Newsletter
Unlike last year, Google announced three Pixel smartphones this time around, as part of its Pixel 9 series. In this article, we’ll compare the Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8. Each of those is inferior to their ‘Pro’ siblings, but they do have a lot to offer regardless. This article will hopefully help those of you who are still unable to decide whether to upgrade to the Pixel 9 or not.
We will first list the specs of both smartphones and will take it from there. We will also check out their designs, displays, performance, battery life, and camera performance. The Pixel 9 did get a number of upgrades, but in some ways, it’s very similar to its predecessor. Regardless, this should be a rather interesting comparison, so let’s get down to it. If you’re interested in Google’s somewhat compact devices, read on.
Specs
Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8, respectively
– Screen size:
6.3-inch fullHD+ OLED (120Hz, HDR, 2,700 nits)
6.2-inch Actua AMOLED display (120Hz LTPS, HDR10+, 2,000 nits max)
– Display resolution:
2424 x 1080
2400 x 1080
– SoC:
Google Tensor G4
Google Tensor G3
– RAM:
12GB (LPDDR5X)
8GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, EIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV)
50MP (f/1.7 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1.2um pixel size), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25um pixel size, 125.8-degree FoV)
– Front cameras:
10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
– Battery:
4,700mAh
4,575mAh
– Charging:
27W wired, 15W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wireless (no charger)
27W wired, 18W wireless, 5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions:
152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm
150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm
– Weight:
198 grams
187 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) & facial scanning
– OS:
Android 14
– Price:
$799+
$699+
– Buy:
Google Pixel 9 (Best Buy, Google Store)
Google Pixel 8 (Best Buy)
Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Design
Both of these phones are made out of metal and glass. They do look like cousins, but Google did change up the design of the Pixel 9 a bit. The main differentiating points are the rear camera design, and the lack of curves on the Pixel 9. The phone has a pill-shaped camera on the back, which does protrude quite a bit. On the Pixel 8, that camera bar curves into the frame on each of the phone’s sides. It’s covered by metal in both cases, though.
The Google Pixel 9 also has a flat frame all around, though it is slightly rounded towards the very edges. The front and back sides of the phone are also flat, as is the camera bar. The Pixel 8 has a lot more curves. Its frame is not flat, and neither is its back nor its camera bar. That makes them feel entirely different in the hand, well, that and the fact the Pixel 8 is a smaller phone. More on that soon.
You will spot a flat display on both of these smartphones. A centered display camera hole is used on both of them. Physical keys sit on the right-hand side of both smartphones. The power/lock button is located above the volume up and down key. The Pixel 9 does have a slightly larger display, and the phone itself is a bit taller, wider, and slightly thinner than the Pixel 9. It also weighs a bit more, 198 grams compared to 187 grams. Both smartphones are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, and both are quite slippery.
Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Display
The Google Pixel 9 features a 6.3-inch fullHD+ (2424 x 1080) OLED display. This panel is flat, and it has a 120Hz refresh rate (60-120Hz). HDR content is supported here, and the display’s maximum brightness is 2,700 nits, on paper. The screen-to-body ratio is around 86%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 from Corning protects this smartphone’s display.
The Pixel 8, on the flip side, includes a 6.2-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED display. This panel also has an adaptive refresh rate (60-120Hz), while HDR content is supported. This panel is also flat, and the peak brightness is 2,000 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is at around 85%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus is in charge of protecting the display.
These two displays are not all that different in terms of quality. They both offer vivid colors, great viewing angles and are plenty sharp. They offer good touch response too, and those inky blacks that you’d expect out of OLED panels. The Pixel 9’s display is a bit brighter, and that’s its main advantage. That display also comes with better protection, though the difference is not that big. You’ll be good with either of these panels, but if you find the Pixel 8 display to not be bright enough, the Pixel 9 could appeal to you.
Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Performance
The Google Tensor G4 SoC fuels the Pixel 9. That is the company’s 4nm processor, and Google also included 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM here and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Google Pixel 8, on the other hand, is fueled by the Google Tensor G3 processor. That is also a 4nm processor, and it’s not that much different than the Tensor G4. It’s inferior, but not by a lot. Google includes 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM inside the Pixel 8 and UFS 3.1 flash storage.
Do note that the company is finally using a new modem inside its Pixel phones, so that’s a major win for the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9. In regards to the general performance, both of these phones deliver. They feel fluid during everyday use, that goes for opening apps, jumping between them, multimedia consumption, browsing the internet, and various other things. Gaming is a bit different, though.
Neither of these two phones includes a vapor chamber. They both do get quite warm when you fire up demanding games. The Tensor G3 or G4 are not made for gaming, that’s something that Google will easily confirm. They’re not as powerful as Qualcomm’s flagship SoC, not even close. You can still play games, though, of course. Sticking to non-demanding games is a good idea, but both phones can still run even the most demanding titles, albeit not as well as you’d hope. Just keep in mind that general performance is really good on both, gaming aside.
Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Battery
The Google Pixel 9 comes with a 4,700mAh battery, while its Pixel 8 sibling has a 4,575mAh battery. The Pixel 9 does include a slightly larger display, so this small battery bump is perfectly normal. We did not get to test out the battery life of the Pixel 9 just yet, at the time of writing this review. We do expect it to offer a bit better battery life than its predecessor, though, or at least be on the same level as the Pixel 8.
We were able to dance between 6 and 7 hours of screen-on-time on the Pixel 8, most of the time. Throughout the first year of its existence, the battery life did vary. Google’s updates did change things up. We do expect the Pixel 9 to be more constant in the battery life department. This definitely won’t be a member of the Pixel 9 series that offers the best battery life, but it should be enough for most people.
Both devices support 27W wired charging. Google does recommend its 45W official charger, but both devices support PD3.0 and PPS standards, so… it’s not a requirement. The Pixel 9 also supports 15W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand, and 12W Qi charging. 5W reverse wireless charging is also supported. The Pixel 8, however, supports 18W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand, and somewhat slower charging without it (Qi charging). 5W reverse wireless charging is supported here too.
Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Cameras
The Google Pixel 9 features a 50-megapixel main camera, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide unit (123-degree FoV). The Pixel 8, on the other hand, also has a 50-megapixel main camera, but an inferior 12-megapixel ultrawide snapper (126-degree FoV). We’re looking at an f/1.7 aperture lens on both main cameras, and a 1/1.31-inch sensor size. The pixel size is also unchanged, it’s 1.2um.
Google did boost the ultrawide camera on the new phone. It’s a more compelling camera sensor and considerably better aperture too. The selfie camera remains unchanged, we’re looking at a 10.5-megapixel unit on both with the same sensor size and everything else. Both smartphones do a good job when it comes to photos, though. You’re getting that standard contrasty look you’d expect out of Pixels. I still think that some sharpness is needed in some scenes, but overall, the images from both smartphones look great. The Pixel 9 did a better job in low light, and some daytime pictures offered a slightly better balance too. Just to be clear, the Pixel 9 has the same main camera as the Pixel 9 Pro models.
When it comes to ultrawide photos, the new phone does a considerably better job. The images offer more details, and the low-light performance is better too. That’s completely unsurprising considering new camera hardware for that ultrawide snapper, and Google’s image processing improvements.
Audio
Both of these smartphones have a set of stereo speakers on them. The loudness is very good on them, though the Pixel 9’s speakers are technically slightly louder. The audio quality is good on both.
What you’re not getting on either of these two devices is an audio jack. You can use their Type-C ports to connect your wired headphones, though, you’ll just need a dongle. Both phones do support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, though.