Earlier than the launch of the Pixel 10, the Pixel 9 often dipped to $599, the Pixel 9 Professional dropped to $749, the Pixel 9 Professional XL was on sale for $899, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold hit $1,499. I would not purchase these gadgets except they have been at these costs once more or decrease.
How Lengthy Is Your Pixel Supported?
The Pixel 10 collection, Pixel 9 collection, Pixel 8 collection, Pixel 9a, and Pixel 8a will get seven years of Android OS upgrades and safety updates. The 2023 Pixel 7a will obtain three years of Android OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates from the date of launch, the identical as older Pixels. Google has a web page you’ll be able to test to see precisely what month your Pixel cellphone will cease receiving updates. Safety updates cut back the chance of malware, preserve your cellphone bug-free, and make it safer. Android model updates introduce new options—beauty and useful—that enhance the OS as a complete.
Pixel telephones additionally occur to be the primary to obtain any type of Android replace, in order quickly as Google releases a brand new model, like Android 16, you’ll be able to obtain it instantly by heading to Settings > System > System Replace > Verify for Replace. You may as well check beta variations of Android, however you may have to enroll your gadget. (Make certain to again up your cellphone first!) Pixels are additionally aware about the characteristic drops Google points each few months, which embody options from newer Pixels coming to older fashions and brand-new options for the most recent gadgets.
Google Pixelsnap Charger With Stand
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
What About Older Pixel Telephones?
There are a number of different Pixel telephones price contemplating if you do not need any of the above selections. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional (7/10, WIRED Recommends) can be found by means of official channels and third-party retailers (till provides final). The bottom line is to not pay greater than $500 or $600 for both of them; in any other case, it’s possible you’ll as effectively put that cash towards the Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 collection.
I don’t advocate you purchase any older Pixel gadgets. A number of Pixel A-series telephones have been put below a battery efficiency program to mitigate the chance of overheating or swelling batteries. These software program updates have crippled the battery life on these telephones, and Google has supplied prospects with battery substitute choices or Google Retailer credit score for a brand new Pixel cellphone. These potential points imply it is simply not definitely worth the danger of shopping for a Pixel 7a or Pixel 6a. The Pixel 8a (8/10, WIRED Recommends) would not appear to indicate issues but, however I would nonetheless throw warning to the wind.
Pixel A-Sequence Battery Points
In 2025, some Google Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a house owners have obtained obligatory updates that purposefully degrade the efficiency of the battery to stop overheating. Your cellphone might have been working high-quality earlier than, however Google issued these updates as a preventative measure, and never each gadget was affected. Equally, some Pixel 7a gadgets might encounter battery swelling points.
In case your cellphone has been affected, you may have two choices. You may get a free battery substitute—Google has a registration web page for the Pixel 4a, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a. If that is not going to give you the results you want, you may get Google Retailer credit score for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a to place towards a brand new Pixel cellphone.
These points appear to have solely affected some batteries within the A-series telephones, suggesting it is doubtless a provider challenge. What concerning the newer Pixel 9a? Here is a press release a Google spokesperson supplied to WIRED: “Google constantly improves Pixel testing primarily based on consumer suggestions and completely investigates reported incidents for all parts, together with batteries. With Pixel 9a, we delivered the most important and longest-lasting battery of any A-series but. We’ve been inspired by its reception to date and are assured within the cellphone’s longevity and sturdiness.”
Ideally, this battery challenge has been rectified within the newest mannequin, however we’ll be monitoring it over the following few years.
What Does Pixel Care+ Embody?
While you buy a Pixel from Google, you may see the choice so as to add Pixel Care+ for cover. It is solely obtainable within the US by means of the Google Retailer and Google Fi. The month-to-month possibility can run for as much as 60 months, whereas the fastened pricing is for a 2-year time period. Here is what you get.
Pixel Care+ begins at $9 monthly or $179 and contains limitless unintended harm safety, $0 display and battery repairs, replacements that ship in a day, and precedence assist from Pixel consultants. That pricing is for the Pixel 10, and it goes up for the pricier gadgets. For instance, the Pixel 10 Professional will price $13 monthly, or $239 for the 2-year time period. There isn’t any Pixel Care+ possibility for the Pixel 9a.
Pixel Care+ with Loss and Theft begins at $10 monthly or $199 and contains the identical protections as talked about above however contains two claims of loss and theft each 12 months. Weirdly, Loss and Theft protection is just not obtainable in New York state.
You Can DeGoogle Your Pixel Cellphone
Love Google’s Pixel telephones however wish to get away from utilizing Google companies? It is a bit ironic, however you’ll be able to truly use a unique working system with the Pixel as a substitute of the built-in Android. We have examined and actually like /e/OS, a privacy-first working system that is primarily based on the Android Open Supply Challenge. Whilst you can set up it your self, it requires a little bit of technical know-how, you should buy a refurbished Pixel from Murena with /e/OS put in already. Should you’re , we’ve got extra particulars about /e/OS right here.
The Greatest Pixel Instances and Equipment
I’ve written a broader information on the Greatest Pixel 9 Instances and Equipment right here, however listed below are a number of choices to your perusal. We’ll be testing circumstances for the Pixel 10 collection quickly.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
These official circumstances from Google for the Pixel 10 collection are Qi2-certified with magnets baked in, permitting you to connect the cellphone to magnetic equipment with none loss in energy or wi-fi charging capabilities (in the event you use a case with out magnets, it’s going to weaken the energy and disrupt the characteristic). The smooth silicone is nice to the contact, and you’ll color-match it along with your Pixel 10 cellphone to spotlight the cellphone’s coloration.
Official Google Case
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
This silicone case permits you to match your Pixel cellphone’s coloration. It is sturdy and good to the touch, with raised edges on the entrance to guard the display. It is made with recycled plastics, and whereas the older circumstances appeal to lint and dirt simply, this revamped case does a greater job of resisting them. I additionally like that it retains the again flush, so the digicam bump is not so apparent. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold case is made from a hard-shell polycarbonate, however it’s pretty slim and light-weight in comparison with third-party circumstances I’ve examined. Entry to the buttons is open, and I like the way it offers you a neater strategy to unfold the cellphone.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
That is our favourite case total for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8A collection. It has clicky buttons and extremely grippy edges (therefore the identify). It feels strong but pretty slim, and you’ll select a snazzy design. Simply know that you need to apply this “pores and skin” to the again of the case. There’s lots of room for error right here, so watch out, and watch Dbrand’s set up video for ideas. There’s MagSafe assist so you need to use your Pixel with MagSafe equipment, and it labored exceptionally in my testing.
Peak Design On a regular basis Case
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
That is hands-down the perfect case in the event you regularly connect your Pixel to the handlebars of a motorbike or an electrical scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system permits you to magnetically affix the cellphone to its Common Bike Mount ($50), and it stays put. After greater than a yr of testing, I’ve but to have a cellphone fall off my experience utilizing this mounting system. It makes use of Apple’s MagSafe system, so it really works with loads of MagSafe equipment, even wi-fi chargers. The corporate additionally has a number of different magnetic equipment, like a automobile vent mount. The case itself is sweet; I simply want the sides have been raised extra for higher display safety. You possibly can select to have it with the loop, which acts as a grip, or with out it.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
You need not spend this a lot for a good Qi2 charger, however these are what Google is formally promoting, they usually’re nice (if overpriced). The stand model is definitely the identical Pixelsnap charger, simply with a strong stand to maintain it propped up. The stand is secure, would not shift round, and you’ll cost the cellphone in panorama or portrait orientation.
Nomad Slim Energy Adapter
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Google’s newest Pixel 10 collection helps 29W and 39W charging speeds, relying on the mannequin. That makes this 65W a bit overkill, however I nonetheless suppose it is an incredible all-around charging adapter to hold with you. It is extremely slim and light-weight, has folding prongs, and contains two USB-C ports. When you may have two gadgets plugged in, one port will dish out 45W and the opposite will ship 20W. The previous will allow you to hit the quickest charging speeds attainable on any of your Pixel gadgets.
Dbrand Display Protector
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Dbrand offers you two display protectors on this bundle, and once I initially examined it, there was no software software, so I needed to freehand the set up. The present Prism 2.0 model fortunately now comes with a software, so it must be a lot simpler to align. You get all the opposite instruments within the field to wipe down your cellphone and guarantee there aren’t any specks of mud on it prior to installing the protector.
Our Favourite Pixel Software program Options
Pixels have many nice software program options, however some have to be toggled on. It can be exhausting to keep in mind that all these options exist, so listed below are many of the prime ones.
There are some key options on Pixels that you just will not discover on every other Android cellphone. A few of these can be found solely on choose Pixels—the Tensor chip began with the Pixel 6, and at the moment, the Tensor G4 is within the Pixel 9 vary. Here is a breakdown:
Name Display: While you get a name from an unknown quantity, Google Assistant will scan and flag it if it is suspected spam or a robocall. If it is merely a quantity you do not acknowledge, you’ll be able to have Assistant take the decision. You may see a real-time transcription of what is taking place, so you’ll be able to finish the decision straight away if it is a telemarketer or reply if it seems to be a long-lost highschool pal. If it is somebody vital, you can provide Assistant responses to recite in the event you’re unable to take the decision—it presents up contextual replies now, too. Bear in mind to show it on by opening up the dialer app and heading to Settings (three dots on the highest proper) > Spam and Name Display.
Wait Instances.
Video: Google
Wait Instances and Direct My Name: While you name a enterprise within the cellphone app, you may see an estimated wait time till somebody actual picks up (it would not work with each enterprise). Google’s Direct My Name characteristic additionally transcribes your complete name and separates the menu choices so you’ll be able to see them with out having to pay attention intently to the decision. Extra not too long ago, for some numbers, Direct My Name will cache responses so you may instantly see menu choices with no need to attend for the automated response to undergo each quantity. You possibly can flip this on by going to the cellphone app’s Settings > Direct My Name.
Maintain for Me.
Video: Google
Maintain for Me: Should you’ve been positioned on maintain with a enterprise quantity, you’ll be able to ask Google Assistant to take over. It’ll play a loud chime when the individual on the opposite finish is again. No have to pay attention to carry music! Toggle it on within the cellphone app’s Settings > Maintain for Me. This characteristic is accessible on most Pixels however solely works in choose nations, together with the US, Australia, Japan, the UK, and Canada.
Clear Calling: When you’ve got a Pixel 7 or newer, you’ll be able to activate this characteristic to boost the opposite caller’s voice and cut back their background noise. Head to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Clear Calling to toggle it on. It additionally works on Google’s Pixel Buds Professional.
Name Notes (Tensor G4 and newer; with 12-plus GB RAM): You possibly can allow this within the dialer app by going to Settings > Name Notes and ensuring the toggle is on. This does not activate each time you are on a name. Relatively, you need to faucet the Extra button if you’re on a name and faucet Name Notes to start out it. It kind of information the dialog (it notifies the opposite person who the decision is being recorded), and on the finish, it’s going to provide you with a abstract of vital factors from the decision proper within the name historical past log, resembling value quotes, cellphone numbers, or addresses. Generally it will get info improper, because the accuracy of the transcription is dependent upon the decision high quality, however you’ll be able to play again your complete recording your self to double-check.
Rip-off Detection: This characteristic detects dialog patterns as you’re on the cellphone with a suspicious quantity to warn you when somebody is deploying a basic rip-off tactic. It additionally works in Google’s Messages app. You possibly can flip it on by going to the cellphone app, then tapping the three-dot menu icon on the prime proper, and hitting Settings > Rip-off Detection.
Reverse Cellphone Quantity Lookup: Do not acknowledge the cellphone quantity from an incoming name? Within the name app, now you can shortly lookup a quantity with out having to manually run a search your self.
Take a Message.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Take a Message (Tensor G5): Google is revamping voicemails with Take a Message. It is much like transcribed voicemails, although that characteristic would not all the time work and will rely in your service. Take a Message bypasses the usual voicemail (your regular voicemail will solely kick in with missed calls when your cellphone is off or out of community). The caller might be informed to go away a message, and this recording might be auto-transcribed, seen proper within the name historical past of the cellphone app. It’s going to even supply actionable steps, like including a reminder or an occasion to your calendar.
Pixel VIPs: It is a new widget that offers you one-tap entry to your favourite contacts. However it’s greater than that. Faucet on considered one of your contacts, and you may see a fantastically designed web page that provides fast entry to name the contact and message them on numerous platforms. It’s going to present the final messages between you two, share location, climate updates, and the time for his or her space, and you’ll add notes if you wish to keep in mind particular issues. You possibly can entry this the identical method you add a widget; it sits below the Contacts app.
Transcription and Translation Options
Voice Translate over cellphone calls.
Courtesy of Joel Chokkattu
Translated Cellphone Calls in Your Voice (Tensor G5): You possibly can translate a cellphone name in actual time, however what makes Google’s method distinctive is that the corporate will make the translated voice sound like your personal (or the individual on the opposite finish). That method, it nonetheless sounds such as you’re speaking to somebody you understand, reasonably than a robotic voice. No audio is recorded, and knowledge is not saved (it really works on-device). It is solely obtainable for a number of languages, like English, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Stay Translate.
Video: Google
Stay Translate: In choose messaging apps, Pixels will robotically know when somebody sends a message in a language apart from your default. It’s going to translate it (if you want), and you’ll reply in that very same language. Greater than 50 languages are supported, although you may have to obtain the languages you wish to see translated by heading to Settings > System > Stay Translate.
Stay Caption: Pixels can robotically transcribe any video enjoying on the display. You possibly can shortly toggle this on by tapping one of many quantity buttons and tapping on the sq. button beneath the amount slider (or head to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Stay Caption). If the video is in a unique language, you’ll be able to even see it translated (solely on Tensor-powered Pixels), although you may have to obtain one of many supported languages. It might even caption cellphone calls.
