What a whirlwind 2024 has been for the roving industriousness . We got all the usual suspects releasing their flagship sound for the class , and it was certainly an impressive slate of options .
As you may know , I ’ve been an iPhone user since the original , and I ’ve hadevery generation of iPhone , let in theiPhone 16 Prothis class . But since I connect Digital Trends a couple of old age ago , I ’ve got my fill ofAndroid phones , too . And this year , this is the one that stood out to me the most : theGoogle Pixel 9 Pro .
The pink Pro phone I was looking for
Typically , most smartphone manufacturers release a base model and a higher - end “ Pro ” version of their handset each year . I always go for the Pro models because I like having all the feature , especially for the cameras . Since Apple began proffer an iPhone Pro , beginning with the iPhone 11 professional , it ’s been my selection each yr when I upgrade .
However , one way out I ’ve been having with Apple ’s iPhone Pro model is the color choice . For a few years , Apple did passably well in yield us a “ fun ” color . We had the Midnight GreeniPhone 11 Pro , Pacific BlueiPhone 12 Pro , Sierra Blue and Alpine GreeniPhone 13 Pro , Deep PurpleiPhone 14 Pro , and Titanium BlueiPhone 15 Pro . Though a few of those were n’t as saturated as I ’d wish ( Deep Purple and Sierra Blue ) , they were a good choice to the standard black , white , and gold semblance .
However , Apple take that away with the iPhone 16 Pro line , only pop the question some of the most politic colors possible : black , snowy , instinctive , and Au in the form of “ desert ” titanium — no more blue , green , or even purple . If you need me , this was the worst color lineup for the Pro models ; why do only the base simulation get the great colors ? I ’ve want a pink iPhone Pro for years , and I do n’t understand why Apple ca n’t turn back the rosaceous amber from the iPhone 6 Clarence Day .
That ’s why I immediately fell in love with the Rose Quartz Google Pixel 9 Pro once I get my hands on it . Though I initiallypreferred the saturate Peony colorof the base modelling Pixel 9 , the Rose Quartz has grow on me . It ’s elegant , classy , and womanly . Of naturally , you may cogitate liking a phone for colour may be ridiculous , specially if you put a eccentric on it , but I ’m the variety of individual who also likes to pick cases that complement my earphone ’s coloration .
I ’m beaming that at least Google open us a pinkish Pro phone this year because it seems that Apple does n’t like to give us fun colors for the iPhone Pro models anymore .
One of the best redesigns so far
Google has used the same overall aesthetic for the Pixel from thePixel 6to thePixel 8 . That ’s three years of the same design , with little difference between each . And that ’s why the redesignedPixel 9series has been one of my favorite this class — this was much take and made the Pixel lookso much better .
I ’ve been a fan of the Google Pixel serial for the preceding few twelvemonth , but you have to admit that it was begin to look a bit go steady , specially when other Android phones have already get to adopt the monotone - frames trend that Apple started . Now that the Pixel 9 has those flat edges , it ’s a snatch leisurely to hold and use , as it feel more ergonomic . It also makes the phone look much more sleek and elegant overall .
I ’m also a fan of the new camera streak module . It ’s a substantial change from the former design , where it extends into the edges of the frame , but it retains that classic Pixel search and feel . Like the flat edges , the new photographic camera saloon island looks more modern . And since it ’s still a television camera bar , unlike Samsung and Apple , there ’s less wobble if you use it on a savorless Earth’s surface .
I doubt that Google will make any other big change next year to the Pixel series , so if this is what we will have for a couple more generations , then I ’m happy .
Ahead of the pack
It ’s not just the ironware that made the Pixel 9 Pro my favorite this class but also the software features .
Since the Pixel is from Google , which also develop Android , the Pixel is the first gimmick to get major software upgrades . This proved on-key with theAndroid 15beta and net dismissal , and Google also append some nerveless Pixel - only exclusives for some feature . For example , theCircle to Searchfeature is even better on a Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro because it ’s now integrated with theScreenshots app .
Combined with the premium ironware this year , the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro machine have just felt ahead of the challenger . The Pixel 9 Pro has been a joy to utilize for this longtime iPhone exploiter , and I calculate forward to seeing what else Google has in store for the 2025 Pixel lineup .
