3 causes I am sticking with the Pixel 9 and never upgrading to the Pixel 10

Extra so than ever, Google is leaning on AI to make its Pixel telephones standout. The Pixel 10 lineup is sort of indistinguishable from the Pixel 9 telephones Google launched final yr, with a number of vital exceptions, like new colours and the presence of a telephoto lens on the cheaper mannequin. All the largest bulletins about Google’s new telephones had been centered on AI options, just like the useful Magic Cue or the AI overhaul that the corporate’s given the Digicam app.

Whereas Qi2 charging and magnetic Pixelsnap accessories are nice, after taking a look at what’s really totally different in regards to the Pixel 10, it isn’t clear everybody ought to rush out and improve, particularly in case you already personal a Pixel 9. Final yr’s fashions provided main enhancements in design and efficiency, and people have not precisely pale within the final three hundred and sixty five days. With that in thoughts, listed here are three explanation why I am sticking with my Pixel 9 moderately than upgrading to the Pixel 10.

The digital camera upgrades aren’t essentially higher

Three lenses needs to be higher than one, however not on this case

On paper, the Pixel 10’s cameras are an enormous improve over the Pixel 9. The place the Pixel 9 has simply two digital camera choices, a large and an ultrawide, the Pixel 10 has three: A large, ultrawide, and telephoto. The three-lens setup has lengthy been a privilege of shopping for a “Professional” telephone, because the Pixel 6 Pro. On iPhones, it is nonetheless one of many main variations between Apple’s entry-level and premium units. By including the additional lens, Google looks as if it is being beneficiant and providing extra worth for a similar $799, however the thought is not as minimize and dry because it seems.

• 

  Entrance digital camera

  f/2.2 10.5-megapixel

  Rear digital camera

  f/1.68 50-megapixel vast, f/1.7 48-megapixel ultrawide

  Model

  Google

  Show

  6.3-inch 120HZ OLED, 1080 x 2424 pixel decision, HDR10+

  RAM

  12GB

  Storage

  128GB, 256GB

  Pixel 9 incorporates a 6.3-inch show and a well-known design. It helps the addition of a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens to its rear digital camera array alongside Google Gemini and AI options.

  
  

• 

  Entrance digital camera

  f/2.2 10.5-megapixel

  Rear digital camera

  f/1.7 48-megapixel vast, f/2.2 13-megapixel ultrawide, f/3.1 10.8-megapixel telephoto

  Model

  Google

  Show

  6.3-inch Actua Show 1080 x 2424 pixel decision OLED (60-120Hz)

  RAM

  12GB

  Storage

  128GB/256GB

  Google’s Pixel 10 options the tech large’s new Tensor G5 chip and a three-camera setup for the primary time that features a 10.8-megapixel telephoto digital camera.

  
  

If you happen to take a look at the main points of every telephone’s digital camera setup, the Pixel 10 is notably worse in some respects. The Pixel 9 has a 50-megapixel vast digital camera with an f/1.68 aperture and a 48-megapixel ultrawide with an f/1.7 aperture. The Pixel 10’s vast digital camera is simply 48-megapixel, and it has a narrower f/1.70 aperture. The ultrawide on the brand new telephone is a good smaller 13-megapixel and has an f/2.2 aperture. Which means the Pixel 10 captures much less element than the Pixel 9 in some instances, and fewer gentle throughout the board. In follow, this distinction will not all the time be noticeable, based mostly on opinions. If you wish to seize the very best photographs attainable on a finances, although? It appears tougher to advocate.

The telephoto digital camera is even weirder. The Pixel 10’s 10.8-megapixel telephoto has an f/3.1 aperture, almost the identical specs as final yr’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The key distinction between the 2 cameras is bigger Tremendous Res Zoom choices on the Pixel 10 and optical picture stabilization. Even with the telephoto, leaping from the Pixel 9 to a Pixel 10 is just not a clear-cut digital camera improve. If something, it is proof that Google is making an attempt to convey the bottom Pixel 10 nearer to the Pixel 9a it launched earlier this yr.

Software program options aren’t unique for lengthy

Google has a historical past of bringing new software program to older Pixels

Google

Essentially the most thrilling options on the Pixel 10 are primarily software-based, and all reliant on AI in a technique or one other. This has been true of Google’s smartphones because the starting, but it surely’s very true of the Pixel 10, the place Google is presenting a extra unified imaginative and prescient for what AI will do on smartphones. On this case, it is there to offer contextual data while you want it, show you how to take and edit photographs, and translate telephone calls, texts, and another audio in your telephone.

With Magic Cue, the Pixel 10 can course of data from Gmail, Google Messages, Pixel Screenshots, and Google Calendar, and supply it while you want it. Google’s examples embrace prompting you to share an tackle with a pal from an occasion in your calendar or your journey itinerary from Gmail whereas on a name. It is meant to be useful with out you doing any further work. Magic Cue is meant to grasp the context and ship data the place acceptable. Within the Digicam app, Digicam Coach understands the context of what your telephone is pointed at and guides you in taking an amazing picture. Voice Translate is even wilder, reside translating calls and simulating your voice in actual time.

Google largely credit these options to the elevated efficiency offered by the Tensor G5 and an up to date on-device Gemini Nano mannequin. Google partnered with TSMC to create the G5 and moved to a brand new 3nm course of that ought to produce a extra power-efficient chip. Some elements of the Pixel 10’s software program suite might require that further oomph, however traditionally, new Pixel software program has come to older Pixels a technique or one other.

Magic Editor picture enhancing options launched on the Pixel 9, like Reimagine and Auto Frame, finally got here to older Pixels. Issues like Gemini and Circle to Search percolated by means of no less than the Pixel 6. On the very least, units that use Google’s Tensor chips seem to be they’re going to obtain software program assist and new options for longer than the corporate’s older telephones. Odds are good that a few of the Pixel 10’s unique options make the soar to older Tensor units. Which means a Pixel 9 with a Tensor G4 might be helpful for no less than a short time longer.

A brand new telephone means reductions on the final technology

Offers on a brand new Pixel 9 are undoubtedly on the best way

Google’s at the moment promoting the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 10 for a similar $799 value. That wasn’t the case leading up to the launch of the new phone, and it possible will not be the case for lengthy. Sooner or later, Google and different retailers are going to wish to make room for brand new telephones, whether or not it is the Pixel 10a or one thing else. To try this, they’re going to need to do away with their stock of older units.

Which means you will possible be capable to discover the Pixel 9 at a wholesome low cost not lengthy from now. If you happen to’re affected person, it will be price it. If you happen to do not wish to wait, although, you would possibly be capable to discover a used Pixel 9 at an amazing value proper now. If not, the Pixel 9a presents an analogous set of options — and an analogous digital camera array to the Pixel 10 — for a stable value. Odds are good that the Pixel 9a will get Pixel 10 options through a Pixel Drop replace sooner or later, too.

The Pixel 10 is nice, however not important

Do not let new telephone pleasure cloud your judgment

Google continues to get higher and higher at making telephones. That makes every of the corporate’s new releases that rather more thrilling, however you do not want the most recent and biggest to have a superb expertise or expertise cutting-edge AI. An older telephone, like final yr’s completely nice Pixel 9, could be all you want.

For extra data on the brand new options of the Pixel 10 lineup, you possibly can learn Pocket-lint’s protection of the launch or review of the Pixel 10 Pro. If you happen to’re contemplating what’s taking place on the opposite facet of the fence, Apple has an occasion deliberate for September 9 the place it is more likely to introduce the iPhone 17 lineup and a complete new, ultra-thin type issue.