Google has had a busier-than-usual yr, largely because of the glut of Pixel telephones and the fast-growing AI section. However as is normally the case, not all merchandise obtained equal enthusiasm from customers and reviewers. However let’s begin with a winner.
Winner: Pixel 9 Professional XL
Regardless of the brand new XL designation, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is basically the successor to the Pixel 8 Professional from final yr, so it is anticipated to get many of the consideration from the trio. It is also Google’s finest Pixel cellphone so far.
The cellphone brings a handful of enhancements over its predecessor, similar to a brighter and barely bigger display, higher selfies, longer battery life, quicker charging, and changing the optical fingerprint reader with an ultrasonic one. Fairly frankly, it is among the best big-screen Android experiences in the marketplace proper now.
Losers: Pixel 9 and 9 Professional Fold
The vanilla Pixel 9 has been ignored this yr, identical to Samsung has been ignoring the vanilla Galaxy S for years. The Pixel 9 is identical dimension because the Pixel 9 Professional however with inferior {hardware}. Certain, the value is decrease, however not sufficient to make it a discount and we really feel like as soon as the Pixel 9a arrives, the 9 will likely be out of date.
When you’re searching for a compact cellphone, we expect the Pixel 9 Professional is a extra good selection regardless of the upper worth.
As for the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, it is simply behind the curve. It is an costly piece of tech that may’t match the function set of different foldables in the marketplace. You may make a case that it is a greater foldable than its predecessor, however that is not onerous to come back by. The unique Pixel Fold was every a first-gen product.
Pixel 9 Professional Fold
And whereas the Pixel 9 Professional Fold improves on its predecessor in all key areas, it nonetheless disappoints in elements like charging, efficiency, and the digicam expertise, and it has a polarizing design. We all know it is subjective, however these thick bezels and asymmetrical corners do not sit properly with us.
Winner: Pixel 9 Professional
As you might have already guessed, we appreciated the Pixel 9 Professional. It is among the few totally compact flagships in the marketplace. It packs a critical punch and is virtually as succesful as its massive brother the Professional XL, however in a smaller, extra manageable package deal.
Losers: Gemini.
Google’s AI chatbot Gemini looks like an unfinished product. It is like Google shortly rolled out its personal AI options to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, however its resolution is not that helpful but.
Google undoubtedly has the chance to supply superior built-in companies with Gemini on Android and we’re seeing numerous effort in that route, however for now, we choose to ask ChatGPT for assist. It is not usually we see Google shedding at its personal recreation, although, and the race is way from over.
Winner: Pixel Buds Professional 2
We actually appreciated this yr’s Pixel Buds Professional 2, particularly on the present worth. This pair presents numerous enhancements over their predecessors – higher audio high quality, higher ANC, simply pretty much as good battery life they usually really feel a bit extra comfy. The Pixel Buds Professional 2 are an ideal deal if you happen to’re invested within the Pixel ecosystem.
Losers: Pixel Watch 3
Many anticipated a serious improve with this yr’s Pixel Watch 3, however the enhancements are modest. A barely bigger show, unimpressive battery life and the identical previous design will not minimize it in 2024. It is good that the brand new Pixel Watch is now out there in two sizes.
Nonetheless, for the asking worth, we’re certain you may get a a lot better wearable that is additionally operating Put on OS.
We’re eagerly awaiting Google’s subsequent strikes in 2025 and we hope to see the corporate tinker with a few of its {hardware}, notably the Fold, the Pixel Watch and its chipset. The Tensor G4 deserves an “honorable” point out within the “loser” group because it as soon as once more fails to reside as much as our expectations by way of uncooked efficiency and thermal capabilities.
