Latest news with #Pixel9ProXL
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Google Pixel 10 Pro wishlist: Here's what I want after living with the Pixel 9 Pro
I've been using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL almost since its launch, and that means it's going to be one full year by the time August rolls in, the month when the Pixel 10 series is also expected. All this time, I've found several little things that, while they may not get in the way of the overall premium experience that the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivers, do stop it from being truly great. Don't get me wrong, it's one of the finest Android devices I have used in the last half a decade and certainly the most refined Pixel yet, but there are still some minor shortcomings that Google could potentially address with the Pixel 10. Having said that, I've noted all of them to treat as a wish list, if you will, of things Google should improve with the Pixel 10 series. Read on. Google offers the ability to blur video; it is essentially their cinematic mode, like the iPhone's. However, it's just not that great. The edge detection isn't as good as the iPhone's, the video is actually limited to Full HD, and you can't even toggle the front-facing camera if you want to use that mode. I've used cinematic mode on the iPhone and found how useful it can be, especially when you're not carrying a professional camera around. So, a better cinematic mode is one of those things that Google should definitely improve, as it is something that a lot of content creators use daily. In hand, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Pixel 9 Pro feel like a tank. They are some of the most premium-feeling Android phones out there, if not the most premium. The design certainly stands out; it is a refreshing look. However, there is a minor nitpick that I'd like to make because it might not affect everyone, but it certainly affects me or anyone else who doesn't like scratches or wear and tear on their devices. So, I have had a case and screen guard on my Pixel 9 Pro XL since day one, but despite that, there are minor nicks on the back as well as the side aluminium rail. This is due to the dust particles that get trapped between the phone case and the phone itself. Dust particles have actually caused minor marks on my black obsidian Pixel 9 Pro XL. While I have yet to notice something like this on any iPhone, the back finish seems to be different between the iPhone's matte glass and the Pixel's back glass. The Pixel's glass is a lot softer, and that's what I think is contributing to these minor specks of dust making permanent marks on the back. The same goes for the polished aluminium sides; they, too, have some nicks here and there. I think this can be solved by, potentially, a more durable matte finish, or perhaps Google switching to titanium or stainless steel, which would actually fit with the price tag that Google is now commanding. Well, as good and reliable as the Pixel camera is when you click photos, it's not the quickest experience. The shutter speed is quite quick, but as soon as you toggle on the 50-megapixel mode, especially in RAW, it takes forever to process the images. So, while you are out and about shooting images, it will cause a delay. This has to do with the Tensor G4 chipset, which definitely isn't as powerful as the likes of the Snapdragon 8 Elite or even the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This should be addressed because Google is rumoured to be switching to TSMC's chip for the Pixel's Tensor G5, so we might get improvements in this regard. Pixel phones have large batteries these days, up to 4700 mAh and all the way upwards of 5000 mAh, and with the maximum charging being limited to less than 40W, the charging isn't the fastest. It can take a lot of time to charge, especially compared to its Chinese counterparts like the OnePlus 13. So, at least Google should bring in 50W wired charging or at least 65W fast charging. This will reduce the charging time a lot. Other minor improvements that Google could make include the front bezel. On the Pixel 9 models, it is quite thin and symmetrical, but making it even more so would create an even more premium experience, just like the iPhone 16 series, especially the 16 Pro models. Another thing that Google could improve is the power button placement. It is located below the volume buttons, whereas it should be above them, as that is the natural resting position. Right now, I have to perform weird hand gymnastics to reach the power button, especially considering how large the Pixel 9 Pro XL is, despite my hands being a decent size.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Do not update to Android 16 right now. Pixel phone users are facing problems
Google started to roll out the stable version of Android 16 last week to Pixel phones. However, some early Android 16 users are reporting problems with navigation and gesture controls, hampering day-to-day user activities. Reportedly, several Pixel users are taking to social media, highlighting that the navigation buttons are unresponsive or simply not functioning, and gestures are not responding after downloading the Android 16 update. This showcases major Android 16 bugs, demanding an immediate fix to the user experience. However, it should be noted that not all Pixel owners are experiencing similar issues, and it is only reported in some models. Know if you should update your Pixel to the latest Android version instead of waiting for a fix. Also read: Google pauses 'Ask Photos' AI Feature to address performance issues Should you update your Pixel phone to Android 16? Well, not just yet, as several early adopters of the new generation Android update are frustrated with unresponsive navigation and gesture control. An X/Twitter user who goes by the name Artem Russakovskii shared a post highlighting the Android 16 bugs. The post said, 'Is anyone else experiencing a bug with the Android 16 stable update where the back system gesture stops working and does nothing sometimes? It's easy to fix but it happens again.' In the post thread, the users also shared a video showcasing the unresponsive back button. Also read: Google to let users test Android 16 desktop mode on phones with external display support, here's how Several Pixel owners have also highlighted similar navigation and gesture control issues on Reddit. As of now, the problems are occurring in the Google Pixel 8, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 6 models. Therefore, not all Pixel users are affected by the Android 16 update. Yet the issue could be really frustrating for users as navigation buttons and gestures are the crucial functionalities of a smartphone. And when the basics are not functioning properly, it could raise doubts over the smartphone brand as well as the software. Also read: Apple to launch major Siri AI upgrade with iOS 26.4 by March 2026 As of now, Google has not responded to the issue, but we expect a fix to be rolled out soon. If you are someone who is also struggling with similar issues after the Android 16 update, then report the bug to Google. Now, if you have already downloaded the update and are facing these issues, then you have to wait for a fix. And if you are yet to update your Pixel phone to Android 16, then you may want to wait for a couple of weeks for the stable functioning of all features.
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
I turned my Pixel 9 into a desktop PC and it actually works great
Android 16 is finally here, but unfortunately, some of the best features are still on the horizon. One upcoming tool that I've been keeping a particularly close eye on is Android 16's Desktop Mode, currently available in the QPR1 Beta 2. It's been a while since I gave Samsung's equivalent Dex setup a go, so I'm very keen to see what's different, what's new, and how far things have come. Eager to try it out, I grabbed my Pixel 9 Pro XL, installed the latest beta, and decided to try working on my phone for a few hours (including writing this article) to see how it goes. Will you use Android's Desktop Mode when it launches? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % Not sure NaN % I'm already using the beta NaN % If you're tempted to dip your toes in, you'll need a few things first: QPR1 Beta 2 installed on a Pixel with DisplayPort capabilities, Developer Mode enabled with the 'Enable desktop experience features' toggle checked, and a USB-C cable connected to a DisplayPort-compatible display. That's it for the basics, so let's dive in. Peripherals galore Robert Triggs / Android Authority If you're planning to use a phone as a PC, peripherals better darn well work easily. Thankfully, I had no trouble pairing my wireless keyboard and mouse to the Pixel 9 Pro XL via Bluetooth. As you'd expect, a couple of quick taps was all it took — if anything, the trickiest part was remembering how to pair my keyboard with a second device. For the rest of my setup, I used the same USB-C dock/hub that's usually paired with my laptop; it connects everything over a single cable, including my HDMI monitor, USB audio interface hooked up to speakers, 1 Gbps Ethernet, various USB-A/C ports, and a microSD card reader for photo work. The good news? The Pixel connected instantly to my display, looked crisp on my 1080p panel, and didn't require any tweaking for icon sizing (though that option exists). It also automatically routed audio through the USB interface, meaning I could use my regular speakers with no extra setup. Hallelujah—this actually feels like the real deal. Just plug and play. I feared that Android's Desktop Mode would fail at this first peripheral hurdle, but it nails it. It even recognized a microSD card and an external hard drive with no issues, opening the door to massively expanded storage for both work and play. Android's file management isn't perfect, but I was able to move photos on and off my camera's card with a little effort. I expected Desktop Mode to stumble here, but it absolutely nailed it. Even better, the USB hub passes power through to keep the Pixel charged while in use. This is essential since CPU usage is way up when running multiple apps side by side. I saw all eight CPU cores being tapped at least partially, nearly the entire time. Speaking of, how does performance hold up? How's the performance? Robert Triggs / Android Authority Google's Tensor G4 inside the Pixel 9 series might not be the fastest chip around, but it's more than capable of handling just about everything I throw at it on a daily basis. It turns out that it also has enough juice to get some serious work done in a PC-like setup. Messaging, browsing multiple tabs, editing Google Docs — all no problem. I loaded some heavyweight spreadsheets to try and break it, but no dice. Lightroom also ran smoothly, handling photo edits just like it does on the phone. Gaming is no problem either; performance feels native to what you'll experience in phone mode. Performance is surprisingly robust, even with multiple apps open. Still, the most impressive part? Apps don't just run in phone-sized windows — they often open in their tablet or foldable layouts, which fit naturally into a desktop setup. Chrome, Maps, Calendar, and even some non-Google apps looked and felt right at home in a PC environment. I instantly opened up a full landscape version of Lightroom (no extra download needed), giving me ample space to review my edits. Clearly, Google's push for multi-form factor app support is starting to pay off. However, older apps that haven't been optimized can still behave poorly, so your mileage may vary. That said, these remain mobile-first apps. Chrome doesn't magically offer extension support like the desktop version, which remains a severe limitation if you want to use this setup as a major productivity tool. Thankfully, that looks to be changing soon. To push things further, I opened several Chrome tabs, streamed 4K video, launched a few light apps, and even fired up a round of PUBG Mobile. The Pixel certainly warmed up, but no stutters or system slowdowns to speak of. Phones have been solid multitaskers for a while now — this just proves they're ready to go toe-to-toe with lightweight laptops. What's especially slick is that apps keep running on your phone once you unplug from the desktop. Chrome tabs, documents, and even games remain open and ready to resume where you left off. That said, I hit a few bugs: apps didn't always return to the external display correctly if I pulled them to the phone, game resolutions gitched if I pulled them to and from the phone, and the interface bugged out a few times when trying to use multiple desktops. It's good, but there's a reason its still in beta Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Overall, I'm really impressed with Android 16's Desktop Mode. It's remarkably polished for a beta, but it's not quite ready for primetime. Connecting to an external display sometimes failed, I ran into UI-breaking bugs when switching desktops, and some older apps hijacked the whole screen with no way to exit them. A few expected PC conveniences are still missing as well. There's no mouse sensitivity control (which made scrolling some apps a chore), no dedicated task manager to kill misbehaving apps, and resizing windows causes the contents to completely disappear temporarily. Also, some Android features aren't supported yet — you can't interact with notifications or toggle Wi-Fi/Bluetooth without reaching for your phone. Desktop Mode isn't fully baked yet — but it's very, very close. Of course, Desktop Mode isn't the only way to interact with your phone via a PC. Windows now has a dedicated Phone Link panel, and brands like HONOR will even allow you to open apps on compatible laptops. But those are pretty limited: they mostly handle messaging, photo access, and notification forwarding. This will be plenty for most people who only need to sync the essentials, but Desktop Mode goes much further, offering a true laptop-like experience you can pocket. Despite my positive experience, I have reservations about the whole concept. Not everyone will have a USB-C dock handy, so connecting up essential peripherals and the like won't always be so easy. You'll also want a mouse and keyboard setup that supports quick connection swapping, which I have, but am very aware that not everyone will have at hand. In any case, Android 16's Desktop Mode already feels very capable, even if it's not perfect. I just hope we won't be waiting for Android 17 to see it launch fully. Either way, Android is edging closer to becoming a true desktop-class OS, and that's very exciting.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Google Pixel 9 Pro plummets to lowest price ever in surprise sale
Google's flagship has seen a price reduction making it the cheapest it's been since launch The Pixel 9 Pro is Google's flagship phone, coming in two different sizes, the regular 6.3-inch phone and the larger XL, with a 6.8-inch screen. Renowned for its excellent camera, the Pixel 9 launched in 2024 with the latest price reductions taking it down to the lowest prices it's been since launch. There's a full £300 off the price of the Pixel 9 Pro, so it's now £699 on Amazon, beating the previous lowest price of £799. This is a great price for a compact flagship phone, and one of the only phones running brand-new Android 16 software. Pixel 9 Pro XL is down to £799, while the regular Pixel 9 is £561. While that Pixel 9 price is good, it's not the cheapest that this phone has been, with a previous low price of £549 on Amazon. Still, it's cheaper than if you were to buy it from Google direct. For those looking to get the phone on contract, Sky is offering compelling rates on the Pixel 9 models with a starting price of £14 a month. Google has just announced Android 16, the latest software to power Android phones and one of the advantages of buying a Pixel is that you're head of the queue when it comes to updates. The software was pushed to Pixels on the day Google confirmed it was ready and I've already updated my own Pixel phone. While Android 16 adds some nice new features, like live updates in your notifications for things like deliveries and a reorganised image editor in Google Photos, it's really the camera experience that gets people excited. The Pixel camera is one of the most consistent cameras you'll find on a smartphone. It takes great pictures in just about all conditions – and that's why it's one of my top choices as a smartphone expert. I'm always snapping photos, whether it's in daylight or a night, with great results. Sure, the video skills aren't as good as you'll get on the iPhone, but the Video Boost mode offered in the settings can get some incredible results. One of the great things about the Pixel 9 is the fresh new design compared to the Pixel devices that came before it. The iconic camera bar on the back became an island, and while it's a little bit bulky, I think it looks great, as the build quality of the Pixel 9 really stands out. The display on the front is nice and bright, making those photos you take really pop when you look back at them and I'd pick the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL of you spend a lot of time watching movies as the larger screen definitely helps. Don't just take my word for it, shoppers heap praise on the Pixel 9 Pro, with one saying "This is the best phone I have owned," and another commenting "The cameras are insanely good thanks to Google's AI Processing". The drawback of this phone is that the Tensor G4 hardware that powers it, designed in-house by Google, isn't quite as powerful as the Snapdragon hardware you'll get in rival devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The battery life also isn't the best, as one shopper comments: "It's a very good phone, but the problem is the battery. It runs out too quickly." With all that said, these price reductions make the Pixel 9 Pro really competitive: getting access to the Pixel camera experience is what most people are looking for and this is the cheapest price we've seen on the Pro models so far.
Phone Arena
14-06-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Top-of-the-line Pixel 9 Pro XL gets a $200 discount, making it a true temptation
Under normal circumstances, Google's top-of-the-line Pixel 9 Pro XL with 128GB of storage will set you back around $1,100 — an amount that makes calling it 'far from affordable' an understatement. True, the phone does offer a lot, but its steep price makes it a tough sell. Fortunately, Amazon is offering it at a sweet $200 discount right now, tipping the scales in favor of buying it. After all, thanks to this markdown, you can get a true powerhouse of a phone for just under $900, which is a much better price than the usual MSRP. $200 off (18%) The Pixel 9 Pro XL with 128GB of storage is now $200 off on Amazon, letting you snag one of the best phones on the market for just under $900. Act fast and grab one with this deal now while you can! Buy at Amazon But let's see what this $900 will get you! Firstly, you'll enjoy fast performance. Equipped with Google's latest Tensor G4 chipset and 16GB of RAM, this bad boy has enough firepower to handle demanding tasks, games, and AI-powered assignments with ease. Secondly, as a self-respecting Pixel, it ranks among the best camera phones on the market. Rocking a 50 MP main snapper, a 48 MP ultrawide unit, and a 48 MP telephoto lens, it takes gorgeous photos with rich colors. And thirdly, it offers a stunning viewing experience thanks to a beautiful 6.8-inch OLED screen with a sharp 2992 x 1344 resolution and HDR support. So, yeah! The Pixel 9 Pro XL definitely deserves its spot among the best phones money can buy, boasting speedy performance, incredible camera capabilities, and a gorgeous display. That's why we encourage you to act fast and grab one with this deal now while you still can, as the phone is an absolute bargain at its current price on Amazon.
