The new pink Google Pixel 9: I got some hands-on time with it

Google didn’t do much to change the Pixel 9 from previous models, but who cares? It’s pink now!

That’s not the only takeaway from the entry-level Pixel 9 that was announced, alongside three other models, at the Made by Google event on Tuesday. However, it’s the biggest one. The Pixel 9’s improvements are almost entirely internal — and many of them are software-based rather than centered on hardware enhancements. I got some brief hands-on time with the Pixel 9 at a pre-launch press event — here are my thoughts.

Pixel 9 hands-on: Say hello to bubble-gum pink

The screen is very bright.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

My time with the Pixel 9 was vanishingly brief, as it’s the most basic and vanilla Pixel 9 experience and our demo session largely focused on features on the Pro devices.

With that being said, there are a few cool little improvements worth noting. For starters, the display is brighter than before, with up to 1,800 nits (1,400 nits on Pixel 8) in HDR and 2,700 nits (2,000 nits on Pixel 8) at peak brightness. The battery has also been beefed up just a bit, from 4,575mAh last year to 4,700mAh on Pixel 9. And while storage still unfortunately maxes out at 256GB on Pixel 9, the RAM has gotten a nice bump up from 8GB to 12GB.

Google has outfitted all four Pixel 9 phones with the new Tensor G4 chip, so between that and the increased RAM, users should get better performance out of the Pixel 9 than the Pixel 8. The main rear camera lens is still 50MP, same as a year ago, but the ultra-wide lens has gotten a beefy upgrade from 12MP to 48MP. Pixel 9 still lacks the telephoto lens of its Pro counterpart, but still, you should be able to get good shots out of it.

Sorry to those of you who prefer matte finishes on phones.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I didn’t get enough time with the Pixel 9 to tell you exactly how its “hand feel” differs from Pixel 8, but rest assured it’s still just about the perfect size and weight for an entry-level phone. Its display does indeed look nice, thanks to the increased brightness and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate that blows most Apple devices out of the water.

The rear camera bar has been slightly redesigned, so it no longer fully extends from one side to another. I personally don’t mind the change, but you might. There’s also a new pink colorway this year that is way more beautiful than anything Google offered a year ago.

The new pink Google Pixel 9
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Lastly, the Tensor G4 chip enables the base Pixel 9 to access most of the same AI features as the other Pixel 9 phones. You can have conversational chats with Gemini, edit photos with greater control than before in Magic Editor, use AI to find specific screenshots you’ve taken over the years, and more. Really, all you’re missing out on with Pixel 9 versus the other options is a third camera lens, or a second screen.