Deals: The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL launch this week, but you can buy the Galaxy S24 or OnePlus 12 instead

Pixel 9 pre-orders began last week. Pre-orders for the vanilla Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL are now over and they are on sale. However, the free storage upgrade offer is still available on Google’s online store and Amazon. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are still on pre-order, with their launch coming early next month.

There are two models becoming available this week, the Google Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

This week we wanted to focus on what you can buy instead of the Pixel 9. For starters, the Samsung Galaxy S24 models. All three will get 7 years of software support, just like the Pixels, and have many AI features that are often powered by Google itself. Still, One UI offers some benefits (e.g. DeX, Good Lock) and you can get more storage for less money. The Galaxy S24 phones have less RAM than the Pixels, though, but that shouldn’t be a problem for AI.

Right now is the worst time to buy a new iPhone – the iPhone 16 series is a few weeks away and as soon as they arrive, prices of the current models will drop. We’ll revisit the Pixel vs iPhone issue in about a month.

OnePlus will also be refreshing its lineup soon, but the brand isn’t allergic to discounts like Apple. The OnePlus 12 costs the same as the base Pixel 9, but uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which easily outperforms the Tensor G4. And unlike Samsung, there’s a version with 16GB of RAM (they have 8 Gen 3 chips for the Galaxy, which run at higher clock speeds).

oneplus 12

£145 off
Read our review

12/256GB – £800 at Amazon UK 16/512GB – £855 at Amazon UK

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If we think about it, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the OnePlus 12R is still quite powerful. There is no telephoto camera on it, but it does have an LTPO display unlike the base Pixel 9. However, it is much bigger than the Pixel 9, which has a 6.78-inch display. Also, the software support will be lesser – 3 OS updates and 4 years of patches for the 12R and 4 OS updates and 5 years of patches for the flagship 12. However, the OnePlus 12 and 12R started with Android 14, just like the Pixels, so at least they aren’t a step behind.

We also want to highlight two Motorolas. The Moto Edge 50 Pro is based on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which is a little slower than the Tensor G4, but it’s plenty efficient. With a 4,500mAh battery, it has the same endurance as the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 5,060mAh battery. And it charges pretty quickly too – 125W wired and 50W wireless. The 10MP 3x telephoto lens can’t compete with the XL model’s 48MP 5x periscope, but it’s better than the vanilla Pixel 9 (not a tele at all) and this phone is a lot cheaper. Keep this in mind when we tell you the software support situation isn’t that great – Motorola is promising 3 OS updates, but they won’t come as quickly as Google’s.

For a little less than the vanilla Pixel 9 you can pick up the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. It uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 – not this year’s top chipset, but fast enough to beat the Tensor – and has a more competitive 64MP 3x tele camera to go along with the 50MP main (1/1.3”) and 50MP ultra wide. And don’t forget the 50MP selfie camera, which is used on both the Moto Edge 50 Pro and Ultra. The Ultra is also set for 3 major OS updates, as long as you’re patient.