The Pixel 9’s arrival on the smartphone scene is definitely nothing wanting thrilling – positive, all the great bits have largely been spoiled by leaks, however sure {hardware} elements such because the improved show high quality, newer entrance digicam and bigger battery (to call a couple of) are enticing upgrades which may compel some customers to lastly improve, and even swap sides.
With that in thoughts although, a number of shade has been thrown in direction of the telephone’s chipset, the Tensor G4. This isn’t something new nonetheless, as Google’s customized SoCs have all the time been the goal of criticism with regards to efficiency, and for good cause – in comparison with different flagship chips like Snapdragon’s 8 Gen sequence and Apple’s Bionic chips, Google Tensor is notably underpowered, and this stays the identical for the Tensor G4 contained in the Pixel 9.
On a private notice nonetheless, I’d wish to suppose that the Pixel 9’s greatest weak point isn’t the Tensor G4 – slightly, it’s the system’s price ticket. In comparison with earlier Tensor-powered Pixel flagships just like the Pixel 6 and seven, the Pixel 9 is dear. It’s priced beginning at $799, which is 2 hundred {dollars} past the launch worth of its predecessors (excluding the Pixel 8).
You may then suppose how this components in to the entire equation. You see, whereas the Pixel 6 and seven weren’t efficiency champs when in comparison with different flagship telephones, they had been respectable performers for essentially the most half. Certain, they weren’t marketed as gaming telephones for instance, however they’d a more-than-decent consumer expertise, with Google’s built-in software program smarts, superb cameras, and common software program help.
Their finest benefit over the competitors although had been the costs – Google’s 2021 and 2022 flagships launched at $599, making them significantly cheaper than rival telephones from Samsung and Apple. At this worth level, you would even say that some customers had been in a position to recover from the average processing energy, in alternate for a tool that will get a substantial size of software program help and cameras that out-performed different handsets available on the market.
Clearly this benefit in pricing has now disappeared with the Pixel 9. Beginning at $799, the Pixel 9 joins the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 within the 800-dollar telephone membership, solely with out the extra telephoto lens, fast-charging capabilities or highly effective chipsets. For a similar amount of cash, one might as an alternative go for a tool which can little question be higher for gaming, or have much less overheating and battery points (and don’t get me began on its 128GB base configuration).
…Google’s rather more costly asking worth isn’t doing the Pixel 9 any favours
After all one might additionally argue that it’s too early to inform how the Tensor G4 will fare in the long term, or that the Pixel 9’s many {hardware} upgrades warrant such a rise in pricing. It’s a matter of perspective total, however I do suppose that Google’s rather more costly asking worth isn’t doing the Pixel 9 any favours, particularly because it’s sure to be extra reasonably priced as soon as Black Friday arrives.
Undoubtedly, the very best method for those who’re actually intent on getting the Pixel 9 is to hunt for trade-in offers, service promos, and such. It’s comprehensible that some individuals may discover the 800-dollar price ticket exorbitant, and can in all probability look ahead to a big worth drop or possibly subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10 as an alternative, which is predicted to function a significantly better processor.
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