Other than the launch of the unique Google Pixel cellphone again in 2016, no different launch was as essential because the Google Pixel 6. It ushered in what turned the defacto Pixel design language, launched Google’s personal Tensor processor line, and proved that Google might make a really premium cellphone with out the premium worth.
It additionally marked the primary time that Google promised 5 years of software program updates, however that promise got here with a catch: it solely assured three years of Android OS updates. Whereas the cellphone will nonetheless see safety updates for an additional two years, the discharge of Android 15 marks the ultimate Android improve the cellphone will ever obtain.
Which leads me to the query at hand: is it time to improve your getting older Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Professional? As an entire, I do not assume so. It is best to anticipate the Pixel 10, however there are a couple of eventualities the place upgrading to a Pixel 9 may make sense.
Why it is best to improve out of your Pixel 6
The Google Pixel 9 sequence simply got here out, and whereas the brand new, much more premium design actually could be tempting, the true motive to improve to a Pixel 9 this 12 months is the selection of measurement.
For the primary time ever, Google is providing a smaller Pixel 9 Professional with the identical {hardware} configuration because the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Meaning of us seeking to maintain the wonderful zoom element of their Pixel 6 Professional can improve to a Pixel 9 Professional sequence and have a selection between sizes with out sacrificing the most effective components of a high-end smartphone digital camera expertise.
For the reason that Pixel 6, Google has flattened its cellphone shows and diminished the bezels, which means that huge, lovely show could be simply lined with a tempered glass Pixel 9 display screen protector. Whereas I really like the feel and appear of curved glass, there is not any denying it is a lot tougher to guard than flat glass, particularly when it is received a tempered glass layer on prime.
Google has additionally additional improved its software program replace promise for the reason that Pixel 6 and now provides seven years of promised working system and safety updates for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 sequence. Meaning if you wish to maintain on to your Pixel 9 even longer than you probably did together with your Pixel 6, you will nonetheless get the most recent model of Android up till Android 21.
The Pixel 6’s fingerprint scanner was at all times fairly terrible, and whereas Google improved it with software program updates, there is not any denying it is one of many worst in-display fingerprint scanners for the reason that Galaxy S10. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 each supply considerably improved fingerprint scanners, however every does it with a special know-how.
For me, the Pixel 8 sequence has the very best in-display fingerprint scanners of any Pixel cellphone in the marketplace. It makes use of optical scanning know-how, which implies the show will get tremendous brilliant beneath your finger so an optical sensor can learn your print. The principle grievance with such a scanner is, in fact, that blindingly brilliant mild if you happen to by chance faucet it in a darkish room, however I discover its accuracy is greater than definitely worth the trade-off. Most in-display fingerprint sensors use such a know-how.
The Pixel 9 sequence launched with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, which many individuals desire as a result of it would not use mild in any respect to learn your fingerprint. As an alternative, an ultrasonic sensor makes use of high-frequency sound waves to learn your fingerprint. But it surely would not work so effectively for everybody, and folks like me discover them to be irritating to make use of as they usually fail to learn my fingerprints. Up to now, solely a handful of corporations have chosen ultrasonic together with Samsung’s Galaxy S24 sequence.
Get Professional options in a smaller measurement with the Google Pixel 9 Professional, the primary fully-featured Pixel cellphone that is extra snug to make use of with one hand. Plus, with seven years of software program updates, you will not must improve for a really very long time.
This is why it is best to wait to improve
It is not too laborious to discover a handful of causes to improve, however I believe it is value holding on to that Pixel 6 for yet one more 12 months for one enormous motive: Google Tensor G5. Earlier than the Pixel 9 was launched, Android Central contributor Brady Snyder wrote about this very subject, because the Tensor G4 contained in the Pixel 9 was rumored to be a reasonably minimal improve over the Tensor G3 contained in the Pixel 8.
It turned out that not solely was he proper, however Tensor G4 really downgrades efficiency in some classes. As I famous in my Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL assessment, Tensor G4 is slower than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor contained in the Galaxy S22. Contemplating that Samsung will probably launch the Galaxy S25 in simply 4 months, the Pixel 9 shall be at a considerable drawback.
Some folks have famous that the Pixel 9’s every day efficiency feels simply positive and that extra energy is not needed. Others say that the Tensor G4 is designed particularly to make the cellphone really feel as Google-like as potential, which implies the processor is designed particularly with Pixel-exclusive options in thoughts.
Whereas I do not disagree with that, I do fear about how the Pixel 9 will really feel in only a few years’ time. If it is already as gradual as a cellphone from 2021, how will it really feel when it receives the Android 18 replace in 2027, not to mention the Android 21 replace a couple of years after that?
I additionally should query Google’s pricing construction this 12 months. It is uncommon that somebody pays full worth when upgrading to a brand new cellphone, whether or not that is as a result of they received a nice Pixel 9 deal or they received lots of off by buying and selling of their new cellphone. However Google raised the costs of its Pixel 9 line by one other $100 this 12 months, which stacks on prime of the $100 worth hike on 2023’s Pixel 8 sequence.
Meaning you are now paying $200 extra for a cellphone that also performs at 2021 cellphone ranges, which is just a few months after your Pixel 6 was launched. Day by day efficiency of the Tensor G4 over the Tensor G1 within the Pixel 6 is not significantly better both. Single core efficiency is just 13% quicker, whereas multicore efficiency is just 20% quicker.
I am unable to consider a single different processor that is solely seen a most of 20% efficiency enchancment over 4 generations—most processor upgrades obtain this metric every 12 months—and I believe that is probably the most embarassing half concerning the Pixel 9’s worth hike.
The Pixel 10 is meant to repair this drawback with the launch of Tensor G5, a brand new Tensor redesigned from the bottom up and absolutely designed in-house by Google. Tensor G1 to G4 have all been co-developed with Samsung and endure from the identical points that Samsung’s Exynos line of processors does.
On to the remainder of the cellphone, charging is quicker than ever, however it’s nonetheless nowhere close to the pace provided by telephones just like the OnePlus 12, which absolutely expenses in round half-hour from zero %. At finest, the Pixel 9 will do about half that in the identical time interval.
The Pixel 9 sequence delivers the very best battery life on any premium Pixel cellphone to this point, however that does not assist a lot on these events once you might need forgotten to cost earlier than heading out for the day.
The show can also be as harsh as ever, as Google continues to chase specs like max brightness and pinpoint shade accuracy on the expense of eye well being. Anybody who’s PWM delicate, like me, will discover that the shows on the Pixel 9 sequence are tremendous uncomfortable to make use of for a very long time. In case you’re already comfortably utilizing a Pixel, this most likely will not have an effect on you, however it’s the principle motive I not use a Pixel as my fundamental machine.
In case you love the spherical edges and comfy curves of your Pixel 6, you could not like Google’s design for the Pixel 9. The aspect rails are utterly flat now, and paired with the flat back and front of the cellphone, they make the cellphone much less snug to carry.
My colleague Harish disagrees with me on this half, although, and the finest Pixel 9 circumstances could utterly remedy these points for you anyway. I do not assume this design will change a lot subsequent 12 months, however I can at the least hope.
In case you’re planning on preserving your subsequent Pixel for 3 years or extra, I might advocate ready till the Pixel 10 to improve. Android 15 will nonetheless really feel recent till June 2025, when the Pixel 6 receives its final scheduled Pixel Characteristic Drop, and by then, we’ll be absolutely within the thick of Pixel 10 leak and rumor season, the place you’ll make the very best determination about upgrading. Plus, by then, Pixel 9 costs needs to be at an all-time low.
The Pixel 10 is anticipated to launch with Android 16 except one thing occurs prefer it did this 12 months. The Pixel 9 marks the primary time that Google hasn’t launched a brand new Pixel alongside a brand new model of Android, including extra arrows within the quiver of disappointment for Google’s newest Pixels.
In case you desperately must improve now due to some form of {hardware} problem together with your Pixel 6, I might advocate getting the Pixel 8a as an alternative. Pixel 8a offers from corporations like AT&T will get you the cellphone for below $6 a month, and you may at all times improve to the Pixel 10 when it comes out subsequent 12 months through the use of the corporate’s trade-in promos.
The Pixel 8a is the very best little Pixel the corporate has ever made. With two wonderful rear cameras, an upgraded selfie digital camera, and the identical Tensor G3 processor as its costlier cousins, the Pixel 8a is a winner and a half at a diminished worth.
