The problem with foldable phones is that they're not particularly cheap to begin with. So, imagine if you break or damage the display of one, and you've guessed right, it won't be cheap to replace at all. This is why we can't say we're surprised at the cost of a replacement display for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

 

According to a report from 9to5Google, they cite a page on iFixit's website in which they list a bunch of the genuine components you can buy if you want to fix the Pixel 9 Pro Fold yourself. One of those parts is the foldable display of the phone, where according to the list, it will cost a whopping $1,199!

 

Yes, you read that right, a replacement display for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold actually costs more than the base Pixel 9 model, the Galaxy S24, and Apple's latest iPhone. That's honestly kind of crazy, but keep in mind that this isn't just the display itself. It consists of the metal frame and hinge, all of which presumably adds to the cost of the part.

 

This doesn't mean we're discouraging you from buying the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It is a fantastic foldable handset. It's just that you might want to be extra careful when handling it because replacing its display could end up costing you an arm and a leg.

 

One of the main reasons why Apple's Face ID system has been unmatched so far is due to the use of infrared cameras. Android phones, on the other hand, typically rely on color cameras. While we can't speak for other OEMs, that could change with the Google Pixel 11 that is due in 2026.

 

This is according to a report from Android Authority in which they have obtained documents suggesting that this is a feature that could return to the phone. Why return, you ask? For those unfamiliar, the Pixel 4 actually had IR cameras that were later removed in future models. We're not sure why, but they could be set to return in the Pixel 11.

 

As for why not in the Pixel 10, this is because the document claims that one of the features of the Google Tensor G6 is support for an under-display IR camera system. Since the Pixel 10 will most likely use the Tensor G5, it's safe to assume that the Tensor G6 is for the Pixel 11.

 

There's no confirmation that this is the case. While the chipset could support it, Google could always change their mind. This could be based on testing where it might not perform as well as they would like, or it could be due to costs. Either way, we're still a couple of years away from the phone's launch but it could be something to look forward to.

 

I've been using Pixel phones for nearly half a decade now, starting with the Pixel 3a. Over the years I've grown to greatly appreciate Google's own vision for Android hardware, thanks to features like the clean OS and impressive cameras. At the same time though, I have to admit that the Pixel line isn't perfect, especially when it comes to hardware defects.

 

That's not to say that I've experienced stuff like defective OLED panels, excessive overheating, and such. With the exception of wireless signal issues on the Pixel 6, my journey with Google's Android hardware line has been mostly smooth sailing. That is, until now.

 

 

Just a couple of days after receiving my Pixel 9 Pro XL, I noticed an issue with the phone's screen. There were a few instances when the screen would flash a white horizontal line (near where the power button was) for a split-second after I turned off the phone's display. While I initially thought of it as a one-time software hiccup, it repeated itself half a dozen times throughout the day, and a reboot has seemingly failed to address the issue.

 

...it repeated itself half a dozen times throughout the day, and a reboot has seemingly failed to address the issue.

 

I was then prompted to do a quick search across different internet forums and sites if any other Pixel 9 Pro owners have ran into similar issues, and while folks with older devices like the Pixel 8 and 7 series phones have complained of permanent lines on their display, no other Pixel 9 users have experienced the issue that I was having. I also noticed that it usually happened when my phone was on low brightness settings, although this only opens up more questions. An attempt to replicate and film the issue in action proved futile as it happened rather randomly.

 

I'm not saying that this is going to be a widespread issue, as to do so would cause unnecessary panic with insufficient data other than anecdotal evidence.

 

Based on simple observation - and to unashamedly reference "Occam's Razor" - the most likely case is that I simply have a bad unit. I'm not saying that this is going to be a widespread issue, as to do so would cause unnecessary panic with insufficient data other than anecdotal evidence. It's also unlikely that this will be as widespread as the Pixel 7's camera glass cracking or buttons falling off, and again is a simple case of a lemon in my possession.

 

As an update to this article, I have since exchanged my original Pixel 9 Pro XL retail unit for a newer one from my carrier. While the white line flashing did not initially occur during my usage of the replacement unit, it unfortunately happened after a number of days, exhibiting the same circumstances.

 

The Pixel 9's arrival on the smartphone scene is certainly nothing short of exciting - sure, all the good bits have mostly been spoiled by leaks, but certain hardware components such as the improved display quality, newer front camera and larger battery (to name a few) are attractive upgrades that might compel some users to finally upgrade, or even switch sides.

 

With that in mind though, a lot of shade has been thrown towards the phone's chipset, the Tensor G4. This isn't anything new however, as Google's custom SoCs have always been the target of criticism when it comes to performance, and for good reason - compared to other flagship chips like Snapdragon's 8 Gen series and Apple's Bionic chips, Google Tensor is notably underpowered, and this remains the same for the Tensor G4 inside the Pixel 9.

 

 

On a personal note however, I'd like to think that the Pixel 9's biggest weakness isn't the Tensor G4 - rather, it's the device's price tag. Compared to earlier Tensor-powered Pixel flagships like the Pixel 6 and 7, the Pixel 9 is expensive. It's priced starting at $799, which is two hundred dollars beyond the launch price of its predecessors (excluding the Pixel 8).

 

You might then think how this factors in to the whole equation. You see, while the Pixel 6 and 7 weren't performance champs when compared to other flagship phones, they were decent performers for the most part. Sure, they weren't marketed as gaming phones for example, but they had a more-than-decent user experience, with Google's built-in software smarts, amazing cameras, and regular software support.

 

 

Their best advantage over the competition though were the prices - Google's 2021 and 2022 flagships launched at $599, making them considerably cheaper than rival phones from Samsung and Apple. At this price point, you could even say that some users were able to get over the moderate processing power, in exchange for a device that would get a considerable length of software support and cameras that out-performed other handsets on the market.

 

Obviously this advantage in pricing has now disappeared with the Pixel 9. Starting at $799, the Pixel 9 joins the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 in the 800-dollar phone club, only without the additional telephoto lens, fast-charging capabilities or powerful chipsets. For the same amount of money, one could instead go for a device which will no doubt be better for gaming, or have less overheating and battery issues (and don't get me started on its 128GB base configuration).

 

...Google's much more expensive asking price isn't doing the Pixel 9 any favours

 

Of course one could also argue that it's too early to tell how the Tensor G4 will fare in the long run, or that the Pixel 9's many hardware upgrades warrant such an increase in pricing. It is a matter of perspective overall, but I do think that Google's much more expensive asking price isn't doing the Pixel 9 any favours, especially since it's bound to be more affordable once Black Friday arrives.

 

 

Undoubtedly, the best approach if you're really intent on getting the Pixel 9 is to hunt for trade-in deals, carrier promos, and such. It's understandable that some people might find the 800-dollar price tag exorbitant, and will probably wait for a significant price drop or maybe next year's Pixel 10 instead, which is expected to feature a much better processor.

 

The Google Pixel 9 is expected to launch later this year. The new handset will most likely be powered by the Google Tensor G4 chipset. Usually newer models indicate an upgrade in performance, but if recent benchmarks of the Tensor G4 on Geekbench are accurate, we could be in for some disappointment.

 

The listing on Geekbench is for the Pixel 9, which is presumably running the Tensor G4. According to the scores, it managed 1,653 points on single-core performance and 3,313 points on multi-core. For context, the Google Pixel 8, which runs on the Tensor G3, scored higher.

 

The Tensor G3 scored 1,549 on single-core, which is lower, but on the multi-core front, it managed 3,874 points which is more than the Tensor G4. Interestingly, this is not the first time we've seen benchmarks that suggests that the Tensor G4 could actually be slower than its predecessor.

 

We're not sure why that is the case. It could be due to a lack of optimization on Google's part, so we'll have to wait for the actual phone to be released to get a better idea. That being said, we are more excited for the Tensor G5 which is due in 2025. The new chipset is said to be the first true custom chipset from Google as it will use custom cores. The current Tensor chipsets are said to be based on Samsung's Exynos designs, which haven't exactly been well-received over the years.