You get all the identical software program options because the Pixel 9 collection, however there are some extras to benefit from all of the screens. Made You Look, for instance, performs a cute animation on the outer display to verify your kiddo stares at it if you’re making an attempt to seize a photograph. While you’re on a Google Meet name, now you can make the most of all of the screens so that everybody round you possibly can see the individual you are talking with, and meaning utilizing all of the cameras too, so the individual on the opposite finish would not need to 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 among 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 possibly can test to see precisely what month your Pixel cellphone will cease receiving updates. Safety updates cut back the chance of malware, preserve your cellphone bug-free, and make it safer. Android model updates introduce new options—beauty and purposeful—that enhance the OS as a complete.
Pixel telephones additionally occur to be the primary to obtain any sort of Android replace, in order quickly as Google releases a brand new model, like Android 16, you possibly can obtain it instantly by heading to Settings > System > System Replace > Test for Replace. You may as well take a look at beta variations of Android, however you may have to enroll your gadget. (Be sure that to again up your cellphone first!) Pixels are additionally aware about 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 selections. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends) can be found by official channels and third-party retailers (till provides final). The hot button is to not pay greater than $500 or $600 for both of them; in any other case, you could as effectively put that cash towards the Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 collection.
I don’t suggest you purchase any older Pixel units. A number of Pixel A-series telephones have been put underneath a battery efficiency program to mitigate the chance of overheating or swelling batteries. These software program updates have crippled the battery life on these telephones, and Google has supplied prospects with battery alternative choices or Google Retailer credit score for a brand new Pixel cellphone. These potential points imply it is simply not definitely worth the danger of shopping for a Pixel 7a or Pixel 6a. The Pixel 8a (8/10, WIRED Recommends) would not appear to point out issues but, however I would nonetheless throw warning to the wind.
Pixel A-Sequence Battery Points
In 2025, some Google Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a house owners have obtained obligatory updates that purposefully degrade the efficiency of the battery to stop overheating. Your cellphone might have been working nice earlier than, however Google issued these updates as a preventative measure, and never each gadget was affected. Equally, some Pixel 7a units might encounter battery swelling points.
In case your cellphone has been affected, you’ve got two choices. You will get a free battery alternative—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 may get Google Retailer credit score for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a to place towards a brand new Pixel cellphone.
These points appear to have solely affected some batteries within the A-series telephones, suggesting it is doubtless a provider difficulty. What in regards to the newer Pixel 9a? Here is an announcement a Google spokesperson supplied to WIRED: “Google constantly improves Pixel testing based mostly on person suggestions and completely investigates reported incidents for all elements, together with batteries. With Pixel 9a, we delivered the biggest and longest-lasting battery of any A-series but. We’ve been inspired by its reception to this point and are assured within the cellphone’s longevity and sturdiness.”
Ideally, this battery difficulty has been rectified within the newest mannequin, however we’ll be monitoring it over the subsequent few years.
What Does Pixel Care+ Embody?
While you buy a Pixel from Google, you may see the choice so as to add Pixel Care+ for defense. It is solely out there within the US by the Google Retailer and Google Fi. The month-to-month choice can run for as much as 60 months, whereas the mounted pricing is for a 2-year time period. Here is what you get.
Pixel Care+ begins at $9 per 30 days or $179 and consists of limitless unintentional harm safety, $0 display and battery repairs, replacements that ship in a day, and precedence help from Pixel specialists. 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 30 days, or $239 for the 2-year time period. There is not any Pixel Care+ choice for the Pixel 9a.
Pixel Care+ with Loss and Theft begins at $10 per 30 days or $199 and consists of the identical protections as talked about above however consists of two claims of loss and theft each 12 months. Weirdly, Loss and Theft protection is just not out there in New York state.
You Can DeGoogle Your Pixel Cellphone
Love Google’s Pixel telephones however wish to get away from utilizing Google companies? It is slightly ironic, however you possibly can really use a unique working system with the Pixel as an alternative of the built-in Android. We have examined and actually like /e/OS, a privacy-first working system that is based mostly on the Android Open Supply Undertaking. Whilst you can set up it your self, it requires a little bit of technical know-how, you possibly can purchase a refurbished Pixel from Murena with /e/OS put in already. Should you’re , we’ve got extra particulars about /e/OS right here.
The Finest Pixel Instances and Equipment
I’ve written a broader information on the Finest Pixel 9 Instances and Equipment right here, however listed here are a couple of choices on your perusal. We’ll be testing circumstances for the Pixel 10 collection quickly.
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This silicone case helps you to match your Pixel cellphone’s coloration. It is sturdy and good to the touch, with raised edges on the entrance to guard the display. It is made with recycled plastics, and whereas the older circumstances entice lint and mud 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 manufactured from a hard-shell polycarbonate, nevertheless it’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 offers you a neater option to unfold the cellphone.
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
That is our favourite case total for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8A collection. It has clicky buttons and extremely grippy edges (therefore the title). It feels strong but pretty slim, and you’ll select a snazzy design. Simply know that it’s important 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 suggestions. 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 most effective case if you happen to ceaselessly connect your Pixel to the handlebars of a motorcycle or an electrical scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system helps you to magnetically affix the cellphone to its Common Bike Mount ($50), and it stays put. After practically a 12 months of testing, I’ve but to have a cellphone 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 automobile vent mount. The case itself is good; I simply want the sides have been raised extra for higher display safety. It is available in extra colours than ever.
This charging adapter is all you should recharge your Pixel, whichever mannequin you’ve got. The most recent high-end Pixel telephones do not include chargers within the field, so if you haven’t any spare USB-C chargers, it is value selecting one up. This one’s prongs fold up, so it is nice for journey too.
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Dbrand offers you two display protectors on this bundle, and after I initially examined it, there was no utility device, so I needed to freehand the set up. The present Prism 2.0 model fortunately now comes with a device, so it must be a lot simpler to align. You get all the opposite instruments within the field to wipe down your cellphone 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 keep in mind that all these options exist, so listed here are a lot of the high ones.
There are some key options on Pixels that you simply will not discover on every other Android cellphone. A few of these can be found solely on choose Pixels—the Tensor chip began with the Pixel 6, and at the moment, the Tensor G4 is within the Pixel 9 vary. Here is a breakdown:
Name Display: While 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 possibly can have Assistant take the decision. You will see a real-time transcription of what is occurring, so you possibly can finish the decision instantly if it is a telemarketer or reply if it seems to be a long-lost highschool good friend. If it is somebody essential, you can provide Assistant responses to recite if you happen to’re unable to take the decision—it affords up contextual replies now, too. Keep 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 Instances and Direct My Name: While you name a enterprise within the cellphone app, you may see an estimated wait time till somebody actual picks up (it would not work with each enterprise). Google’s Direct My Name characteristic additionally transcribes the complete name and separates the menu choices so you possibly can see them with out having to pay attention intently to the decision. Extra not too long ago, for some numbers, Direct My Name will cache responses so you may instantly see menu choices without having to attend for the automated response to undergo each quantity. You may flip this on by going to the cellphone app’s Settings > Direct My Name.
Maintain for Me: Should you’ve been positioned on maintain with a enterprise quantity, you possibly can ask Google Assistant to take over. It can play a loud chime when the individual on the opposite finish is again. No have to pay attention to carry music! Toggle it on within the cellphone app’s Settings > Maintain for Me. This characteristic is out there on most Pixels however solely works in choose international locations, together with the US, Australia, Japan, the UK, and Canada.
Clear Calling: When you’ve got a Pixel 7 or newer, you possibly can 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 may 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. Quite, it’s important to faucet the Extra button if you’re on a name and faucet Name Notes to begin it. It roughly data the dialog (it notifies the opposite person who the decision is being recorded), and on the finish, it will offer you a abstract of essential factors from the decision proper within the name historical past log, corresponding to worth quotes, cellphone numbers, or addresses. Generally it will get data unsuitable, because the accuracy of the transcription depends upon the decision high quality, however you possibly can play again the complete recording your self to double-check.
Rip-off Detection: This characteristic detects dialog patterns as you’re on the cellphone with a suspicious quantity to warn you when somebody is deploying a basic rip-off tactic. It additionally works in Google’s Messages app. You may flip it on by going to the cellphone app, then tapping the three-dot menu icon on the high proper, and hitting Settings > Rip-off Detection.
Reverse Cellphone Quantity Lookup: Do not acknowledge the cellphone quantity from an incoming name? Within the name app, now you can rapidly lookup 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 would not at all times work and will rely in your service. Take a Message bypasses the usual voicemail (your regular voicemail will solely kick in with missed calls when your cellphone is off or out of community). The caller shall be advised to depart a message, and this recording shall be auto-transcribed, seen proper within the name historical past of the cellphone app. It will even supply actionable steps, like including a reminder or an occasion to your calendar.
Pixel VIPs: This can be a new widget that offers you one-tap entry to your favourite contacts. But it surely’s greater than that. Faucet on one in all your contacts and you may see a superbly designed web page that gives fast entry to name the contact and message them on varied platforms. It will present the final messages between you two, share location, climate updates, and the time for his or her space, and you’ll add notes if you wish to keep in mind particular issues. You may entry this the identical approach you add a widget; it sits underneath the Contacts app.
Transcription and Translation Options
Translated Cellphone Calls in Your Voice (Tensor G5): You may translate a cellphone name in actual time, however what makes Google’s method distinctive is that the corporate will make the translated voice sound like your personal (or the individual on the opposite finish). That approach, it nonetheless sounds such as you’re speaking to somebody you realize, somewhat 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 mechanically 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 may have to obtain the languages you wish to see translated by heading to Settings > System > Dwell Translate.
Dwell Caption: Pixels can mechanically transcribe any video enjoying on the display. You may rapidly 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 possibly can even see it translated (solely on Tensor-powered Pixels), although you may have to obtain one of many supported languages. It might even caption cellphone calls.
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