Google doesn’t release as many phones as some other OEMs out there; in fact, they release five phones a year. There are the three flagships and then a mid-range(ish) phone in the A-series around Google I/O, and now a foldable. And that’s it, which makes it a bit easier to find the right Google Pixel smartphone for you to buy.
However, there are still quite a few options available. So, we’ve rounded up the Best Google Pixel phones that you can currently buy. It’s worth mentioning that Google is only selling Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold right now. And that’s actually all that we’re including since older phones will be losing support very soon.
Best Google Pixel Phones You Can Buy
Here are the best Google Pixel phones that you can buy right now. This list goes all the way down to the Pixel 6a. Here are some criteria we used to pick these phones in particular. For one, all of these phones have been updated for at least another year, and these are all still sold by reputable sellers on Amazon or Google. None of these are refurbished or renewed, but you can get refurbished or renewed models to save some more cash.
The order is based on when these phones came out, so the further down the list you go, the older they are and usually the cheaper they are.
Best Google Pixel smartphone: Google Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro represents the best in design, camera, and software in one complete package.
This year, Google decided to release its “Pro” model in two sizes. So now, you can choose from a smaller phone, or a larger size, without having to lose out on features and specs. There’s the Pixel 9 Pro at 6.3-inches and the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 6.8-inches. Aside from the screen size and battery size, the two are exactly the same. The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099.
Google went in pretty heavy with AI features this year, which should surprise absolutely no one. Gemini is a huge focus on the Pixel 9 series, which does include Gemini Live. That’s a pretty cool feature to have, as you can just talk with Gemini, and have a whole conversation. A great feature for your parents or grandparents, they can talk to Gemini instead of calling you because they’re bored.
The search giant also added plenty of AI features to the camera, with improvements to Magic Editor and the new Add Me feature. Which lets you, the photographer be included in the picture. And of course Zoom Enhance finally came to the Pixel 9, a year after it was announced. So now you can get really incredible zoom shots out of your Pixel 9 Pro.
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL come in three colors: obsidian, porcelain, and hazel.
Best Compact Pixel smartphone: Google Pixel 9
Pixel 9 is compact but still full of flagship specs, something of a dying breed.
For the tech enthusiast yearning for a powerful phone that doesn’t require a two-handed grip, the Pixel 9 is shaping up to be the king of compact smartphones. While the official details are still under wraps, the buzz suggests Google is finally addressing the shortcomings of previous compact Pixels, making this a device truly worthy of your consideration.
The Pixel 9 is packing the brand-new Tensor G4 chip, a significant leap from previous generations. Expect lightning-fast performance, silky smooth multitasking, and enough power to handle even the most demanding mobile games. This, combined with Google’s refined software optimization, means you’re getting flagship-level performance in a pocketable package.
But it’s not just raw power. The Pixel line is renowned for its exceptional camera prowess, and the Pixel 9 is continuing this legacy. Pixel 9 received a new, larger main sensor, at 50-megapixels, paired with an improved ultrawide. With Google’s AI-powered image processing, expect breathtaking photos and videos, even in challenging conditions.
The display is a vibrant OLED panel at 6.3-inches, offering a perfect balance between screen real estate and one-handed usability. With a likely 120Hz refresh rate, expect buttery smooth scrolling and responsive gaming. Battery life, a historical pain point for compact Pixels, has seen massive improvements this year, thanks to the improvements to the Tensor G4 and the modem inside.
In a world of increasingly gargantuan phones, the Pixel 9 is poised to be a breath of fresh air. It’s a device that doesn’t compromise on performance or features to achieve its compact form factor, making it the best compact Pixel smartphone to buy for any tech enthusiast who values both power and portability.
Best Pixel Foldable: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The biggest redesign of a phone in years, makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a great option.
Google’s back with their second-gen foldable, and it received a huge glow-up this year. Gone is the wider passport-style design that everyone seemed to love. Instead, Google has opted for a more traditional looking foldable. In fact, this looks a whole lot like the OnePlus Open that was released in 2023.
Despite all of these changes, Google did opt to keep the price the same, at $1,799. Still not cheap, but it is cheaper than some competitors. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in two storage variants: 256GB and 512GB. It also comes in either Obsidian or Porcelain colors.
Internally, we’re looking at a Tensor G4 processor, which is a huge upgrade over the Tensor G2 inside the Pixel Fold. It also has 16GB of RAM, primarily for all of the Gemini features that Google is planning. Keep in mind the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be getting 7 years of updates too.
Google has also somehow managed to have the largest internal display on a foldable available in the US. The internal display is a massive 8-inches. Giving you loads of screen real estate for all sorts of things.
Best Mid-Range Pixel: Google Pixel 8a
Want the Pixel experience without a high price tag? Google’s Pixel 8a is the one for you.
The Google Pixel 8a is our top-choice for a mid-range Pixel smartphone. It’s the newest a-series from Google, and still priced at $499. Google is selling the Pixel 8a in Aloe, Bay, Porcelain and Obsidian colors. The Aloe color is a very bright green that is really unique for Google.
We reviewed the Google Pixel 8a back in May and found that it was a really great smartphone to pick up. Calling it “The Same Phone You Love, Now With More AI”. It’s one of the smaller phones that’s on the market, especially in terms of screen size and having a flagship processor inside. Which makes it a contender for a lot of people. I really liked the smaller size, however the cameras are a bit lacking here compared to the Pro model. That’s primarily because of the lack of a telephoto on the Pixel 8a.
Now there are some downsides to the Pixel 8a, of course Google did need to cut some corners to hit this price point. That includes the battery, which is not that great. We found in our review that the battery life was okay, and that was about it. Charging is also very slow here, but that’s the case for every Pixel, unfortunately. And Google did not include reverse wireless charging.
For those looking for a new phone on a budget, this is likely the best way to go at this point. Unless you can find a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro at a discount.
Best Budget Google Pixel: Google Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a is older but still very compelling, if you can get a deal
The Google Pixel 7a is a top choice for those who want a cheaper phone but not an old phone. The Pixel 7a was released in 2023, and will continue getting updates until 2028, making it a good phone to buy. It comes in at a regular price of $499 and in four playful colors. Those colors include Charcoal, Snow, Sea, and Coral. Google is actually selling this for the same price as the Pixel 8a, surprisingly, so if you can find it on a good sale, it’s a good option.
Pixel 7a is pretty popular because of its size. It has a 6.1-inch FHD+ 90Hz OLED display powered by the Tensor G3 processor, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on board. There’s also a 4,385mAh capacity battery that should get you through the day.
When we reviewed the Pixel 7a last year, we found it to be one of the best-value smartphones on the market. There are loads of other phones around $500, but many of them are not as great as this package from Google.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the Pixel 7a is the camera. Now, on paper, it’s going to look like it’s better than the Pixel 8 series, but that’s not entirely true. It does have a 64-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide. However, these sensors are smaller than those on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 series. But when you’re actually using the phones, you won’t notice much of a difference. With Google’s post-processing on these images and video, the images look basically the same. They look great, even in low light.
Surprisingly, the Google Pixel 7a is still dust and waterproof, with a rating of IP67. You could also take this to the pool or use it in the shower without any issues. It did launch with Android 13 but has since been updated to Android 14, and it will get a few more updates.
So, at a price of $499, it’s hard to recommend any other phone than the Pixel 7a because it does everything so well at that price.
What is the best Google Pixel smartphone?
Currently, the best Google Pixel Smartphone is the Google Pixel 8 Pro. It is also the latest and greatest from the company. The reason why we have chosen this phone as the best comes down to five main reasons. Firstly, the build quality. Google has built a stunning device that is going to withstand everything you throw at it. There’s also the incredible display that can get up to 2,400 nits of brightness, which is absolutely incredible.
Of course, if you’re looking for something a bit smaller, then the Pixel 8 is also a good option. It offers everything that the Pixel 8 Pro offers, but in a smaller package – without a telephoto camera. It’s also a solid $300 less.
How did we pick the best Google Pixel smartphone?
Here at Android Headlines, we have spent countless hours testing, using, and abusing the latest Pixel phones from Google. We have put all of these Pixel smartphones through a ton of testing over the past few years and can recommend these Pixel phones to different people.
The main criteria for picking the best Google Pixel smartphone are the display, camera, and battery life. The display on the Pixel 8 Pro is simply stunning and bright. One of the brightest on the market today. The camera is, as always, one of the best on the market right now, with added AI features like Magic Editor and Magic Eraser. And, of course, the cameras can take some great photos on their own—finally, the battery life. Google’s Pixels aren’t well-known for the best battery life since switching over to the Tensor chipset. But the Pixel 8 Pro does have the largest and best battery life performance currently, which helps to make it the best Pixel you should buy today.
Should I care about software updates?
Yes, of course, you should care. The last thing you want is to buy a phone and it stops receiving updates before you’re ready for a new phone. Luckily, with the Pixel 8 series, that won’t be an issue. Google promises seven years of security, operating system, and feature drops for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Meaning they will be supported all the way until 2030.
That is not the case for the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 7a and the Pixel 6a – all on this list. If you plan to keep your phone for a few years, you will want to spend the extra cash on the Pixel 8 series.
2024-12-24 15:10:40