Remember when Google included a thermometer on the Pixel 8 Pro? Apparently, no one is using it, so users are coming together to build the ultimate Pixel 9 lineup wishlist, and naturally, the thermometer isn’t on it. RIP.
In our eyes, the Pixel 8 Pro is already a well specced device. It has a high refresh rate for its gorgeous display, great battery life, and a serious camera system. We suppose there’s always room for improvement and that seems to be the spirit of the latest thread on reddit. For Google’s 2024 flagship devices, users are calling for a 4K display with slimmer bezels, faster battery charging, a new base option of 256GB storage, and even more stuff when it comes to the Android software.
The user-generated wishlist can sometimes come off like a greedy child’s Christmas list, but there are a few things that we believe Google could actually include on the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro.
For example, a replacement sensor for the current thermometer slot seems extremely likely, such as a sensor for increased depth data when snapping photos. Other completely reasonable requests include an improved fingerprint reader (ultrasonic versus the current optical one), a ditching of Samsung’s Exynos modems for improved cellular connectivity, as well as a new Desktop Mode for Pixel phones. Earlier this year it was reported that Google almost launched a Desktop Mode for the Pixel 8, but alas, it hasn’t happened yet.
We think it’s important for people to share their dream specs for these devices, but there is one important component that seems to be automatic on all of the wishlists we’ve seen: Upgraded processor and upgraded modem. Even in my own daily usage with the Pixel 8 Pro, I was experiencing a lot of connectivity issues, so much so that I began looking at other phones to switch to. There are lots of Pixel owners with the same complaint and it didn’t start with 2023’s Pixel lineup (this modem issue dates back to the Pixel 6 at least), so for the Pixel 9, Google’s number one priority should be to ensure that its cellphone can actually cell.
We’d love for you to share your hopes and dreams for the Pixel 9 lineup down below in the comments. Any specs or features you’re hoping to see in 2024?
I’d love to see the 9 Pro have a bigger screen.
I had upgraded from the 6 to the 8pro, and to be honest there’s a lot of difference that’s been a great improvement, but what would I like to see?
Well and AMOLED display for one – or something akin to the galaxy s23 displays which are punchy and vibrant
Ditch the temperature sensor and move to a xenon flash, y’know cos xenon lights up better.
Make the back panel one with the camera bump so there’s a more streamlined feel – does it make it thicker? Maybe. But you could squeeze a bigger battery cell in there for the extra space. And dammit where’s that frosted back texture from the pixel fold?! Why was that not on the p8pro? Aesthetics maybe, but it takes a more premium step?
Ultrasonic print reader, bigger battery, better low light face unlock = Perfection!
Meanwhile, I’m struggling to think what Google could improve upon with the 9 Pro to make it worth upgrading from the 8 Pro and I’m coming up pretty blank as my experience has been pretty flawless with the device. It saw through my first international trip without any issues whatsoever with a week of roaming around Iceland, taking pictures and looking up stuff with Google Maps all day long. Not even a hint of battery anxiety or connectivity issues (T-Mobile roaming on Nova with 5g most places I went). The only reason why I’m not currently using the P8P is that I wanted to go back to the foldable life for a bit with the Pixel Fold. If anything, the phone I’m most excited about is the Fold 2 as I can’t wait to see what the device is like if they treat it with the same level of refinement the 8 Pro got over the 7 pro.
My wish list would be
1. Bring the telephoto camera to the regular Pixel 9
2. Go back to Qualcomm chip and modems (I know it won’t happen but it is MY wish list)
3. A bigger battery in the regular Pixel 9
I definitely don’t want a 4K screen. If anything I’d rather see it drop to 1080p on the Pro.
* 6.1″ Pro Version
* 256GB as base storage
* Ultrasonic FP scanner
* Chipset to match Snapdragon 8 gen 3 (improved battery life and performance)
* Larger camera sensors on all cameras and variable aperture on main camera
* Satellite connectivity at least matching what Apple brought with iPhone 14
* External display support (even some of the iPhones can already do it!)
Before I got my Pixel 8 Pro I really agreed with the ultrasonic FP sensor. Now I don’t really care either way.
It might be more reliable than before, but an optical one is always a step behind:
– It has to light up the FP sensor region, which is a discomfort for the eyes at night
– It doesn’t work with wet fingers
– You have to press your finger harder and hold it for a bit longer
I’ve never understood the complaint about the sensor lighting up causing eye discomfort at night. I hardly see the light in the dark because my thumb is almost completely covering it.
I just unlocked my phone three times in a row with a wet finger no problems.
I don’t have to press hard at all. I do have to hold it longer than the fingerprint sensor on my Pixel 5 but maybe like a half a second longer. I made the adjustment in about a day and it hasn’t been an issue. Literally my only complaint about three fingerprint sensor on my Pixel 8 Pro is that I can’t find it my feel as I’m using my phone out of my pocket so it’s already unlocked by the time I’m looking at it like three rear sensor on my Pixel 5. An ultrasonic sensor wouldn’t fix that.
I’m not against an ultrasonic sensor. I just don’t really care either way. Based on some complaints I read about optical sensors I thought it was going to be a problem but it hasn’t been.
You aren’t going to get “larger camera sensors on all cameras” and have a 6.1″ Pro version. Google hasn’t invented TARDIS technology.
Go look at a 8 Pro teardown. The cameras take up all the physical space of the camera bar and their z depth extends to the underside of the screen. At some point desires have to give way to physics. You couldn’t even make a 6.1 Pro with the same camera setup of the current cameras, let alone larger sensors.
If google truly makes a smaller “pro” phone, it’s going to have to sacrifice either a lens or sensor size. Maybe google will move to all stacked sensors across the board if they decide to make a smaller pro since they can go with smaller sensors and theoretically have the same level of light gathering. Either that or they ditch the dedicated telephoto lens in favor of a sensor crop zoom.
Hard pass for me on the Ultrasonic FP sensor. I have an S23U as well (and have owned the past 4 ultra devices) and ultrasonic FP sensors do not work for me at all. I was worried when the rumors said the 8 was going to get ultrasonic and I was so glad those rumors were wrong.
Apple manages to have 3 with their non-max pro, so Google should be able to as well.
What’s your beef with ultrasonic FP sensors? So far I’ve seen only complaints regarding the optical FPS used on pixels and only positive feedback for the ultrasonic FPS. In my own experience, the ultrasonic FPS on my S21 is miles ahead of the one on my wife’s pixel 7. In addition to the disadvantages I already listed above, the optical one needs the screen to be switched on first.
Apple doesn’t need as large a battery in their devices, the normal 15 Pro only has a 3,274mAh battery. That frees up internal space so that they can do the staggered triangle arrangement of their sensors/lenses. So IF Google wanted to cut down on battery size AND they wanted to change their design language away from the camera bar to match Apple’s camera layout, THEN they can go that route. Also, Apple has smaller telephoto sensor than the Pixel 8 Pro it’s only 1/3.5″ sensor compared to 1/2.55″ on the P8P. Similarly, the IMX787 for the ultrawide on the P8P is significantly larger at 1/1.73″ than the 15 Pro’s 1/2.55″ ultrawide. So smaller battery, smaller sensors. Like I said, you have to give way to physics and compromise somewhere.
My beef with ultrasonic sensors is they refuse to recognize my skin most of the time. I can barely complete the FP enrollment process and I need to re-enroll my fingers on a weekly basis to have any hope of it recognizing them. They are extremely intolerant of dry skin and moisture content of the skin radically changes how well it matches. They also don’t like larger fingers. This isn’t a screen protector problem, this isn’t a problem with a particular phone (I’ve had about half a dozen different Samsung phones with ultrasonic sensors dating back to the Note 10+). There was some improvement when they went to a larger sensor, but not enough that it isn’t frustrating.
This is not uncommon. If ultrasonic works for you, it works really well, but if it doesn’t it REALLY doesn’t and there’s not anything you can do about it. There is no single FP sensor tech that gives the best experience for everyone. I barely have to brush the fingerprint sensor on my P8P and the phone instantly unlocks. With my S23U it’s touch, wait half a second, buzz for the rejection, repeat 5x times and then I have to enter the PIN.
True about the sensor sizes, I guess I remove my wish for their growth, since I value compactness more. I find the 6.1″ size of the recent galaxies and the iPhones perfect.
I’m glad the optical FPS tech works for you, I wonder if there are people for whom ultrasonic and optical FPS don’t work at all.
Isn’t it already too late to make a wishlist for Pixel 9 hardware?
Shouldn’t Google be deep into alpha testing Pixel 9 since the unveiling is only 9 months away?
Base 256gb storage? I thought it was still 128gb. When I bought my 8 pro that was the case.
Can I get a pro in a non pro size format. Better connectivity is a good one too. However 4k display I could care less about (I run my 8pro in 1080p to save battery already and it’s still beautiful), I haven’t even played with the thermometer feature once so that can go. Overall I love my 8p other than the size and connectivity issues. Base storage should be at LEAST 256 though.
Why a 4K display? It’ll just use more power and decrease performance to make indistinguishable pixels even smaller.
I’ve got pretty good eyesight and I already can’t tell the difference at normal viewing distances between “high resolution” and “full resolution” on my P8P.
This exactly. I run my 8p at high res and have switched back and forth a few times between that and full res and I can’t see a difference really. I have 20/20 vision so should be noticable
Consistent connectivity improvements across the board(bluetooth+wifi), less processed/HDR-y images, ability to handle all types of RAW files, view external hard drive photos directly in gallery, more powerful processor for on-device AI stuff.
I agree! I’ve owned a bunch of Nexus/Pixel devices, but my last one (6A) had the worst connectivity of any phone I’ve ever owned. (mobile, WiFi and bluetooth.) I got a free Edge plus 2023 from Lenovo with rewards points and its unbelievable how much better my connectivity is. I still miss having a pixel, but don’t miss the issues, dropped calls , poor reception etc.
Do: Repairability, improve modem, improve battery life, bring back the rear fingerprint sensor (maybe side), keep flat screen, continue improving the camera. And for heaven’s sake, give us real DP Alt mode on the charging port.
Don’t: Do not up the resolution of the screen. 4k is useless at that size and only serves to drain the battery faster. Don’t give us a useless sensor that won’t be supported in a year. Don’t raise the price.
I used to experience significant connectivity issues. Frustratingly this is not resolved but what helped a lot was turning off the Google Fi VPN
Turn off adaptive connectivity in settings
Allow us to root and not put up with all the bullsh!t. All I want is viper 4 android and getting it is a pain in the ass if I want to use my work apps.
When you say “put up with all the bullsh!t” and then mention Work Apps, are you referring to SafetyNet style things blocking your Enterprise work apps from working?
Yes. It’s just annoying to have to jump through s many hoops just to maintain root and still use them. I’m glad that there are devs out there keeping root alive but I don’t feel like we should have to do that. Especially when, for almost 15 years now, they refuse to include a system-wide equalizer that doesn’t just equalize media (and a poor attempt at that).
I’d love to see the 9 Pro offered in a smaller size. Like 6″. This is the reason why I have kept my Pixel 5 for so long.
Yes! Just replaced my P5 with the P8 and despite it only being like 5mm taller and 1mm thicker, it’s very noticable. The ~40g weight difference is as well, esp when I run with the phone in my arm band; it bounces when my P5 never budged. I also miss the much better placed and more reliable rear FP scanner, which was nice to scroll down the notification shade as well.
So annoying when phones have to regress in design in core aspects like this. The only things I like better on the P8 so far are the speakers and display brightness. Performance and battery life (before it was worn down on P5) are negligibly different in real world usage so far, and the P8 takes noticeably longer to charge on a standard ~15W charger.
And this is exactly why I’d rather have the pro features. But it’s dumb when you’re forced to get the larger size. I looked at the P8P the other day at a VZW store and I was astonished at the size. I guess I’m waiting for the 9….
And less slippery. Maybe even a little thicker. Do all this and they have the perfect phone.
I’m actually super happy with my Pixel 8 Pro and I can see this being the first year in a long time I stick with one phone through a calendar year. I’m trying to think of what it would take for me to upgrade and I’m coming up short when it comes to “reasonable” upgrades. Sure if we see a 4k display, five cameras, a SoC that matches the Snapdragon Gen 3 performance then maybe but really I’m pretty happy where I’m at.
Even cell reception, which I admit varies from person to person, has been super solid for me where I live. I dunno, Google nailed this one in my opinion and it’ll take a lot to get me to think of upgrading later this year.
Side note, would I prefer a different sensor over the thermometer? Absolutely. Is it something I notice on a daily basis? Absolutely not. Unlike the Verizon branding on the Galaxy Note 2’s home button the thermometer is super easy to ignore.
I’m mostly happy. I think it’s too big, the battery life isn’t very good and it gets WAY too hot. Otherwise I’m happy with it.
I’d love to see a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or even Gen 2 level SoC but not for the performance. I only want it for the better efficiency and thermal management. Performance on the Pixel 8 Pro is very good but battery life is trash and it gets WAY too hot. The temps on the Pixel 8 Pro really has me concerned about how long the device will last.
I wonder if that thermometer sensor, is something for future software, not just for temperature.
Thankfully my Pixel 8’s reception got better with the Dec. software update — not having any of the 5g connectivity issues I was having before. That said, I’d still throw my vote in for a different modem that has inherently better reception. Also the ultrasonic FP reader would be nice, but I’m having less issues with the reader on my 8 than I did on my 7, so it’s less of an issue for me at least.
Besides that I would just like to see a smaller version of the Pro this year. I love the specs, just don’t like the size of the 8 Pro.
God, Americans really can’t just live in the moment. Always trying to find something better. No wonder everyone has anxiety.
Stop, this comment is making me anxious!
Hey now, no need to stereotype ~340,000,000 people based on where they happened to be born.
I mean, this is an Android news website and right now Android news is few and far in between. What’s wrong with them having a bit of a discussion on upcoming phone releases this year?
It’s just Americans? Asians are known to be even more obsessed with their phones and social media. Any Android blog which are not all based in the US will post similar articles.