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Samsung and OpenAI Partnership: Samsung to Ditch Google for AI in Galaxy Smartphones?

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A report suggests that a Samsung and OpenAI partnership is being discussed for the latter to power AI features in Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Currently, Samsung leverages Google’s Gemini Nano model to power the suite of Galaxy AI features, aside from Gemini, Circle to Search, and more.

The report comes from ‘The Information,‘ which states that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is exploring a partnership with Samsung to integrate its AI technology into Galaxy devices, bringing advanced AI features to the popular smartphone lineup. The Samsung and OpenAI partnership would be similar to that of Apple and OpenAI, who have collaborated to power Siri’s AI capabilities.

If OpenAI manages to pull it off, it would be a major win for the company, as Samsung is one of the biggest smartphone makers in the world, which would help it expand ChatGPT access to a wider user base. However, whether Samsung will completely ditch Google in favour of OpenAI is unclear. That would be unlikely, though, as Google has maintained a long-standing partnership with Samsung, collaborating on numerous features.

Meanwhile, the report adds that OpenAI is also working on a ChatGPT-powered browser that will compete with Google Chrome, Apple’s browser, and more. OpenAI entered the Search business earlier this year and announced ChatGPT Search last month. With the Search feature in the chatbot, ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask, or you can manually select to search by clicking the web search icon.

A partnership with OpenAI and Google doesn’t mean Samsung is giving up on its efforts on AI, as the company recently unveiled its AI-backed Bixby in China. Samsung highlighted four major new capabilities of the next-generation Bixby, starting with incorporating video into responses. For example, Bixby can now add relevant videos to text replies when requesting travel tips. Another new feature enables Bixby to translate entire web pages, making accessing information in different languages easier.

Apple’s LLM Siri Won’t Launch Until Spring of 2026: Report

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A new report has surfaced online suggesting that Apple is working an AI-based Siri overhaul that is internally being called “LLM Siri.” However, the report also adds that this newly refreshed Siri won’t be arriving anytime soon, and has been delayed till Spring of 2026.

The report from Bloomberg says that Apple is advancing toward a significant overhaul of Siri, aiming to make it more conversational by leveraging in-house large language models—the same technology that powers chatbots like ChatGPT. The company is currently testing this enhanced version internally under the name “LLM Siri.”

While Apple has essentially found a workaround to provide AI-based Siri services by partnering with OpenAI and using ChatGPT, the company knows that it “can’t rely on partners for such a fundamental piece of technology in the long run,” according to the report.

However, LLM Siri it isn’t scheduled to launch until around the spring of 2026. We may witness an unveiling sometime before that, possibly at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference or at another event next year. Aside from the new Siri, the report adds that a “larger-than-usual number of features scheduled for 19” have already been postponed until spring 2026 (when iOS 19.4 debuts).

Ahead of that, Apple is preparing a major update this spring with the release of iOS 18.4, but several features initially anticipated for later this year are already being delayed according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.

Another recent report carrying details of Apple’s AirTag 2 was shared online. As per that, AirTag 2 will retain the design of the original Apple AirTag but will have new internal hardware. This new hardware will enable “better range.” The onboard wireless chip will get an upgrade, and Apple has also paid attention to the privacy aspect.

Full Google Tasks Integration in Google Calendar Rolling Out

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Google has announced a new update for its to-do list app, stating that the full Google Tasks integration in Google Calendar is now rolling out. Google Tasks allows users to create various tasks for the day or schedule a future one and these tasks will now also be manageable via Google Calendar.

Announced via a Google Workspace updates post, Google Tasks integration in Google Calendar is rolling out. It works similarly to the full-screen task lists for Google Calendar on the web, which were introduced last year, “enabling users to see all their tasks and task lists in a single full-screen view.” According to the company, this update “makes it easier for users to stay on top of and organize their tasks, especially while on the go.”

The Google Tasks integration in Google Calendar will be available to Google Workspace customers, Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. Post this integration, the fate of the Google Tasks is unclear, as Google Calendar now has full Google Tasks support, except for the dedicated home screen widget the Tasks app has.

Read More: Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Should it be on Your Radar?

In addition, Google also announced a streamlined file organization system with the new Google Drive app update on devices. This update will make it easier to find recently viewed Drive items and see what storage locations besides “My Drive” are available to you, such as items you can access within shared drives. It will be available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

In related updates to Google, the company launched a new Memory feature for Gemini so you can ask the assistant to remember your preferences for various actions. Google says the feature can be used for Gemini to “provide even more helpful and relevant responses, tailored precisely to your needs.”

OxygenOS 15 for OnePlus Open Now Rolling Out

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OnePlus is now rolling out OxygenOS 15 for OnePlus Open, its sole foldable available for purchase in the market that debuted last year. OxygenOS 15 was recently rolled out for other OnePlus devices as well, beginning with the OnePlus 12, then OnePlus 12R, and more recently, the OnePlus Pad 2 also received it.

As announced on the OnePlus community, OxygenOS 15 for OnePlus Open is already rolling out in India in batches, and users in North America, Europe, and Global regions will receive it later during this week. The update with version CPH2551_15.0.0.200(EX01) is rolling out in India with the following changelog:

Ultra animation effects

  • Introduces the industry’s first parallel processing architecture, offering parallel response and unified rendering to elevate multi-app switching to a new level. Even under extreme usage conditions, the display remains consistently smooth and seamless, ensuring unwavering stability.
  • Adds parallel animation for a wider range of scenarios, including widgets, components, folders and more, ensuring smooth animations even when frequently interrupted.
  • Adds system-level swiping curve coverage for third-party apps, including WebView interfaces, ensuring a consistent scrolling experience throughout the system.

AI Retouch

  • Introduces the Enhance clarity feature to enhance the clarity of cropped, distant or low-quality photos.
  • With Reflection Eraser, blurred photos regain their sharpness, color accuracy, and lighting, ensuring that special moments with pets, kids, and others are vividly preserved.
  • Introduces the Remove reflections feature to effortlessly remove glass reflections for clearer, more authentic photos through windows.

AI Notes

  • Introduces the new AI writing suite which includes the continue writing, polish and optimise style AI writing features to assist you with drafting and enhancing content, unleashing your creativity in an instant.
  • Introduces the Format feature to organise scattered information into well-organised content to make it more visually appealing and easier to read.
  • Introduces the Clean up feature to remove filler words from voice notes to make sentences more coherent while retaining the original audio.

Luminous rendering effects

  • Optimises the rounded corner design by standardising its specifications and extending the application of a continuous curvature.

Flux themes

  • Introduces new flux themes with a huge collection of high-quality themes. Customise them with system wallpapers and photos for your unique touch.
  • Introduces customisation for Always-On Display, the Lock screen and the Home screen. Always-On Display supports flux and classic modes. The Lock screen supports clock colour blending, blurred wallpapers, AI depth effects, AI auto-fills and more. The Home screen supports blurred wallpapers and more.
  • Introduces flux themes with one-take transition animations, enabling seamless and smooth transitions between Always-On Display, Lock screen and Home screen, significantly enhancing visual continuity.

Live Alerts

  • Adds a new Live Alerts design that is focused on the visualisation of information, offering better information display efficiency. Live Alerts is also positioned in the centre, creating a more balanced display.
  • Optimises the way you interact with Live Alerts capsules –  just tap a capsule and see it expand into a card. You can quickly switch between multiple live activities simply by swiping left or right on the capsules in the status bar, making it more efficient to view information.
  • Introduces a new Live Alerts animation system featuring elastic design, seamless expansion and dynamic real-time blur to enhance the visuals of cards.

Livephoto

  • Extends live photo duration to up to 3 seconds, capturing more of life’s precious moments.

Photo editing

  • Introduces globally reversible photo editing capability that remembers the settings for your previous edits so they can be applied to subsequent edits, keeping the creative flow uninterrupted.
  • Improves integration between Camera and filters, so filters that are applied to photos when taken can be edited, changed and removed later in Photos.

Floating Window and Split View

  • Introduces new Floating Window gestures: pulling down a notification banner to bring up a floating window, pulling down a floating window for full screen display, swiping up to close a floating window and swiping to a side to hide a floating window.
  • Introduces resizable Split View windows. Simply drag the divider to resize the window not fully displayed for a larger display area. You can also achieve this by tapping the window.

Notifications & Quick Settings

  • Adds the Split mode for the notification drawer and Quick Settings. Swipe down from the upper-left to open the notification drawer, swipe down from the upper-right for Quick Settings and swipe left or right to switch between them.
  • Redesigns Quick Settings with an optimised layout that offers more appealing and consistent visuals and more refined and rich animations.

OnePlus Share

  • The new file transfer capability with devices, easily connecting and sharing files through OnePlus Share.
  • Now you can easily share live photos with nearby iOS devices.

Battery & charging

  • Introduces battery protection reminder to turn on Charging limit when your device is connected to a charger for too long.

More

  • Introduces the new Home screen clock widget that can be resized to your preference.
  • Plants a “1+” easter egg in Calculator to be displayed when punching in “1+=” as a show of OnePlus’ “Never Settle” philosophy.
  • Introduces more wallpapers to bring the unique style of OnePlus to your phone.
  • Introduces exclusive OxygenOS icon styles.
  • Contacts can now be switched to a floating window.
  • Now you can search for notes by pinyin and attachments like audio in your notes.
  • Optimises the style and visuals of the Notes widgets on the Home screen for a more attractive and practical experience.
  • Optimises the Drawer mode by retaining the Home screen app layout when you enter Drawer mode for the first time.
  • Apps in large folders can now be displayed in 3 × 3 grids.
  • Optimizes the widgets of Clock on the Home screen.
  • Optimizes the widgets of Clock on the Home screen.
  • Optimizes the widgets of Notes on the Home screen.

Privacy protection

  • Improves Private Safe with the new categorised browsing features for images, videos and documents, making it easier to manage private data.
  • Introduces a new Home screen entry for hidden apps. You can tap the Hidden apps folder on the Home screen and verify your privacy to see the apps.

Wi-Fi

  • Optimises the multi-network experience for more precise, efficient and seamless switches between networks.

If users don’t want the 15-based OxygenOS 15 for OnePlus Open, they can also rollback to the older OxygenOS 14 version, the method for which is mentioned in the OnePlus Community post.

Smartphones Launching in December 2024: iQOO 13, Redmi Note 14 Series, and More

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As November 2024 concludes with major launches like the Asus ROG Phone 9 series, December 2024 promises to be just as thrilling, with a wave of new smartphones on the horizon, powered by the latest flagship Qualcomm chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite amongst others. Several highly anticipated releases are expected next month—here’s a list of both confirmed and expected smartphones launching in December 2024.

Redmi Note 14 Series (India Launch)

Redmi Note 14 series India

Redmi India has confirmed that Redmi Note 14 series will be amongst smartphones launching in December 2024. The lineup should likely consist of three devices, out of which, the Note 14 Pro+ could sport a 6.67-inch 1.5K Resolution AMOLED Display with a Refresh Rate of 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 12-bit colours, 3000 nits peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 1920Hz PWM dimming, and HDR10+ support. It is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The device may be equipped with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC under the hood, paired with 12GB LPDDR4X and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM with 256GB UFS 2.2 and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ may feature a triple camera setup with a 50MP f/1.5 Light Fusion 800 primary sensor, an 8MP f/2.2 IMX355 ultra-wide angle sensor, and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera. The  smartphone also has a 20MP selfie camera. The Note 14 Pro+ packs a 6,200mAh battery and comes with 90W Fast charging support.

Additional features may include X-Axis Linear Haptics Motor, IR Blaster, and dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. Connectivity options should include Wi-Fi 6, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, NFC and a USB-C port for charging. The device will run on Hyper OS based on Android 14. There’s an in-display optical fingerprint sensor for security while the handset is up to IP69 rated as well.

Redmi Note 14 Series: Launch Date (Confirmed)

The Redmi Note 14 series India launch will take place on December 9, as confirmed by the brand itself.

Redmi Note 14 Series: Price (Expected)

We expect the prices of the devices in the lineup to range from Rs 15,000 till Rs 30,000. However, keep in mind this is purely a speculation based on Redmi’s past pricing trends in India.

Vivo X200 Series (India Launch)

Vivo X200 series India launch

Vivo X200 series should also likely be amongst smartphones launching in December 2024. The devices have already launched in China. However, the Vivo X200 series won’t consist of the X200 Pro Mini, per leaks.

The Vivo X200 Pro features a 6.78-inch 8T LTPO AMOLED Display with quad-curved edges and a centre-aligned punch-hole cutout. The display on the X200 Pro has a 1.5K pixels resolution, 452 ppi, HDR 10+, a dynamic 0.1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate and 4500 nits peak brightness. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC paired with UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5x RAM while the top-end 1 TB variant has LPDDR5x Ultra Pro 16GB RAM.

The Vivo X200 Pro has a triple-rear camera setup that includes an OIS-assisted 50MP f/1.57 Sony LYT-818 primary camera, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide unit with a 108-degree FOV, and a 200MP Zeiss APO Super periscope telephoto camera with an f/2.67 aperture. It offers a 32MP f/2.0 selfie shooter at the front. The optics are joined by a Proprietary V3+ imaging chip and Zeiss optics.

The Vivo X200 Pro comes equipped with a 6000mAh battery unit and 90W Fast charging support. It will also support 30W wireless charging. It also features an IP69 rating making it water and dust-resistant.

Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4, GPS/ A-GPS, Infrared (IR) blaster, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. It also has stereo speakers and an X-axis haptic motor along with an in-display 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

Vivo X200 Series: Launch Date (Expected)

The Vivo X200 series smartphones launching in December 2024 in India could debut around mid of the month according to leaks. However, an exact date remains unconfirmed as of now.

Vivo X200 Series: Price (Expected)

Leaks suggest that Vivo X200 series will be priced along similar lines as their predecessors in India. The Vivo X100 started at Rs 63,999 while the X100 Pro started at Rs 89,999.

iQOO 13 (India Launch)

Iqoo 13 colours

iQOO 13 is also one of the smartphones launching in December 2024 in India. The iQOO 13 sports a 6.82-inch 2K  8T LTPO OLED flat display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits brightness in HBM mode and 4500 nits peak brightness, 2592Hz PWM dimming, and OLED circular polarized light eye protection technology. The display made by BOE, tuned for iQOO. The iQOO 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC with up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage.

For optics, the phone features a triple cam setup on the back, including an OIS-assisted 50MP f/1.88 Sony IMX921 primary camera, a 50MP f/2.0 Samsung JN1 ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50MP f/1.85 Sony IMX816 2x telephoto sensor with OIS. A 32MP f/2.45 sensor handles the selfies and video calls on the device.

The device draws power from a huge 6150 mAh battery with 120W fast wired charging. The India model will equip a slightly smaller 6000mAh battery. Aside from this, iQOO 13 has a metal middle frame, a Halo light strip on the back around the camera module, an IP68 + IP69 rated body, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4, GPS, NFC, IR blaster, stereo speakers, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.

iQOO 13 Launch Date (Confirmed)

iQOO 13 India launch has been confirmed to take place on December 3, 2024.

iQOO 13 Price (Expected)

The iQOO 13 could be priced around Rs 60,000 or lower in the country, according to our expectations. For the official price, though, we’ll have to wait till next month.

India Vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test Series: Where to Watch Live

Cricket fans around the world are gearing up for a thrilling contest as India and Australia lock horns in the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The four-match Test series promises intense battles, fierce rivalries, and a display of exceptional cricketing skills. The first session between India and Australia began from 7:50AM IST today. Here’s how you can watch it live.

In India, the match can be watched through Disney+ Hotstar for those who prefer streaming. The platform will be live-streaming the entire series but you’ll require a subscription to watch it.

If you want to watch the live broadcast, then you can tune in to Star Sports channels as the official broadcaster for the series in India is the Star Sports Network. You can catch all the matches live on Star Sports channels, with coverage available in multiple languages including Hindi, English, and regional languages. The series will also be available on DD Sports for a wider reach.

Read More: Reliance Jio Rs 11 Data Pack Launched

Australian viewers can tune in to Fox Cricket to watch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy live. Fox Cricket provides comprehensive coverage of the series, including pre- and post-match analysis. Kayo Sports, a popular streaming service in Australia, will also be streaming the series live.

The second match in the series will take place from December 6 till December 10, third will begin from December 14 and end on December 18, fourth will begin from December 26 and end on December 30, while the fifth and the final test match will begin on January 3 and end on January 7, 2025.

India enters the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the defending champion, having clinched victory in the last four series against Australia. However, the team faces immense pressure after failing to secure a single win in the recently concluded series against New Zealand.

Spotify Audiobook Features: Author Pages, Video Clips, and More in Testing

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New Spotify Audiobook features are now being tested as shared by the music streaming platform, including Author Pages, Video Clips, and Follow-Along. The new video feature allows select authors and publishers to submit a short video about a specific title. Here’s everything to know about.

Currently in a pilot phase with a select group of authors, these dedicated audiobook author profiles feature biographical details about their lives and works. Author Pages will consolidate their entire catalogs available on Spotify, allowing you to easily explore an author’s past works and stay updated on new releases.

One of the new Spotify Audiobook features includes Video clips. The platform is testing a new video feature that allows select authors and publishers to submit a short video about a specific title.

This can be an interview snippet, a backstage video from the audio recording session, a video message from the author, or something else. Much like a book’s jacket, these videos give you a taste of an audiobook before pressing play, offering an engaging way to explore and evaluate audiobook offerings.

Read More: How to Create a Custom Cover Art for Playlists in Spotify?

Finally, the platform is also testing a “follow-along” feature on select titles. Follow-Along is an immersive visual experience that allows you to see time-synchronized illustrations, photos, and graphics as you listen to an audiobook. These listening enhancements that help contextualize a story are available in the “extras” section of the audiobook.

Meanwhile, Spotify recently expanded its AI Playlists feature to more regions in beta to Spotify Premium users on Android and iOS devices in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Spotify AI playlists extend beyond the regular method of creating a playlist where you add various tracks manually. Spotify’s AI capabilities extend beyond typical playlist requests tied to genres or eras, enabling users to seek out more varied mixes.


Tecno POP 9 4G Launched in India: Should You Buy?

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Tecno has announced the launch of Tecno POP 9 in India with a sub-Rs 7,000 price tag, stereo speakers, and as the first smartphone in the country to pack the MediaTek Helio G50 processor. The POP 9 is the counterpart to the Tecno POP 9 5G which launched in India earlier this year.

Tecno POP 9 4G: Price, Availability

The Tecno POP 9 comes in a single 3GB + 64GB model, priced at Rs 6,699. Including the Rs 200 bank offer, the device can be bought for Rs 6,499. It can be bought in Startrail Black, Glittery White, and Lime Green shades from Amazon India starting November 26, 12 PM IST.

Tecno POP 9 4G: Specifications

The Tecno POP 9 sports a 6.67-inch IPS display with a 90Hz Refresh Rate, 90% Screen to Body Ratio, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 263 ppi, 480 nits brightness, 20:09 Screen Aspect Ratio and 720 x 1600 pixels resolution. The handset is powered by the MediaTek Helio G50 along with 3GB of LPDDR4x and 64GB of storage which is expandable up to 1TB.

For optics, the device has a single 13MP rear camera and an 8MP selfie sensor with dual colour temperature flash. The handset packs a 5000mAh battery with 15W fast charging. It runs on 14 Go Edition based on HiOS 14.

Additional features include in-built remote control sensor, dual speakers with DTS, and an IP54-rated body. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, 5, 4G LTE, GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB-C port.

At a similar price point, one could consider the Moto G04s which comes for Rs 6,999. Not only does it offer more RAM for a slightly higher price, it also sports a better primary camera, at least on paper.

While we cannot comment on the performance aspect as we haven’t used the devices, we can tell you that the Motorola device offers a more stock android-like experience which may be ideal for many. The Motorola device offers handset does lack behind when it comes to speakers, as it gets a single speaker compared to Tecno’s stereo speaker setup. If you can overlook the speaker setup, the Motorola handset does look like a better offering than Tecno’s.

Vivo X Fold 4 Leak Suggests it Packs a Huge Battery

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Vivo X Fold 3 series debuted earlier this year and a new Vivo X Fold 4 leak just emerged online, giving us some of its key specifications as well as its launch timeline. The leak also hints towards a major design change the foldable will sport. Here’s everything we know about the foldable so far.

Tipster Digital Chat Station posted a Vivo X Fold 4 leak on Weibo (via Gizmochina) which suggests that the engineering prototype of the Vivo X Fold 4 focuses on achieving exceptional lightness and thinness, aiming to redefine foldable phone design standards. Despite its slim form factor, it device may boast of a huge 6,000mAh battery with wireless charging support.

Additionally, the device is reportedly rated IPX8 for water resistance, ensuring durability, according to the tipster. The Vivo X Fold 4 leak further suggests that the Vivo X Fold 4 features dual ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, one for the front display and the other for the internal foldable screen.

Read More: Vivo Y300 5G Launched in India: Price, Specs, Availability

The camera setup will include a centrally positioned large circular module that will pack three 50-megapixel sensors, include a standard primary sensor, a 3x periscope telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide angle lens. Moreover, the device will also feature a pressure-sensitive three-stage button, a first for Vivo smartphones that could likely act same aa the camera control button seen in iPhone 16 series phones.

Aside from that, the leak adds that there could be only one foldable device this year — Vivo X Fold 4, which would differ from last year’s strategy that included both the X Fold 3 and the X Fold 3 Pro. The X Fold 4 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. While the device was expected to launch in Q1 of 2025, the latest Vivo X Fold 4 leak says that the launch might have been delayed, and could take place in Q2 of 2025.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Should it be on Your Radar?

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We reviewed the Google Pixel 9 more than two months ago, and in our opinion, it was the best Pixel Google ever made. Now, after about three weeks of use, we are reviewing its elder sibling, the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Here are our thoughts about the phone and whether we found it worth its price tag of Rs 1,09,999. 

Design & Display

Pixel 9 Pro review

Similar to the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro gets flat sides with a compact form factor. However, the sides are glossy instead of the matte frame on the Pixel 9. In addition, the back panel on the 9 Pro is matte instead of the glossy panel on the Pixel 9, which is better because the Pixel 9 attracted a good amount of fingerprints.

Pixel 9 Pro side

Design-wise, we feel this is one of the best smartphones of 2024. It gets a 10/10 in most areas, including comfort while holding the device, one-handed usability, premiumness, looks, etc. It is surely an eye-catcher, and the Rose Quartz shade we got surely has the baby pink vibe. It looks elegant yet catchy at the same time, and we can’t praise this design enough.

The only quirk with the design is the positioning of the buttons. As I said in the Pixel 9 review, the volume rocker should have either been on the left or on top of the power button. However, the quality of the buttons remained high in terms of how tactile they felt while clicking.

Pixel 9 Pro back panel

Durability shouldn’t be an issue either, as the device is protected with Gorilla Glass 2 on the rear and front, while the frame is made of aluminium. It is also rated, so using the Pixel 9 Pro in rain or areas with excessive dust shouldn’t hurt it.

The Pixel 9 Pro’s are truly outstanding. They are both precise and powerful, ensuring you’ll feel notifications even when your phone is tucked away in your pocket. The stereo speakers are equally impressive, delivering robust sound with noticeable bass and excellent stereo separation. Vocals and other musical elements are crisp and clear, creating a truly enjoyable listening experience.

Coming to the display, it is a 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO display with a 1.5K of 1280 x 2856 pixels resolution, 495 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3000 nits peak brightness and 2000 nits HDR brightness.

Pixel 9 Pro display

As it’s an LTPO panel, the can go down up to 1Hz, depending on the content on the screen. Compared to the Pixel 9, this is a better panel in terms of how low the refresh rate can go as the Pixel 9’s panel is capped at 60Hz on the lower end, and in terms of brightness as Pixel 9 Pro display is much brighter as well.

Brightness and refresh rate weren’t an issue with the Pixel 9 Pro’s panel. The panel is responsive and, once again, one of the best on any flagship. In terms of colours, they are kept on the natural end of the spectrum rather than being too vivid, such as what you’d see on a Samsung flagship. The viewing angles and the sharpness of the content are excellent, and so is the immersiveness due to the even bezels on all four sides.

Remember to change the resolution of the display through display settings to the maximum available because it’s set to the lower option out of the box.

Like the Pixel 9, the Adaptive Touch feature automatically adjusts the screen’s sensitivity so you can use it without any unusual behaviour, even with wet hands. It also automatically increases the display’s sensitivity if it detects you are using a screen protector or tempered glass.

Then, the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor used in the Pixel 9 Pro was also a much-needed upgrade over the previous Pixel devices. The performance improvement is evident, especially in terms of speed. The accuracy of the sensor also remains high.

Performance & Software

The Pixel 9 Pro is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor, has 16GB RAM, and has 256GB storage. It is sold in a single variant in India.

The Tensor G4 falls short in performance compared to its competitors, but this gap is noticeable primarily under heavy workloads or in benchmark tests. Previous iterations of Tensor chips have struggled with issues such as thermal management, network reception, and rapid performance throttling, raising concerns about their overall reliability.

While I noticed that the Pixel 9 didn’t face any of the major issues I listed above, for some reason, the Pixel 9 Pro did. It was quick to heat up when using 5G, which is exactly the opposite of the Pixel 9. I also observed that wasn’t working in the same areas where it worked fine on my Galaxy S23 Ultra. Apart from the 5G issue, Wi-Fi and performance remained optimal.

Aside from these two issues, the Pixel 9 Pro performance remained smooth for the most part. The user interface felt fluid and highly responsive, with smooth animations for the most part, though not consistently throughout.

I did face a couple of hiccups in animations, but those were likely part of the Android 15 update because the Pixel 9 on Android 14 worked just fine and didn’t have any of the issues I am about to list below.

Firstly, there was a bug where the lock screen clock font would shrink on its own, and I would have to re-apply it to fix it. Then, the device began to lag regarding the transition animation between the lock screen and the Always-on display. This got fixed after a reboot, though.

Pixel 9 Pro customisation

None of the issues were significant and something a software update couldn’t fix. You’ll be getting a good number of software updates as the device is set to receive 7 years of OS and security patch updates, which should be ideal for those who hold on to their smartphones for a long time.

Gaming performance is decent but not the best compared to flagships powered by MediaTek or Snapdragon chips in the same segment.

The Pixel 9 Pro excels in software, offering a smooth, minimalist experience packed with advanced features—perfect for those who prioritize seamless functionality over flashy extras.

Pixel 9 Pro features

In the Pixel 9 review, we briefly explained the new AI features of the Pixel 9 series, and all of those are present in the Pixel 9 Pro as well. These include the new “Add me” feature in the camera app, Magic editor in the Photos app, Pixel screenshots app, Pixel Studio, Circle to Search, and more.

Aside from these, the vanilla Pixel 9 won’t offer you some extras, but the Pro does. That includes a free one-year Gemini Advanced subscription, which you can claim via the Google One after you have set up your device.

Pixel 9 Pro thermometer app

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL also feature a dedicated Thermometer app enabled by specialized hardware exclusive to these models. The app measures the temperature of objects around you using the additional sensor on the back. While it works as advertised, I found little practical use, apart from trying it out once purely out of curiosity and for the sake of the review.

Pixel 9 Pro software

The new Private Space feature in Android 15 and features like Theft Protection are also useful for users who want to keep their data secure and safe. A bunch of Gestures are also on offer, such as Flip to Shhh, tap to check phone, lift to check phone, flip camera for selfie, double-tap power button to open camera, and more.

I would have appreciated it more if it also had the double-tap to wake up screen gesture instead of the single tap, but it seems like we’ll have to work with what we have, as Google doesn’t seem to be planning to add that gesture anytime soon.

Features like “Now Playing,” which identifies tracks playing nearby, and extensive lock screen customization options enhance the already exceptional software experience on the Pixel.

Battery Life

For some reason, the 4700mAh battery on the Pixel 9 Pro struggled to get me through the day at times. While I didn’t have to plug it in midway during the day, by the time my day ended, I would hardly have any juice left, which wasn’t the case with the Pixel 9, even though it had the same battery capacity as the Pixel 9 Pro.

With the Pixel 9 Pro, I got around 6.5 to 7 hours of screen-on time and about 24 hours of total usage time, including scrolling through Instagram, making WhatsApp calls, chatting, browsing on Chrome, watching videos, and listening to music. This is a similar usage pattern as the Pixel 9, which got me around 7 to 8 hours of screen-on time, but with the 9 Pro, I couldn’t cross 7 hours most of the time.

Pixel 9 Pro battery stats
Usage cycle 1 (left), Usage cycle 2 (right)

While the 9 Pro sports a more efficient panel than the Pixel 9, the higher battery usage could be attributed to the higher resolution of the display compared to what the vanilla Pixel 9 offers.

With heavier use, such as navigation and gaming, the device will likely require a top-up before the end of the day. The battery life was also inconsistent overall, as one of the usage cycles only got me about 5 to 5.5 hours of screen-on time.

I further had to rely on a third-party app to measure the battery stats because, unfortunately, Android 14 and 15 have a bug that causes the screen-on time to reset randomly, and Google hasn’t fixed it yet.

The standby battery drain at night was noticeably high, with the device losing around 5-6% and occasionally up to 8%, even with Wi-Fi and turned off.

The Pixel 9 Pro’s charging time remains identical to that of the Pixel 9, as both phones support the same 27W wired charging speeds. The Pixel 9 Pro took nearly 2 hours to charge from 0 to 100% with the CMF 65W GaN PD charger, while the wireless charging speed is painfully slower. 

Cameras

Pixel 9 Pro cameras

For optics, the Pixel 9 Pro gets a triple rear camera setup, including a 48-megapixel f/2.8 telephoto camera with up to 5x and OIS support, a 50-megapixel f/1.68 primary camera, and a 48-megapixel f/1.7 ultra-wide-angle camera. On the front, it has a 42-megapixel f/2.2 camera for selfies and video chats.

The camera app retains a clean UI, and while most of the other features remain identical to the Pixel 9 camera app features, such as the Pro mode, Palm timer, top shot, guided frame, button shortcuts, rich P3 colour format, Ultra HDR, timer light, and more.

Pixel 9 Pro regular

The photos captured outdoors are stunning, delivering vibrant, true-to-life colors that pop without looking overdone. The dynamic range is excellent, balancing highlights and shadows beautifully, while every detail in the shot stands out with remarkable clarity. From the lush greens of trees to the vivid blues of the sky, the colors remain rich, natural, and lifelike—showcasing Google’s classic Pixel camera tuning.

Pixel 9 Pro ultra-wide angle

Due to the wider field of view, ultra-wide-angle photos allow you to capture a noticeable amount of scenery in front of you. distortion could have been handled better, but in terms of detailing and colours, I have no complaints.

Pixel 9 Pro portrait

Portrait photos are equally impressive, with colours maintaining their natural, lifelike quality. Edge detection is precise, ensuring subjects are perfectly separated from the background. The bokeh effect appears smooth and natural, free from any inconsistencies. Exposure levels are well-balanced, and the sharpness and detailing are spot-on, enhancing the overall quality of the shots.

Pixel 9 Pro 5x Zoom
5x zoom

Compared to the Pixel 9, the 9 Pro has an extra telephoto sensor on the back that shoots detailed zoomed photos. The maximum zoom in is capped at 30x, but even when zooming in that far, the detailing is reasonably retained with good colour composition.

Pixel 9 Pro zoomed
30x zoom
Pixel 9 Pro 30x zoom
30x zoom

You get optical zoom up to 5x, and up until there, there’s not a noticeable loss in terms of overall quality, and the shots still look impressive. Even if you go further than 5x, as I mentioned, the software does a good job of enhancing the photos for high sharpness.

Pixel 9 pro low-light

The camera performs admirably in low-light conditions, managing exposure effectively while preserving a high level of detail. The photo quality is imposing, and even upon zooming in, the finer details remain sharp and easily discernible. Shots clicked under artificial lighting also look outstanding if we talk of colour and details.

Pixel 9 Pro indoor

With night sight enabled, the exposure is cranked up, but for some reason, the colours look better with night sight disabled, even in low lighting. Also, keep in mind to keep the device stable when clicking with Night sight enabled, as even the slightest movement could blur the shot, as it did in my case. I truly appreciate how well the device captures low-light photos, maintaining clarity with virtually no noise.

Pixel 9 Pro night sight
Pixel 9 Pro selfie

Finally, the selfies are far better than the output of the Pixel 9. The Pixel 9 Pro not only shoots detailed selfies but also handles the skin tones impressively. Unlike the Pixel 9 selfies, the HDR doesn’t seem overdone. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro offers an all-rounded camera experience with nearly nothing to complain about.