If you own a Google Pixel 8, you’re probably pleased with the camera and the photos it takes. However, you may be eyeing the Google Pixel 9 with its new design and AI features.
But what about the camera? Since the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 share similar specs on paper, is it worth upgrading for better photo quality? I’ve tested both phones by taking over 100 pictures to find out.
Camera Specifications
Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 feature a 50-megapixel primary camera with an f/1.68 aperture. However, the Pixel 9 has a 48MP ultrawide camera with a 123-degree field of view, while the Pixel 8 has a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 125-degree field of view. Additionally, the Pixel 9’s f/1.7 aperture offers improved performance over the Pixel 8’s f/2.2 aperture.
While both phones lack a telephoto camera, the Pixel 9 promises “optical quality” photos at 2x zoom and features Google’s 8x Super Res Zoom. The Pixel 9 is equipped with the latest Tensor G4 processor compared to the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8.
While Google has not explicitly mentioned AI enhancements for the main camera, the Pixel 9 offers various AI image tools such as the Reimagine mode in Google Photos and the Pixel Studio AI image generation app. All photos were taken in auto mode and have not been edited, but resized for online viewing.
Main Camera Comparison
Despite using different processors, it’s challenging to spot differences between the main cameras of Pixel 8 and 9. Both phones deliver remarkably similar results in terms of details, color balance, and depth of field, with minimal variations between them.
In various photo comparisons, both phones exhibit identical characteristics without one photo standing out over the other. The Pixel 9’s slight improvements in specific scenarios like sharper sky tones and better overall sharpening are noticeable only upon close examination.
Wide-Angle Camera Comparison
In the wide-angle category, the Pixel 9 outperforms the Pixel 8 in certain instances with sharper details and less distortion. However, both phones deliver similar results overall, making it challenging to declare a clear winner in this category.
Conclusion: Pixel 9 Wins
The Pixel 9 emerges as the overall winner, with improvements in key areas like the wide-angle camera and night mode. However, the minimal differences in other categories suggest that the Pixel 8 still offers excellent camera performance.
If you find a good deal on the Pixel 8, it may be a worthwhile alternative to the Pixel 9, considering its increased price. Ultimately, both phones deliver exceptional camera capabilities, ensuring impressive photo quality.
