Last week The Pixel 9 is now available for pre-order, but that has already ended for the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL, which are already available for sale. However, the offer for a free storage upgrade is still available on Google’s online store and on Amazon. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are still available for pre-order and are scheduled to launch early next month.
These are the two models that are available starting this week, the Google Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
This week we wanted to focus on what you can get instead of a Pixel 9. For starters, a Samsung Galaxy S24 model. All three of these will get 7 years of software support, just like the Pixels, and they have a wealth of AI features that are often pushed by Google itself. Still, One UI does offer some advantages (e.g. DeX, Good Lock), and you can get more storage for less money. That said, the Galaxy S24 phones are low on RAM compared to their Pixel counterparts, but that shouldn’t be a problem for AI.
Right now is a terrible time to buy a new iPhone: the iPhone 16 series is coming in a few weeks, and once it arrives, prices for current models will drop. We’ll revisit the Pixel vs. iPhone question in about a month.
OnePlus is also set to refresh its lineup soon, but the brand isn’t as allergic to discounts as Apple. The OnePlus 12 is priced the same as the entry-level Pixel 9, but uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which comfortably outperforms the Tensor G4. And there’s a version with 16GB of RAM, unlike the Samsungs (they have “Galaxy-friendly” 8 Gen 3 chips, which run at higher speeds).
Come to think of it, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the OnePlus 12R is still pretty powerful. There’s no telephoto camera on this model, but it does have an LTPO display, unlike the base Pixel 9. However, this one is a lot larger than the Pixel 9, with a 6.78″ display. Additionally, software support will be shorter: 3 OS updates and 4 years of patches for the 12R and 4 OS updates and 5 years of patches for the flagship 12. That said, the OnePlus 12 and 12R started with Android 14, just like the Pixels, so at least they’re not a step behind.
We also want to highlight two Motorolas. The Moto Edge 50 Pro is based on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which is a bit slower than the Tensor G4, but is still plenty efficient. With the 4,500mAh battery, you get almost the same endurance as the Pixel 9 Pro XL with its 5,060mAh battery. And that one charges a lot faster: 125W wired and 50W wirelessly. The 10MP 3x telephoto lens is no match for the 48MP 5x periscope on the XL model, but it’s better than what the standard Pixel 9 has (it doesn’t have a telephoto lens at all), and this phone is considerably cheaper. Keep that in mind when we say that the software support situation isn’t all that great: Motorola promises 3 OS updates, but even those won’t arrive as quickly as Google’s.
For just a little bit less than the standard Pixel 9, you can have the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. This uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (not the most powerful chipset this year, but it’s more than fast enough to outperform the Tensor) and has a more competitive 64MP 3x telescope camera that’s paired with the 50MP (1/1.3”) main camera and the 50MP ultra-wide one. And don’t forget the 50MP selfie camera, which is used on both the Moto Edge 50 Pro and the Ultra. The Ultra is also set for 3 major OS updates, as long as you’re patient.
We may earn a commission on qualifying sales.