I’m Buying a Pixel 9 Pro, But I Want to Wait — Here’s Why

After ultimately deciding against buying the Pixel 8 Pro last year, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to retire my aging Pixel 6 Pro. After nearly 3 years with the former flagship, I’m a firm convert to Team Pixel. Not only because I get all the latest Android updates out of the box, but also because of the exclusive features that no other Android phone can offer.

Of course, I’m going to trade in my Pixel 6 Pro for a Pixel 9 Pro of some sort. Maybe not the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which will probably be way too expensive for my salary, but definitely either the 9 Pro or the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Choosing between the models isn’t my biggest concern right now, though. I’m actually wondering whether the Pixel 9 Pro is worth buying at launch – or if I should wait a few more months

Waiting might be easier on my finances

Pixel 9 rendering — (Image credit: TT Technology / YouTube)

One of the things I’ve noticed over the last few years is that Google phones go on sale with alarming regularity. And more importantly, they start getting marked down very early in their life cycle. A great example of this was during last year’s Black Friday sale, when the Pixel 8 Pro had $200 off asking price — a saving of 20%.

We became aware of that discount on November 16, while the Pixel 8 series went on sale on October 12. So in the space of five weeks, the price of a major flagship dropped by a fifth. It’s not the first time this has happened to Pixel phones either; I remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when I saw the price of a Pixel 6 Pro drop for Black Friday, after I’d pre-ordered my phone at full price a few weeks earlier.

Pixel phones are slightly more expensive than they were in 2021, thanks to last year’s price hike. And while we still don’t know what the Pixel 9 series will bring, being able to save as much money as possible is always a smart move.

If the Pixel 9 series were released in October, as is usual, I wouldn’t have a problem waiting another month and a half to buy one. It’s not that long to wait, and while I’ll miss out on all the pre-order giveaways, the prospect of shaving even $100 off the price is very enticing. But this year, things are a little different, as the Pixel 9 series is launching two months early — at a Made by Google event on August 13.

Patience isn’t just about money

Google Pixel 9 Pro promo photo showing off new camera array

(Image credit: Google)

That wait might not be as bad as it first seems. For starters, one of my biggest reasons to ditch the Pixel 6 Pro is that it’s getting its final Android update sometime in October.

The fact that the Pixel 9 is arriving early doesn’t change that timetable, and the device should still get the launch version of Android 15. Plus, up until a month ago, I was perfectly happy with waiting for a presumed Google Event in October. I don’t really see why that should change, because Google changes things.

It’s also worth remembering that buying products at launch has inherent downsides. Pre-ordering means you’ve committed to buying a device that no one has used yet, and waiting means the phone can be thoroughly tested and evaluated – determining battery life, hardware performance, and camera quality. Battery life is particularly important to me, as it’s one of the things Google can’t seem to perform consistently well.

Additionally, many phones have issues right out of the box, some of which aren’t fixed for weeks or months after they’re first discovered. This has been particularly problematic for Pixel phones over the past few years, and every year we see a ton of people reporting various issues that may or may not get fixed.

So not only can you save money by waiting until the Black Friday sales season, it also gives you a chance to do your homework — and make sure you know exactly what to expect when you buy the new phone. Sure, you’ll miss out on the pre-order bonuses, but there’s nothing stopping you from doing so which you can pick up later in the sale.

I won’t lie, but the prospect of saving money is definitely the most tempting reason to wait. The rest of this is just a bonus.

Whatever happens, it’s still the right time to upgrade

Thinborne Pixel 9 Pro Cases Posted by Android Central

(Image credit: Android Central)

Whatever happens with the Pixel 9 Pro this year, I know I won’t wait another year to upgrade. I’ve spent three years with the Pixel 6 Pro with no regrets, but now it’s time to move on — for a couple of reasons.

The big one is that the phone loses support for Android updates this year, since it came out before Google made 7 years of updates the norm. While security updates are still set until October 2026, the lack of features is something I’d rather avoid, especially since my job revolves around knowing all the latest phones and features.

Over the last few months, I’ve also noticed that my phone is starting to feel quite dated. The battery isn’t what it used to be and believe me, the Pixel 6 Pro has never had particularly good battery life. I’ve seen more battery percentages below 10% in the last three months than I have in the last three years and it’s starting to get pretty annoying. I’ve also noticed that the camera is quickly falling behind some of Google’s rivals.

It’s still a good camera, but if you’re buying a flagship, outperformed by an A-series Pixel that cost half the price You know camera technology has improved pretty rapidly in recent years. I’d like to take advantage of that progress myself, but also use the one thing the Pixel 8a lacks — a telephoto zoom lens.

google pixel 6 pro cases held together with duct tape

I’m not kidding about that duct tape (Image credit: Future)

Finally, the case on my 6 Pro is still clinging to its last few breaths of life. It’s a minor annoyance, especially since buying a new case is a lot easier and cheaper than buying a new phone. Then again, this case is almost three years old and is literally held together with duct tape in places. If that’s not a sign that this phone has seen better days, I don’t know what is. (Yes, I could get one of the best Pixel 6 Pro cases, I know.)

In short

I had always planned on upgrading to the Pixel 9 Pro later this year, but Google threw a spanner in the works by moving the launch event up by a whole two months. So now I have to decide whether it makes more sense to upgrade now and take advantage of any early adopter deals that carriers are offering, or whether I should wait a little longer and see what the Black Friday sales season brings.

Right now, I’m leaning toward the latter. It’s exactly what I had in mind in the first place, and my Pixel 6 Pro isn’t so beat up that I can’t hold on to it for a few more months. I wouldn’t expect the Black Friday sales to be as lucrative as they have been in the past, especially after the Pixel 8a was just $50 off during Amazon Prime Day. But there’s a chance I can save a few hundred bucks on a new flagship – and right now, that feels like a risk I’m willing to take.

Maybe I’ll change my mind between now and August 13th based on a new rumor about what Google will actually reveal at its Made by Google event. Or maybe I’ll go back and forth more often than a Scooby-Doo chase. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Som Manacor

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I’m Buying a Pixel 9 Pro, But I Want to Wait — Here’s Why

Waiting might be easier on my finances