Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 9: Is now the time to upgrade? [Video]

We’re a few months down the line form the Pixel 9 launch and those with a Pixel 6 might be thinking “should I upgrade?” Here’s everything you need to know.

The Pixel 6 and the introduction of the Tensor chip indicated that Google was getting serious about the smartphone business. After a few years of experimentation, we had a competent, capable Google phone that was impressive despite some annoying faults and failures.

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Time is a cruel mistress – especially with regard to technology. The Pixel 6 was lauded at launch, but hasn’t aged all the gracefully. Since its release, lots of the most prominent issues have been worked on and there has been an extensive period of fine-tuning. After three long years, is it time to retire your Pixel 6 and pick up the Pixel 9 with prices already starting to come down? Let’s get into the finer details.

Hardware and design

You can immediately see just how the Pixel has evolved since the introduction of the camera bar design. There’s a little of the original flavor but with a new trim plus little nip and tuck in those bulky areas. It’s almost a makeover in the best ways.

It is these chassis and shape changes that make the most difference. The Pixel 6 feels a lot bigger in the hand than the Pixel 9 despite sharing similar display sizes and resolutions. Google has chopped and cut at the bezels while still retaining a 6.3-inch panel. You’d be hard pressed to notice the 0.1 inch decrease for what it’s worth.

Moving away from the blocky shape to a rounded rectangle also helps the ergonomics. The flatter sides are easier to maneuver and handle one-handed. Smaller, uniform bezel are just a bonus. Even the side buttons are in a better position making them easier to reach because they are lower in the side frame.

The materials used are also a step up. The Pixel 6 is well built, but it feels cheaper and does have a more playful color palette. Google has paid closer attention to the details of the Pixel 9 series. It represents a big step up in quality and consistency. The floating camera island is the only protrusion, and while there is an iPhone quality to the design, it actually works. It’s substantially lighter, too, without sacrificing much screen real estate or even internal battery capacity.

The Pixel 6 had a fine screen for its time; it was the only flat screen available in the 2021 lineup, but the Pixel 9 panel blows it away. The improved refresh rate means that things feel much smoother, and the experience is undoubtedly slick. You get a vastly superior maximum brightness level at 800 vs 2,050. This is a major upgrade and means that daytime viewing, even in bright sunlight, is easy.

One of the most common complaints about the Pixel 6 series was the poor-quality optical in-display fingerprint scanner. Google has upgraded this to an ultrasonic scanner on the Pixel 9 series, with enhanced software-based Face Unlock, which also provides a secure biometric backup. The latter can actually be used now with secure services, like authenticating payments.

The specifications are not drastically different. The Tensor G4 processor isn’t a quantum leap, but it offers better thermals and boosts efficiency. No, the newest Tensor chip doesn’t top any performance charts, but there should be noticeable improvements, such as in image processing time and overall usability. The maximum RAM has increased, but storage options are identical, including the use of UFS 3.1 modules.

Mobile connectivity is likely where you will see a major improvement. The Pixel 6 modem has been troublesome since launch with drop-outs, inconsistent connections, and just poor signal woes – especially with 5G. These are not concerns with the Pixel 9.

Software and performance

Now that the Android 15 update is available for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 9 you might be scratching your head trying to work out the differences. The confusing part: save a few little things here and there; Android is almost identical on this duo.

However, the Pixel 9 has a few extra tricks courtesy of some exclusive apps. These include Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, and, until recently, Pixel Weather. Gemini is available on the Pixel 6 now, too. There are a few camera tricks that are exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, but the core feature set means the lines are a little blurred, but Android 15 runs beautifully on both devices.

Satellite SOS capabilities alongside some on-device Gemini Nano functionality with multi-modality are big talking points. The former is limited to the US at the moment, while the latter isn’t as groundbreaking as you might have initially thought. It just lets Gemini understand more context when you use the AI assistant.

Sadly, it’s the last update for the Pixel 6. You will be able to use your phone for a little longer as security updates are promised for another two years. The only downside is that there appear to be no official plans for Android 16 to come to the Pixel 6 series.

Conversely, the Pixel 9 will receive the full gamut of updates for seven years. OS releases will be treated the same as monthly patches. In theory, that means better value for money as you get more updates for the price you pay at the register or online checkout.

Battery

It’s impressive that the Pixel 9 packs a larger battery than the bigger Pixel 6. In our testing, it also boasted a longer lifespan. If you have an older handset that has been charged and used extensively, you will have poorer daily usage capabilities.

One kicker is that the charging tech has not changed at all. It’s still listed at 30W for the Pixel 9. You will see a faster 27W “actual” charging speed with a supported USB PD charger. That does mean a faster 0-50% portion of the charging cycle with the Pixel 9. That said, it’s not that far ahead of the Pixel 6.

Camera

At first glance, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 9 camera systems are pretty darn similar. Google has tweaked and tuned them over the past few years, and the quality uptick might be something to consider.

Sure, with the main 50MP sensors, you’ll get good, sharp images. They are very comparable. The Pixel 9 has a little more depth and is able to punch in further to 8x without losing fine detail. The tuning is slightly different too. The Pixel 6 appears to shift toward warmer tones, while the Pixel 9 camera has a cooler look but better handling of highlights, greater dynamic range, and a better overall image.

Look beyond the main sensor and things get a bit dicey for the Pixel 6. Sure, it’s a capable and competent system, but it can’t compete with the Pixel 9. The ultra-wide is a big downgrade. It can only capture 12MP photos. It also has a narrower field of view, so you can’t capture as much in the same frame – which might be important if you want nice landscape photos that are crystal clear.

The selfie camera is also a marginal step up on the Pixel 9. The increased resolution allows for secure Face Unlock, but selfie images are quite similar. There are also lots of features that are not available on the older model, including improved video modes like 10-bit HDR10 recording and Audio Magic Eraser post-processing for video recordings. There are camera modes here too like plus Best Take, Add Me, and more that likely won’t come to the 2021 base model.

The Pixel 9 camera system offers improvements across the board, but you must determine if the upgrades are enough for you.

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 9: Is the upgrade worth it?

About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 9 share a lineage but these devices couldn’t be further apart. For many, the smaller profile of the newer device will undoubtedly be a big, welcome change. You do get a lot more bang for your buck with the Pixel 9 too. It will get an extensive support window with more platform upgrades. It has a superior camera system, display, and battery longevity. It also has vastly improved connectivity and security features like the in-display fingerprint scanner and Face Unlock.

It’s almost a no-brainer if you don’t want “Pro” additions like a telephoto lens or higher-resolution screen to upgrade from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9. One of the only downsides is that the leap from Tensor G1 to the G4 processor is not as pronounced as moving from something like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to the 8 Gen 3.

If you don’t want Pixel features or a Google phone, it’s no secret that there are more powerful phones at lower prices out there. Even so, the jump from Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 is quite a big one in almost every area. It’s a solid upgrade if you’re looking to get a new phone.