The Pixel 9 Pro ... a few months in

So, I will start this by saying I originally started with the Pixel 9, and then luckily, was provided the 9 Pro, so I did get a chance to see the difference, and it's definitely worth the upgrade.

But, a few months down the line, how is it going?  If you know me, I'm a die-hard Pixel fan, and it takes a lot for me to knock it off the shelf... but I'm trying to be more humble these days, somewhat more critical of the devices I choose to keep in my pocket.  The OnePlus 13 is so attractive, yet it has stayed by my desk as my gaming device. 

For me, the Pixel 9 fits every little niche of what I want to use in a device.  I would be tempted to look at the XL model for another $150 extra, as I think the only thing that I might have to say against the phone is the size.  But, I've been used to the Pixel 8, and when I had the 6 and 5 it was the smaller models.  So I'm not entirely against having a smaller device.  Especially, if like me, you have access to tablets or laptops at a moment's notice to give you that better real estate.  I can't say I've ever had to squint or feel like my display was missing out.  The 9 Pro approximately the same resolution, just higher density due to the size.

In terms of performance, the 9 Pro has been boss.  There hasn't been a time where I had it lag or stutter.  There had been some times where the lock screen might not let me use my fingerprint after I had pulled the shade down to adjust a settings tile, but I think that's more a OS glitch than a performance issue.

Keep in mind that I'm not really gaming on it.  I had installed some games like Dead Cells on it, and I was using the Stadia remote, and it handled it admirably.  Imperceptibly no difference from the OP13 that I could tell without being overly pedantic.

moderate use, forcing myself not to charge

For the battery for all that powerhouse use I have noticed it's not ... stellar.  I mean I don't have any issue myself.  Although, I have to point out I'm a battery fomo kinda person and any time I can put it on a charger to 'top it up' I'm doing that.  I've forced myself to not charge it (and that's a hard force) and I can find that I'd be about 65% or so at the end of the work day.  On lighter days I'd be about 60% when I go to bed.

So, it's lasting me a full day for sure, but I feel like it is draining faster than I think "I'd like it to".  Maybe I'm comparing it to devices like the OnePlus 13 with its huge battery (and not putting in a SIM card, or connecting to a watch 24/7, with a ton of accounts and apps), maybe it's just my battery fomo.

Tho', I am learning that there are a lot of you who go loooong times without charging and prefer a speedy 'refill' on the go (whereas I'm the waiter always topping up your water).

Overall, performance-wise, there isn't anything SCREAMING fast out of it, nothing blowing my socks off, but I'm also not sitting here frustrated at any point.

What's the vehicle analogy here?  It's not a crappy Edsel, and it's not a Ferarri, it is an extremely reliable automobile (which is the BNL description of the K-car... which it's definitely better than that).  Nobody needs to go to work every day and get groceries in a Porsche 911.

But what it does, this Pixel, is deliver.  It consistently delivers a reliable experience without performance issues.

And aside from just managing the daily website browsing, the social media handling, this has some great tricks up its sleeves that I come to rely on day-to-day which has made it hard for me to ever try another. 

Notifications history - I must be losing it in my old age, or it's just that much easier for me to swipe away something accidentally.  But I find having to go though my notification history more often (did I see a notice about that delivery?  did they text me to confirm that appointment?).  Pixels have a dedicated button RIGHT there in the notification shade.  Other phones, you can turn the feature on, but you have to go and hunt for that list.

Pixel Studio - really, I'm loving this feature.  If I need a quick post for the socials for football or the pipe band, it's a nice way to get something creative without being creative myself.  Sometimes quick and good enough is the right fit.  And if I can make a quick 'sticker' out of something and incorporate it right on device... saves me having to go to the laptop and punch something out on Pixlr or Canva.  

That Camera - nothing beats it.  Sure, there might be one or 2 out there that 'technically' are better.  But every photo I've taken I'm still going "hey, that's a good shot" regardless of the settings, regardless of the scene, and with no fiddling.

I also love the "What's Playing" feature built in - that's come in handy with some Music Bingo games!

I also just love the integration with all the other Pixel devices.  Being able to connect to a set of Pixel Buds that were connected to the Pixel 8 and automatically just work; or the device notification sync (so swiping away from my Pixel 9 Pro swipes it away from the Pixel Tablet too).

Now for the parts I'm 'meh' about or wish there could have been a better job done:

I find the display, even with the HDR popping out now and again, that the auto brightness tends to land it slightly dimmer than others out there.  I'll think it's bad, but then realize "oh, I can pump it way up".  I think it's just an auto setting.

The case... oof.  The Google case for it is ... not great.  It's better than the one for the 8, where that really feels oily after some use, and this is starting to go down that path.  I'm also upset that it didn't come with magnets built in for wireless charging.  I'm getting really spoiled.  The UAG case I've let my wife use with the Pixel 9, a) because it lets it show off the pink, and b) did you know the Pixel 9 and the 9 Pro have slightly different oriented Qi coils?  Like almost a cm off from each other.  WTH!?!?

Storage is another issue... I'm sure I'm getting spoiled by these OnePlus with 256GB or more, that 128GB now feels 'tiny'.  Sure, I've never run out of space, but after a year or so of using a phone I am down to about half... and I am conscious of doing videos with other phones to mind the space usage.

None of those are a 'well, dangit' kind of complaint, just it's something I've noticed.  It wouldn't get me to put the device down for another.

All in all, the Pixel 9 Pro is your best bang for the buck in my opinion with the right balance of features and performance.  Sure, you can save, but you'd sacrifice something.  Or you can get better performance (if you'd notice it) but you'd pay.  This is the ideal sweet-spot for a phone.