Last week was the big launch of the Pixel 9 series. Preorders are now closed for the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL, and they're now available for purchase. You can still get store credit from Google ($100 for the vanilla model, $200 for the XL) or an Amazon gift card. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are still up for preorder, with their launch scheduled for early next month.
Here are the two models available this week: the Google Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
This week, we wanted to focus on what you can get instead of a Pixel 9 — starting with a Samsung Galaxy S24 model. All three of these models will get 7 years of software support, just like the Pixels, and they have a slew of AI features that are often powered by Google itself. Still, One UI does offer some perks (e.g. DeX, Good Lock) and you can get more storage for less money. That said, the Galaxy S24 phones are lacking in RAM compared to their Pixel counterparts, but that shouldn’t be a problem for AI.
It’s a tough time to buy a new iPhone — the iPhone 16 series is just weeks away from release, and once it arrives, prices for current models will drop. We’ll revisit the Pixel vs. iPhone question in about a month.
OnePlus is about to refresh its lineup, but the brand isn't as allergic to discounts as Apple. The OnePlus 12 is cheaper than the Pixel and even the Galaxy, but uses an 8 Gen 3 Snapdragon, which easily beats the Tensor G4. And there's a version with 16GB of RAM, unlike Samsung (they have 8 Gen 3 chips “for Galaxy”, which run at higher clock speeds).
Come to think of it, the OnePlus 12R's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still pretty punchy. There's no telephoto camera on this one, but it does have an LTPO display, unlike the base Pixel 9. This one is much larger than the Pixel 9, though, with a 6.78-inch display. Plus, software support will be shorter – 3 OS updates and 4 years of patches for the 12R and 4 OS updates and 5 years of patches for the flagship 12. That said, the OnePlus 12 and 12R started with Android 14, just like the Pixels, so at least they're not behind.
The new Moto Edge (2024) is powered by the slow Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which ditches the curved OLED display and faux leather back. Last year’s Motorola Edge+ (2023), however, costs $500 for a 512GB phone and comes with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the 12R. It doesn’t have an LTPO display (6.67” FHD+ 120Hz OLED), but it does have a 12MP 2x telephoto lens and a 50MP ultra-wide, in addition to the main 50MP one. There’s also a 60MP selfie camera. Software support won’t be as good as Google or Samsung phones, even OnePlus models.
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