I really like the Pixel 9 Professional, however I&...

To this point, I have been pleasantly shocked by Google’s Pixel 9 series of smartphones. The Pixel 9 Pro models are significantly compelling this yr, 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 resolution 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 return.

Not all the pieces is sunshine and rainbows, nevertheless. There are a couple of lacking components which have me wanting to carry off till subsequent yr’s Pixel 10 Professional, in hopes that they will make it into Google’s next-generation {hardware}. Listed below are 5 issues in particular which can be stopping me from taking the Pixel 9 Professional plunge.

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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 sequence 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 yr, Google will lastly get round to implementing Qi2 into its Pixel 10 lineup. Personally, I discover it tough to revert again to non-magnetic wi-fi chargers after getting a style of Qi2 on the iPhone.

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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 surprising new {hardware} addition — Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Armor. This new technology of tempered glass improves resistance to scratches, however its headlining function 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 need to return.

There is a good likelihood 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 immediately.

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3 UFS 4.0 flash storage is lacking from the equation

Contemplating the value of the cellphone, I might anticipate the perfect in storage expertise

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 of. That being mentioned, I really feel that the high-end price ticket of Google’s Professional handset warrants one of the best storage resolution at the moment obtainable in the marketplace.

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4 Quick charging is not all that quick

The cellphone prices quickly — simply not quickly sufficient

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

I am hoping that for subsequent yr’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 facility pack.

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5 The selfie digital camera punch gap is type of unpleasant

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, nevertheless, the Pixel’s cutout is bodily bigger and decrease on the display.

In truth, the Pixel 9 Professional’s selfie cutout is decrease on the display than even final yr’s Pixel 8 Professional. When it comes to consumer expertise, this creates unbalanced visuals throughout the interface, as there is a noticeable lack of symmetry between the digital camera gap and the standing bar icons.

Admittedly, I really like the truth that the Pixel 9 Professional has an improved selfie shooter in comparison with final yr’s mannequin — the broader discipline of view and far greater decision are welcome enhancements. I hope that with one other yr of analysis and improvement, Google engineers will be capable of squeeze a extra compact and symmetrical selfie shooter into the Pixel 10 Professional.

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