Will the Pixel 9 series be as game-changing and magical as Google wants us to believe?
It took Google several attempts to get its smartphone business to where it is today. And while Pixel phones are well-regarded by tech enthusiasts, the company is still something of a niche player in the market. Not a single Pixel phone was among the best sellers in Q2 2024 and according to a May Statista Consumer Insights report, less than five percent of smartphone users in key markets rock a Pixel phone as their daily driver. Looking at Pixel 9 leaks, it looks like Google hasn’t gotten the memo yet that its phones are not well-received among a wider audience.
Will the Pixel 9 trio make the Pixel even more of an enthusiast brand?
Google’s phones are both exciting and underwhelming at the same time. On one hand, their design is a breath of fresh air, they are the only smartphones apart from Apple’s iPhones to feature hardware and software from the same company, and their camera systems are one of the best in the business.
When it comes to core functionalities though, Pixels can be frustrating sometimes. It doesn’t take much for them to heat up, they are saddled with chipsets that are no match for chips that power the top phones on the market, and they have connectivity issues.
While a new modem will hopefully make sure that the Pixel 9 doesn’t struggle with basic stuff like making calls and sending texts, it will still feel underpowered when compared to its direct rivals, the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25. Google also reportedly didn’t opt for a chip packaging technology that would have prevented the phones from overheating. Thanks for nothing, Google.
And I get it. The Tensor G4 may not be flagship-level fast, but it will be a decent enough upgrade to keep up with the demands of an average user. And frankly speaking, if you don’t play graphically demanding games or aren’t chronically multitasking, you probably don’t even need a super fast chip.
