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Google Pixel 9 PhoneArena Camera Score: Slightly better than the Pixel 8, but with some issues

Published: Aug 30, 2024, 5:11 AM

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Person taking a photo with the Google Pixel 9

The Pixel 9 is Google's new super affordable phone, which not only boasts a new design, but also comes along with a new ultra-wide camera, an AI-centric chipset on board, and a multitude of AI goodies on deck.

Intriguingly, the Pixel 9 comes with the same camera as the Pixel 8 from a pure hardware perspective. What's even more interesting is that the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the same main camera, which could hint that the image quality on the affordable Pixel wouldn't be that far off from the top flagship in the series.

You will find the Pixel 9's camera specs neatly summarized in the table below, followed by the results of the phone going through the paces of the PhoneArena Camera test.

Specs	Google Pixel 9	Google 8
Main camera	50MP, f/1.7, 1/1.31" sensor, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS	50MP, f/1.7, 1/1.31" sensor, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS
Telephoto camera	-	-
Ultra-wide camera	48MP, f/1.7, 1/2.55", PDAF	12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", AF
Front-facing camera	10.5MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", PDAF	10.5MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", PDAF

Overall, the main camera is the same, but the ultra-wide is entirely new. It quadruples the resolution and employs faster autofocus, a larger sensor, and a much faster aperture. That's what we like to see, but these are just hardware changes, remains to see if Google has successfully tamed the Pixel 9's new ultra-wide camera.

Google Pixel 9

PhoneArena Camera Score

BEST 157

144

PhoneArena Photo Score

BEST 162

153

Main (wide)

BEST 85

Zoom

BEST 28

Ultra-wide

BEST 25

Selfie

BEST 30

PhoneArena Video Score

BEST 153

136

Main (wide)

BEST 79

Zoom

BEST 27

Ultra-wide

BEST 23

Selfie

BEST 28

Pixel 9 Camera Score compared to its rivals

Phone	PhoneArena Camera Score	Photo Score	Video Score
Google Pixel 9	144.2	152.9	135.6
Google Pixel 8	143.1	146.5	139.7
Samsung Galaxy S24	152.2	157.1	147.3
Apple iPhone 15	146.7	153.7	139.8

And the results are in: the Pixel 9 is a minor upgrade over its predecessor. The Pixel 9 beats the Pixel 8 in terms of overall photo image quality (by a lot), but fails to impress in video recording. Those two even out, so we get a minor improvement in the total score.

Still, even despite the improvements, the Pixel 9 fails to catch up to the camera leaders in the compact category. While the iPhone 15 is mostly in a striking range just a little ahead, the Galaxy S24 has a significantly better and more versatile camera setup.

Google Pixel 9 Camera spider chart

Main Camera

Google Pixel 9 PhoneArena Camera Score: Slightly better than the Pixel 8, but with some issues

The Pixel 9 delivers the same image quality as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL, since both have the same main cameras. This is great news for the small Pixel, as it essentially means we get superb dynamics, exceptional color reproduction, and most importantly, a very detailed and sharp image that doesn't lean on oversharpening.

Ultra-wide Camera

The ultra-wide camera, while quite decent, isn't that well-optimized. It suffers from soft details in the corners of the frame, which is important with ultra-wide shots. The older Pixel 8 actually fares better in this test, and so does the iPhone 15. Overall, you can count on the ultra-wide camera as long as you are aware of the softer corners.

Front Camera

The selfie camera is the same as the one on the Pixel 8, but the new phone's selfie camera has more oversharpening and the details are not as clean. Still very decent for the casual selfie or a Teams video call.

Main Camera - Video

The Pixel 9 fares mostly okay in terms of video when compared to the iPhone 15 and the Pixel 8, which are in the same ballpark, though the Galaxy S24 pulls ahead. With the Pixel 9, you get decent detail and okay dynamics, though there's room for improvement on both accounts. And finally––you can pause video recordings, unlike on the iPhone.

Ultra-wide quality - Video

Ultra-wide video quality isn’t impressive. The corners tend to lack sharpness, and now, the center of the frame also suffers from soft details, which further diminishes the overall performance of the ultra-wide camera.

Front camera - Video

Videos taken with the front camera are not good. The image is too soft and generally lacks to capture finer details, which isn't an issue with the Pixel 9's rivals. Even the Pixel 8 is significantly better.

Conclusion

The Pixel 9 has a decent, albeit not very versatile, camera system. Overlooking the obvious lack of a dedicated telephoto camera, the rest of the camera setup has some issues, which are mainly found in the ultra-wide and the front-facing camera, both of which simply aren't sharp enough.

The main camera more than makes it up for all the shortcomings, though. It's tack sharp and has superb dynamics, so both the highlights and shadows get resolved perfectly. The same applies to the color temperature, which is a level above the Galaxy S24, Pixel 8, and iPhone 15.

If Google addresses the sharpness of the ultra-wide and selfie cameras, the Pixel 9 could be an even stronger contender.

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Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.