Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 7

The Google Pixel 9 is lastly right here, and may be yours for a beginning worth of $799. It is greater than the Pixel 8 and positively pricier than the Pixel 7 from 2022, which remains to be being offered by Google. The 7 is trickier to search out at this time within the coloration and storage possibility that you may want, however do you have to nonetheless be bothering with it? Let’s attempt to reply two issues — do you have to improve to the Pixel 9 in the event you at present have a 7, and is the older mannequin price getting in 2024? 

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 7: Design

You possibly can immediately inform the Pixel 9 aside from the Pixel 7 because of the huge change within the design language. Gone are the gentle, sloping edges in favor of a flat body on the brand new mannequin. This makes the 9 look very iPhone-like, for higher or worse. Personally, I haven’t got an issue with it. I believe it seems good and extra grown up. The brand new colours additionally look nice, particularly the pink variant. The 4 corners of the show are additionally extra closely rounded, in comparison with the practically rectangular look of the 7.

The digital camera band on the again of the Pixel 7 has been changed by a metallic island on the 9. Regardless of having the identical show dimension, the Pixel 9 is barely shorter and lighter than the 7. You will not have the ability to reuse any of the 7’s circumstances, however fortunately there may be already a superb choice of Pixel 9 circumstances on-line.

Google has upgraded the show tech within the new mannequin. The Pixel 9 sports activities an ‘Actua’ show, with a dynamic refresh fee of 60-120Hz. The decision has been bumped up only a bit to 2,424×1,080 but it surely’s not one thing you will discover even in the event you examine each telephones aspect by aspect. The HDR brightness stage is now as much as 1,800 nits on the 9 (vs. 1,000 nits on the 7), and the show has a peak brightness of as much as 2,700 nits. 

Not that we had a problem with the Pixel 7’s show, however having the next peak brightness by no means harm anybody. The scratch safety on the Pixel 9’s show sees an improve to Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Each telephones are IP68 rated for mud and water resistance. 

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 7: {Hardware} and specs

The processor is the largest change right here. The Google Pixel 9 makes use of the most recent Tensor G4 SoC, which is promised to have improved efficiency and energy effectivity. The Titan M2 safety chip can be current on each, which offers hardware-level encryption to your private info. The Tensor G2 within the Pixel 7 chugs alongside properly when utilizing frequent social and productiveness apps. This processor is not constructed for gaming, however it might deal with most informal titles simply effective. Does the G4 change this? I assume you will have to attend for our full evaluate of the 9 to search out out. 

The rise in RAM to 12GB (from 8GB) on the Pixel 9 is certainly going to be helpful in the long term. You possibly can select between 128GB or 256GB of storage. The latter variant will set you again $899. In the meantime, the 128GB variant of the Pixel 7 goes for about $450 on Amazon, whereas the 256GB mannequin prices round $633. The worth distinction between the 2 generations will solely widen because the 7 is slowly phased out. 

The Pixel 9 manages to cram in a bigger 4,700mAh battery, regardless of being slimmer and lighter. We discovered the battery life on the Pixel 7’s 4,355mAh battery to be alright, however nothing nice. Hopefully, the 9 is ready to enhance on that in real-world use too. The 9 expenses faster too, as much as 27W, in comparison with the 21W of the 7. Curiously, the Pixel 7 helps as much as 21W wi-fi charging, however the 9 can solely cost as much as 15W when utilizing the identical Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) wi-fi charger. Common Qi charging is proscribed to 12W on each telephones.

The ultrawide digital camera on the Pixel 9 will get a giant bump in decision, going from 12MP to 48MP. It has a wider area of view and beneficial properties autofocus which suggests macro pictures is feasible. Each telephones have a 50MP essential digital camera, however once more, the 9 has a wider f/1.68 aperture for higher low-light photographs. You continue to do not get a telephoto right here, so you will should step as much as the Professional fashions for that. The selfie cameras are related on each too, however you get autofocus on the Pixel 9 now.

Digicam options are largely related on each, apart from a number of the new additions like ‘Add Me’ which is at present unique to the 9 sequence.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 7: Software program

The Pixel 9 has the largest benefit over the Pixel 7 with regards to software program. Google’s seven-year software program help dedication started with the Pixel 8, so the 7 is unfortunately restricted to only three years of OS upgrades until 2025. It’ll proceed to obtain safety patches until 2027, but it surely most probably will not get new variations past Android 15 or 16 at greatest.

The Pixel 9 launched with Android 14 moderately than 15, in all probability as a result of Google moved its {hardware} announcement earlier this yr. The 9 is roofed for seven years of OS and safety updates, which is a giant deal. For those who’re paying full worth for a brand new telephone, it’d as effectively be supported for at the very least the subsequent two to 3 years on the very least.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 7: Which one do you have to purchase?

If you will discover a superb early deal on the Pixel 9, I would say go for it. The bigger battery with faster charging, extra RAM, and newer processor are adequate causes that justify paying the premium for the brand new mannequin, over the 7. To not point out the lengthy software program replace dedication will hold your Pixel 9 related for years to come back. 

If you cannot justify spending $800 or extra on the 9, ditch the Pixel 7 and search for a deal on the Pixel 8 as a substitute. It is practically nearly as good as the most recent telephone, and it is solely a matter of time earlier than it drops beneath the $600 mark, making it an excellent discount. Evaluating the Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8, you are still getting seven years of software program help and a lot of the improved options which are on the 9.