Google Pixel 9 Challengers: Google took the wraps off its latest Pixel series at the ‘Made By Google’ event. Four phones were launched at the event: the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro, and the vanilla Pixel 9. It might have got the least attention and be the only Pro-less variant in that lineup, but the Pixel 9 comes with specs and features, and above all, a price tag, that makes it an attention-worthy smartphone. It remains a comparatively compact device and comes with a 6.3-inch full-HD+ OLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on top.
The same Gorilla glass is on the back of the phone too. The phone is powered by Google’s new Tensor G4 processor which is a big step up from the Tensor G3 on its predecessors. This, paired with 12 GB of speedy LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB storage, makes the Pixel 9 a very capable device.
The biggest USP of the Pixel series has been its cameras, and the Pixel 9 takes this tradition forward features a 50-megapixel main sensor with single zone laser AF, dual pixel PDAF, and OIS accompanied by a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 10.5-megapixel sensor on the front for selfies and video calls.
These numbers combined with Google's computational photography and AI muscle should make the Pixel 9 an absolute photography pro. The phone comes with Android 15 out of the box, and because it is a Pixel you get assured software updates for a massive seven years. It is powered by a 4,700 mAh battery which comes with 27W wired and 15W (Pixel stand) and 12W (Qi compatible chargers) wireless charging support. The phone also comes with IP68 dust and water resistance, stereo speakers and a slightly tweaked, but still very distinctly Pixel design on board.
All of this comes with a price tag of Rs 79,999, which is very premium but comfortably the lowest in the current Pixel lineup. But while it is the most affordable in the Pixel zone, the Pixel 9 faces some very tough competition from other players in the market.
Here are five devices that can give the Pixel 9 a run for its money:
Samsung Galaxy S24: Pixel 9's Samsung's Soul Sister
Price: Rs 72,999 onwards
The Galaxy S24 is to the Galaxy S24 series what the Pixel 9 is to the new Pixel series. It does not have the kind of specs, S Pen support or Titanium frame that the S24 Ultra has and is smaller than the S24 Plus, but like the Pixel 9, it is the smallest phone in the range in terms of price and size. It is one of the most compact and light flagships around - just 147 mm tall and 167 grams in weight - but is a very tough customer with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and an Armour Aluminium frame.
It also has IP68 dust and water resistance. Of course, in the best Samsung flagship tradition, it has a brilliant 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x FHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a versatile camera setup, comprising a superb 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 10-megapixel telephoto with 3x zoom a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor on the back, and a 12-megapixel selfie camera.
It has a slightly smaller 4,000mAh battery, with support for 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, but like the Pixel 9, has no charger in the box. Some might not be too happy with the Exynos 2400 chip powering it, but it is a powerful performer.
The S24 not only comes packed with many AI tools, many designed in collaboration with Google, but also comes with seven years of assured updates, just like the Pixel 9.
The fact that it is now more affordable (it was launched at Rs 79,999) makes it a phone that could pixel-late the prospects of the Pixel 9.
iPhone 15: Yes, THAT Phone Again
Price: Rs 74,900 onwards
The iPhone 16 might be coming soon but the iPhone 15 remains a formidable proposition in its own right even now. It remains incredibly compact and is one of the most elegant-looking phones out there with its frosted back.
Some might sneer at its 6.1-inch XDR OLED display with 60 Hz refresh rate and point out that its A16 Bionic chip is now almost two years old, but the iPhone 15 still packs a performance punch.
Its 48-megapixel main camera is one of the best in the business, especially in terms of video, its stereo speakers are outstanding and above all, it comes with an iOS interface and app ecosystem that is unmatched in terms of performance and protecting privacy.
It also boasts excellent stereo speakers, wireless charging support and dust and water resistance, and now even charges off a USB Type-C port.
A super smooth operator with premium looks even now.
OnePlus 12: Ensuring Other Android Flagships Never Settle
Price: Rs 59,999 onwards
In terms of sheer spec-to-price goodness, there are not many flagships that can match the OnePlus 12. Although it is the most affordable device on this list, it comes with some of the best specs on paper.
That includes a huge 6.82-inch quad HD+ LTPO AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and a staggering 4500 nits of brightness, the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and speedy LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage.
The phone comes with cameras that have been made in collaboration with the famous Hasselblad and comprise a megapixel-laden 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom (and up to 120x digital zoom) and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide sensor on the back, and a 32-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls.
It also packs in a massive 5,400 mAh battery with support for super-fast 50W wireless charging and even faster 100W wired charging, with a wired charger in the box too. Round that off with Android 14 topped with the famous OxygenOS interface, stereo speakers and IP68 dust and water resistance and you have a device that can unsettle every flagship out there.
Vivo X100: Zeiss Camera Wizard
Price: Rs 63,990 onwards
Its Pro Bro might have got more attention, but the Vivo X100 is quite a device for anyone who wants a stylish-looking phone with great cameras.
It comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 2800 x 1260 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate, and runs on the very powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9300 processor, with plenty of RAM and storage to handle tasks light and heavy. It also comes with cameras made in collaboration with Zeiss optics - a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 64-megapixel telephoto camera with 3.2x optical zoom and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera with autofocus (a rarity). A 32-megapixel camera handles selfies.
It also sports a 5000 mAh battery with support for 120W charging, and a charger in the box as well. Top that with an eye-catching design and IP68 dust and water resistance, and the Vivo X100 gets right into the face of the Pixel 9. Some might find the Funtouch OS on top of Android 14 a little cluttered, but it does come with a lot of handy features.
Xiaomi 14: The Likable Leica
Price: Rs 69,999
This compact phone with Leica photography muscle is one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the path of the Pixel 9. Its biggest stars are the trio of 50-megapixel cameras on its back, co-engineered with Leica - a main sensor with OIS, a special portrait telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom and an ultrawide.
Not only do these cameras take some stunning images, but also come with special shooting modes (especially portrait ones), designed by Leica. That's not all.
The phone also sports a superb 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 12 GB of LDRRR5x RAM and a hefty 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
Keeping those flagship specs running is a 4,610 mAh battery, with support for 90W wired and 50W over wireless charging. The Xiaomi 14 cuts a very elegant and compact figure and comes with IP68 dust and water resistance as well as Gorilla Glass protection.
It comes with Android 14 with Xiaomi's clean HyperOS out of the box.