We’re getting Pixels earlier than ever. Can the Pixel 9 improve on the Pixel 8 with less time in the oven? Here are a few things we think could be better in the next version of Google’s flagship smartphone.
Suffering from Success: Pixels and Problems
Almost every Google Pixel has had a problem, concern, or compromise. These have varied in severity or complexity over the years. From screen tint to screen gaps, battery life to overheating, slow modems to unreliable unlocking, we’ve seen a whole range of issues facing the Pixel since 2016 when the series was introduced.
We all know that the Pixel has been gently refreshed with the Pixel 6, and for anyone with a recent phone (circa 2021 onwards), many of the common complaints stem from the switch to the in-house developed and Samsung-made Tensor processor. For better or worse, Google has publicly stated that their work on the Tensor processor was “never about speed” or even about “traditional performance metrics.”
Our work with Tensor has never been about speeds and feeds or traditional performance metrics. It’s about moving mobile computing forward.
All three versions of the Tensor processor were low on the flagship totem pole and based on the same Exynos core design. The Tensor G3 is actually less powerful than last year’s best Qualcomm processor or 2023’s best MediaTek processor. AI capabilities have always been Tensor’s key selling point, but these aforementioned chips are more than powerful enough to do plenty of AI tricks of their own. It’s easy to see why some hardcore hardware fans might be disappointed after three revisions to the chip so far.
As a result, many people have described the Tensor line of processors as stunning, and not just in terms of performance options. Building a new SoC is hard and the first generation had a lot of complaints, from overheating to the modem just not working as it should. Recording 4K video for more than a few minutes was enough to cause the Pixel 6 to overheat and shut down in some cases.
The first in-display fingerprint sensor was nothing short of a disaster. For a lot of people – myself included – that was perfectly fine. Slow but fine. That said, it was one of the biggest complaints, and Google even addressed the terrible scanning with a new in-display reader on the Pixel 6a. Potential CPU concerns could have been why the Pixel 6 Pro never received Face Unlock to alleviate the substantial difficulties with biometric unlocking – another negative for the first-gen Tensor chip.
Battery drain was something I personally experienced a lot with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. I’m not sure if it ever got better with software updates and new versions of Android. Reason? Longevity is often subjective, but it was something many owners noticed right from launch. Arguably, since the Pixel 6 Pro, the internal cell on the “Pro” layer has around 5,000 mAh.
This is not a small inner cell. Many Snapdragon-powered phones have similar capabilities but don’t have the same longevity issues. The Pixel 7 helped improve efficiency, and the Pixel 8 series added even more improvements. The battery is now “reliable” but in my own experience it still often has an “off” day. One day it will die faster, but the day after that it will go back to long term. I know that’s not true for everyone though.
Cellular connection and stable connection are still a problem despite the numerous updates of the 2021 flagship. 5G speeds are often slow when you can connect, which is one of the biggest problems. It’s more confusing, given that Samsung Exynos modems are used. They are usually among the best. The move to the Exynos 5300 from the Pixel 7 up has helped a ton, but it’s still not the fastest.
Where can the Pixel 9 improve over the Pixel 8?
If you were to read this list of complaints and issues, you might think that Google hasn’t made a decent device in the last few years. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are solid phones that have improved in every single area where there are significant issues. We want it to continue this year as well.
One saving grace is that the Pixel 8 series has had a lot of iterative changes that have fixed glaring issues. is it perfect No, but it’s the best starting point for the Pixel 9 before launch.
Battery life and charging speed
If the new Tensor G4 chip is another revision with a minor increase in efficiency, then we hope the Pixel 9 can improve day-to-day life. Without slapping on an even bigger battery, it’s unlikely we’ll see a major increase in lifespan this year. That’s not to say the Pixel 8 has “bad” battery life, in fact it doesn’t, but it’s not quite in the “excellent” category like the OnePlus 12 or Galaxy S24 Ultra.
We also hope to finally see another increase in charging speed. By modern standards, 30W wired charging and 21-23W wireless charging is slow. Even going up to around 45W with a cable charger would be a nice boost when you want to charge your phone quickly. Everyone’s charging habits are different, so this can whittle down the list of improvements you want from the Pixel 9 series.
Zoom improvements
Despite promises that it will come to the Pixel 8 Pro, we’ve been waiting almost a year for Google to reveal more details about Zoom Enhance. The radio silence and lack of other information could be a sign that Google is keeping the improved zoom option for the Pixel 9 launch.
Camera zoom hasn’t changed all that much since the Pixel 6 Pro, and given Google’s penchant for software enhancements, Zoom Enhance could be a very big addition to the Pixel 9’s photography arsenal.
Improved camera performance
The camera on the Pixel 8 (and earlier) is generally solid. It’s easy to navigate, takes great pictures and is reliable. However, the problem remains: The camera UI can lag when you press the shutter button repeatedly.
While shooting at a sporting event recently, I noticed that the camera can get stuck and practically freeze when shooting like this. There is also some lag when switching lenses or zooming. If the Pixel 9 can improve on that, the experience will be infinitely better than today. Autofocus can also be a little finicky, it would be great to see how Google handles this with the Pixel 9.
Better fingerprint sensor
While the Pixel 8 series has great scanners, a faster and more accurate in-display fingerprint sensor will improve the unlocking of the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold should get a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor, which is likely to have fewer problems and more consistency…
Improved device temperature
The Pixel 8 struggled with heat dissipation and management. Gaming and video editing make this worse, which can lead to throttling and reduced performance. With improved thermal management, the Pixel 9 could maintain peak performance for longer and offer a smoother and more consistent user experience, especially for users who push their phones to the limit.
Consistent mobile data connections
There are a few things coming that we hope will fix some of the connectivity issues people have had with previous Pixels. The Pixel 9 is expected to get an improved modem. The Samsung Exynos 5400 is offered as integrated into the Tensor G4 chip, and satellite connectivity is also coming for emergency connections in remote areas. Even with an emergency solution, we need better connectivity because your phone is still a phone after all.
Software stack improvements
We know that Android 15 won’t provide a major overhaul over Android 14. It’s a case of tweaks and improvements to the existing OS, but we want the Pixel 9 to catalyze even more improvements.
I would like to see better coverage of themed icons since it’s been in beta for almost three years. Google teased “Magic” a lot early on in marketing, which we hope is a hint at more AI-powered features and functionality. Maybe we’ll finally see better integration of Gemini into the Pixel 9 and improve the experience of using the improved voice assistant to control aspects of your phone.
What improvements do you want from the Pixel 9?
With the Pixel 9 on the horizon, many Pixel 8 users are eager for Google to address some of the sticking points. What improvements are most important to you? Let us know in the comments section.
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