Pixel 9

Anyone able to comment on if its decent?

I’m looking for something, primarily with as good a camera as I can get for no more than £700. And also has Satellite SOS functionality and a decent IP rating.

Everything else is secondary.

Which I think means Pixel 9 or iPhone 14 and up.

I’m indifferent between Android and IOS from a general user interface perspective, I just get used to whatever, although I do slightly prefer the additional privacy setting I ‘think’ I get from Android. Not much gaming happens.

This may help, recent thread – https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/pixel-9-pro-users/

Not sure about the SOS functionality,  I ended up hanging onto my galaxy S20 for now in the end

iPhones aren’t as water resistant as the IP rating would suggest they should be in my experience. No idea about Pixels.

Not specifically the 9 but,

I have a Pixel 7a and it would take some convincing for me to consider other options. It’s probably the first phone I’ve owned since the days of Nokia feature phones where I can genuinely say that I cannot fault it. It’s fast, it has a decent camera, it gets regular security updates, storage is half full.

Maybe the latest HTC?

Similar to cougar, I’m on a pixel 8 pro and it’s decent. I didn’t think the pixel 9 spec was worth it over the 8

Google have a sale on right now.

Best camera I’ve used is a Samsung note 24?

8 has a Good IP rating and macro on the camera 8a has no macro

+1 on the pixel 8 pro. a really really good phone – i just upgraded from a pixel 7 and i also upgraded my other half from her pixel 6a. Buy from google with the included fitbit which you can sell for about 70 on ebay and you’ve got an aincredible phone for about £440 after fees. Even less if you have something to trade in.

I wanted the 5x zoom and better telephoto camera and my other half benefited in the same way along with the bigger screen as she does all her life admin on the phone.

If you must go Pixel 9 or 9 pro then google are doing 25% off them via some works perks portals. e.g. health service discounts (no need to validate or be a health care worker, just register with a personal email).

I really like my Pixel 8 and since they’re sub-£400 from the right place I’d not be bothering with the 9.

I had bad experiences with several Pixel phones, but they were cheap.

OP: are you saying Satellite SOS is a MUST have or nice-to-have?

I’m indifferent between Android and IOS from a general user interface perspective, I just get used to whatever

What are you, some kind of mature adult?

OP: are you saying Satellite SOS is a MUST have or nice-to-have?

The SOS thing is a requirement. So minimum Pixel 9 if going Google.

In theory, I should take my PLB on trips, but routinely dont, which makes it mostly pointless.

What are you, some kind of mature adult?

I can assure you, no. If anything, I’m probably being deliberately indifferent to annoy people who aren’t.

I like my Pixel 7 and will upgrade to the 9 at some point, possible this year when the 10 comes out and the 9 goes on sale. It’s worth keeping an eye on HotUKDeals (or set up an alert) because good phone deals are regularly posted on there.

I’m running a Pixel 6 and will likely got for a 9 Pro later this month.

Having done a bit of research I really can’t find anything I’d want that it doesn’t do.

Didn’t bother looking at any iProducts as previous experience with them was bang average.

Not specifically the 9 but,

I have a Pixel 7a and it would take some convincing for me to consider buying another Pixel. I utterly loathe it, perhaps not quite as much as the Samsung I had before, but certainly even more than the 3a that I had previously. I bought it mainly as the camera on the Pixel 3a was so good, but the camera on this model is woeful, so much so that I take the 3a with me if I want to take any pictures.

The battery life is shit too, but that’s probably due to using it so much

I’m running a Pixel 6 and will likely got for a 9 Pro later this month.

Having done a bit of research I really can’t find anything I’d want that it doesn’t do.

It was the 5x optical zoom that made me consider the upgrade. Looking at the cost difference to the 9 Pro, the 8 Pro seemed the logical choice.

Conversely my 8 has a fantastic camera, AFAIK they’re much of a muchness between the 8 and Pro (despite specs) so always worth including the 8 in any comparisons.

I do have the pink line of death, it’s been behaving recently but I will need a new screen at some point. It’s a known issue though so there’s an extended 3 year warranty for that issue, new ones shouldn’t have it.

I have a Pixel 7a…but the camera on this model is woeful,

Marques Brownless and his millions of viewers disagree…

I just broke my pixel 7a, after much swithering got myself an 8 to replace it… Just now there’s better deals on the 8 than the 8a which ruled the 8a out…and the 7a while as far as I’m concerned is still perfectly decent, isn’t as cheap as it should be at this point imo.

I looked hard at the 9, and it definitely did seem better- screen’s just that bit nicer in the flesh, camera according to people who understand phone cameras is better, and apparently it has better battery life/management. But the difference didn’t seem worth it, especially as they’re trying so hard to sell it on AI features and I prefer my rocks not to think.

Only just setting it up, which as ever is a pain in the arse but still much easier than I always expect. I’m always wary of being part of the google evil empire, but on the other hand they do make things work together well. I’d smashed the old phone so I couldn’t do the clever transfer stuff but it’s still pretty painless. Never had a pixel I didn’t basically get on with tbh

I utterly loathe it, perhaps not quite as much as the Samsung I had before

I dont mind the Samsung I currently have. Is it a user interface gripe you have ir something else?

I’ve got one, I quite like it, I’m even starting to use the AI thing. Great battery life, seems robust and fast.

I had no clue it has a satellite safety function. I’ll have to investigate that.

8 pro here i love it, massive upgrade from a xiaomi, does everything i want at much faster speed.

Pixel fan here, too. Still perfectly happy with my 3aXL. Managed to convince my wife to splash out on an 8 in the Black Friday sales – she has spent years refusing to spend more than £150 on a phone, then moaning about how they’re not great – and now she’s a fan too.

Still getting used to my Pixel 9, I’m not a fussy or savvy phone user, just picked up a deal in a similar price to my defunct 4a.

Question for the experts though, is there an easy way to take pictures without using the touchscreen, say if you’re riding with clumsy winter gloves on? I was sure you could use the clicky buttons on the side somehow but can’t find any mention of it.

I’m currently using my GoPro 8 for photos on rides for precisely this reason, can fish it out of pocket and pap away using the rubberised buttons, but I would rather have it fixed in front of stem for voice-activated video purposes…

Ta

*I’ve dropped a bollock on this one. The UK has emergency SOS, not Satellite SOS, that is still just the US.

Balls

is there an easy way to take pictures without using the touchscreen

Double-tap the power button to open the camera app without needing to unlock the phone (note that you will need to unlock it to view photos). Press volume down to take a photo.

Also, double-tapping the back of the phone (or pressing vol down + power together) will take a screenshot. I discovered that by accident, it’s pretty handy.

re Pixels: I had a Pixel 3a, was absolutely spot on. Never an issue with it and a 3 day battery life. After about 8 years, I “updated” to a 7a, thinking I was missing out on compatible apps and the 7a was crap – battery life awful, but mostly the fingerprint recognition was useless. Sold it after a week. I’ve since found an 8a on a contract cheaper than I was on for SIM only, so I’ve now got an 8a. It’s ok. Battery life nowhere near as good as the 3a, which I still have, and use as a mini tablet (still has no noticable degredation to the battery life.) The 3a had automatic rules which meant it knew when I wanted it on silent, and back on ring without me faffing with it. Why the 8a hasn’t got that I do not know. 8as face unlock and fingerprint work ok, but not sure I’d go for a Pixel again.

My partner has a Samsung (not sure which model), and it takes better photos than the Pixel 8a.

I have a Pixel 7a and it would take some convincing for me to consider other options.

Similar – have a 6a and as long as it takes a decent photo and lets me use whatsapp, make calls and facebook etc, I have zero interest in the latest and greatest phone and the Pixel does all those things. My contract has literally just come to an end and was thinking about changing it for a Pixel 8/9 but for the cost, it’d offer me no benefits so just going to keep it and jump on a dirt cheap Lebara SIM deal for a bit until it dies.

Short story – Pixels are good (after years of using Sony and Samsung)

I went from a 4a (had that quite a few years) to a 7 about a year ago…. as before, I dont think I’ll bother upgrading until the 7 breaks or becomes unsupported, we’ll probably be on pixel 11’s by then.

There’s not much point upgrading phones these days unless your phone is a reall low end budget model, or it breaks, IMO.

Question for the experts though, is there an easy way to take pictures without using the touchscreen, say if you’re riding with clumsy winter gloves on? I was sure you could use the clicky buttons on the side somehow but can’t find any mention of it.

Hey Google. Take a photo .

I’ve still got a 4a, just replaced the screen for a second time (dropped it again). It’s perfectly fine, especially if you’ve got a rapid charger; but the camera definitely lags behind what’s in the OH’s iPhone.

I will eventually give in to not having a 3.5mm jack; the 8a is the “also consider” choice of most reviews of the best Android phones around.

Double-tap the power button to open the camera app without needing to unlock the phone (note that you will need to unlock it to view photos). Press volume down to take a photo.

Bingo! Thanks.

Hey Google. Take a photo

Thanks, had been trying that, must need to change settings somewhere in background. Thought you needed the camera app open first anyway which would have required clicky buttons regardless I think.

To activate voice control on a Pixel you should be able to follow the below steps. It is handy for activating Spotify handsfree when driving, or taking photos/selfies.

Open the Google app

Click on your profile icon in the top right corner

Click on Settings

Scroll down to the Google Assistant section and click on it

Scroll down to the section labeled General

Toggle on Google Assistant. 

Thanks, had been trying that, must need to change settings somewhere in background.

On mine, pressing and holding the power button activates voice commands. I think it’s a setting somewhere though. The ‘legacy’ operation of the power button to actually switch the thing off / restart is power + volume up.

Google have offered me £100 credit as the next software update will impact batteries on some 4a’s inc mine. I was considering the 8a but the price has just jumped back up to £499 from £369. Seems good value at £269.

I’m still on Pixel 5.  Been put off newer pixels due to screen fingerprint sensor issues on wife’s 6a (it barely ever works, always has to try 3 times and then put her PIN in)  and stories of it not really being much better on any newer Pixels.

What have you lot found on yours?

I also got the £100 discount for having a 4a, which is fine at the moment but presumably is about to suffer battery issues. The 8 is cheaper than the 8a at the moment, and with £100 discount plus £109 trade-in (estimate), the 8 is £240 which seems too good a deal to pass up. It would be nice to have a better battery life, but there doesn’t seem to be any options (pixel or otherwise) for small-ish phones with good battery life any more.

The 8 is very good value. Reviews suggest the 8a is a bit more ergonomic and I’d prefer a composite back. Not that I’ll notice once it has a gurt Spigen case on it.

Is that 4a thing for real?

I replaced my 4a at full price a month or two ago 😥

Trying to figure out if it’s worth fixing as it stopped reading the SIM card (and no, it wasn’t the SIM at fault…).