Google Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8: What’s changed with the most affordable Pixel? – Ultra-Sim

Intro

So, how will the Pixel 9 improve the winning formula behind the Pixel? Let’s find out!

Design and Size

A more mature style 

The Pixel 9 has an aluminum frame, with a matte side frame, while the rear glass has a glossy look. This is to differentiate the affordable one from the more premium Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, which have the opposite design.

The Pixel 9 has inherited the Pixel 8‘s IP68 water and dust resistance. This means both devices allow for submersion in up to 1.5m of freshwater for up to 30 minutes, and complete protection against dust. That’s the flagship standard these days, so we expected nothing less of Google. 

Colors-wise, the Pixel 9 is available in Porcelain, Peony, Wintergreen, and Obsidian colors. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, is available in Mint, Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose. 

Display Differences

One major improvement that has come with the Pixel 9 series is the use of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which will likely be a much faster and more accurate than the optical sensor embedded into the Pixel 8 display. We applaud this potential change, as optical fingerprint sensors don’t belong in flagships. 

Performance and Software

Faster and newer

The Pixel 9 series all employ the upcoming Google Tensor G4 chipset, which is based on a 4nm manufacturing node. It appears that Google will transition to 3nm with the Tensor G5 next year; it also looks like that chip will be fully custom as per Google’s requirements.

We do expect a performance difference between the Tensor G4 and G3, though it probably won’t be that big. As a refresher, Tensor chips are built with AI in mind, so the raw performance element is usually secondary in importance. We can’t wait to test the new Pixels before we can say for certain.

The Pixel 9 also features more RAM than before, some 12GB to be exact. This increase was necessary due to AI’s tasking requirements. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, gets 8GB of RAM, which isn’t little, but is surely less impressive in comparison and hurts the future-proofness of the Pixel 8. 

Both devices will enjoy a lengthy seven-year software support, including major Android releases, security patches, and feature drops. The Pixel 8 will be supported until 2030, while the Pixel 9 until 2031. 

Camera

New cameras for the new Pixel

The Pixel 9 comes along with a new ultra-wide camera, which finally improves on the standard 12MP snapper that has been around in the past few Pixel generations. The new 48MP ultra-wide boasts an f/1.7 aperture, so it should have pretty decent low-light capabilities, as well as a rather wide 123-degree field of view. 

The main camera remains the same 50MP f/1.68 one with a 1/1.31″ sensor that was also found on the Pixel 8. The majority of improvements surely are courtesy of software enhancements. AI also has a lot to play in the camera app, giving users a ton of new features to play with, like Add Me, which will let you automatically add yourself to a group photo using AI. 

As we mentioned, the Pixel 8 used the same 50MP f/1.68 main camera, but relied on a 12MP ultra-wide with f/2.2. Camera image quality was pretty good, up there with the best of the best smartphone cameras, so we expect nothing less of the Pixel 9. 

Battery Life and Charging

Changes are coming

The Pixel 9 arrives with a solid 4,700mAh battery, which is marginally larger than the 4,575mAh one on the Pixel 8.

Regardless, we expect slightly better battery life, not only due to the larger battery inside the new phone, but also due to the hopefully more efficient Tensor G4 chip. 

In terms of charging, things aren’t any different. Both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 9 support 27W of wired charging. Wireless charging support is also a common feature of both phones. 

Specs Comparison

Summary

The Pixel 9 won’t be the one to reinvent the formula behind the compact Google flagship. However, it will freshen things up with a new design, but we also get better performance, likely better camera, and possibly some great new AI features. All of that could cost up to $100 more than the Pixel 8 did during launch.

Most importantly, however, it’s the most affordable way to experience the best of Android and Google’s AI. Starting at $799, it’s some $100 pricier than last year’s Pixel 8, but all the improvements could make a good case for the price hike. 

That said, the Pixel 8 is still a mighty capable phone that surely won’t feel outdated when the Pixel 9 comes along. After all, it’s been less than a year since the Pixel 8 broke ground.