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The Pixel 9 Is Google's Best Shot At Making An AI Phone That Matters
When it comes to AI in phones, arguably no other company has been as overt a proponent as Google.
For years now, Pixel phones have put AI front and center with features like the phone-based Photoshop competitor, Magic Eraser; the AI-enhancing Video Boost technology; Best Take, a feature that literally swaps your face on command to create the "best" possible group photo.
In introducing all of these flashy AI features, Google beat competitors like Samsung and Apple to the punch and laid the groundwork for what an AI-forward phone can and should do. It also managed to give Pixel devices features that no other phone maker was offering.
But things move fast, and with Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI breathing down Google's neck, the Pixel 9 (which will be announced on August 13) isn't just another stepping stone, it's shaping up to be a tipping point — a chance for Google to complete its vision, or else.
Pixel 9 and the Prime TimeYou may have noticed things have been kind of hot in the world of AI right now. That has everything to do with OpenAI and ChatGPT, of course, but it also has increasingly more to do with how that technology can be implemented in everyone's favorite device — the phone.
And when I say implemented, I don't mean in a background sense, I mean as a defining feature. For Apple that's Apple Intelligence, which generates photos, summarizes web pages, supercharges Siri, and much more. For Samsung, that's Galaxy AI, which does a lot of those same things and a few novel ones.
For Google, that means... Well, we don't really have a name for it yet. As ambitious and auspicious as Google has been about its AI features, it's, by the moment's standards, still missing something — that something is a connective tissue to bind all of its features together. And what might that connective tissue be? Gemini, of course.
The Pixel 9 is the perfect opportunity to put Gemini's skills to use. If Google's AI features are the bricks for an AI phone, then think of Gemini like the mortar. Want to Magic Erase a photo? Let Gemini take the reins and do that for you. Want to summarize an email? Call on Gemini for some help. Too lazy to draft a text? Give that chore to Gemini. Connect all of that with different inputs — voice via Google Assistant, text, or heck, even preemptive prompts that offer to orchestrate actions before you even have time to think — and you've got a complete vision for an AI phone.
It's time for Google to hammer its AI ambitions home.
What I'm saying is, if putting AI front and center is the name of the game, then there's never been a better time for Gemini to shine.
Sure, there are risks to making a chatbot the centerpiece of your smartphone experience — Google's AI search experiment hasn't exactly gone swimmingly — but the stakes for Google's foothold in the world of AI smartphones have never been higher. It's time for Google to hammer its AI ambitions home.
The Raice Is OnGoogle may have a lead in the world of AI phones, but that can easily be squandered. Every company making phones is working on cracking the code of how to use Large Language Models (LLMs) in tandem with other AI to augment and transform the phone experience.
And it's not just Samsung and Apple — smaller players like Nothing, for example, also seem intent on taking risks with using AI to change and evolve their customized mobile operating system. This month, Nothing CEO, Carl Pei, said he wants the company to become the Nintendo of the tech world and that he envisions a "post-app" smartphone world.
The Pixel 8 leaned even harder into AI features, but the bar has been raised since its release.
Photograph by Raymond WongThat's not exactly a novel vision, but it is one that tech companies seem to be trending toward, and no one has quite cracked the code yet. For a company like Google, that lack of a definitive, compelling AI phone experience is a huge opportunity. Google presumably knew this moment was coming (just last year it was already talking about how Google Assistant with Bard would change the game) and, if it wants to propel the Pixel into its logical future, it has to bring the pieces together.
That cohesive experience could involve a lot of things, but most importantly, it should make the act of using an AI phone (and a phone in general) easier and smarter. Call it what you will — Google's next big step; an evolution; a new phase in its master plan — but to me, the analogy is obvious. Google needs to gather its wits, take a deep breath, and stick the landing on AI. Otherwise, someone is bound to do it first.
Learn Something New Every DayAre You Buying Too Much Phone? Here's How Much You Should Spend On Your Device.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Spending too much money on the best smartphones on offer is incredibly tempting. It's even easier to get allured by features and specifications you'll probably never use. While money buys you a lot of kit, not every buyer needs everything and the kitchen sink. Many users can get by with a modest glass slab. If you're searching for a device for a particular purpose or are a particular type of buyer, we explain below how much you should spend on a smartphone.
Importantly, the recommendations below consider the best value phone for a particular user, not necessarily the most affordable. You could consider pricier or cheaper phones to match your budget and requirements.
How much should you spend on a smartphone? How much should power users spend on a phone?
How much should you spend? Around $900 or more, depending on your demands.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Galaxy S24 Ultra
For power users, the question isn't how much they should pay but how much they want to spend. Like supercar shoppers, power users only care about acquiring the superlatives, whatever the cost. These buyers will likely know how much they'll need to spend for that specific design feature or specification.
That being said, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for power users. Everyone is different, even if they all maximize their phone usage. Some might gravitate towards cutting-edge designs, like the best foldables. Others may make extensive use of their phone for emulation or mobile development. While others want to own the best of the best, this diversity means that recommending a single device at a single price point is tricky.
Depending on your device's form factor, you can spend anywhere from $900 to $1,800 as a power user. You'll find "cheap" flagships like the Google Pixel 8 Pro ($999 at Amazon) and the Galaxy S24 ($859.99 at Amazon) starting around the $1,000 mark or less, with more premium options, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra further above this threshold.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Powerful, flexible cameras • Excellent update commitment • Brilliant flat display
The best of the best in the S24 series
Samsung's true flagship device, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the very best specs and features from any Galaxy phone to date. Ai and camera functions are the name of the game, with a 200MP primary camera, 50MP 5x telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide shooters. Smaller display bezels, 2,600 nit display, 5,000 mAh battery, an advanced cooling vapor chamber, up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, and 12GB of RAM make for a powerful mobile computing system. The new ProVisual Engine offers AI-powered camera tools for photo and video capture.
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512GB
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256GB
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512GB
How much should general users spend on a phone?How much should you spend? Not more than $600.
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
If you're heavily reliant on your smartphone but don't require unique features, you could consider yourself a general or an average smartphone user. You use your phone to send emails, for digital banking, browsing social media, mapping purposes, and messaging. Notably, you can find these features on practically every modern phone, but you might also want a touch extra, be it a good screen to watch TV shows or movies or a camera kit to snap decent photographs when required.
The best budget phones are more than adequate nowadays, but you might want to spend a little more on storage, a better camera phone, or a better display. It's also likely that you won't upgrade your smartphone annually, making a device with lengthy support a must. If this is the case, we favor Samsung and Google's mid-range models, hence our recommendation of the Google Pixel 8a. You can spend even less if you sacrifice software support, a reliable camera, and solid build quality.
Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 8a
Rich OLED display • Tons of Tensor G3-powered features • Pixel-pedigree cameras
Best possible Pixel experience for the price.
With the Pixel 8a, Google put all of its focus on value. A 6.1-inch display is backed by the Tensor G3 chip and decent specifications, a 64MP main camera is backed by most of Google's latest AI-powered features, and a 7-year update promise will keep this moderately priced phone ticking for years to come.
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How much should elderly or less demanding users spend on a phone?How much should you spend? Not more than $300.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Galaxy A14 5G
On the other end of the spectrum, we have less demanding users. This group requires a phone for basic communication, the odd game of Wordle, scrolling through social media, or following global events through a news app or browser. In simpler terms, they don't require a powerhouse phone or anything approaching it. All that's required is a smartphone that can accomplish the bare minimum without fuss.
Older users may also need a larger screen, a durable body, and a reliable loudspeaker. For both parties, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G fits the bill.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Sharper display • Good battery life • Very affordable
A well-dressed budget Android phone.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a great starter smartphone with a price you don't have to stress over.
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How much should mobile gamers spend on a phone?How much should you spend? Around $500.
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
Now, to address a more specialized use case. The gaming phone market offers a lot of wiggle room regarding budget. The most important features are display refresh rate, chipset performance, and heat dissipation. If the device comes with fast charging and a long-lasting battery, that's even better.
I'd recommend fishing in the $600 range for starters. At that price, you can get the nubia REDMAGIC 8S Pro. It's not the brand's latest model but excels as a value proposition and should easily run most modern titles. The 8S Pro packs all the gaming phone paraphernalia, including RGB accents and capacitive triggers. Importantly, as gaming demands increase yearly, its limited software support period won't affect those planning to upgrade.
Of course, those with cash to splash could invest in the ASUS ROG Phone 8 ($985 at Amazon) and gain hardware buttons, an upgraded chipset, and even faster screen.
Nubia RedMagic 8S Pro
Nubia RedMagic 8S Pro
Powerful gaming unit • Fun RGB lighting • Big specs
High-performance mobile gaming
Equipped with an active cooling system, the Nubia RedMagic 8S Pro is a powerful gaming device with a 6.8-inch display, big battery life, and next-gen connectivity. The 8S Pro has 8GB or 12GB of RAM, look for the 8S Pro+ if you want up to 24GB of RAM.
How much should you spend on a phone for children?How much should you spend? Not more than $200.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
A child's first smartphone may resemble the device I recommended for less demanding users, but a more rugged device is often required. A large screen, long-lasting battery, and reliability are three key features to consider, but you needn't spend more than $200 to find all this.
A device that fulfills this role is the Samsung Galaxy A03s. It offers a broad display for easy reading, a surprisingly good main camera to keep in touch with family, and good battery life for kids who forget to charge their device regularly. Teenagers may demand something trendier and pricier, like the iPhone SE (2022) ($429 at Amazon), but there's little reason to spend more than $200 on a phone for children.
Samsung Galaxy A03s
Samsung Galaxy A03s
Solid battery life • Long-term software support • A fingerprint reader
A solid starter phone
Samsung's Galaxy A03s comes with a fingerprint reader and updated base RAM and storage compared to its predecessor, which gives it a little bit of extra punch. It also features decent battery life and great software support, just like most other Samsung phones.
How much should jotters and students spend on a phone?How much should you spend? Around $400.
Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority
Those who use their phone for writing and note-taking will see the stylus as an important tool. A digital pen makes handwriting much easier and is perfect for students or artists. Generally, phones with styli come with a premium, but affordable options exist.
There's little doubt that Samsung dominates the smartphone stylus market, formerly with its Note range and now with its premium S Pen-toting Galaxy S Ultra models. However, there's no reason to spend over $1,200 if you want to write on your device. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) isn't the obvious choice, but it is among the cheapest phones with a built-in stylus you can buy.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Good 1080p OLED screen • Built-in stylus • Long battery life and fast charging
Stylus-tastic.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a mid-range phone with a Stylus tucked away inside the chassis. It represents an upgrade for Motorola's long-running Stylus line, with a 6.7-inch 1080p OLED screen, 8GB of RAM, and a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor. It has a 5,000mAh battery and 30W wired and 15W wireless charging, which is faster than Motorola's other budget offerings.
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How much should casual photographers spend on a phone?How much should you spend? Around $300 or more, depending on your demands.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
More budget phones are receiving features formerly limited to flagships, including high-resolution cameras and multiple lenses. While flagships offer impressive processing tricks and larger sensors, cheaper phones can still snap great photographs. You don't need a flagship camera if you only plan to snap the odd photograph of a birthday party, your lunch plate at a brunch with friends, or the odd selfie for social media. You also won't require a device with the best processor or titanium body.
In these situations, a device around the $300 mark will more than satisfy your modest photography requirements. The best example is the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, which punches well above its weight with a 50MP primary camera.
Of course, you'll get a lot more if you're willing to spend more, but this equation doesn't always represent the best value. The Google Pixel 8a ($499 at Amazon) is the best camera phone you can buy on a budget.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Excellent stereo speakers • Class-leading software commitment • Sharp 120Hz display
Good budget buy.
The Galaxy A25 5G sits right in the middle of Samsung's budget-friendly A series, replacing a Galaxy A24 that never made its way to the United States. It offers a smooth, 6.5-inch AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, an in-house Exynos 1280 chipset, and a triple camera system captained by a 50MP primary sensor. Oh, and it still has a headphone jack!
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Samsung Galaxy A25
How much should outdoor workers or adventurers spend on a phone?How much should you spend? Around $500 or less if you invest in a good case.
Supplied by HMD Global
Outdoor workers or adventurers require a rugged phone — that is, one that'll stand up to the elements, survive drops, and be water resistant. These facets usually come at a premium, but alternatives are at lower price points.
Every smartphone can be rugged if you pair it with a good case. However, for those who want a dedicated outdoor device that can brave bumps and knocks, the Nokia XR21 is a solid budget option. It costs around $500, which is a fair investment for a rugged phone that won't look out of place in the boardroom. Alternatively, spend a little more, and you can find the CAT S62 Pro ($187.5 at eBay) — a more traditional rugged phone.
Nokia XR21
Nokia XR21
Solid rugged construction • Good battery life • Non rugged-looking design • Good upgrade promise
Performance could be improvedNot the best cameras
FAQs How much should I spend on cell phone?
An average smartphone user or those who don't require all the bells and whistles of a top-end device can spend as little as $200 on a smartphone.
How much does the average person spend on their phone?With the average price of smartphones rising year-on-year, smartphone buyers are spending more on their devices. However, this isn't necessary, especially as budget phones are packing more and more features previously reserved for flagships.
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Best Pixel Phones 2024: Google's Smartphone Family Tried And Tested
We put Google's current Pixel smartphone lineup to the test to find the perfect phone for youIt's only been relatively recently that we've taken to mulling over the best Google Pixel smartphones. The very first Pixel phone didn't hit the market until 2016, which was eight years after the first Android phone and a full nine years after the first iPhone.
Yes, we're rather surprised it took the maker of the Android OS quite so long to make its own phones too, but we're glad that Google finally got around to it. As far as we're concerned, the launch of a new Pixel phone is right up there with the launch of an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy phone on the excitement scale.
What makes a Pixel phone so uniquely compelling? It's a combination of super-clean and clever software, amazing cameras and a unique design sensibility. These three things apply to pretty much every phone that's ever borne the Pixel branding.
Such consistency means that you can get a taste of Pixel magic whatever your budget. We've tested and reviewed every single Pixel smartphone to hit the market and below we'll run through the best you Pixels on the market. First, however, we'll explain how we test every Pixel model that comes through our doors.
Best Pixel phones: At a glance How we test Pixel phonesAs with all smartphones, we start our Pixel review process by downloading the Geekbench and GFXBench apps from Google Play. These apps test the CPU and GPU speeds respectively, producing a set of scores that we can compare to competitors. When it comes to testing a Pixel phone's display, we use a colorimeter and a piece of software called DisplayCal to measure how accurately the colours are being reproduced, as well as results for the contrast ratio and maximum brightness.
We also use that DisplayCal software to help set the Pixel's screen brightness to 170cd/m2, which enables us to maintain consistency for our comparative battery test. This involves engaging flight mode and running the same looping video until the phone runs out of power, then recharging and noting the timestamp at which it died.
Finally, we look at the Pixel's cameras, taking a wide range of shots with all the lenses, including interiors, landscapes, night shots and portraits. We'll also shoot some rapid panning video to judge the quality of the stabilisation.
READ NEXT: Best smartphone
The best Pixel phones you can buy in 2024 1. Google Pixel 8: Best Pixel for most peoplePrice when reviewed: £699Check price at Amazon
The Pixel 8 isn't the most advanced Pixel phone on the market – see the Pixel 8 Pro entry below – but it is the best all-rounder for most people. In much the same way as a regular iPhone, it strikes brilliant performance in a tidy form factor, all at a non-extortionate price.
With a 6.2in 120Hz display, it's a relatively compact phone that's easy to carry around and use one-handed, yet it runs on the exact same Tensor G3 chip as the Pixel 8 Pro. You also get an identical 50MP main camera as its big brother, which means that the Pixel 8 takes some of the best pictures of any smartphone on the market, even in low light conditions.
The Pixel 8 is capable of almost all of the same AI tricks as its Pro brother, from automatically transcribing conversations to suggesting message rewrites. The crucial factor in all this is that the Pixel 8 can be had for hundreds of pounds less than the aforementioned 8 Pro. Shop around and you might even find it retailing for a price not too far removed from the mid-range Pixel 8A.
Read our full Google Pixel 8 review
Key specs – Processor: Tensor G3; Screen: 6.2in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 50MP, 12MP (ultrawide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 14
2. Google Pixel 8a: Best-value PixelPrice when reviewed: £449Check price at John Lewis
If your budget can't quite stretch to the Pixel 8, then the Pixel 8a gets about 90% of the way there for potentially much less money. Why only potentially? This is Google's latest phone, so it hasn't quite received the same level of heavy discounting as its bigger brothers, but a starting price of £449 is still excellent value, and the deals are coming.
The Pixel 8a offers a nicely compact and fluid 6.1in 120Hz display and the same Tensor G3 processor as the Pixel 8 Pro, but for a lot less money. While its 64MP main camera isn't quite as impressive as those of its siblings, it still takes excellent photos in most lighting conditions. Little details like wireless charging and IP67 water resistance aren't common at this end of the market, nor is Google's seven-year software support promise, which is shared across the Pixel 8 line.
Read our full Google Pixel 8a review
Key specs – Processor: Tensor G3; Screen: 6.1in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 64MP, 13MP (ultrawide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 14
3. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Best high-end PixelPrice when reviewed: £699Check price at Argos
If money is no object – or you just happen to have a little extra to spend – then the most capable phone Google currently sells is the Google Pixel 8 Pro. It does everything that the Pixel 8 can do, but in a much bigger body with a correspondingly spacious 6.7in QHD+ display. Mobile movie watchers take note.
Performance is even stronger here, as accompanying that shared Tensor G3 chip is 12GB of RAM. This makes it better equipped to tackle Google's sophisticated AI tasks on-device, making the process quicker. The main advantage of the Pixel 8 Pro over its brothers, however, is the inclusion of a dedicated 48MP telephoto camera. In our tests, it captured the kind of detailed 5x shots that neither the Pixel 8 nor the Pixel 8a could manage.
Key specs – Processor: Tensor G3; Screen: 6.7in, 2,992 x 1,344; Camera: 50MP, 48MP (ultrawide), 48MP (telephoto); Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB; Operating system: Android 14
Also consider: Google Pixel 7 ProWant the Pixel 8 Pro's super-sized screen and camera zoom capabilities without spending so much money? Google still sells its predecessor, the similarly marvellous Google Pixel 7 Pro, as new for a lower price. If you can't find the phone in stock at Google, you'll probably find some brand new examples selling cheap on Amazon or another third party retailer.
4. Google Pixel 7a: The cheapest PixelPrice when reviewed: £299Check price at John Lewis
The Pixel 8a might be our pick for the best value phone in the line-up, but it's not the cheapest. That honour falls to the Pixel 7a, which Google is still selling at its RRP of £499. That's £50 cheaper than the Pixel 8a, but you'll doubtless be able to find a deal for significantly less, whether from Google or a third party retailer.
For not a lot of money you're getting a brilliant phone that still holds its own in 2024. The Pixel 7a comes with a 6.1in 90Hz OLED display, a Tensor G2 processor that provides almost-flagship performance and the same camera system as the Pixel 8a. You also get Google's ever-appealing stock Android UI, albeit without the same seven-year upgrade promise or AI tricks of the Pixel 8 family.
Read our full Google Pixel 7a review
Key specs – Processor: Tensor G2; Screen: 6.1in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 64MP, 13MP (ultrawide); Storage: 128GB; Operating system: Android 14
5. Google Pixel 7 (Renewed): A refurbished bargainPrice when reviewed: £236Check price at Back Market
Pixel phones are a good pick if you're not insistent on having the newest tech. Google has kept the design language and feature sets of its phones broadly similar across the last few generations, which means a well-chosen refurbished model will still feel fresh. Our pick is the Pixel 7, which is like a classier, better-built Pixel 7a (see above), but with a bigger 6.3in display and a superior camera.
You still get Google's clean and capable software, with another two major OS upgrades and around three years of security updates yet promised. Snappy performance is a given, with Google's Tensor G2 chip keeping things fluid. There are plenty of refurbished models out there at the time of writing, with an asking price that's around 70% of a brand new model at launch.
Read our full Google Pixel 7 review
Key specs – Processor: Tensor G2; Screen: 6.3in, 2,400 x 1,080; Camera: 50MP, 12MP (ultrawide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 14
Check price at Back Market 6. Google Pixel Fold: Best Pixel foldablePrice when reviewed: £1,999Check price at Amazon
If you like Google's way with software, design and cameras, but have also had your head turned by the emerging foldables market, you're in luck. Google makes a foldable of its own in the Google Pixel Fold. It's most notable for supplying a huge fold-out 7.6in 120Hz OLED display, along with a highly usable 5.8in cover display that lets you use it like a 'normal' smartphone. It also provides one of the best camera systems of any foldable we've ever tested, including a dedicated 10.8MP telephoto camera.
There's a very simple reason we've listed the Pixel Fold last on this list, however. This is very much a first-generation product, with chunky bezels and a big display crease, while it falls behind the Pixel 8 range on performance and software support. However, our biggest bugbear with the handset at launch – its prohibitively expensive asking price – is no longer such a factor, with brand new examples selling for hundreds (and hundreds) less.
Read our full Google Pixel Fold review
Key specs – Processor: Tensor G2; Screen: 7.6in, 2,992 x 1,344 (internal), 5.8in, 2,092 x 1,080 (external); Camera: 48MP, 10.8MP (ultrawide), 10.8MP (telephoto); Storage: 256GB, 512GB; Operating system: Android 14
How to choose the best Pixel phone for you How much do I need to be spending?Google offers a broad spectrum of pricing for its Pixel phone range, and often offers money off each model. At the time of writing that starts at £299 for the Pixel 7a, and runs up to £1,199 for the Pixel Fold.
How many software upgrades will these Pixel phones be getting?That depends on the model you opt for. All phones within the Pixel 8 range have received a seven-year update promise, which is as good as it gets in the industry. The Pixel 7 range, along with the Pixel Fold, will both receive at least another two major Android versions and another three to four years of security updates.
What's so special about Google's cameras?Why does everyone keep going on about Pixel phone cameras? It's got little to do with the hardware, however the range-topping Pixel 8 Pro is pretty well equipped in that regard. It has more to do with Google's unique expertise with machine learning and AI, which can create startlingly clear and uncannily well-exposed shots through sheer computer smarts. Google also pioneered the ability to do things like remove photo bombers after the fact.
Are these phones good for gaming?Pixel phones have a strong average level of performance, thanks to Google's approach of using its own custom Tensor chips right across the range. You can guarantee that any Pixel phone being sold brand new right now will be able to handle games well. With that said, Google's Tensor chips aren't the fastest on the market, and anything with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the OnePlus 12) will be capable of superior gaming performance.
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