We recently had the chance to go hands-on with the latest Pixel 9 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 sent to us by Google to test drive. Here’s our quick rundown of what’s new and exciting.
Pixel 9: First Impressions
The Pixel 9 arrives in an all-cardboard box with a clever peel-away design on the back to unlock the box for unboxing, which is nice to see.
The phone itself features a polished glass back with a satin metal frame, giving it a premium feel in hand. The smooth bezels and antenna placement reminds us of older iPhones. We got our unit in the bright Peony colour, which really stands out—it’s vibrant and absolutely pops.
The Pixel 9 supports 5G networking and dual SIM capabilities (one physical SIM and one eSIM). The 6.3-inch Actua display is a definite upgrade. It’s not just brighter, but also smoother, thanks to a 60-120 Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for gaming and scrolling through apps.
With a peak brightness of up to 2,700 nits, the display remains visible even in direct sunlight, and everything looks incredibly sharp.
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 is powered by the new Google Tensor G4 chip and 12 GB of RAM, making it the most powerful Pixel yet of course. This combination offers fast performance for everyday use, while also handling Google’s advanced AI features via Gemini. Google says launching apps was is now 17% faster, and browsing speeds are 20% faster compared to the Pixel 8.
Battery life on the Pixel 9 can last over 24 hours on a single charge, and if you switch on Extreme Battery Saver mode, it stretches up to 100 hours. We had more than enough juice at the end of a day. Charging is also quick—about 30 minutes gets you up to 55%.
Here you can see the speaker on the bottom, USB-C and SIM card tray. The contour of the tray may confuse some people. You just stick the SIM tray tool straight in, parallel to the sides of the phone. Not on the contour angle.
Cameras and New AI Features
The Pixel 9’s camera setup includes an advanced dual rear camera with 0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom. AI-driven features like “Add Me” ensure you never miss out on a group shot, using augmented reality to seamlessly include you in photos even if you’re the one taking them. It’s a fun feature that works impressively well, despite some imperfections. Apple, pay attention here.
Another really cool feature is the Pixel Screenshots app, which helps you save, organize, and easily find information from screenshots. There’s so many times when I need to take a screenshot of a grocery list or email and asking the Screenshots app questions can bring up what I’m looking for. You can also type what you’re trying to find and it will give you the answer. Was very impressive in finding a number I was looking for in a saved screenshot.
Pixel 9 also gets the Gemini built-in personal AI assistant that’s tightly integrated with Google’s apps and Android system. Accessing Gemini is easy—just press and hold the power button. It’s a helpful assistant that can answer complex queries, summarize what’s on your screen, and handle tasks like searching saved screenshots without needing to rely on third-party AI. It actually works really well.
Overall, this Pixel 9 in its bright pink and revised design feels fresh and is a great phone to use, if you’re not going the regular iPhone route.
Pixel Buds Pro 2: Twice the Noise Cancellation
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have received a significant upgrade. They now come with Google’s new Tensor A1 chip, which powers the next-gen Active Noise Cancellation. Pairing them to the Pixel 9 is very easy. Just open up the lid to the earbuds and tap the connect message that will pop up on the phone (it’s like pairing AirPods).
Google says the new ANC tech adapts to your surroundings up to 3 million times per second, delivering twice the noise cancellation as the previous generation (which are on sale for $99.99 on Amazon.ca right now). The difference in noise reduction is noticeable, and it’s a solid upgrade for anyone who wants better sound isolation.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 also work seamlessly with the new Gemini AI assistant, allowing you to get information or directions, check your emails, or brainstorm ideas—all hands-free.
This deep integration means you don’t need to pull out your phone to interact with Gemini, making it a useful addition for multitasking on the go. These are the first earbuds with Gemini Live and also with a Tensor chip.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 support Find My Device so you’ll always be able to located misplaced earbuds, while you get 8 hours of battery life with ANC (and 30 hours with the case). Google say “Silent Seal 2.0” allows for twice the noise cancelled compared to before. After putting in the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and having ANC activate, we could not hear any noise around us. Just pure silence. So the ANC works extremely well.
There are four total eartip sizes and once we found the perfect fit, you just put them into your ear with the “G” upright, then twist them in.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Pixel 9 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 show that Google continues to update its devices with AI smarts. The Pixel 9’s performance, excellent display, and useful new features like Gemini and Add Me make for a compelling choice if you’re an Android user. The phone feels great in the hand as it’s not too big or too wide.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 deliver really excellent audio performance with advanced noise cancellation and easy hands-free access to your personal assistant. They are easy to pair and also can be located using the Find My network.
If you’re in the market for a new phone and earbuds that pair seamlessly together, Google’s latest offerings are definitely worth checking out.
The Pixel 9 starts at $1,099 CAD and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are $299. Keep an eye out for possible sales coming during Black Friday and Boxing Day.
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