My new Google Pixel 9 Pro.

The Beginning

After being a loyal Apple user for years, I’ve finally made the switch to Android with the Google Pixel 9 Pro. This was a difficult decision noting I’ve been locked in with the Apple Ecosystem for years. Although as soon as I opened the box, I had a feeling a new exciting journey was about to begin with my new phone!

Why I changed?

Honestly, with all the benefits I’ve seen regarding the move to Android, and the fact that Apple is somewhat limited regarding tinkering with the Phone, especially newer models. I used to have an iPhone 13 which worked great! I did have some issues regarding Audio & just iOS in-general, although overall the experience wasn’t.. amazing, and overall I’ve been wanting to move away from the Apple Ecosystem after being locked into it for years! (in fact sooner or later I plan to buy a new laptop to stop using the Macbook!)

First Impressions

From the moment I picked up the Pixel 9 Pro, I noticed the difference in design philosophy compared to my iPhone 13. It feels extremely premium while also being quite light. The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that the screen compared to the iPhone 13 was.. incredible. Not only did it feel great, the refresh rate was noticeably higher than the iPhone 13, and was a lot brighter by far. I would like to point out that the buttons for controlling volume were sort of difficult to get used to, as I’m not used to them being connected, as they aren’t on the 13.

The Camera

First thing I decided to try out after I setup the phone (which was a swift process, and stupid fast compared to setting up a new iPhone) was the camera. I was initially drawn to the Pixel 9 Pro for its reputation for outstanding photography. After taking a few hundred photos over the past few days, I can confirm its camera system lives up to the hype.

My favorite thing regarding the Camera is its colour accuracy, it’s nothing I’ve experienced before. Without any adjustments its colours look as real as if I was looking at the actual thing. And even then its filters were superior by all means when it came to adjusting colours after taking photos. In contrast to my iPhone 13, the colour differences were HUGE.

Not only was the colour amazing, the immense detail in every photo was life-changing. Its 50 MP (megapixel) camera really shows when comparing photos to my iPhone 13’s one, which had a measly 12 MP.. if you REALLY want to see the detail, here’s a picture of my cat, taken on the Pixel 9 Pro using Portrait mode, which works AMAZING by the way!

The Android Experience

Coming from iOS, adjusting to Android has been both exciting and challenging. The Pixel’s version of Android feels clean & intuitive, without the bloatware I worried might come with changing platforms. I do wish there was more customization especially regarding Widgets & the Home screen. But its UI overall has been amazing, I’ve loved the app icons matching the system’s theme too, and they seemed to work better than Apple’s way of doing so.

I’ve found Google’s Gemini to be quite useful, not only can I use it from anywhere, its integration into the system is quite amazing I’d say. It’s a lot more capable than Siri which I.. barely used. Not only does it understand me better, it’s great at performing tasks across apps.

I will admit, it was a very VERY large change, although I will say it has been rewarding. I do love the fact that modding Android & apps is a lot easier, in contrast to Apple by a LOT. Although I don’t believe this is something that applies to everyone, hence why I’ve left it out to the end, but overall it’s been a positive experience :3

Battery Life & Charging

One of my biggest concerns when switching phones was battery performance. After using the Pixel 9 Pro for a few days, I can confidently say the battery life is not only impressive, but lasts & charges longer & faster than my iPhone 13. I typically use my Phone for a total of 6-7 hours a day, this includes browsing the Internet, communicating with others & watching YouTube/Netflix/Twitch. I typically end the day with around 30-40% remaining.

My favorite feature regarding charging that I never got to experience with my iPhone 13 was reverse charging! Being able to charge someone else’s phone in a situation where they really need it has been amazing.

Performance & Speed

Overall this section will be quite short as I’m not exactly a power user. I haven’t had any issues regarding its processor apart from issues that seemed to be app specific. It’s great at multi-tasking, it handles all my tasks perfectly without any issues, and in-general is extremely fast & fluid!

Final Thoughts

After spending several days with the Google Pixel 9 Pro, I can confidently say that making the switch from Apple was the right decision for me. The incredible screen quality, outstanding camera system, clean Android system, impressive battery life, and great performance has exceeded all my expectations! :D

There’s certainly the large amount of adjustments you may need to make when switching, but the benefits have made it worthwhile! What I appreciate the most is how Google has focused on creating useful features rather than flashy gimmicks (although they definitely have them.. looking at you “Add me” & “Magic Eraser”). Every aspect of the phone feels thoughtfully designed to improve the user experience.

Would I recommend it to longtime iPhone users wanting to make a change? Absolutely! Especially if you value photography, battery life & the freedom that comes with using Android! I’m excited to continue exploring what this phone can do, and will make an update post in the coming months with more thoughts as I discover new features.

Thank you for reading!