You get all the identical software program options because the Pixel 9 collection, however there are some extras to reap the benefits of all of the screens. Made You Look, for instance, performs a cute animation on the outer display screen to verify your kiddo stares at it whenever you’re making an attempt to seize a photograph. If you’re on a Google Meet name, now you can make the most of all of the screens so that everybody round you’ll be able to see the individual you are talking with, and meaning utilizing all of the cameras too, so the individual on the opposite finish does not should see simply your face.
On the finish of the day, that is nonetheless a $1,799 smartphone, and that is simply too excessive a worth to pay. However when you’ve got the money and love folding telephones, particularly when paired with a Pixel’s smarts and digicam prowess, this is likely one of the greatest choices out there.
How Lengthy Is Your Pixel Supported?
The Pixel 10 collection, Pixel 9 collection, Pixel 8 collection, Pixel 9a, and Pixel 8a will get seven years of Android OS upgrades and safety updates. The 2023 Pixel 7a will obtain three years of Android OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates from the date of launch, the identical as older Pixels. Google has a web page you’ll be able to verify to see precisely what month your Pixel telephone will cease receiving updates. Safety updates cut back the danger of malware, preserve your telephone bug-free, and make it safer. Android model updates introduce new options—beauty and useful—that enhance the OS as an entire.
Pixel telephones additionally occur to be the primary to obtain any type of Android replace, in order quickly as Google releases a brand new model, like Android 16, you’ll be able to obtain it instantly by heading to Settings > System > System Replace > Test for Replace. You can too take a look at beta variations of Android, however you will have to enroll your machine. (Be certain that to again up your telephone first!) Pixels are additionally aware of the characteristic drops Google points each few months, which embrace options from newer Pixels coming to older fashions and brand-new options for the most recent units.
There are a couple of different Pixel telephones value contemplating if you don’t need any of the above decisions. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends) can be found via official channels and third-party retailers (till provides final). The secret’s to not pay greater than $500 or $600 for both of them; in any other case, you could as properly put that cash towards the Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 collection.
I don’t advocate you purchase any older Pixel units. A number of Pixel A-series telephones have been put below a battery efficiency program to mitigate the danger of overheating or swelling batteries. These software program updates have crippled the battery life on these telephones, and Google has offered prospects with battery substitute choices or Google Retailer credit score for a brand new Pixel telephone. These potential points imply it is simply not definitely worth the threat of shopping for a Pixel 7a or Pixel 6a. The Pixel 8a (8/10, WIRED Recommends) does not appear to indicate issues but, however I might nonetheless throw warning to the wind.
Pixel A-Sequence Battery Points
In 2025, some Google Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a homeowners have obtained obligatory updates that purposefully degrade the efficiency of the battery to stop overheating. Your telephone might have been working advantageous earlier than, however Google issued these updates as a preventative measure, and never each machine was affected. Equally, some Pixel 7a units might encounter battery swelling points.
In case your telephone has been affected, you could have two choices. You will get a free battery substitute—Google has a registration web page for the Pixel 4a, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a. If that is not going to give you the results you want, you will get Google Retailer credit score for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a to place towards a brand new Pixel telephone.
These points appear to have solely affected some batteries within the A-series telephones, suggesting it is seemingly a provider challenge. What in regards to the newer Pixel 9a? This is an announcement a Google spokesperson offered to WIRED: “Google repeatedly improves Pixel testing primarily based on person suggestions and completely investigates reported incidents for all elements, together with batteries. With Pixel 9a, we delivered the most important and longest-lasting battery of any A-series but. We’ve been inspired by its reception up to now and are assured within the telephone’s longevity and sturdiness.”
Ideally, this battery challenge has been rectified within the newest mannequin, however we’ll be monitoring it over the subsequent few years.
What Does Pixel Care+ Embrace?
If you buy a Pixel from Google, you will see the choice so as to add Pixel Care+ for cover. It is solely out there within the US via the Google Retailer and Google Fi. The month-to-month choice can run for as much as 60 months, whereas the fastened pricing is for a 2-year time period. This is what you get.
Pixel Care+ begins at $9 per thirty days or $179 and contains limitless unintended injury safety, $0 display screen and battery repairs, replacements that ship in a day, and precedence help from Pixel consultants. That pricing is for the Pixel 10, and it goes up for the pricier units. For instance, the Pixel 10 Professional will value $13 per thirty days, or $239 for the 2-year time period. There is no Pixel Care+ choice for the Pixel 9a.
Pixel Care+ with Loss and Theft begins at $10 per thirty days or $199 and contains the identical protections as talked about above however contains two claims of loss and theft each 12 months. Weirdly, Loss and Theft protection will not be out there in New York state.
You Can DeGoogle Your Pixel Cellphone
Love Google’s Pixel telephones however need to get away from utilizing Google companies? It is a bit of ironic, however you’ll be able to really use a unique working system with the Pixel as a substitute of the built-in Android. We have examined and actually like /e/OS, a privacy-first working system that is primarily based on the Android Open Supply Undertaking. When you can set up it your self, it requires a little bit of technical know-how, you’ll be able to purchase a refurbished Pixel from Murena with /e/OS put in already. If you happen to’re , we’ve got extra particulars about /e/OS right here.
The Greatest Pixel Circumstances and Equipment
I’ve written a broader information on the Greatest Pixel 9 Circumstances and Equipment right here, however listed below are a couple of picks on your perusal. We’ll be testing circumstances for the Pixel 10 collection quickly.
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This silicone case permits you to match your Pixel telephone’s colour. It is sturdy and good to the touch, with raised edges on the entrance to guard the display screen. It is made with recycled plastics, and whereas the older circumstances entice lint and dirt simply, this revamped case does a greater job of resisting them. I additionally like that it retains the again flush, so the digicam bump is not so apparent. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold case is fabricated from a hard-shell polycarbonate, but it surely’s pretty slim and light-weight in comparison with third-party circumstances I’ve examined. Entry to the buttons is open, and I like the way it provides you a better approach to unfold the telephone.
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
That is our favourite case general for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8A collection. It has clicky buttons and extremely grippy edges (therefore the title). It feels sturdy but pretty slim, and you may select a snazzy design. Simply know that it’s a must to apply this “pores and skin” to the again of the case. There’s numerous room for error right here, so watch out, and watch Dbrand’s set up video for ideas. There’s MagSafe help so you should use your Pixel with MagSafe equipment, and it labored exceptionally in my testing.
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That is hands-down the very best case should you ceaselessly connect your Pixel to the handlebars of a motorbike or an electrical scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system permits you to magnetically affix the telephone to its Common Bike Mount ($50), and it stays put. After almost a yr of testing, I’ve but to have a telephone fall off my experience utilizing this mounting system. It makes use of Apple’s MagSafe system, so it really works with loads of MagSafe equipment, even wi-fi chargers. The corporate additionally has a number of different magnetic equipment, like a automotive vent mount. The case itself is good; I simply want the sides have been raised extra for higher display screen safety. It is available in extra colours than ever.
This charging adapter is all it is advisable recharge your Pixel, whichever mannequin you could have. The latest high-end Pixel telephones do not include chargers within the field, so if you haven’t any spare USB-C chargers, it is value choosing one up. This one’s prongs fold up, so it is nice for journey too.
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Dbrand provides you two display screen protectors on this package deal, and after I initially examined it, there was no utility instrument, so I needed to freehand the set up. The present Prism 2.0 model fortunately now comes with a instrument, so it ought to be a lot simpler to align. You get all the opposite instruments within the field to wipe down your telephone and guarantee there are not any specks of mud on it prior to installing the protector.
Our Favourite Pixel Software program Options
Pixels have many nice software program options, however some should be toggled on. It will also be onerous to do not forget that all these options exist, so listed below are a lot of the prime ones.
There are some key options on Pixels that you just will not discover on some other Android telephone. A few of these can be found solely on choose Pixels—the Tensor chip began with the Pixel 6, and presently, the Tensor G4 is within the Pixel 9 vary. This is a breakdown:
Name Display: If you get a name from an unknown quantity, Google Assistant will scan and flag it if it is suspected spam or a robocall. If it is merely a quantity you do not acknowledge, you’ll be able to have Assistant take the decision. You may see a real-time transcription of what is taking place, so you’ll be able to finish the decision immediately if it is a telemarketer or reply if it seems to be a long-lost highschool buddy. If it is somebody vital, you can provide Assistant responses to recite should you’re unable to take the decision—it affords up contextual replies now, too. Bear in mind to show it on by opening up the dialer app and heading to Settings (three dots on the highest proper) > Spam and Name Display.
Wait Occasions and Direct My Name: If you name a enterprise within the telephone app, you will see an estimated wait time till somebody actual picks up (it does not work with each enterprise). Google’s Direct My Name characteristic additionally transcribes all the name and separates the menu choices so you’ll be able to see them with out having to hear intently to the decision. Extra lately, for some numbers, Direct My Name will cache responses so you will instantly see menu choices while not having to attend for the automated response to undergo each quantity. You possibly can flip this on by going to the telephone app’s Settings > Direct My Name.
Maintain for Me: If you happen to’ve been positioned on maintain with a enterprise quantity, you’ll be able to ask Google Assistant to take over. It would play a loud chime when the individual on the opposite finish is again. No have to hear to carry music! Toggle it on within the telephone app’s Settings > Maintain for Me. This characteristic is offered on most Pixels however solely works in choose nations, together with the US, Australia, Japan, the UK, and Canada.
Clear Calling: When you’ve got a Pixel 7 or newer, you’ll be able to activate this characteristic to reinforce the opposite caller’s voice and cut back their background noise. Head to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Clear Calling to toggle it on. It additionally works on Google’s Pixel Buds Professional.
Name Notes (Tensor G4 and newer; with 12-plus GB RAM): You possibly can allow this within the dialer app by going to Settings > Name Notes and ensuring the toggle is on. This does not activate each time you are on a name. Somewhat, it’s a must to faucet the Extra button whenever you’re on a name and faucet Name Notes to begin it. It roughly data the dialog (it notifies the opposite individual that the decision is being recorded), and on the finish, it will provide you with a abstract of vital factors from the decision proper within the name historical past log, comparable to worth quotes, telephone numbers, or addresses. Generally it will get info unsuitable, because the accuracy of the transcription is determined by the decision high quality, however you’ll be able to play again all the recording your self to double-check.
Rip-off Detection: This characteristic detects dialog patterns as you’re on the telephone with a suspicious quantity to warn you when somebody is deploying a traditional rip-off tactic. It additionally works in Google’s Messages app. You possibly can flip it on by going to the telephone app, then tapping the three-dot menu icon on the prime proper, and hitting Settings > Rip-off Detection.
Reverse Cellphone Quantity Lookup: Do not acknowledge the telephone quantity from an incoming name? Within the name app, now you can shortly search for a quantity with out having to manually run a search your self.
Take a Message (Tensor G5): Google is revamping voicemails with Take a Message. It is just like transcribed voicemails, although that characteristic does not at all times work and will rely in your provider. Take a Message bypasses the usual voicemail (your regular voicemail will solely kick in with missed calls when your telephone is off or out of community). The caller will probably be advised to go away a message, and this recording will probably be auto-transcribed, seen proper within the name historical past of the telephone app. It will even provide actionable steps, like including a reminder or an occasion to your calendar.
Pixel VIPs: It is a new widget that provides you one-tap entry to your favourite contacts. Nevertheless it’s greater than that. Faucet on considered one of your contacts and you may see a superbly designed web page that gives fast entry to name the contact and message them on numerous platforms. It will present the final messages between you two, share location, climate updates, and the time for his or her space, and you may add notes if you wish to keep in mind particular issues. You possibly can entry this the identical approach you add a widget; it sits below the Contacts app.
Transcription and Translation Options
Translated Cellphone Calls in Your Voice (Tensor G5): You possibly can translate a telephone name in actual time, however what makes Google’s strategy distinctive is that the corporate will make the translated voice sound like your individual (or the individual on the opposite finish). That approach, it nonetheless sounds such as you’re speaking to somebody you already know, reasonably than a robotic voice. No audio is recorded, and information is not saved (it really works on-device). It is solely out there for a couple of languages, like English, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Dwell Translate: In choose messaging apps, Pixels will routinely know when somebody sends a message in a language apart from your default. It will translate it (if you want), and you’ll reply in that very same language. Greater than 50 languages are supported, although you will have to obtain the languages you need to see translated by heading to Settings > System > Dwell Translate.
Dwell Caption: Pixels can routinely transcribe any video taking part in on the display screen. You possibly can shortly toggle this on by tapping one of many quantity buttons and tapping on the sq. button beneath the amount slider (or head to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Dwell Caption). If the video is in a unique language, you’ll be able to even see it translated (solely on Tensor-powered Pixels), although you will have to obtain one of many supported languages. It may even caption telephone calls.
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