AI goodness
The Pixel 11 is two generations ahead of the Pixel 9, sporting a better processor, a triple-camera setup, a larger battery, and faster charging. Google upgraded the AI experience to bring cool features like Magic Capture, Rambler, and more, and the base storage finally starts at 256GB. But the $100 price increase and lack of the HiLight notification LED cast a shadow of doubt.
Pros
- Android 17 with 7 years of updates
- Higher base storage
- Tensor G6 is more efficient
- Pixelsnap support opens up compatibility with an insurmountable number of accessories
- Improved triple camera setup with better zoom
- Bigger battery with faster charging speeds
Cons
- Costs $100 more and misses out on HiLight
- Cameras not too different from Pixel 10
- Display isn't an LTPO OLED (60-120Hz)
- Wi-Fi 6E
Still going strong
The Pixel 9 might not be the best Android phone out there, but it is still one of the best AI phones you can buy for a very agreeable price. It has a fantastic dual camera setup, plenty of AI features that have stayed up to date thanks to regular Pixel Drops, and is guaranteed to get updates until Android 21.
Pros
- Half the price of the Pixel 11
- Also promises 7 years of updates
- Shares many of the Pixel 11's best features like Pixelsnap, IP68 water and dust-proofing, and many overlapping AI features
- Dual cameras do a fantastic job
- Wi-Fi 7
Cons
- The Tensor G4 chipset is quite old
- Lower base storage
- Slow battery and charging specs
- Display isn't as bright as Pixel 11
- Lacks magnetic Qi2, or Pixelsnap as Google calls it
The Pixel 11 brings several upgrades over the Pixel 9, but in a strange turn of events, it also brings quite a few downgrades. One thing is for sure, though: the latest Google Tensor G6 chipset is the clear winner in terms of performance and raw power.
Most importantly, if you were to step into the store to buy both phones right now, the Pixel 9 would only cost you about $549, whereas the Pixel 11 starts at $899. The price gap is significant, leading us to question which phone is better. Two generations later, and it's still unclear to Pixel 9 owners whether the Pixel 11 is worth upgrading to. I'm here to unearth the answer to this question.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: By the numbers
Category |
Google Pixel 11 |
Google Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
Storage |
256GB, 512GB |
128GB, 256GB |
RAM |
12GB |
12GB |
Display |
6.3-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, 3000 nits peak, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
6.3-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, 2700 nits peak, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
Processor |
Google Tensor G6 |
Google Tensor G4 |
Rear Cameras |
48MP wide 13MP ultrawide 10.8MP 5x telephoto |
50MP wide 48MP ultrawide |
Selfie camera |
10.5MP |
10.5MP |
Battery |
4,985mAh, 30W wired, 25W wireless (Qi2) |
4,700mAh, 27W wired, 15W/12W wireless (Pixel Stand/Qi) |
Connectivity |
5G, Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 6E, eSIM-only (US) |
5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 7, nano+eSIM, |
Dimensions & weight |
152.8 x 72 x 8.6mm 197g |
152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm 198g |
Colors |
Frost, Pistachio, Hibiscus, Obsidian |
Obsidian, Porcelain, Winter |
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: Cold hard specs
Looks-wise, the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 9 are very similar, but the former's brighter colorways and all-glass camera bar stand out distinctly. Apart from that, both Google Pixel phones are the same size, each with a 6.3-inch HDR10+ OLED display. Neither Pixel has an LTPO panel, so the variable refresh rate can't drop below 60Hz.
Disappointingly, the Pixel 11 misses out on HiLight, a standout feature of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 7, which is found on the Pixel 9. Google did upgrade to Bluetooth 6 on the Pixel 11, thankfully, so the Pixel 9's Bluetooth 5.3 is quite outdated by comparison.
Battery and charging are significantly better on the Pixel 11, jumping from the Pixel 9's 4,700mAh cell, 27W wired charging, and 15W wireless charging speeds to a 4,985mAh battery, 30W wired charging, and 25W wireless charging. Pixelsnap (or magnetic Qi2) is one of the best features of the Pixel 11, something the Pixel 9 lacks entirely.
Performance is a vital consideration, and the Google Pixel 11's Tensor G6 chipset crushes the Pixel 9's much older, slower Tensor G4 chip. The G6 offers 20% better power efficiency, 25% faster browsing, and 15% faster app loading compared to the Tensor G5.
Let's also not forget that all this will cost you a lot more: the Pixel 11 starts at $899 for 12GB/256GB, whereas the Pixel 9 retails for about $440 for the 12GB/128GB variant and $545 for the 12GB/256GB option.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: Software and AI
It is well known that, eventually, software and AI features from new Pixel phones trickle down to older models. However, this also depends on whether the phone's chipset supports those features.
Given the wide gap in raw power between the Tensor G4 and Tensor G6 chips, many of the Pixel 11's best features may not be available on the Pixel 9. Gemini's features rely on the G6's advanced architecture, so features like Rambler voice-to-text, Magic Capture, Sign Language-to-text translation, and automation via Gemini Intelligence are likely to remain exclusive to the Pixel 11. Some might come to the Pixel 10 eventually, but it is highly unlikely that the Pixel 9 will also get those features.
Both Pixels run Android 17 and are guaranteed seven years of OS and security updates. The Pixel 9 started out with Android 14, so naturally, it has fewer updates to go compared to the Pixel 11.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: Cameras
The Pixel 11 has a triple-camera setup, with all-new lenses compared to the Pixel 9's dual-camera setup. Pixel 11 users enjoy a 48MP primary camera, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a 5x telephoto sensor, with up to 30x zoom. New camera features on the device include Magic Capture, Camera Looks, Camera Coach, and Creator Suite.
Next to that, the Pixel 9's 50MP wide and 48MP ultra-wide cameras and glaring lack of any telephoto lens look pointedly plain. Although a few Pixel 10 camera features, like Camera Coach, made their way to the Pixel 9, they are a far cry from the photography and videography tools and capabilities of the Pixel 11.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: So should you upgrade?
The Pixel 11 offers Pixelsnap, vastly improved performance, better cameras, more base storage, better AI features, superior battery and charging specs, and solid triple cameras.
The Pixel 9, on the other hand, still has many years of software updates, and it performs well enough, with solid photography and ingress protection. It is slow by comparison and has poorer battery life and charging performance.
Whether you are a Google Pixel 9 owner or considering saving money by buying an older phone, the Pixel 11 is clearly a much better deal overall. You'll get Android 17 and the same seven-year update promise. The extra money you spend will get you a vastly more efficient processor, newer hardware, and more base storage.
If you are intent on staying in the $500 range, I suggest waiting for the Pixel 10 Pro to go on sale instead of purchasing the Pixel 9.
