The recent Made by Google August event showcased a range of new Pixel products, including the highly anticipated Google Pixel 9. I had the privilege of attending the event in Mountain View, California, where I had the chance to test out the new Pixel 9.
As a photography enthusiast, one of the main aspects I focus on when trying out a new smartphone is its camera performance. While I’m still in the process of creating a comprehensive review of the Pixel 9, I wanted to share some insights into the camera upgrades that Google has implemented in this year’s base model Pixel 9.
What are the Pixel 9 camera upgrades?
Before delving into the photos, let’s discuss the camera improvements Google has made this year. The previous Google Pixel 8 had a standard set of camera specifications. However, this year, Google has made significant upgrades to the Pixel 9’s cameras.
The main camera now features a 50MP sensor with an f/1.68 aperture and an 82-degree FOV. Additionally, there’s a 48MP ultrawide lens with an f/1.7 aperture and a 123-degree FOV. The front selfie camera remains at 10.5MP but now includes autofocus, addressing a previous limitation.
While the specs are impressive on paper, the real test lies in real-world photography. Let’s take a closer look.
The main camera is as reliable as ever
Despite being an avid iPhone user, I have always appreciated the Pixel series for its stock Android experience. The Pixel 9 camera continues the tradition of producing excellent results.
During my test around the Google Bay View campus, the Pixel 9 delivered vibrant colors and balanced exposures even in harsh lighting conditions. This stood out compared to photos taken with my iPhone 15 Pro, which appeared darker and underexposed in similar settings.
The Pixel 9 excelled in producing well-balanced photos with rich colors and intricate details. While the iPhone’s contrast levels can enhance fine details, the Pixel 9’s 50MP wide camera captures detailed images with vibrant colors suitable for social media sharing.
Ultrawide and selfie camera samples
The addition of a 48MP ultrawide lens to the Pixel 9 brings an upgrade in color balance and detail retention. While some softness may be observed upon zooming in, the overall quality is significantly better than the Pixel 8’s 12MP ultrawide setup.
As for the selfie camera, Google has introduced autofocus to the 10.5MP front shooter. While the Pixel 9 doesn’t match the selfie camera upgrades of the Pro models, the improved FOV of 95 degrees allows for wider group selfies.
During a quick selfie session at the Apple Park Visitor Center, the Pixel 9’s selfie camera captured decent shots, albeit with slightly muddled details in the background.
The Pixel 9 is off to a great start
For users who can forgo a telephoto lens, the Pixel 9 promises to be a top-notch smartphone. With its sleek modern design, powerful Tensor G4 chip, and 12GB of RAM, the Pixel 9 is poised to be a powerhouse despite being the base model.
The Pixel series has always been renowned for its camera capabilities, and the Pixel 9 lives up to this reputation. The upgraded 48MP ultrawide camera complements the 50MP main sensor, resulting in stunning photos with vibrant colors. Plus, the option to choose the beautiful Peony color for the Pixel 9 adds to its appeal.
Keep an eye out for our comprehensive review of the Pixel 9 coming soon.
