Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro – All Software Differences You Should Know
The Pixel 9 series has three models, barring the Fold. While Pixel 9 is the entry level vanila model, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are nearly identical except for the screen size. So for this article, I will focus on Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro and explain all the differences, including those minor options and hidden settings that no one talks about. Since hardware specs are already available onGoogle Store, I will mainly focus on the software. After all, Pixel phones are famous for their software experience.
Camera Features
Despite average hardware and specs, Pixels have always punched above their belt when it comes to photography and videography. And this time is no different. However, not all features make it to the base model. Here is a table that shows which camera features are available on Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
Let’s go through them quickly.
Native App Features
Apart from these, I found some small settings and options in two different native apps that are available on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL models but were missing on the Pixel 9. Here they are in no particular order.
The Phone app in the Pixel 9 Pro hasAudio Emojisand contact ringtones features. To find Audio emoji, go to Phone app’sSettings > General. It’s a new way to express emotions using pre-recorded sounds while you are on a call. Some sound effects include applause, poop, party popper, etc. They will play for a short while when selected. I wish there was a way to record and play your own sounds or in short, create your own audio emojis.
Surprisingly, the ability to set custom ringtones for individual contacts is an old feature but still didn’t make it to the Pixel 9. Maybe an update will fix it but the demo unit we received had it missing.
Similarly,Google Messages appgets a few additional features in the Pixel 9 Pro series. You get profile discovery and the ability to showexpressive animations. However, expressive animations is not exactly new. It was enabled by default before but now, you can disable it from the settings. A much requested feature.
Profile discovery was announced last year. The photo that you have added to your Google account will begin to show in Messages chats, much like iMessage in the Apple ecosystem.
We are still testing the Pixel 9 series in different settings to see how it performs and whether it meets expectations. We recently concluded our benchmark test where wetest Pixel 9 series’ Tensor G4 chipsetand found some interesting facts.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
