Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: Do you really need to upgrade?

Google has unveiled its 2024 smartphone lineup, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google has really pulled out all the stops this year, producing a big stable of phones with gorgeous designs, much improved battery lives, and the customarily amazing cameras we’ve come to expect from Google’s phones. They really are the top Google phones for this year.

But while they may have exceeded last year’s Pixels, are they a must-upgrade? If you currently have a Pixel 8, you might be considering upgrading to the Pixel 9 — but should you? We have the answers for you, so you can make the best choice. Read on below.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: specs

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: design and display

This year, Google gave the Pixel 9 a big design change from its predecessor, the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 features a redesigned frame with flattened edges instead of the Pixel 8’s curved sides. The corners are still rounded, but with the flat sides, and it should be easier to hold.

But the biggest change is the revamped camera bar. Previously, the Pixel 8 had a straight camera bar that merged into the sides of the frame itself. The Pixel 9 has a more elongated capsule-shaped module that ends before it reaches the sides of the phone. You still only get a dual-camera system with the Pixel 9, so the two lenses are housed in this new camera module along with an LED flash.

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 have glossy backs and matte aluminum frames, along with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. However, the Pixel 8 utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass, while the Pixel 9 has better durability thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

For colors, Google gave the Pixel 9 four choices: Peony, Wintergreen, Obsidian, and Porcelain. The Pixel 8 also came in four colors: Rose, Mint, Obsidian, and Porcelain. Those who were disappointed with the “pink” that was supposed to be Rose for the Pixel 8 will absolutely love the Peony Pixel 9 — it’s a much more vibrant shade of pink.

There are also some differences between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 as far as displays go. Google has bumped up the size of the display on the Pixel 9 to 6.3 inches from the Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch screen due to thinner and more uniform bezels all around. The Pixel 9 still uses Google’s Actua Display OLED panel, which has a refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz.

There are some differences, though. While the Pixel 8 had a 1080 by 2400 resolution at a 428-pixels-per-inch (ppi) density and a 20:9 aspect ratio, the Pixel 9 has a 1080 by 2424 resolution at 422 ppi. The brightness on the Pixel 9 can also reach up to 1800 nits for HDR content and peak brightness at 2700 nits. This is an improvement over the Pixel 8’s 1400 nits for HDR content and maximum of 2000 nits peak, though the aspect ratio remains unchanged.

In our review, we mentioned that the Google Pixel 9 is the most attractive and well-presented standard Pixel phone yet. Moreover, it is one of the best smartphones you can buy. This phone is aesthetically pleasing, with impressive ergonomics, and it feels great in the hands due to its satin-finish metal chassis that isn’t slippery at all. In summary, the Pixel 9 is a joy to use. Design-wise, it’s a remarkable improvement compared to the Pixel 8.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: cameras

Though both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 have dual-camera systems, the Pixel 9 does have upgraded sensors compared to the Pixel 8.

The Pixel 8 has a 50-megapixel main camera with f/1.7 aperture. You also get a 12MP ultrawide lens with f/2.2 and a 126-degree field of view (FOV). For the selfie camera, you have a 10.5MP shooter with f/2.2 aperture.

Again, Google really upped the ante with the cameras this year. The Pixel 9 has a 50MP main camera with an f/1.68 aperture and an 82-degree FOV, while the ultrawide lens is 48MP with autofocus with an f/1.7 aperture and a 123-degree FOV. The selfie camera is also 10.5MP like before, but it now has autofocus, an f/2.2 aperture, and a 95-degree ultrawide FOV (which helps for those larger group selfies).

During our testing, we found that the Pixel 9’s main and wide-angle cameras capture sharp, colorful images with a slightly processed look. However, this doesn’t mean that the end results are dull or underwhelming, because they are not.

Even the 2x zoom produces decent results, and you would have to crop the image to notice any digital manipulation. We did not have high expectations for the camera’s 8x Super Res Zoom. Surprisingly, we were mostly impressed by its performance, although considering the price of the phone, it would have been nice to have a telephoto camera included.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: performance

As one should expect every year, the Pixel 9 also outclasses its predecessor in performance, but in unexpected ways.

The Pixel 8 uses Google’s Tensor G3 chip and we did not experience many issues with the G3’s performance during our review period, as it was able to handle everyday tasks and light games just fine.

This year, though, Google has given the entire Pixel 9 lineup some significant performance upgrades. For the Pixel 9 specifically, we have the Google Tensor G4 processor, as well as an impressive 12GB starting RAM (the Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold all have 16GB RAM, a first for any Pixel). Storage options remain the same at 128GB and 256GB.

Overall, we’re impressed with the Tensor G4 and upgraded RAM. We noticed no unexpected heat issues on the Pixel 9, and Android 14 performed without stutters or flaws. It’s the most fluid, smoothest, and most enjoyable Pixel experience yet.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: software and updates

When the Pixel 8 came out in 2023, it shipped with Android 14 out of the box. At the time, Google began its promise of seven years of major software upgrades, Feature Drops, and security patches. So, the Pixel 8 should last until Android 21 in 2030.

This year, however, Google is doing something a little weird with the Pixel 9 series. Historically, the Pixel has always launched with the newest version of Android, and this year, that would be Android 15, which should be close to exiting the beta stages and into the final public release.

However, the Pixel 9 will actually be launching with Android 14 out of the box, with the upgrade to Android 15 coming later. This is the first time that Google is launching the Pixel line with an old version of Android, so it complicates things a bit.

Theoretically, it should last until Android 22 due to Google’s seven-year guarantee of support, but with Android 14 being the default software version out of the box, we aren’t completely sure just yet. We do know that it will get seven years of software upgrades, Feature Drops, and security updates — we just don’t know whether that means Android 21 or Android 22 at this point, assuming that Google makes no changes to the timeline of Android versions in the future.

Some of the AI tools that we are getting with the Pixel 9 series include Add Me, which lets you take two group photos (one with you in it) and merge the two images into a single composite so that no one is left out. Google is also adding a separate Pixel Screenshots app, which will keep your camera roll free of screenshots and be completely searchable as well.

Google Gemini is also a big focus this year. Google is replacing the legacy Google Assistant with Gemini (though you can change that if you want), and Gemini will be integral to many things on your Pixel 9, including image generation. The Pixel 8 also has some AI tools, like Magic Eraser and Magic Editor, but it’s not clear yet whether it will also be getting some of the newer AI tools that Google has planned.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: battery and charging

The Pixel 8 has a 4,575mAh battery inside. The Pixel 8 would potentially last a second day with moderate use but was more likely to be a one-day phone with heavier usage. The Pixel 8’s charging time is average, with maximum wired charging speeds of around 27W. This means around 50% charge in 30 minutes. There is also 18W wireless charging for the Pixel 8 and reverse wireless charging through Battery Share.

The Pixel 9 has a 4,700mAh battery inside, which is a bit more than its predecessor. However, battery life ended up being quite similar, ending the day at about 30% remaining. This was without playing any games, but using GPS, the camera, media, and apps for a total of four hours of screen time. Charging speeds also haven’t really changed, as the Pixel 9 still has a maximum wired charging speed of 27W, or 55% in 30 minutes.

The Pixel 9 does not include a wall charger in the box. It also supports Qi wireless charging, but it does not support Qi2 wireless charging.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 8: verdict

Google definitely made some big changes to the Pixel 9 this year; that’s a fact. However, if you’re still using a Pixel 8, is it really worth upgrading? There are a few things to consider.

For one, the new design looks sleeker, and the Peony color is what the Pixel 8’s Rose should have looked like. The slight increase in display size means you get a bit more content on the screen at once, and it also reaches higher brightness levels, which means it’s easier to use outdoors in sunlight. The slight increase in size also means you get a better battery, and the Tensor G4 with 12GB RAM should mean incredible power and performance, as well as power efficiency.

For cameras, Google increased the ultrawide lens to 48MP, which could potentially make a huge difference. We’ve demonstrated this in some camera comparisons with the OnePlus 12 and competing phones, as the OnePlus 12 also has a 48MP ultrawide lens. So, if you care about smartphone photography, especially with ultrawide shots, then the Pixel 9 could be worth upgrading to for that spec alone.

Furthermore, whether you like it or not, AI is here to stay for the foreseeable future. The Pixel 9 has plenty of power inside to handle Google’s multi-modality AI tools, and AI definitely comes in handy for features like Add Me and all of the Gemini features.

If your Google Pixel 8 is running fine and you aren’t in a rush to upgrade, you can absolutely keep it for another year and be just fine. But if the design, performance, and camera upgrades are catching your eye, the Pixel 9 may just be worth it — especially if you can score a decent trade-in deal.