We’re getting the Pixel earlier than ever. With less time in the oven, could the Pixel 9 be better than the Pixel 8? Here are some things we think could be better in the next iteration of Google’s flagship smartphone lineup.
Suffering from Success: Pixels and Problems
Nearly every Google Pixel has had a problem, a concern or a compromise. Over the years, these have ranged in severity and complexity. From tinted screens to hole punches, battery life to overheating, slow modems to unreliable unlocking, we’ve seen a whole host of issues plague the Pixel since the series was unveiled in 2016.
We all know the Pixel got a soft relaunch with the Pixel 6 , and for anyone with a recent device (circa 2021 onwards), common complaints stem from the switch to the in-house developed and Samsung-manufactured Tensor processor. For better or worse, Google has publicly stated that its work on the Tensor processor was “never about speed” or even “traditional performance metrics.”
Our work with Tensor has never been about speeds and feeds, or traditional performance metrics. It’s about pushing the mobile computing experience forward.
All three versions of the Tensor processor sit low on the flagship totem and are based on the same core Exynos 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 a key selling point for Tensor, but the aforementioned chips are more than powerful enough to pull off many of their own AI tricks. It’s easy to see why some hardcore hardware fans might be disappointed after three chip revisions so far.
Many have called the Tensor series of processors disappointing as a result, and that doesn’t just apply to their performance capabilities. Making a new SoC is a tricky business, and the first generation had a slew of complaints, from overheating to the modem simply not working like it should. Recording 4K video for more than a few minutes was enough for the Pixel 6 to overheat and, in some cases, shut down.
The first in-display fingerprint scanner was a complete disaster. For many people – myself included – it was 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 may have been why the Pixel 6 Pro never got Face Unlock to mitigate the significant issues with biometric unlocking – another bummer for the first-gen Tensor chip.
Battery drain was something I personally encountered a lot with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. I’m not sure if it ever improved with software updates and new Android versions. The reason? Longevity is often subjective, but it was something many owners noted right from launch. One point of contention is that since the Pixel 6 Pro, the internal cell at the “Pro” level has been around 5,000mAh.
This is not a small internal cell. Many Snapdragon phones have similar capacities but do not have the same issues with longevity. The Pixel 7 helped improve efficiency, and the Pixel 8 series added even more boosts. The battery is now “reliable,” but in my experience, it still has the occasional “off” day. One day it will drain faster, but the next day it will last a long time again. I know this is not the case for everyone.
Mobile connectivity and stable connections are still an issue, despite the many updates to the 2021 flagship. 5G speeds are often slow when you can connect, which is one of the biggest issues. It’s even more confusing given that it uses Samsung Exynos modems. They’re normally some of the best around. Switching to the Exynos 5300 from the Pixel 7 has helped immensely, but it’s still not the fastest.
How could the Pixel 9 be better than the Pixel 8?
Reading that list of complaints and issues, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Google hasn’t made a decent device in years. That’s absolutely not true. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are solid devices that improve in every area where there were obvious issues, and we want this year to continue that way.
One of the saving graces is that the Pixel 8 series has had a lot of iterative changes that address the glaring issues. Is it perfect? No, but it’s the best starting point for the Pixel 9 ahead of launch.
Battery life and charging speed
If the new Tensor G4 chip is another revision with minor efficiency improvements, then we’d hope the Pixel 9 can improve on the day-to-day life of the phone. Short of an even bigger battery, it’s unlikely we’ll see huge improvements in longevity this year. That’s not to say the Pixel 8 has “bad” battery life – far from it – but it doesn’t quite fall into the “excellent” category like the OnePlus 12 or Galaxy S20 Ultra.
We’re also hoping to finally see another boost in charging speeds. By modern standards, the 30W wired charger and 21-23W wireless charger are slow. Even a bump to around 45W with a wired charger would be a nice boost if you like to charge your phone quickly. Charging habits vary from person to person, so this may narrow down the list of improvements you’ll want from the Pixel 9 series.
Zoom Enhance
Despite promises of it coming 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 further information could be a sign that Google is saving the enhanced zoom option for the Pixel 9 launch.
Camera zoom hasn’t changed all that much since the Pixel 6 Pro. Given Google’s penchant for software improvements, Zoom Enhance could be a worthwhile 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 excellent photos, and is reliable. There’s one persistent issue, though: the camera UI can lag when you repeatedly press the shutter button.
While taking photos at a sporting event recently, I noticed that the camera can get stuck and almost freeze when taking these types of photos. There is also some lag when switching lenses or zooming in. If the Pixel 9 can improve this, the experience will be infinitely better than it is now. Autofocus can also be a bit fiddly, it would be great to see Google address this with the Pixel 9.
Better fingerprint scanner
While the Pixel 8 series have great scanners, a faster and more accurate in-display fingerprint scanner will improve the Pixel 9 series’ unlocking experience. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold should get a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner which should likely be less of an issue and more consistent…
Improved thermals of the device
The Pixel 8 struggles with heat dissipation and management. Gaming and video editing exacerbate this, which can lead to throttling and performance degradation. With improved thermal management, the Pixel 9 should be able to maintain peak performance for longer, offering a smoother and more consistent user experience, especially for users who push their phone to the limits.
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 touted as being integrated into the Tensor G4 chip, and satellite connectivity is also coming for emergency connections in remote areas. Even with a fallback, we need better connectivity because your phone is still a phone, after all.
Improvements to the software stack
We understand Android 15 won’t be a massive overhaul over Android 14. It’s about refinements and improvements to the existing operating system, but we’d like to see the Pixel 9 bring even more improvements.
I’d like to see better coverage of themed icons, since it’s been in beta for almost three years now. Google has been teasing “Magic” a lot in early marketing, which hopefully hints at more AI-powered features and functionality. Perhaps we’ll finally see Gemini better integrated into the Pixel 9, improving the experience of using the enhanced voice assistant to control aspects of your phone.
What improvements do you expect from the Pixel 9?
With the arrival of the Pixel 9, many Pixel 8 owners are eager to see Google address some pain points. Which improvements matter most to you? Let us know in the comments.
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