The August Made by Google event is over and brought with it a whole host of new Pixel products. I had the chance to attend the event in Mountain View, California and test out the new Google Pixel 9.
One of the things I do most with any smartphone is take photos, so I was keen to put the Pixel 9 through its paces. While I still need a bit more time with the Pixel 9 before I publish my full review, here are a few examples of how Google has improved the cameras on the base model Pixel 9 this year.
What are the camera upgrades on the Pixel 9?
Before we dive into the photos, we discuss Google’s camera improvements this year. The previous Google Pixel 8 had a 50MP main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a 126-degree field of view (FOV), and a 10.5MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture. In other words, pretty Standard stuff.
This year, however, Google has given the Pixel 9 some very worthwhile upgrades. The main camera is still 50MP, but has an f/1.68 aperture and an 82-degree field of view. There’s also a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/1.7 aperture and a 123-degree field of view. The selfie camera is still 10.5MP with an f/2.2 aperture, but Google has added autofocus, which was previously missing.
The numbers are impressive, but how do they perform in the real world? Let’s take a look.
The main camera is as reliable as ever
Although I am primarily an iPhone user, Pixel phones are some of my favorites because of the stock Android experience. The Pixel 9 hardware seems to be exceptional this year. Overall, I have had great experiences with Pixel cameras as it is really hard to find a bad Photo with a.
I took some photos around the Google Bay View campus and the main buildings of the Googleplex with the Pixel 9. Although the sunlight was quite harsh at the time (between 3 and 6 p.m.), the Pixel 9 made the colors appear bright and vibrant without being overpowering. I can’t say the same for some of the same photos I took with my iPhone 15 Pro, which appeared darker and underexposed.
I find that the photos taken with the Pixel 9 are well balanced in terms of colors and details. While I noticed that the iPhone’s contrast levels can help bring out finer details, overall the Pixel 9’s 50MP wide-angle camera is good. Images taken with it are detailed and colors are vibrant enough to share on social media. It’s a good middle ground between the harshness of the iPhone’s images and the oversaturated Samsung photos.
Examples of ultra-wide angle and selfie cameras
I was excited when I first heard that the Pixel 9 would be getting a 48MP ultra-wide camera this year. I had used the OnePlus 12 earlier this year and was consistently impressed with the results from its 48MP ultra-wide lens, especially when compared to some major rivals.
The Google Pixel 9 benefits from the improved ultra-wide lens, as the ultra-wide shots have good color balance and more detail than before. Of course, the details are a bit blurry when you zoom in and look closely, but it’s still a big improvement over the Pixel 8’s 12MP ultra-wide shooter.
Google has also improved the Pixel 9’s selfie camera, but only by adding autofocus. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL got the big selfie camera upgrade with the new 42MP lens. On the Pixel 9, we still only have a 10.5MP selfie camera. However, the field of view has been improved as it is now 95 degrees, allowing you to capture more of the scene in a selfie. This is great for large group selfies.
I just took a quick selfie with my Pixel 9 while checking out the glass sculptures at the Apple Park Visitor Center. It’s fine for a quick selfie, but you can definitely see the details blurring a bit with the background.
The Pixel 9 is off to a great start
For those who don’t mind not having a telephoto lens, the Pixel 9 is shaping up to be an excellent smartphone. I love the new hardware design, it feels much more modern and stylish. With the Tensor G4 chip and 12 GB of RAM, the Pixel 9 should be a real powerhouse despite being a base model.
The Pixel line has always taken reliably good photos, and that continues with the Pixel 9 series. With the new, improved 48MP ultra-wide camera joining the 50MP main camera, the Pixel 9 can take some really beautiful photos. Plus, the Pixel 9 comes in the gorgeous Peony color, the prettiest shade of pink I’ve seen on a phone yet.
Stay tuned for our full review of the Pixel 9 coming soon.
