Pixel 9 with GrapheneOS review — the latest generation
Who is this for? Anyone who wants a modern Pixel for GrapheneOS without the Pro price. The Pixel 9a is the newer entry-level option at this price point. See the [Which Pixel for GrapheneOS?](/en/guides/grapheneos-which-phone/) guide for a full overview.
Pixel 9 with GrapheneOS review
Who is this for? Anyone who wants a modern Pixel for GrapheneOS without the Pro price. The Pixel 9a is the newer entry-level option at this price point. See the Which Pixel for GrapheneOS? guide for a full overview.
The Pixel 9 series is the latest generation Google Pixel — and therefore the most current hardware on which GrapheneOS runs. Tensor G4, Titan M2, updates until ~2031. The question: does the latest generation justify the higher price?
What’s new in the Pixel 9 series
Tensor G4: Google’s fourth in-house ARM chip. Better AI performance and slightly higher efficiency than the G3 in the Pixel 8. For daily phone use the difference is small; for heavy on-device AI tasks noticeable.
Longest support period: The Pixel 9 series gets 7 years of security updates — updates until ~2031. That is two years longer than the Pixel 6/7 generation and comparable to the Pixel 8 series.
Titanium frame (9 Pro / XL / Fold): The Pro models have a titanium housing instead of aluminium. Stiffer, lighter per volume, but no security relevance.
The models compared
| Model | Price | Availability | Screen | RAM | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 9a | ~€350–400 | Yes widely available | 6.3” OLED | 8 GB | Best value, no UWB |
| Pixel 9 | ~€400–500 | Yes widely available | 6.3” OLED | 12 GB | IP68, no UWB |
| Pixel 9 Pro | ~€600–700 | Yes multiple retailers | 6.3” OLED | 16 GB | UWB, best camera small size |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL | ~€600–750 | Yes multiple retailers | 6.8” OLED | 16 GB | UWB, large screen, longer battery |
| Pixel 9 Pro Fold | ~€900+ | ⚠️ limited availability | 6.3” + 8” OLED | 16 GB | UWB, foldable |
Prices: indicative ranges (April 2026) — check current retail pricing for exact figures. All models: Tensor G4, Titan M2, wireless charging. UWB is only available on Pro models (9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold) — not on the base model or 9a. Pixel 9a has IP67 instead of IP68.
Security-wise identical: The Titan M2 chip and GrapheneOS support are the same on all five models. The choice is screen size, camera, and budget.
Specifications (Pixel 9)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chip | Google Tensor G4 |
| Security chip | Titan M2 |
| RAM | 12 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.1 |
| Screen | 6.3” OLED, 120 Hz |
| Battery | 4,700 mAh |
| Wireless charging | Yes — 15W Qi |
| UWB | No (Pro models only) |
| IP rating | IP68 |
| Updates | ~2031 |
| GrapheneOS | Fully supported |
| GrapheneOS install | Free — self-install via web installer (15–30 min) |
| Price | ~€400–500 (April 2026) — check current pricing |
GrapheneOS on the Pixel 9
The installation experience is identical to the Pixel 8. The GrapheneOS web installer supports all Pixel 9 models. Wi-Fi 7 support works fully on GrapheneOS — no limitation compared to standard Android.
The Tensor G4 has an improved Titan M2 implementation with more isolated secure enclave memory compared to the G3. In practice the difference in security level is minimal — the Titan M2 in the Pixel 8 is already excellent.
Pixel 9 vs Pixel 8 — is the upgrade worth the price?
| Pixel 9 | Pixel 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Tensor G4 | Tensor G3 |
| Updates until | ~2031 | ~2030 |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| UWB | No | No |
| Wi-Fi generation | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Price | ~€400–500 | ~€300–400 |
If you already have a Pixel 8: The upgrade is not necessary. Security-wise identical, updates until 2030 still plenty.
If buying new: The Pixel 9 has Wi-Fi 7 and updates until 2031. If budget allows it’s the better long-term investment.
If budget is a consideration: The Pixel 9a provides the same security level with the same Tensor G4 chip for significantly less. Check current pricing at your retailer.
Caveats
Price: Check current retail pricing. The Pixel 9a offers the same security for less — the difference is camera and display quality.
Tensor G4 thermal management: Like the G3, the Tensor G4 runs warm under intensive use (gaming, long video recording). No different from the previous generation.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold: from €899 for the foldable model. Niche — not recommended unless the foldable form factor serves a specific purpose.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tensor G4 with improved Titan M2 secure enclave — verified boot and full-disk encryption at the highest hardware level
- Wi-Fi 7 support works fully on GrapheneOS with no limitations
- IP68 water resistance — tested to stricter standard than the Pixel 9a
- Updates until ~2031 — seven years of security patches
Cons
- The Pixel 9a provides identical security hardware at a lower price — check current price gap
- Tensor G4 runs warm under intensive use — same thermal management limitations as the G3
- Banking apps and NFC payments (Google Pay) require sandboxed Google Play setup
Conclusion
The Pixel 9 is excellent hardware for GrapheneOS. Tensor G4, Titan M2, Wi-Fi 7, updates until 2031, and wireless charging. If price is not an issue, this is a solid starting point for a new GrapheneOS installation.
Also look at the Pixel 9a if budget matters — security-wise identical, same chip, lower price.
See also:
- Pixel 10 review — latest generation with Tensor G5 (€579)
- Pixel 10a review — entry point for the Pixel 10 line (experimental GrapheneOS support)
- Which phone do you need for GrapheneOS? — full model overview
- Which Pixel for GrapheneOS? — model comparison including 9a
- Pixel 9a review — recommended entry model, €399
- Installing GrapheneOS on Pixel — step-by-step installation guide