Best Google Pixel Phones in 2025

1. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Our pick for the best Google phone is the top-of-the-line Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google has released three phones under the Pixel 9 Pro moniker this year, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the true successor to the Pixel 8 Pro.

It features a sharper, brighter, upgraded display, a new chipset, and more. The design now resembles an iPhone with flat sides. The curved edges give it a more premium feel without being uncomfortable. There’s also an all-new camera module. I love the look of it.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, which is responsible for new AI features like Pixel Studio, better camera processing, and more. It still gets warm during demanding tasks, but we didn’t experience any lag or lag on the new flagship. It’s paired with 16GB of RAM, the most on a Pixel phone to date, with up to 1TB of storage.

For the camera, there are new AI features like Video Boost (which helps you record better video in low light) and Add Me (which lets you add yourself to group photos). The front-facing camera is also better than ever.

The phone’s triple-camera array, combined with the company’s computing prowess, makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL Google’s most capable device yet. The company also says it’s twice as durable as the Pixel 8 Pro.

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2. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

If you’re looking to replace your high-end phone and tablet with one all-in-one device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is worth the money. It’s Google’s second phone with a foldable screen.

In addition to its eye-catching metal design, the phone can replace both your smartphone and tablet without having to carry it in your pocket thanks to its large, foldable screen.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a different internal design overall. You get better cameras than before, but a smaller battery. However, it’s now powered by a more efficient Tensor G4 processor to help manage battery life. You’ll experience the same new AI features as the Pixel 9 series, like Add Me and Pixel Studio.

The Pixel 9 Pro currently has a few advantages. For example, photos taken with the telephoto and ultra-wide cameras aren’t as sharp in low light as those on cheaper flagships.

That aside, this is the best book-style foldable phone you can get right now (though Honor is competing with Google outside the US). I prefer it over Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, mainly because it has a nearly identical 6.3-inch front screen to the Pixel 9 Pro.

It’s also thinner and lighter than its predecessor, which makes it more usable when folded.

But open it up and you’ll find an 8-inch OLED screen that feels like a more compact iPad Mini. This screen is great for running two apps side by side in split-screen mode, watching shows, watching YouTube, or playing games.

Some apps may crop some content, so you may need to adjust the aspect ratio, but this can be easily changed in the phone’s settings.

Battery life is solid enough, lasting a full day with average use and about 30% remaining. If you use the 8-inch screen more often than the external screen, these numbers may vary.)

It’s important to note that wireless charging can be problematic with this device. It won’t work with Google’s Pixel Stand Gen 2 because the coils don’t line up. I’ve tried a few other wireless charging stands and they haven’t worked. The best solution is to use a wireless charging pad.

It offers all the same software features as the Pixel 9 series, but with a few extras that take advantage of all the screen space. For example, Made You Look plays a cute animation on the external screen to get your child to look at the screen while you’re trying to take a picture.

When you’re on a Google Meet call, you can now use all of the screen to let everyone around you see you, and you can use all of the cameras, so they don’t have to see just your face.

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3. Google Pixel 8A

Google Google’s Pixel 8A is all the phone most people need. It’s pretty. I especially love the translucent, delicious aloe green color. And the matte back makes it easy to hold. The 6.1-inch screen size is neither too big nor too small, which is a nice middle ground. It’s not a huge step up from the Pixel 7A, but it’s a lot of improvement.

For example, the OLED display is now up to 2,000 nits bright, and it’s incredibly bright in sunlight, making it easy to read. The screen also has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making all the animations and interactions feel incredibly fluid.

It uses more recycled materials than before, and Google has extended its software support to a whopping seven years, the longest you’ll find on an Android phone under $500. Oh, and in addition to fingerprint unlocking, there’s also proper face unlock, so you can use two different biometric authentication methods to unlock the phone and quickly access sensitive apps.

Inside is Google’s Tensor G3 chipset, the same one used in the Pixel 8 series in 2023. It’s fast enough for everyday tasks and most mobile games, and there are a few new software tricks, like Audio Magic Eraser, which can remove annoying background noises like sirens from videos.

Best Take is another smart feature that lets you swap faces in group shots. If you took two photos at the same time, it can swap faces for the moment when you blink. The Pixel is loaded with smart software features like this, and the Pixel 8A can do pretty much everything its more expensive sibling can.

As for the camera system, the 64-megapixel sensor leads the pack, along with the 13-megapixel ultra-wide, making it one of the best cameras you’ll find in this price range. Use the Night Sight camera mode to brighten up dark scenes, or use Portrait mode to add a nice blur effect.

Despite that, I found that Real Tone, Google’s algorithm for more accurate skin tones in photos and videos, didn’t deliver as accurate skin tones as previous Pixels. Selfies aren’t as sharp either, since the front-facing camera is fixed-focus.

It has wireless charging and an IP67 water resistance rating, and you can now get the 256GB model, but it only comes in Obsidian. My biggest gripe is still the battery life. The 4,492mAh cell should be good for a full day with average use, but on busy days, you’ll need to charge it before the sun sets.

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4. Google Pixel 9 Pro

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a unique phone for those who want the best optics in a smaller size. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have a camera difference in terms of the telephoto lens, but the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera is identical to the Pixel 9 Pro, which costs $100 more.

Compared to the regular Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro has more camera features, including a sharper and brighter display, a telephoto sensor, a better and improved 42MP selfie shooter, 16GB of RAM, 8K video recording, and improved zoom. These are enough reasons to justify the $200 price premium over the Pixel 9.

If you want all the best Google features and performance in a 6.3-inch screen size and form factor, you should get the Google Pixel 9 Pro. It comes with the same software, security, and Pixel Drop upgrades for seven years.

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5. Google Pixel 8 Pro

Another great all-rounder, the Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s best Pixel to date, paving the way for where the company is headed with smartphones, especially when it comes to the camera. Even if that vision is a little hazy at times.

It boasts a great screen that’s larger and brighter than its similarly priced rivals, and machine learning improves the phone’s photography capabilities, making it one of the best in the business. Some of the latest AI enhancements are a bit hypocritical and in some ways creepy, but it’s also a unique proposition that plays to Google’s strengths.

The seven-year update promise is an incredible inclusion that surpasses everything else on the market, and as a result, gives the phone great value and longevity.

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6. Google Pixel 9

There’s a lot to like about the Pixel 9, from its respectable camera to its sleek new design to its long seven-year timeline for software updates. But Google’s phones have always shined with their clean, slick software, and that’s true again with the Pixel 9 series.

The Pixel is also one of the first to receive new software updates, making it an ideal choice for those who want to get their hands on the latest version of Android first. In addition to Android updates, Google also delivers new features to Pixel phones throughout the year via updates called Feature Drops.

The Pixel 9 comes with a few new AI tricks that can be useful, like the ability to search for content in screenshots, create images from scratch in the Pixel Studio app, and add new objects to photos.

These features aren’t essential, and they’re not without their flaws. Plus, with a starting price of $799, the Pixel 9 should meet a higher bar. But the Pixel 9 feels like it belongs in that category.

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7. Google Pixel 7A

The Pixel 7A has dropped to $249, making it a cheaper Pixel. However, you should definitely avoid buying this phone for $350 or more, as many retailers often bump the price back up to MSRP! Google will stop selling it once it’s out of stock.

This model includes wireless charging, just like the Pixel 8A. The 6.1-inch OLED screen isn’t all that great. It’s not as bright and has a refresh rate of just 90Hz.

The design and construction are similar, with a Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass, which isn’t as scratch-resistant as the glass on the more expensive Pixels, but at least the back is a shatter-proof plastic composite.

Performance isn’t all that bad. It’s powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chipset, the same one found in the Pixel 7 series. It’s fast enough for everyday tasks and most mobile games, and it also has software tricks like Photo Unblur, which uses machine learning algorithms to blur people’s faces in late-night photos. (It did a great job when I tried to take a picture of the bride and groom on the dance floor!)

As for the camera system, the 64-megapixel sensor leads the pack, along with the 13-megapixel ultra-wide, and while it’s not quite as good as the Pixel 9 or 8A, it does a better job than many other budget Android phones.

Whether you’re using it in the dark to capture stars or taking landscape shots on a sunny day, it’s a great camera system.

Unlike the Pixel phones above, the Pixel 7A only gets three Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, which is still a good deal but not seven. Aside from that, the battery life of the 4385mAh cell is lackluster and the fingerprint sensor is a bit finicky.

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FAQs

Are Pixel phones any good?

Google’s Pixel phones consistently get high marks in reviews due to their generally decent performance and generally good camera quality. While they don’t have the most powerful processors, they still have enough power for most needs, while the pure Android software makes them smooth and easy to use.

What’s the best Google phone?

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is our overall pick for the best Google phone. Not only does it pack plenty of photo and video editing features, it also feels sleek and premium, and it offers enough battery life to last you a long day. Overall, it’s one of the most dynamic phones on the market, with a host of AI features to back it up.

Which Google Pixel phone is right for you?

If you’re interested in a Google Pixel phone, the good news is that there aren’t too many choices to confuse or overwhelm you in your decision-making process. The first thing to consider is price. If you have a maximum amount of money to spend on a phone, then price can help you decide which phone is right for you.

Fortunately, when it comes to the software experience, Google offers a nearly identical experience across all of its actively supported Pixel phones. You’ll see exclusive AI and camera features here and there, but the overall experience is pretty much the same.

What’s the latest Google Pixel phone?

Google recently released its latest Pixel series of phones on staggered dates. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL were released on August 22, 2024, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold were released on September 4, 2024. The Pixel 8a, released on May 14, 2024, was the last phone to be released before the Pixel 9 series.

How long will Google Pixel phones be supported?

Until recently, Google surprisingly had the shortest support periods for some of the best Android phones, despite the fact that Google itself develops Android and manufactures the Pixel phones.

But with the Pixel 8 series, Google is finally starting to offer a longer support period, rivaling and surpassing most Android phones with seven years of Android upgrades and security updates.

Previous Pixel models have had shorter support periods for Android upgrades and security updates, and most have received security updates for longer than they have received Android upgrades.

Are the Tensor chipsets good for gaming?

Google’s Tensor chipset is very capable and plays games well in our tests. However, you can get better GPUs in newer phones with Apple’s A-series chips or the latest 8-series Snapdragon versions.

Are all these Pixel phones water and dust resistant?

People use their smartphones everywhere these days, and some level of dust and water resistance is important. Don’t swim or intentionally submerge your phone in water for long periods of time without a waterproof case.

Warranties generally don’t cover water damage. However, if you’re out in the rain, accidentally drop your phone in a puddle, or spill something on your phone, it should be able to withstand these types of accidents.

The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold on this list have the highest water and dust resistance ratings, with an IP68 rating, followed by the Pixel 8a (IP67) and Pixel Fold (IPX8).

Do all of these Pixel phones support wireless charging?

Wireless charging is a convenient way to charge your phone without having to plug a USB-C cord directly into your phone. Wireless charging is now often rated as fast wireless charging, but even with that “fast” rating, it’s still faster to charge your phone directly with a USB-C cable. All of the Pixel models on this list support wireless charging.

Conclusion

The simple answer is how much you want to spend. The Pixel 8 Pro is a great flagship phone with a ton of features and impressive specs, but it’s also the most expensive of the Pixels.

Stepping down to the Pixel 8 will save you a ton of money, but you’ll lose the larger display and telephoto camera. Some might consider this a great compromise.

Those on a tighter budget should consider the Pixel 8a. It offers many of the features its flagship siblings can offer, but at a much more affordable price. I’d recommend it to anyone looking to try out their first Pixel phone.

The Pixel Fold is a fairly compact phone that’s worth considering if you want a foldable phone with Google’s ideal Android. Foldable phones aren’t for everyone, though.

All of these Pixel phones offer decent performance, great cameras, and a host of smart features, but they don’t always win when it comes to battery life. But I’d say you can’t go wrong with any of the Pixel phones above.