The Best Google Pixel Phones of 2025, Tested and Reviewed: Which Model to Buy, Cases and Accessories, Feature Drops

Google Pixel phones are our favorite Android phones here at WIRED and have been for a few years. They have industry-leading cameras, get speedy software and security updates directly from Google (like iPhones do from Apple), and are priced competitively. But which of the new Google Pixel phones should you buy? The Pixel 9a? The Pixel 9? What about the crazy-expensive Pixel 9 Pro Fold? Don’t fret—I’ll break down the differences between the best Pixel phones and sort out the right one for you.

You’ll also find Pixel-exclusive tips to help you get the most out of your new phone, plus some accessory and case recommendations for protection. For more, read our other mobile guides, including the Best Pixel 9 Cases, Best Samsung Phones, and Best Android Phones.

Updated April 2025: We’ve added the Pixel 9a and new features from the March 2025 Pixel Drop.

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Google Pixel 9a

$499 at Amazon

$499 at Google Store

Google’s Pixel 9a (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is all the phone most people need. The 6.3-inch screen might not be as compact as its predecessor, but it doesn’t feel too big. There’s a new design to give the A-series its own look, though the iris and peony colors are doing some heavy lifting. In black or white, it’s fairly dull. At least you get a camera module that doesn’t stick out.

The OLED screen gets brighter than ever, and it has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate for those fluid animations (something Apple still limits to its Pro iPhones). Google’s Tensor G4 chipset powers it all, the same as in the flagship Pixel 9 series. And performance is pretty much identical—smooth and fast, whether gaming or multitasking.

The caveat is that the Pixel 9a has only 8 gigabytes of RAM, so two Pixel 9 features aren’t present: the Pixel Screenshots app, which uses AI to organize your screenshots, and Call Notes, which provides a text summary of your phone calls. Those are helpful features, so it’s a shame they’re unavailable, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

Otherwise, you get all the same camera features from the flagship lineup, including Add Me, Reimagine, Best Take, and the improved Audio Magic Eraser. Speaking of, the 48-megapixel is joined by a 13-MP ultrawide and 13-MP selfie camera, and they’re all reliable. Like most Pixel phones, you can be safe knowing most of the pictures you snap will come out looking great.

The best upgrade is battery life. The 5,100-mAh cell comfortably lasts a full day. I routinely ended my nights with 30 to 40 percent remaining, though heavy users may still need to tote a power bank just in case.

There’s Qi wireless charging and an improved IP68 water-resistance rating, not to mention secure face unlock in addition to fingerprint unlock, giving you two biometric authentication methods to unlock your phone and quickly access sensitive apps. The Pixel 9a also gets seven years of software support—the longest you’ll find on an Android phone under $500. All of that for $499? It’s one of the best smartphone bargains around.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL

$999 at Amazon (Pro)

$1,099 at Amazon (XL)

$999 at Target (Pro)

$1,099 at Target (XL)

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are a decent step up from the Pixel 9a and firmly put you in flagship territory. You get more features, better build quality, more cameras, nicer specs—you get the idea. This is the first time you have size options for the Pro models, and they are the same phone no matter which you choose, barring battery and screen size. The 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro is my favorite, as it has all the Pro features I want in a compact package, but if you prefer a big-screen experience, opt for the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL.

On the hardware front, these Pixels have LTPO displays, meaning the screen can refresh from as little as 1 Hz to 120 Hz, making them power-efficient. They’re also the brightest OLED panels on a Pixel to date, and I had no trouble reading them on sunny days. Between the two, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can charge faster, getting roughly 70 percent in 30 minutes, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro will sit at around 55 percent in the same period. A bigger 5,060-mAh battery means better battery life too, and the XL model regularly had a little more juice at the end of the day. Neither phone will last two days on a single charge with heavy use, but both will get you through a full day.

Other small improvements? Google has swapped the optical fingerprint sensor for an ultrasonic scanner, which has been far more reliable in my testing. (You still get access to secure face unlock.) There’s also DisplayPort support, so you can plug these Pixels into external displays to mirror the screen. You still get Qi wireless charging, but sadly, Google has not yet adopted the Qi2 standard, which would have enabled a MagSafe-like magnetic charging system. Guess we’ll have to wait for the Pixel 10.

The main distinction between these and any other Pixel phones in this guide is the vapor chamber cooling system in the Pixel 9 Pro models. This is a fairly common feature on high-end smartphones, and it helps dissipate heat. Less heat means the phone’s Tensor G4 processor won’t throttle and limit performance. I noticed this immediately after playing Zenless Zone Zero for two hours, which resulted in a lukewarm Pixel 9 Pro XL despite running the game at max graphics settings; I didn’t see many stutters. It was the opposite story on the base Pixel 9, which does not have this cooling system; it got really hot and stuttered more frequently. If you’re an avid gamer, or if you’ve used Pixel phones in the past and noticed how hot they get, it’s worth snagging the Pro.

The cameras are where the Pixel 9 Pro phones shine. You get a 50-MP main camera, a 48-MP ultrawide, and a 48-MP 5X telephoto zoom. Even the selfie camera has been upgraded to 42 MP, and this produces noticeably sharper selfies than any other Pixel that came before. I dive deep into the changes Google has made to the Pixel 9 series’ image-processing algorithms here, including Real Tone, the tech that enables more accurate skin tones in photos and videos.

The TL;DR? It’s an excellent camera system that rivals the top of the line in the smartphone world. But many of the AI camera tricks steal the spotlight. There’s Add Me, for example: You take a picture of your loved one in front of a landmark, they swap places to take a picture of you, and then a single image is generated that looks as though you both were standing next to each other. Auto Frame generates outside areas of a photo to change the composition, and Reimagine lets you type in text to drastically alter an image. You can even change a daylight photo to nighttime! It’s pretty nuts, and I go into more detail here.

Let’s not forget the new AI features launching on these phones, like the Pixel Screenshots app, which can help you find exactly what you’re looking for, even if you have thousands of screenshots with a quick search. Pixel Studio can help you create a custom party invite with stickers of your friends’ faces and AI-generated images. (I use it more than I expected to.) Then there’s Gemini Live, which lets you have real-time natural conversations with the chatbot in a somewhat evolved Google Search experience. There’s plenty here to help make everyday life a tiny bit easier, though there will be times when you’ll wonder whether every app needs an AI infusion.

Like the Pixel 9a, Google has a software commitment of seven years for these phones, outclassing all its Android peers (save the Samsung Galaxy S25 series). Check out our Pixel 9 case recommendations to make sure your device lasts that long unscathed.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Google Pixel 9

$799 $649 at Amazon

$799 at Target

$649 at Best Buy

The Pixel 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent phone, but within the context of Google’s lineup, it’s in an awkward spot. It looks distinct enough from the Pixel 9a, but you’re not going to see a massive difference between them despite the price gap. The screen brightness is the same, the Pixel 9a has better battery life, though the Pixel 9 does offer slightly faster charging. While performance is mostly equal, the increased 12 GB of RAM enables features like Call Notes and the Pixel Screenshots app, plus any future AI feature that requires the extra memory.

The biggest upgrades are in the camera system: The 50-MP main camera and 48-MP ultrawide will deliver sharper results, though you may have to analyze photos side by side to notice. Even better is the 10.5-MP selfie camera, which features autofocus for sharper images. The lack of a 5X optical zoom camera and the vapor cooling system found on the Pixel 9 Pro models also make it tough to recommend for pro users. So give the Pixel 9a a shot and save some cash.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

$1,799 at Amazon

$1,799 at Best Buy

$1,799 at Google Store

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold might not have received a very high score in my review (6/10, WIRED Recommends), but that’s largely because I want Google to match this $1,800 phone’s hardware to what you’re getting with the $999 Pixel 9 Pro, and exceed it. As it stands, there are a few things the Pixel 9 Pro does better—for example, the photos snapped by the telephoto and ultrawide cameras are not as sharp in low light compared to the cheaper flagship. If you’re spending $1,800 on a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, shouldn’t it be better in every way than the Pixel 9 Pro?

Leaving that aside, this is still the best book-like folding phone available right now (though Honor is giving Google a run for its money outside the US). I prefer it over Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6, largely because the 6.3-inch front screen feels nearly identical to the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor, all of which help make this phone more usable when it’s folded. (And believe me, you’ll be using it 80 percent of the time in its folded state.)

But when you open it up, you get a large 8-inch OLED screen that almost feels like a more compact iPad Mini. This screen is great for running two apps side by side in split-screen mode, or for watching shows, YouTube, and playing games. You may have to play around with the aspect ratios for some apps, as some content might get cut off, but this is easy to change in the phone’s settings.

Battery life is reliable enough, lasting a full day of average use with around 30 percent left. (This will vary if you use the 8-inch screen more often than the exterior one.) It’s worth noting that you may run into some issues with wireless charging on this device. It doesn’t work with Google’s now-discontinued Pixel Stand Gen 2 because the coils do not align. I tried it on a few other wireless charging stands to no effect. Your best bet is to use a wireless charging pad.

You get all the same software features as the Pixel 9 series, but there are some extras to take advantage of all the screens. Made You Look, for example, plays a cute animation on the outer screen to make sure your kiddo stares at it when you’re trying to capture a photo. When you’re on a Google Meet call, you can now utilize all the screens so that everyone around you can see the person you’re speaking with, and that means using all the cameras too, so the person on the other end doesn’t have to see just your face.

At the end of the day, this is still a $1,799 smartphone, and that’s just too high a price to pay. But if you have the cash and love folding phones, especially when paired with a Pixel’s smarts and camera prowess, this is one of the best options available.

Google Pixel 8A

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The Pixel 9 series, Pixel 8 series, Pixel 9a, and Pixel 8a will get seven years of Android OS upgrades and security updates. The 2023 Pixel 7a will receive three years of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from the date of launch, the same as older Pixels. Google has a page you can check to see exactly what month your Pixel phone will stop receiving updates. Security updates reduce the risk of malware, keep your phone bug-free, and make it more secure. Android version updates introduce new features—cosmetic and functional—that improve the OS as a whole.

Pixel phones also happen to be the first to receive any kind of Android update, so as soon as Google releases a new version, like Android 15, you can download it immediately by heading to Settings > System > System Update > Check for Update. You can also test beta versions of Android, but you’ll need to enroll your device. (Make sure to back up your phone first!) Pixels are also privy to the feature drops Google issues every few months, which include features from newer Pixels coming to older models and brand-new features for the latest devices.

There are a few other Pixel phones worth considering if you don’t want any of the above choices. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are available through official channels and third-party retailers (until supplies last). The key is to not pay more than $500 or $600 for either of them; otherwise, you may as well put that money toward the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel 8a is also still a great buy (8/10, WIRED Recommends), provided you spend less than $350 on it.

The Pixel 7A from 2023 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has dipped as low as $249, making it the budget Pixel to get. However, several retailers often bring the price back up to MSRP, and you should avoid buying this phone for more than $300!

The Pixel 6A (8/10, WIRED Recommends), as well as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), are still kicking around at third-party retailers like Amazon. However, they are not worth their MSRP, and honestly, they are a little old. I don’t think they’re worth it at this point unless you can get them for dirt cheap (or free). Sales on newer Pixel phones are frequent enough, and they’re often not too far in price. I would avoid anything older than these.

I’ve written a broader guide on the Best Pixel 9 Cases and Accessories here, but here are a few selections for your perusal.

Official Google Case

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

This silicone case lets you match your Pixel phone’s color. It’s durable and nice to touch, with raised edges on the front to protect the screen. It’s made with recycled plastics, and while the older cases attract lint and dust easily, this revamped case does a better job of resisting them. I also like that it keeps the back flush, so the camera bump isn’t so obvious. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold case is made of a hard-shell polycarbonate, but it’s fairly slim and lightweight compared to third-party cases I’ve tested. Access to the buttons is open, and I like how it gives you an easier way to unfold the phone.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

This is our favorite case overall for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8A series. It has clicky buttons and incredibly grippy edges (hence the name). It feels robust yet fairly slim, and you can choose a snazzy design. Just know that you have to apply this “skin” on the back of the case. There’s a lot of room for error here, so be careful, and watch Dbrand’s installation video for tips. There’s MagSafe support so you can use your Pixel with MagSafe accessories, and it worked exceptionally in my testing.

Peak Design Everyday Case

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

This is hands-down the best case if you frequently attach your Pixel to the handlebar of a bike or an electric scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system lets you magnetically affix the phone to its Universal Bike Mount ($50), and it stays put. After nearly a year of testing, I’ve yet to have a phone fall off my ride using this mounting system. It makes use of Apple’s MagSafe system, so it works with plenty of MagSafe accessories, even wireless chargers. The company also has several other magnetic accessories, like a car vent mount. The case itself is nice; I just wish the edges were raised more for better screen protection. It comes in more colors than ever.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Wireless charging is available on all the Pixel phones mentioned in this guide. However, to use this charger, you need a MagSafe Pixel case. Your Pixel will not charge on this Nomad charger without it because the magnets make it float in place. I use this wireless charger every day with the Peak Design Everyday Case (see above), and I’ve never had an issue. Our Best Wireless Chargers guide has more options.

This charging adapter is all you need to recharge your Pixel, whichever model you have. The newest high-end Pixel phones don’t come with chargers in the box, so if you don’t have any spare USB-C chargers, it’s worth picking one up. This one’s prongs fold up, so it’s great for travel too.

Dbrand Screen Protector

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Dbrand gives you two screen protectors in this package, and when I initially tested it, there was no application tool, so I had to freehand the installation. The current Prism 2.0 version thankfully now comes with a tool, so it should be much easier to align. You get all the other tools in the box to wipe down your phone and ensure there are no specks of dust on it before you install the protector.