I like the Pixel 9 Professional, however I’ve 5 explanation why I will be ready for subsequent 12 months’s mannequin

To date, I have been pleasantly shocked by Google’s Pixel 9 series of smartphones. The Pixel 9 Pro models are notably compelling this 12 months, with a splendidly premium construct high quality, a beneficiant serving to of RAM, and tons of AI-enhanced digital camera options.

I am additionally a giant fan of Google’s choice to supply the complete Professional expertise in a extra compact package deal this time round, and I hope to see this stay the case within the years to come back.

Not every thing is sunshine and rainbows, nonetheless. There are just a few lacking parts which have me wanting to carry off till subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10 Professional, in hopes that they’re going to make it into Google’s next-generation {hardware}. Listed here are 5 issues in particular which are stopping me from taking the Pixel 9 Professional plunge.

1 There isn’t any Qi2 wi-fi charging on deck

Why hasn’t this proven up on Android smartphones but?

Qi2 is the most recent inductive wi-fi charging customary, and it was finalized in late 2023 by the Wi-fi Energy Consortium. Sure, that very same consortium that Google occurs to be an active member of.

Inexplicably, the Pixel 9 collection is absent the useful ring of magnets that work to align compliant telephones onto charging pads, stands, and equipment. I can solely hope that by subsequent 12 months, Google will lastly get round to implementing Qi2 into its Pixel 10 lineup. Personally, I discover it troublesome to revert again to non-magnetic wi-fi chargers after getting a style of Qi2 on the iPhone.

2 Gorilla Glass Armor is absent

The glass on the Pixel 9 Professional is Gorilla Glass Armorless

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 Ultra again in January, it introduced with it an sudden new {hardware} addition — Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Armor. This new technology of tempered glass improves resistance to scratches, however its headlining characteristic is the discount of on-screen reflections.

The Google Pixel 9 Professional is outfitted with the more-than-capable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass on each the entrance and the again, however after experiencing the anti-reflective properties of Corning’s next-gen product, I by no means wish to return.

There is a good probability that Samsung scored an exclusivity take care of Corning to be used of its Gorilla Glass Armor. I simply hope the settlement is not multi-year, and that the Pixel 10 Professional is outfitted with the identical show glass that the S24 Extremely advantages from at present.

3 UFS 4.0 flash storage is lacking from the equation

Contemplating the value of the telephone, I might anticipate the perfect in storage know-how

Samsung

In terms of flash storage, the quicker the efficiency, the higher. Sadly, the most recent high-end customary — UFS 4.0 — is absent from the Pixel 9 Professional. UFS 4.0 “delivers double the velocity of the earlier technology and 45% higher effectivity — eradicating bottlenecks for quicker smartphones,” according to Samsung.

The Pixel 9 Professional ships with UFS 3.1 storage, which remains to be fairly snappy, all issues thought-about. That being mentioned, I really feel that the high-end price ticket of Google’s Professional handset warrants one of the best storage answer at present out there available on the market.

4 Quick charging is not all that quick

The telephone fees quickly — simply not quickly sufficient

The Pixel 9 Professional is able to 27W charging, and Google quotes that this can internet you “as much as 55% in about half-hour.” In a vacuum, it is a first rate sufficient charging charge, however the reality is that opponents are far forward with regard to quick charging.

I am hoping that for subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10 Professional, we get a bump up in functionality to someplace between 45W and 65W. For the sake of battery well being, I am not advocating for one thing like Redmi’s 300W feat of engineering. I might argue that 65W strikes a very good steadiness between charging quickly and preserving the integrity of the ability pack.

5 The selfie digital camera punch gap is type of ugly

The cutout is bigger than what you will discover on top-end Samsung telephones

The Pixel 9 Professional follows the development set by Samsung in that it opts for a front-facing gap punch for housing the selfie digital camera. In contrast to prime Samsung fashions, nonetheless, the Pixel’s cutout is bodily bigger and decrease on the display screen.

In truth, the Pixel 9 Professional’s selfie cutout is decrease on the display screen than even final 12 months’s Pixel 8 Professional. By way of consumer expertise, this creates unbalanced visuals inside the interface, as there is a noticeable lack of symmetry between the digital camera gap and the standing bar icons.

Admittedly, I like the truth that the Pixel 9 Professional has an improved selfie shooter in comparison with final 12 months’s mannequin — the broader area of view and far larger decision are welcome enhancements. I hope that with one other 12 months of analysis and improvement, Google engineers will have the ability to squeeze a extra compact and symmetrical selfie shooter into the Pixel 10 Professional.