Google Pixel 9 is at the Nexus of Hardware, Software, and AI (Premium)

When it comes to the Pixel 9 series, it's a bit cheap to write something like, "It's all about the software" or even, "It's all about the AI," even though there's plenty--perhaps too much--to discuss there. But these bon mots are even more pointless than usual because they assume either that the hardware is so lackluster that we need to focus on something else, or that the hardware is so good we can simply move on to the software and AI sides of the discussion.

Pixel makes doing either ... complicated. But ultimately, it's about all three. Hardware, software, and AI.
Hardware
If we're being honest, 15 years after Google started making its own smartphones, the only certainty is uncertainty. There have been extreme highs and lows. If we limit this discussion only to the Tensor era--meaning Pixel 6 series and newer--the highs and lows are a bit less extreme, thankfully, indicating that overall quality is up. But there have been issues. I don't go into a new iPhone worried about this kind of thing, but I've been bitten by Pixel too many times to not be a bit apprehensive.

The first two Pixel Pro models of the Tensor era that have now been replaced by the Pixel 9 Pro XL were compelling but flawed, with lower pricing than their Apple and Samsung flagship competitors. More specifically, the Pixel 6 Pro had an unreliable in-display fingerprint reader paired with useless facial recognition, some display issues, oxymoronically slow fast charging, and other issues. The Pixel 7 Pro fixed some, but not all, of those issues, and it's retained the same stellar $899 starting price while conversely retaining the ridiculous curved display edges and too-slow fast charging. It wasn't until the Pixel 8 Pro that Google got it right, for the first time delivering the complete package, with faster charging, reliable and secure facial and fingerprint recognition, faster fast charging, and other improvements. The starting price had gone up by $100 to $999, but the only notable downside was its lackluster battery life.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL raises prices yet again, to $1099, and I assume Google tries to justify that by pointing out that it now sells a smaller Pixel 9 Pro that retains the $999 starting price. But the pricing advantage is gone, and that makes for a more perilous buying decision. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max start at the same $999/1099 price points, and while Samsung Galaxy S24 flagship pricing is higher, they're always on sale and come with more base storage, and Samsung offers terrific trade-in values. Whatever the math, Google is now competing head-to-head with the market leaders, and no matter how good the Pixel 9 series is, I can't say it's earned this pricing structure. It still feels like a risky bet to ask the typical consumer to make.

On paper. But as I observed last night while installing apps and configuring the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google has achieved something interesting here. The device is overtly premium, and even more overtl...