Deals: The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL are now available, but what can you buy instead

Last week was the big launch of the Pixel 9 series. Pre-orders for the vanilla Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL have now ended and they are now available for sale. The free storage upgrade offer is still available from Google’s online store and Amazon. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are also 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. However, the Galaxy S24 phones have less RAM than the Pixel, but that shouldn’t be a problem for AI. The S24 series is currently discounted by up to €170.

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.

Sony phones are usually very expensive, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL isn’t exactly cheap either. The Xperia 1 VI packs a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with a unique camera that has smooth optical zoom in the 85mm to 170mm range. The sensor is just 12MP, but it’s not being asked to do digital zoom like the Pixel. Plus, there’s a microSD slot, so extra storage isn’t an issue. Audiophiles might also appreciate the 3.5mm headphone jack. Plus, the Mark 6 has posted great battery life scores. The only downside is that Sony has only promised 3 OS updates, which is pretty bad for such an expensive phone.

Sony Xperia 1 VI

€100 off
Read our review

12/256GB – €1,300 at Amazon DE

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It’s certainly no flagship, not even as high-end as the vanilla Pixel 9, but the Sony Xperia 10 VI is pretty young as far as Android phones go, so we thought we should mention it. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is less than ideal and battery life isn’t as impressive as the Mark 5 (though it should last longer than the Pixel 9). Like its 1-series sibling, this phone has a microSD slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as an unfortunately small software support window (3 OS updates is easier to digest when the 10 VI is three times cheaper than the 1 VI).

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 fast – 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 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.

Is there much in common between the Pixel experience and those who like Realme UI? Probably not. But for less than €600 you can get a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 phone with a big 6.78” LTPO display and a decent camera – 50MP main (1/1.4”), 50MP 47mm portrait camera and 8MP ultra wide. The 5,500mAh battery offers pretty good endurance and charges pretty fast at 120W – it takes less than half an hour (note that this offer includes a 120W adapter). This phone is also promised 3 OS updates.