Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8: What’s the difference?

This detailed comparison analysis of the Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8 will give you a better understanding of the differences between the two.

of Made by Google 2024 The event kicked off today, finally revealing the Pixel 9 (along with a ton of other next-gen Pixel goodies), and from what we can see, the latest Pixel flagship is already a success. Pixel 8.

The Pixel 9 comes with a host of upgrades, including a larger display in a slightly thinner form factor, a larger battery with faster charging speeds, better performance thanks to the next-gen Tensor chip, and more RAM — and did we mention it also has better AI features? Google Gemini?

Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 prices and specs

The one unfavorable difference between the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 8 is the starting price. Sure, the specs are better, but gone are the days when Google’s basic Pixel was a bargain.

Pricing for the Pixel 9 starts at $799. Google StoreThat’s a $100 increase over the $699 Pixel 8, which is already up $100 from its $599 price tag. Pixel 7As you probably know, Google has increased the price of the base model of its Pixel smartphone by $200 over the past two years.

Google Pixel 9
Credit: Mashable

Luckily, the Pixel 9’s specs are impressive.

• 6.3-inch Actua (1080 x 2424 resolution) display

• Up to 2,700 nits peak brightness

• 60Hz-120Hz refresh rate

• Tensor G4 processor

• 12GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 4,700mAh battery

• IP68 rated

• Rear camera: 50MP wide-angle lens, 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens with macro focus

• Up to 8x super-resolution zoom

• 10.5MP Dual PD Selfie Camera

Google Pixel 8
Credit: Google

Here’s how it compares to the Pixel 8:

• 6.2-inch Actua (1080 x 2400 resolution) display

• Up to 2,000 nits peak brightness

• 60Hz-120Hz refresh rate

• Tensor G3 Processor

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 4,575mAh battery

• IP68 rated

• Rear Camera: 50MP wide-angle lens, 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens with macro focus

• Up to 8x super-resolution zoom

• 10.5MP Dual PD Selfie Camera

It’s clear that the Pixel 9 brings some interesting upgrades, especially to the front-facing camera. Google has already had great success with the Pixel 8’s camera ( Photo Samples (I can attest to that.) So carrying over the Pixel 8 Pro’s 48MP ultra-wide lens to the Pixel 9 only makes me appreciate the Pixel 9 even more.

Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 displays

The Pixel 9 sees a return to OLED displays after the slight reduction in screen size on the Pixel 8, but with a big boost in brightness too.

Google Pixel 9
Credit: Mashable

The Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch Actua display with 1080 x 2424 resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. You can also expect HDR brightness of up to 1,800 nits and peak brightness of up to 2,700 nits, which is a 35% increase over the Pixel 8. Interestingly, the Pixel 9 also offers a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, resulting in richer image details.

These are incremental but notable improvements over the Pixel 8, which has a 6.2-inch Actua display with 1080 x 2400 resolution, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

In summary, the bigger the screen, the better the results.

Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 Design

Google is keeping the distinctive “Pixel look” with the new Pixel 9 series, but it’s ditching the usual camera visor that wraps around the phone in favor of a wider camera island. It’s an interesting shape change, and those who didn’t like the compact size of the Pixel 8 will be happy to know that the Pixel 9 has grown in size (and weight).

The Pixel 9 measures 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5mm and weighs 198g, making it slightly larger but thinner than last year’s model. This is close to the larger size of the Pixel 7, but serves as a middle ground between the past two versions.

Google Pixel 9
Credit: Mashable

In comparison, the Pixel 8 measures 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm and weighs 187g. The Pixel 9 is a few grams heavier, but it’s also slightly thicker. The Pixel 8 was praised for its pocketable design, and it’s clear that the Pixel 9 is trying to maintain that design while adding space for a larger display.

Size isn’t the only change: the Pixel 9 also uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back of the phone, which makes it more scratch-resistant than the Pixel 8’s Corning Gorilla Glass Victus cover glass used on the display.

Google Pixel 8
Credit: Google

As for colors, the Pixel 9 comes in two new color options, Wintergreen and Peony, in addition to the usual Obsidian and Porcelain. There’s no Hazel or Rose hues like in the Pixel 8, but they have similar green and pink color schemes, respectively.

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8 Performance

It’s no surprise that the Pixel 9 will have a next-generation Tensor chip. teeth A nice bonus is that the RAM has been upgraded over the Pixel 8, meaning more demanding apps have more room to thrive.

Google Pixel 9
Credit: Mashable

The Pixel 9 is expected to come with the usual 128GB or 256GB storage options, as well as an upgraded Google Tensor G4 chipset and 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It remains to be seen how much of a performance boost the G4 processor will bring, but it will no doubt help with the arrival of new AI features like Pixel Screenshots.

The Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 chip and 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM performed well, especially for its price, but with the Pixel 9’s increased starting price, we’d expect a bit more “power.”

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8 battery life

The Pixel 8 has better battery life, lasting over 24 hours on a single charge in our testing, but the Pixel 9’s larger battery capacity and faster charging speed should (hopefully) take that from “good” to “great.”

The Pixel 9 boasts a 4,700mAh battery capacity and a charging speed of up to 55% in about 30 minutes, with the phone claiming to last over 24 hours, or up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode switched on – this is necessary for the brighter display feature, but longer battery life is always nice.

Google Pixel 8
Credit: Google

The Pixel 8’s 4,575mAh battery can last up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver and can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes, while the Pixel 9 Selection subjects Better battery life. Still, an extra hour or two is always welcome.

Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 cameras

We’re happy to see professional camera features trickling down to the base Pixel model, and this time around, the Pixel 9 will get a 48MP ultra-wide lens instead of the less-than-impressive 12MP ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 8.

The Pixel 9 comes with a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10.5MP selfie camera. Apart from the lack of a telephoto lens, the Pixel 9 has the same high-quality camera features as the Pixel 8 Pro, and we gave it high marks for the snapshots it takes.

Google Pixel 9
Credit: Mashable

The ultra-wide lens is the only major difference between it and the Pixel 8, which boasts the same 50MP wide-angle camera and a 10.5MP front-facing camera. Other than that, it’s all about Google’s image processing and AI Magic features that make every photo shine.

Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 Software and AI

Google continues to impress with seven years of OS and security upgrades on both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8. Of course, the Pixel 9 comes with Android 14, so new owners will get an extra year of support.

The Pixel 9 series release also introduces new AI features, with Gemini helping Google apps like Gmail and Maps, Pixel Screenshots for example, helping you save, organize and recall what you want to remember, and Camera AI features improving Night Sight, Magic Editor and more.

Google Pixel 9
Credit: Mashable

However, that doesn’t mean the Pixel 8 won’t receive these updates, but the Pixel 9 is definitely geared up for them.

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8: Is it worth the upgrade?

The $100 price increase makes it hard to recommend Google’s base Pixel as a great deal. The Pixel 9’s hardware improvements are clear, making it the best base Pixel ever. But that’s to be expected with an annual release, and some may feel that the inevitable price cut of the Pixel 8 will be enough for their smartphone needs.

Either way, we’ll need to spend more time with the Pixel 9 to really know what it’s worth, but before we do, check out the other big Pixel announcements. Made by Google 2024 An event that includes the new Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2.