I like the Pixel 9 Professional, however I’ve 5 the reason why I will be ready for subsequent 12 months’s mannequin

To this point, I have been pleasantly stunned by Google’s Pixel 9 series of smartphones. The Pixel 9 Pro models are significantly compelling this 12 months, with a splendidly premium construct high quality, a beneficiant serving to of RAM, and tons of AI-enhanced digicam options.

I am additionally a giant fan of Google’s choice to supply the total Professional expertise in a extra compact package deal this time round, and I hope to see this stay the case within the years to return.

Not every thing is sunshine and rainbows, nevertheless. There are a couple of lacking components which have me wanting to carry off till subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10 Professional, in hopes that they’re going to make it into Google’s next-generation {hardware}. Listed here are 5 issues in particular which might be stopping me from taking the Pixel 9 Professional plunge.

1 There is no Qi2 wi-fi charging on deck

Why hasn’t this proven up on Android smartphones but?

Qi2 is the newest inductive wi-fi charging customary, and it was finalized in late 2023 by the Wi-fi Energy Consortium. Sure, that very same consortium that Google occurs to be an active member of.

Inexplicably, the Pixel 9 collection is absent the useful ring of magnets that work to align compliant telephones onto charging pads, stands, and equipment. I can solely hope that by subsequent 12 months, Google will lastly get round to implementing Qi2 into its Pixel 10 lineup. Personally, I discover it tough to revert again to non-magnetic wi-fi chargers after getting a style of Qi2 on the iPhone.

2 Gorilla Glass Armor is absent

The glass on the Pixel 9 Professional is Gorilla Glass Armorless

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 Ultra again in January, it introduced with it an surprising new {hardware} addition — Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Armor. This new technology of tempered glass improves resistance to scratches, however its headlining characteristic is the discount of on-screen reflections.

The Google Pixel 9 Professional is outfitted with the more-than-capable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass on each the entrance and the again, however after experiencing the anti-reflective properties of Corning’s next-gen product, I by no means wish to return.

There is a good likelihood that Samsung scored an exclusivity cope with Corning to be used of its Gorilla Glass Armor. I simply hope the settlement is not multi-year, and that the Pixel 10 Professional is outfitted with the identical show glass that the S24 Extremely advantages from in the present day.

3 UFS 4.0 flash storage is lacking from the equation

Contemplating the value of the cellphone, I would anticipate the easiest in storage expertise

Samsung

In relation to flash storage, the quicker the efficiency, the higher. Sadly, the newest high-end customary — UFS 4.0 — is absent from the Pixel 9 Professional. UFS 4.0 “delivers double the pace of the earlier technology and 45% higher effectivity — eradicating bottlenecks for quicker smartphones,” according to Samsung.

The Pixel 9 Professional ships with UFS 3.1 storage, which remains to be fairly snappy, all issues thought-about. That being stated, I really feel that the high-end price ticket of Google’s Professional handset warrants one of the best storage answer at the moment accessible available on the market.

4 Quick charging is not all that quick

The cellphone fees quickly — simply not quickly sufficient

The Pixel 9 Professional is able to 27W charging, and Google quotes that this can internet you “as much as 55% in about half-hour.” In a vacuum, it is a first rate sufficient charging fee, however the reality is that rivals are far forward with regard to quick charging.

I am hoping that for subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10 Professional, we get a bump up in functionality to someplace between 45W and 65W. For the sake of battery well being, I am not advocating for one thing like Redmi’s 300W feat of engineering. I would argue that 65W strikes an excellent stability between charging quickly and preserving the integrity of the ability pack.

5 The selfie digicam punch gap is sort of unpleasant

The cutout is bigger than what you will discover on top-end Samsung telephones

The Pixel 9 Professional follows the pattern set by Samsung in that it opts for a front-facing gap punch for housing the selfie digicam. In contrast to prime Samsung fashions, nevertheless, the Pixel’s cutout is bodily bigger and decrease on the display screen.

Actually, the Pixel 9 Professional’s selfie cutout is decrease on the display screen than even final 12 months’s Pixel 8 Professional. When it comes to person expertise, this creates unbalanced visuals inside the interface, as there is a noticeable lack of symmetry between the digicam gap and the standing bar icons.

Admittedly, I like the truth that the Pixel 9 Professional has an improved selfie shooter in comparison with final 12 months’s mannequin — the broader area of view and far greater decision are welcome enhancements. I hope that with one other 12 months of analysis and improvement, Google engineers will be capable of squeeze a extra compact and symmetrical selfie shooter into the Pixel 10 Professional.