As an avid Apple fan, I must admit that the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the most attractive phone of the year.
If you can't beat them, join them.
Since 2021, I have expressed my satisfaction with being immersed in the Apple ecosystem. Although I have tried and enjoyed several standout Android phones, the iPhone, with its simple design, continues to attract me each year like a safety blanket in a complicated software environment with overly large cameras. Convenience plays a primary role in my preference, as using a MacBook, an Apple TV, and AirPods prioritizes efficiency between devices over innovation. Moreover, Apple has perfected the design of its products, which, like the iPhone and MacBook, are both productivity tools and fashion statements.
Recently, the Google Pixel 9 Pro has been named Phone of the Year by a prominent tech publication, with good reasons for this recognition. This device is the only new flagship for 2024 that feels truly refreshed compared to its predecessor. While it doesn't have the most powerful hardware on the market, the Pixel 9 Pro excels in the basic functions we often take for granted: making calls, managing notifications, and sending messages.
What stands out the most about the Pixel 9 Pro is its aesthetics. As a fervent admirer of the iPhone, I must admit that the Pixel's design, with its flat aluminum edges and frosted glass back, really catches the eye. It is also very durable, incorporating Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and achieving an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. In short, the Pixel 9 Pro represents a significant evolution compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.
However, there is an important point to mention: the Pixel 9 Pro resembles the iPhone more than any other previous Pixel or Android phone. This could be interpreted as a compliment to Google for adopting a design philosophy similar to Apple's, although others may criticize the company for not bringing something genuinely innovative. Nevertheless, there is no reason not to take advantage of a successful strategy. Just as Samsung draws inspiration from the iPhone’s design, Google should continue to embrace this industrial and clean style that clearly appeals to certain consumers.
Ultimately, what does Google have to lose by designing a Pixel in the style of the iPhone? We know that more and more Android users are switching to iPhone, and although the Pixel 9 Pro is unlikely to convince iPhone users to make a radical change, it could help retain current Pixel users and encourage other Android users to consider the best Pixel options over Samsung's.
Perhaps the Google Pixel 9 Pro represents a loss of personality for the Pixel family, but Apple has proven that personality is not a determining factor in phone purchases.
