizes, effectively splitting the “flagship” offering into two versions. This approach may not resonate with users, who might prefer a more differentiated lineup or a truly compact flagship option.

The Pixel 8a, on the other hand, offers a more budget-friendly alternative, but it does raise the question of whether the Google Pixel 9 series was necessary, especially when the older Pixel 8 line performed well and offered a more cohesive range of options.

In summary, the Google Pixel 9 series, while offering some improvements, may not provide enough compelling reasons for users to upgrade from the previous generation or choose one model over another. The lack of a truly compact flagship, coupled with the confusing and overlapping options, could make the Pixel 9 lineup a tough sell for many consumers.