Google Pixel 9/Pro/Fold Impressions: They've Finally Done It?

Marques Brownlee shares his first hands on impressions of Google's Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, emphasizing that Google may have finally closed the hardware gap that has long held the lineup back. He notes a refined design with flat matte metal sides, brighter displays, and a new ultrasonic under display fingerprint reader, marking a shift toward flagship feel. He compares the base Pixel 9 to its Pro siblings, highlighting that the camera hardware is similar across the lineup while the Pro models gain extras like a telephoto lens and more RAM, with prices starting at 999 for the Pro and 1,099 for the Pro XL. The Pixel 9’s OLED Actua display is claimed to be 35% brighter than the Pixel 8, and overall device polish, weight, and camera bump design contribute to a more premium impression. Brownlee also explores the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold, praising its 8 inch inner display, thinner bezels, and improved overall build quality, while noting the caveats of battery life and camera performance in the foldable form factor. He discusses new on device AI features such as Weather, Screenshots, and Pixel Studio, detailing how they work and what they could mean for day to day use, including on device generation of art and the Add Me feature for group photos. He closes by reaffirming his excitement for the hardware while teasing full reviews to come, and hints at other Pixel accessories like the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 that accompany the Pixel ecosystem. The overall takeaway is a strong early positive verdict that Google has achieved a modern flagship glow up, with caveats about battery life on the fold and the need for deeper long term testing. Finally, he suggests subscribing for deeper testing across the Pixel 9 family and related devices, and invites input on which features viewers want tested first.

Topics · technology · hardware · mobile-phones · consumer-electronics