Google Pixel 9

Yes, for buyers who want a compact phone with flagship build quality and very long software support. The Pixel 9 has a bright 120Hz OLED screen with even bezels, a fast ultrasonic fingerprint reader, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides and up to seven major Android upgrades, which keeps it current for years.

The compromises are slow 27W charging, storage that starts at 128GB with no memory card slot, a Tensor G4 that is barely faster than Google's previous chip, and photos with a heavily processed look. Pakistani buyers should also know that some Pixel-only features, such as Call Screen, do not work with local SIM cards. In our listings it costs less than the Galaxy S24, which has a telephoto camera.

Verdict: a smart choice for long-term owners who value smart software in a pocketable size; gamers, fast-charging fans and lovers of natural-looking photos should compare carefully.

The 6.3-inch Full HD+ OLED panel refreshes at 120Hz and supports HDR10+. It is rated at 1800 nits in high-brightness mode and 2700 nits peak, noticeably brighter than earlier Pixels, so it stays readable outdoors. The bezels are now even all the way around, which makes the phone look more premium, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the front.

Under the screen sits a new ultrasonic fingerprint reader that is much faster and more reliable than the optical readers on older Pixels. One small catch: it only reads your finger when the screen or always-on display is active, not from a completely blank screen as some Samsung phones allow.

The Tensor G4 is a 4 nm chip, but it is only slightly faster than the chip in the previous Pixel, so for nearly everything you do the speed feels the same. Daily use is smooth and apps open quickly.

The real change is the much stronger AI processor and the 12GB of RAM, a large part of which is reserved for AI tasks. That hardware powers features such as on-device image generation, Call Notes and Gemini. Buyers who want top raw performance for heavy gaming will find faster chips in rival flagships; the Pixel 9's strength is smart features rather than benchmark scores.

The rear pairs a 50 MP main camera with optical stabilisation and a new 48 MP ultrawide that combines pixels into sharper 12 MP shots; there is no telephoto, which is reserved for the Pro models. The front has a 10.5 MP ultrawide selfie camera, while the Pro models get a noticeably better one.

The camera app is quick, focuses fast and produces consistent results, but the look is heavily processed: strong HDR, contrast and sharpening. That suits social media, while buyers who prefer natural, neutral photos may not like it.

Video records up to 4K at 60fps; it is sharp but also processed, and Video Boost makes a clear difference to quality. Of the AI tools, Add Me is genuinely useful for group photos, Magic Editor's Reimagine is hit and miss, and Zoom Enhance mostly just raises clarity rather than recovering real detail.

The Pixel 9 has a 4700 mAh battery, about the same size as the previous model. Battery life across the Pixel 9 range was good in two weeks of testing, with five-plus hours of heavy screen time, though most of that use was on the larger Pro XL, so the regular Pixel 9 may differ.

Charging is the weak point for the price. It supports 27W wired charging, rated at 55% in 30 minutes, which is slow next to many rivals. It also supports 15W wireless charging on Google's Pixel Stand, 12W on standard Qi chargers, reverse wireless charging for earbuds and bypass charging.

It launched with Android 14 and has been updated to Android 16, with up to seven major Android upgrades promised, one of the longest commitments available. The software is clean, and Gemini is built in deeply: it is conversational, remembers context and can read your Gmail, Docs and calendar when you allow it. Gemini also works on other Android phones, though, and confusingly the older Google Assistant still runs alongside it.

Pixel-only extras include Now Playing, which names songs playing around you, Call Notes, which records and summarises calls, a new Weather app, a Screenshots app that makes saved screenshots searchable, and Pixel Studio for on-device image generation. Call Screen does not work with Pakistani SIM cards, as Google limits it to SIMs from a list of countries that does not include Pakistan.