I’ve spent the previous couple of weeks utilizing Google’s new Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL Android smartphones and am typically impressed. The 2 new high-end fashions are almost an identical, besides that the XL stands for “extra-large.” It has a 6.8-inch show in comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional’s 6.3-inch display and is, in fact, a bit heavier. The opposite vital distinction is that the XL has a bigger battery, which implies a bit extra battery life, however each fashions are designed to work all day in most conditions.
There are some minor and barely noticeable bodily enhancements over earlier fashions, comparable to a barely much less outstanding digital camera bump within the again. The brand new units have a pleasant steel body and a well-crafted matte end although many individuals put instances on their telephones, so it’s possible you’ll not truly see or really feel these enhancements. The show is brighter and a bit extra nice, although I had no complaints concerning the shows on final yr’s mannequin. Google added a sooner and extra power environment friendly processor and upped the RAM to 16 megabytes. That elevated RAM helps with multitasking and efficiency in addition to serving to to facilitate the AI capabilities constructed into the brand new telephones.
Small cellphone is nearly as good as bigger one
Till this yr, in case you needed essentially the most superior Google Pixel cellphone you needed to get their bigger mannequin. The smaller ones weren’t solely smaller in dimension however had much less reminiscence, much less out there storage, a barely much less succesful digital camera, a smaller battery and, in fact, a smaller display in comparison with their bigger “Professional” mannequin. However this yr there are three variations of the Pixel. The usual Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Professional and the Pixel 9 Professional XL The 9 and the 9 Professional every have a 6.3-inch display, measure 6 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and weigh 7 ounces. However if you’d like a bigger mannequin, the 9 Professional XL has a 6.8-inch display, measures 6.4 by 3 by 0.3 inches and weighs 7.8 ounces.
As I discussed the 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL have almost an identical options and specs apart from the bigger and considerably longer lasting battery, minor variations in charging time and really minor variations in display decision. Apple has the same technique in relation to the iPhone 16 Professional and its bigger almost an identical sibling the 16 Professional Max.
I’m used to bigger telephones and was a bit upset when Google despatched me the smaller 9 Professional to evaluation. However, after carrying across the smaller one on a 10-day abroad journey, I noticed I most well-liked it to the bigger mannequin, which I confirmed as soon as I obtained again and began testing the bigger 9 Professional XL. Each are wonderful telephones and, sure, there are some benefits to the bigger display and battery, particularly when viewing video or barely bigger textual content or extra textual content on a single display and barely extra battery life. However after utilizing each fashions, I’ve come to understand that generally smaller and lighter could be higher, not less than for me proper now. So, thanks Google for giving customers a alternative between sizes with out having to sacrifice efficiency.
AI Software program
As you could have seen, the whole tech business is leaping on the AI bandwagon. Virtually each new product that’s popping out boasts AI options. That is definitely true with the most recent telephones from each Apple and Google.
You’ll be able to configure Pixel cellphone to mean you can maintain down the facility button to carry up Google Assistant however now you’ll be able to substitute the assistant with Google’s AI Gemini Assistant which has a extra intuitive interface and permits you to have interaction in a dialog with the AI. By default you should utilize your voice and it’ll speak in its personal voice. I largely discover the speaking responses annoying as a result of it’s not solely sooner to learn them, they received’t disturb others like a voice popping out of my cellphone. I’m undecided this {hardware} integration is all that useful since you’ll be able to all the time open Gemini on any gadget by clicking on the app.
The opposite characteristic is Gemini Give which lets you have a back-and-forth dialog with the AI Assistant.
AI Picture Instruments
One intelligent characteristic is “Add Me” that permits you to add your self to a gaggle photograph. You’re taking the group cellphone after which change locations with somebody within the image and have one other photographer take the image. You’ll be able to then use the Add Me characteristic to sew each photographs collectively. Type of intelligent however nonetheless a little bit of a trouble.
One other photograph device is auto-frame that permits you to change the framing of an image after it’s been taken. One of many coolest instruments is a reimage characteristic that permits you to change a part of a photograph into one thing else. I took an image of my spouse sitting subsequent to a cardboard field and made it seem as if a canine was sitting within the field. That non-existent canine was created by AI.
Different good decisions
After all, there are many different nice telephones on the market not solely from Apple and Samsung but in addition lesser-known firms. What I like about each Pixel telephones and iPhones is each the {hardware} and working system are from the identical firm. Each Apple and Google preserve their telephones updated with the most recent safety patches and software program updates. And each are cautious to not bloat their telephones with an excessive amount of pointless built-in software program and a constant person interface with none pointless and generally complicated enhancements.
Having stated that, it nonetheless feels to me that the built-in AI is in its infancy and desires maturation. It doesn’t get in the way in which, and it could generally be useful, The excellent news is that it’ll get higher over time.
Larry Magid is a tech journalist and web security activist. Contact him at larry@larrymagid.com.
