What are the improvements between the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 9?

By Lakhvinder Sethi – Published On: August 16, 2024

The Pixel 9 series, which includes the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 XL, and Pixel 9 Fold, has been formally released by Google worldwide. The lineup replaces the Pixel 8 series from the previous year. We advise you to first learn about the differences between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, should you decide to upgrade from the former. We’ll examine the differences between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 in this post to determine the improvements.

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Specs at the glance

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Price in India

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Design

Compared to the Pixel 8, the Google Pixel 9 sports a significantly updated look. It features a metal frame and a matte-finished, flat glass body. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the rear panel contains a pill-shaped camera island with two cameras and an LED flash.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel 8 has a flat back with rounded corners featuring a glossy finish and metal frame. The rear panel comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection and features a rectangular camera visor, housing a dual camera setup and an LED flash.

Both phones have an IP68 rating that protects them from dust and water, and they can withstand 30 minutes of submersion in water up to 1.5 meters. But because of the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, the Google Pixel 9 is more durable than the Pixel 8.

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Display

The specifications of the phones’ displays are essentially the same. The Google Pixel 9 boasts a 6.3-inch screen with a normal brightness of 1,800 nits, which is marginally larger than the Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch display with 1,400 nits.

With Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the Google Pixel 9 as opposed to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the Pixel 8, you also receive enhanced protection. Aside from this, both devices should provide a comparable viewing experience due to their OLED panels’ Full-HD+ resolution and steady 120Hz refresh rate.

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Performance

The Tensor G4 SoC, which replaces the Tensor G3 SoC found in the Pixel 8, powers the upcoming Google Pixel 9. Additionally, it has more RAM out of the box than the Pixel 8, which is useful for multitasking and navigating between demanding programs. Although we haven’t tested the Pixel 9’s performance yet, the early leaks of the Tensor G4 benchmark results provided us a general notion of how well the smartphone performed.

AnTuTu gave the Tensor G4 SoC an impressive score of 11,76,410, while Geekbench gave it 1,950 points for the single-core test and 4,655 points for the multi-core test. But the Tensor G3 SoC in the Pixel 8 scored 1,045 in the single-core test, 3,294 in the multi-core test on Geekbench, and 10,17,180 on AnTuTu.

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Cameras

In terms of camera configuration, the Google Pixel 9 outperforms the Google Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 boasts a 48MP ultrawide lens, while the Pixel 8 features a 12MP ultrawide shooter. Both phones come with a 50MP primary camera and a 10.5MP selfie snapper. Ultrawide photos shot with the Pixel 9 are expected to be more detailed and have better clarity due to the greater megapixel count.

We were quite pleased with the Pixel 8’s camera performance and AI picture editing tools throughout our time with it. However, to find out more about the Pixel 9’s camera capabilities, you will need to wait for our in-depth review.

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Battery and charging

The Google Pixel 9’s 4,700mAh battery is marginally bigger than the Pixel 8’s 4,575mAh battery. Reverse charging and 27W charging, which the firm claims will charge a handset to roughly 50% capacity in 33 minutes, are supported by both phones. The Pixel 8 provided more than five hours of screen time during our tests on a single full charge, and it took about one hour and twenty-three minutes to fully recharge from zero to 100 percent battery life.

With the Pixel 9, Google has, however, slowed down wireless charging. While the Pixel 9 only supports 15W when using the Pixel stand or 12W when using any Qi-compatible wireless charger, the Pixel 8 provides 18W wireless charging speed.

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Software

Out of the box, Android 14 is installed on both phones. With the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8, Google guarantees seven years of Android releases, security patches, and Pixel drop updates. This implies that up until Android 21, both phones will get OS updates. With both Pixel devices, you receive comparable AI functions. But unlike the Pixel 8, the Pixel 9 comes with a few unique AI features.

Pixel Screenshots: It lets you make searchable screenshots and interact with an AI chatbot to search for what you’re looking for.
Add Me: It blends two photographs into one, making it ideal for integrating multiple group photos into one, ensuring that no one is left out.
Reimagine AI: this feature can transform any object in a photo into something completely different–for example, a building into a rocket.

Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 is a significant improvement over the Pixel 8 in terms of both software and hardware. Given the price difference, the Google Pixel 9 is a better option than the Pixel 8 if you’re in the market for a new Pixel phone. If you now possess a Pixel 8 and would like to upgrade, the Pixel 9 is worth it because it has a better display, a more potent SoC, a better camera arrangement, a bigger battery, and exclusive AI features.

Key Specs

Google Pixel 9

Key Specs

Google Pixel 8

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