Google's latest flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro, has been making waves in the smartphone market with its impressive battery life, but some users are finding its screenshot functionality lacking compared to competitors.
Battery Life That Goes the Distance
The Pixel 9 Pro is proving to be a powerhouse when it comes to battery longevity. Users are reporting exceptional battery performance, even under heavy usage scenarios like travel and navigation in unfamiliar cities. One user recounted their experience during a two-week trip to Japan, where the Pixel 9 Pro consistently lasted throughout full days of intensive use, including theme park visits and extensive app usage for navigation and translation.
This marks a significant improvement over previous Pixel models, which often struggled to make it through a full day. In controlled testing, the Pixel 9 Pro averaged 13.5 hours in custom battery tests, outperforming its predecessor by nearly 5 hours. While not quite reaching the top of the battery life charts, this represents a major step forward for the Pixel line.
Screenshot Functionality Falls Short
Despite the battery life improvements, the Pixel 9 Pro's new dedicated screenshot app, Pixel Screenshots, has left some users underwhelmed. The app, which exists separately from Google Photos, has been criticized for adding unnecessary complexity to what should be a simple process.
Key issues include:
- Fragmentation of screenshot storage across multiple apps
- Lack of easy deletion options for temporary screenshots
- Overly complex sharing process compared to competitors like Apple's iOS
Users have noted that the iPhone's screenshot functionality, which allows for quick sharing and deletion in one step, is more intuitive and better suited to how most people use screenshots - as temporary, disposable images rather than permanent records.
Room for Improvement
While the Pixel 9 Pro's battery life is a clear win for Google, the screenshot experience highlights an area where the company could learn from its competitors. As smartphones continue to evolve, striking the right balance between advanced features and user-friendly functionality remains a challenge for all manufacturers.
As we approach the holiday season, it will be interesting to see if Google addresses these concerns in future software updates, potentially enhancing the Pixel 9 Pro's appeal to a wider audience.
