The Google Pixel 9 is one of the most talked-about flagship phones on the market, but sometimes it’s at the center of controversy. Recently, people have started asking the question: Is the Pixel series moving away from its core?

Google has always promoted the Pixel series with quality photography, and that’s one of the biggest things that sets it apart from other Android devices. But how well does the Pixel 9 continue that tradition? The new model comes with a powerful Tensor G4 processor and many color options, but does it really deliver what is expected in terms of photo performance and price/performance balance? Let’s answer these questions together…

Can the Google Pixel 9 live up to expectations?

The Pixel 9 is billed as a compact phone with high quality and offers solid performance in everyday use, especially with its 16-hour battery life. Google says the device will receive updates for seven years, which is a big advantage in terms of software support.

However, when it comes to photo quality, which is at the core of the Pixel series, things change a bit. The 50MP f/1.7 aperture main camera takes good shots with natural and balanced colors. However, Google’s combination of a 1/1.31-inch sensor and software processing doesn’t really stand out when compared to other high-end competitors.

The real issue lies at the point where Google has positioned the Pixel series. The first generation Pixel phones were known as an affordable option despite the high photo quality they offered. However, with the Pixel 7, Google made a transition from the mid-upper segment to the upper class.

Currently, with a price tag of around $800, the Pixel 9 has to compete directly with strong rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S series. In particular, the Samsung Galaxy S24’s price drop to around $620, even though it was released eight months ago, has made the Pixel 9’s job a little more difficult. In addition, new competitors such as Xiaomi 14T Pro have officially started to challenge Google in terms of both performance and price.

Google Pixel 9 is a device that offers strong performance in daily use and promises long software support, but its inability to deliver the expected camera performance for its price may cause users to turn to other alternatives.

In particular, blurred zoom shots and loss of detail at the edges make it difficult for the device to compete with flagship models. Although the Pixel 9 is a powerful smartphone, it begs the question “is it losing its identity?” considering the mission Google has put on the series and the price range it offers. Let’s see how Google responds to these criticisms and whether it can win back users with future models of the Pixel series.