Pixel 9 / Pixel 9 Pro / Pixel 9 Pro... XL?

The base Pixel 9 is an absolute tank for battery life.

I had a day trip yesterday that involved a lot of photography, some on-foot navigation, Uber rides, you name it. I was running the screen at 120Hz the entire time, and the Pixel had a third of its battery left when I finally plugged in. The only energy-saving I did was to use airplane mode on my flights, since they were short and didn't have Wi-Fi.

I'm sure the 1080p screen helps, and it's a new phone with a fresh battery (my iPhone 13 Pro is almost three years old). But that's the kind of battery life I like — you don't have to worry that you might not make it just because you're using your phone aggressively.
 
Google just hit my card for the normal 9 Pro I ordered, so hopefully that means it'll ship in the next day or two. My 6 showed up a week early, so maybe this one will, too. Of note, I never did get my trade-in box. Maybe they're waiting on the new phones to ship before bothering?
 
I've had some unusual experiences with online orders and shipping, but this one makes the FUBAR Shipping Hall of Fame. I opened the box that was supposed to contain my 9 Pro XL only to find this...

PXL_20240830_220754741.jpg

Spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Google trying to explain the situation. For now, they just opened an investigation.
 
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Mad Maxx said:
I've had some unusual experiences with online orders and shipping, but this one makes the FUBAR Shipping Hall of Fame. I opened the box that was supposed to contain my 9 Pro XL only to find this...

View attachment 676559

Spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Google trying to explain the situation. For now, they just opened an investigation.
Click to expand...

WTF man? Sorry for you.
 
Zorachus said:
WTF man? Sorry for you.
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I think some UPS prick stole the phone and put that stuff in the box. Of course, there's no way to prove it. I just don't want to get stuck owing $1100 for a phone I never received.
 
Mad Maxx said:
I think some UPS prick stole the phone and put that stuff in the box. Of course, there's no way to prove it. I just don't want to get stuck owing $1100 for a phone I never received.
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Fuck theives, the friggin worst.

Seems delivery drivers steal smartphones often. Hopefully you get this worked out, this sucks.
 
Mad Maxx said:
I've had some unusual experiences with online orders and shipping, but this one makes the FUBAR Shipping Hall of Fame. I opened the box that was supposed to contain my 9 Pro XL only to find this...

View attachment 676559

Spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Google trying to explain the situation. For now, they just opened an investigation.
Click to expand...

I received empty packaging for a tech item (not a phone) just this week.
 
Mad Maxx said:
I've had some unusual experiences with online orders and shipping, but this one makes the FUBAR Shipping Hall of Fame. I opened the box that was supposed to contain my 9 Pro XL only to find this...

View attachment 676559

Spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Google trying to explain the situation. For now, they just opened an investigation.
Click to expand...
Google came through for me. They declared the phone lost/stolen, issued return labels for the stuff I received, and processed a new order. (y)
 
My 9 Pro is supposed to ship today and arrive Wed/Thurs. Ditto with the case. Seems like fate considering my 6 has hit the point where it dies with lots of texting back and forth on college football days.

For the folks already rolling with a 9, are you using the Pixel launcher or are you using something like Nova or Lawnchair?
 
Stock launcher, as lately third party launchers always seem to conflict or have some minor issues compared to just running stock on a Pixel.
 
Zorachus said:
Stock launcher, as lately third party launchers always seem to conflict or have some minor issues compared to just running stock on a Pixel.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm a Nova diehard, but I feel like its days may be numbered. At the very least I'm no longer expecting updates. Plus, the stock "At a Glance" on the Pixel > everything else I can find. I'll try to stick to the stock launcher for a few days and see if I can get use to it.
 
Domingo said:
My 9 Pro is supposed to ship today and arrive Wed/Thurs. Ditto with the case. Seems like fate considering my 6 has hit the point where it dies with lots of texting back and forth on college football days.

For the folks already rolling with a 9, are you using the Pixel launcher or are you using something like Nova or Lawnchair?
Click to expand...
Stock launcher. I've generally been happy with "pure" Android, and there are no real qualms apart from that non-removable info widget near the top of the first home screen.

As it stands, for me the most interesting parts of the software are the Google-exclusive things, like call screening. Might be hard to use any other Android phone after that.
 
Aurelius said:
Stock launcher. I've generally been happy with "pure" Android, and there are no real qualms apart from that non-removable info widget near the top of the first home screen.

As it stands, for me the most interesting parts of the software are the Google-exclusive things, like call screening. Might be hard to use any other Android phone after that.
Click to expand...

That widget's actually my favorite thing about it. I wish the other launchers could replicate that. Google has a version of it available for everyone, but they gimp a lot of the info. Especially travel-related stuff like your gate #, luggage carousel, rideshare info, etc. The Google phone app is awesome, too. The on-hold functionality is killer if you're stuck calling the cable company, a bank, etc.

The main things I like about Nova are the smoother animations, larger icons, renaming apps, hiding pointless shortcuts, etc.
 
Domingo said:
That widget's actually my favorite thing about it. I wish the other launchers could replicate that. Google has a version of it available for everyone, but they gimp a lot of the info. Especially travel-related stuff like your gate #, luggage carousel, rideshare info, etc. The Google phone app is awesome, too. The on-hold functionality is killer if you're stuck calling the cable company, a bank, etc.

The main things I like about Nova are the smoother animations, larger icons, renaming apps, hiding pointless shortcuts, etc.
Click to expand...
I don't mind losing out on Nova's features, really. That and it somehow feels wrong to slap a third-party launcher on the Googliest of phones.

The Verge said the standard Pixel 9 was the phone Android needed for a long time, and I have to agree — it's that vaguely affordable but well-built, very capable, and (finally) reliable phone that competes well against non-Pro iPhones and the regular Galaxy S. You can point someone to it and they'll probably be very happy.
 
Domingo said:
My 9 Pro is supposed to ship today and arrive Wed/Thurs. Ditto with the case. Seems like fate considering my 6 has hit the point where it dies with lots of texting back and forth on college football days.

For the folks already rolling with a 9, are you using the Pixel launcher or are you using something like Nova or Lawnchair?
Click to expand...
I'm Nova Prime all the way. Found an .apk for version 8 and really can't use anything else.

Agreed on Google's phone app. It's the best phone app I've used.
 
Welp, it's here! It's a hair smaller than my Pixel 6, even in the case. The screen brightness really pops. It's using that "adaptive" setting by default (which is waaaaaay too dark to me), but once I set everything to 75%, it's looking great. Now I just have to wait for the next 90 minutes or so while my photos, music, videos, etc. copy over.
 
Domingo said:
Welp, it's here! It's a hair smaller than my Pixel 6, even in the case. The screen brightness really pops. It's using that "adaptive" setting by default (which is waaaaaay too dark to me), but once I set everything to 75%, it's looking great. Now I just have to wait for the next 90 minutes or so while my photos, music, videos, etc. copy over.
Click to expand...

Did you get the 9 Pro or base 9?
 
Domingo said:
It's the Pro...hence why it has taken so long to actually show up. Technically they're supposed to go on sale in a few days, but they shipped early.
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Cool, didn't know they were out yet. That's awesome you got it already.

I have the 9PXL and would imagine the 9P is super awesome too maybe better
 
Zorachus said:
Cool, didn't know they were out yet. That's awesome you got it already.

I have the 9PXL and would imagine the 9P is super awesome too maybe better
Click to expand...

We shall see! I figure I should have all my data and settings transitioned over in a few hours, so I'll post any first impressions I have tomorrow. If it's literally just a better Pixel 6, that's pretty ideal for me. Although I am gonna try to make the most of the Pixel launcher this time rather than Nova.
 
Domingo said:
It's the Pro...hence why it has taken so long to actually show up. Technically they're supposed to go on sale in a few days, but they shipped early.
Click to expand...
My XL shipped yesterday and will be here tomorrow. I wanted the regular Pro, but didn't like the extended shipping times. Now, the 512GB Pro is shipping next week. :banghead:
 
Mad Maxx said:
My XL shipped yesterday and will be here tomorrow. I wanted the regular Pro, but didn't like the extended shipping times. Now, the 512GB Pro is shipping next week. :banghead:
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Doh! Mine's the 256GB model. I'm coming from a 128GB phone that was only about 60% full, so this felt huge to me.
 
It's only been a couple hours, but I've already bailed on the Pixel launcher and gone back to Nova :p. I can't handle 75% of my shortcuts looking like "Amazon Sh..." "Facebook Mes..." and such. That's bush league. I guess Android 15 will allow you to fix this, but that's still at least a month out. Not being able to resize my widgets beyond gigantic and more gigantic was a problem, too. Luckily it seems like you can reach the extra At a Glance stuff from the Pixel launcher on your lock screen, so I don't feel like I'm missing much. I might try the Pixel launcher again with Android 15, but for right now I can't do it.

As far as the device goes, it's super solid and dense, but not overly heavy. It reminds me very much of an iPhone in terms of the construction. It's a hair smaller than my Pixel 6, but just that little bit makes it fit better in my pockets. The edges of the screen are all very rounded. While it looks aesthetically modern, I think it'll take some getting used to. It makes the screen feel smaller than it is, and it feels more like part of your screen has gotten cut off around the edges than it probably should. The screen is BRIGHT. If you set it to 100, it's the brightest phone screen I've ever seen. I've settled on 70, which pretty close to where 80-85% was on my 6. The folks that couldn't get the fingerprint reader working well should be happy - it's quick. I got used to a very hard/deliberate press and now you can almost just tap it. The facial thing seems to work pretty well outside of complete darkness. I had to setup my various banking apps and most of them supported and worked well with it. The camera works wonderfully. I setup a lot of iPhones for work and it was taking better shots/videos of the same things than they do with zero settings adjustments. I only use those iPhones for like 20 minutes each before handing them off, so I don't claim to be an expert on their advanced settings, though. The "Pixel Studio" AI app felt pointless since you can't have it do anything with humans yet. Yeah, so no Guy Fieri powerbombing Hulk Hogan through a birthday cake AI art yet. The new weather app is the same one you could download/sideload on other Pixel devices. It feels snappy and quick, but I generally still felt my 6 did, too. Nova's animations make almost any phone feel good, but I can definitely tell it's opening, installing, and running things quicker. Today I'll probably tinker around with the AI functions and see what they're all about. I have no idea how to use the paid version of Gemini that I supposedly get for a year, so I'll have to investigate that some more.

EDIT: Slightly related, going from one Pixel device to another = way quicker and easier than it used to be. My apps even retained most of their settings, which made some finicky apps (like Gmail of all things) instantly good to go instead of installing them and taking another 30 minutes per app to make them look/work the way I wanted.
 
I like it (256GB 9 Pro XL here, locked to TMO), my main gripe is camera cannot natively capture UHD60 with HDR10+. Video has to be boosted and that takes a while. I have a gig this weekend and plan on capturing near stage to see how it handles LOUD audio and blinding Martin robo heads, etc. It does have more glare (similar to iphone). My 15 Pro Max is my go to for video so I will be using that alongside to see how it compares. OT: cannot wait to get a 16 Pro Max in my hands to see how much they improved AR coatings to kill the damn glare orbs!

And yes! Nova user here for over a decade, long live Nova! Losing that will be a kick in the nuts for sure.
 
Some other things I've noticed. Along with the construction that feels super high-quality, the volume and power buttons feel great. I know that doesn't necessarily matter, but they're mashy in just the right way that makes the phone feel more premium. A lot of Android phones feel kinda cheap, even those super expensive Sammys. I don't know if I've used an Android that felt like the construction was on par with Apple since the Moto X.
 
Mine was delivered a few minutes ago. Setting up now. Initial impression is that it feels like an iPhone. I like it! Now that I have it, I'm glad I chose the XL. I'm just used to big phones. (y)
 
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The normal 9/Pro is the exact opposite of a big phone. If anything, it's bordering on a small phone. I like that about it, but I also don't have large hands or the need for a large screen all the time, either. I appreciate that there are models for both folks.
 
Are there any launchers or programs that can truly replicate the Pixel's version of "At a Glance" ? I feel like that's the one thing it truly has going for it. I've tried Lawnchair and that program called Smartspacer that kinda half-asses parts of it into any launcher. Neither could even top the canned Google widget available to everyone.
 
Domingo said:
Are there any launchers or programs that can truly replicate the Pixel's version of "At a Glance" ? I feel like that's the one thing it truly has going for it. I've tried Lawnchair and that program called Smartspacer that kinda half-asses parts of it into any launcher. Neither could even top the canned Google widget available to everyone.
Click to expand...

Lawnchair used to be an amazing minimal Pixel type launcher with the extra custom settings and features the Pixel lacks.

But I tried it a few times on my Pixel 8 Pro and it just was never as smooth or fluid as stock.

I thought launchers in general on newer Android versions don't have the same smooth animations for so e reason?
 
Zorachus said:
Lawnchair used to be an amazing minimal Pixel type launcher with the extra custom settings and features the Pixel lacks.

But I tried it a few times on my Pixel 8 Pro and it just was never as smooth or fluid as stock.

I thought launchers in general on newer Android versions don't have the same smooth animations for so e reason?
Click to expand...

I might try that on my S24. I was using the Ruthless launcher, but I like the look of the lawnchair one better
 
I tried Lawnchair again and it feels like poor-man's Nova. Same idea with fewer options and a UI that feels like an IT person made it vs. a UI/UX designer. Granted, Nova can be a little quirky (especially if you use gestures, which I don't), but I couldn't find anything in Lawnchair that Nova didn't do better. They're trying to have their own version of the Pixel At a Glance, but it's not even as good as the plain 'ol Google one everyone has access to IMO.

At this point I think I'm just gonna be ride or die with Nova until it either dies or someone makes something better. Well, either that or maybe Android 15 will eliminate the need for a 3rd party launcher. Having non-truncated icons is a definite step in the right direction.
 
Domingo said:
I tried Lawnchair again and it feels like poor-man's Nova. Same idea with fewer options and a UI that feels like an IT person made it vs. a UI/UX designer. Granted, Nova can be a little quirky (especially if you use gestures, which I don't), but I couldn't find anything in Lawnchair that Nova didn't do better. They're trying to have their own version of the Pixel At a Glance, but it's not even as good as the plain 'ol Google one everyone has access to IMO.

At this point I think I'm just gonna be ride or die with Nova until it either dies or someone makes something better. Well, either that or maybe Android 15 will eliminate the need for a 3rd party launcher. Having non-truncated icons is a definite step in the right direction.
Click to expand...
It's Nova... and everything else.

Any recommendations for a screen protector that doesn't screw up the fingerprint sensor? I've tried several glass protectors that claim they have no effect on the FPS, but none of them are worth a damn. Gonna try a film protector next.
 
Mad Maxx said:
It's Nova... and everything else.

Any recommendations for a screen protector that doesn't screw up the fingerprint sensor? I've tried several glass protectors that claim they have no effect on the FPS, but none of them are worth a damn. Gonna try a film protector next.
Click to expand...

I have a Spigen glass protector on my S24 with ultrasonic sensor and it works fine.

Edit: GlasTR EZ Fit is the one I have. Not sure if they have different ones or not.
 
kirbyrj said:
I have a Spigen glass protector on my S24 with ultrasonic sensor and it works fine.

Edit: GlasTR EZ Fit is the one I have. Not sure if they have different ones or not.
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That's what I ordered (P9 Pro XL) from Spigen's eBay store. Thanks!
 
Off topic, but anyone using Firefox Mobile on their Pixel 9 line phone?

I like the ad blocking on it, probably the best in that regard, but is there a way to get the bookmarks button to be on the bottom address bst bottom area?

And can this browser go full screen, up into the status bar? Samsung Browser stops before the status bar.
 
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