Updated 21 July 2026.
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The Pixel 9 series landed in 2024, and even now it does something most phones can’t — it takes photos that punch way above its age, runs the cleanest Android going, and it’s getting updates until 2031.
Two years on, prices have tumbled. So is a Pixel 9 a smart buy in 2026, or should you stretch to something newer? Here’s the honest answer, model by model.
Short answer
Yes — if you get a good deal. The Pixel 9 series still holds its own against current phones, and in straight comparisons it edges out rivals like the Galaxy S24. The Pixel 9a is the value sweet spot; the 9 Pro XL is for those who want the best camera and screen. Just know the Pixel 11 is only months away.
Why it still holds up
Don’t write off a two-year-old Pixel. This one aged well.
The whole Pixel 9 range runs Google’s Tensor G4 chip with 12GB of RAM, which stays smooth in 2026 — apps, multitasking, and Google’s AI tricks all run fine. And Google’s computational photography means the cameras still rival phones costing far more. Point-and-shoot, the Pixel 9 remains one of the best.
Then there’s support: seven years of updates, so a Pixel 9 bought now gets patches and new Android versions until 2031. Buy one used and you’ve still got roughly five years of life ahead — better than most new mid-rangers offer.
In fact, put the Pixel 9 series head-to-head with the Galaxy S24 series and reviewers give the Pixel the win, if a narrow one. It’s the more complete package for the money — though our take on whether the S24 is still worth buying makes the case for the other side.
The Pixel 9 lineup
Pixel 9a — the value pick
Around $499
This is the one most people should look at. The 9a brings the Pixel camera magic and the exact same clean software as the pricier models, for around $499. Reviewers rate it some of the best value in any phone — you lose a little polish and the top-end camera hardware, but the everyday experience is nearly identical.
Get it if: you want the Pixel experience for the least money.
→ Check renewed Pixel 9a prices on Amazon
Pixel 9 (base)
Discounted from $799
The standard 9 steps up with a nicer build and a slightly better camera system than the 9a, in a compact 6.3-inch body. At a good discount it’s a lovely phone; near full price, the 9a or a newer model makes more sense.
Get it if: you want a compact Pixel and find it well-discounted.
→ Check renewed Pixel 9 prices on Amazon
Pixel 9 Pro
Discounted from $999
The 9 Pro packs the full flagship camera system — including the telephoto zoom the cheaper models skip — plus 16GB of RAM, into the same compact 6.3-inch size. If you want the best Pixel camera but dislike big phones, this is the one.
Get it if: you want top-tier Pixel photography in a smaller body.
→ Check renewed Pixel 9 Pro prices on Amazon
Pixel 9 Pro XL
Discounted from $1,099
The XL is the full-size flagship: the best camera system, a big 6.8-inch display, and the largest battery in the range. For photography lovers who want the maximum and don’t mind the size, it’s the pick of the litter — and a serious bargain now that it’s two years old.
Get it if: you want the best Pixel 9 camera and a big screen.
→ Check renewed Pixel 9 Pro XL prices on Amazon
Quick comparison
| Model | Size | Camera | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 9a | 6.3″ | Dual | Best value |
| Pixel 9 | 6.3″ | Dual+ | Compact, discounted |
| Pixel 9 Pro | 6.3″ | Triple + zoom | Compact flagship camera |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL | 6.8″ | Triple + zoom | Best camera + big screen |
Buy the Pixel 9, or wait / go newer?
The honest decision comes down to timing and price.
Buy the Pixel 9 if you find a genuine discount — two years of depreciation makes it a lot of camera and software for the money, and it’s supported until 2031. The 9a especially is hard to beat at its price.
Consider waiting or going newer if you always want the latest, because the Pixel 11 is expected within months. And the current Pixel 10a, at a similar price to the 9a, gets you a newer chip and fresher design. Our Google Pixel buying guide covers the current lineup, and our best Android phones guide rounds up everything worth buying now.
Before you buy a used Pixel 9
Two quick pointers.
Check battery health on any used unit — a two-year-old phone will have some wear. Certified refurbished models usually have this verified and often carry a warranty.
Add a case. The Pixel’s camera bar catches on drops and the glass back isn’t cheap to replace. Twenty quid well spent on a phone you just got a bargain on.
Set it to update through Settings the moment you get it — never through a link in a text. Scammers target new phone owners, so our phone scam and security guide is worth a look for spotting the fakes.
FAQ
Is the Google Pixel 9 still worth buying in 2026? Yes, if you find a good deal. The Pixel 9 series still delivers class-leading cameras, clean software, and updates until 2031. In direct comparisons it narrowly beats the Galaxy S24, and the Pixel 9a in particular is excellent value. Just note the Pixel 11 is only months away.
Which Pixel 9 model should I buy? The Pixel 9a (~$499) for best value, the standard Pixel 9 for a compact discounted flagship, the 9 Pro for the full camera system in a small body, or the 9 Pro XL for the best camera and a big screen. Most people are well served by the 9a.
Will the Pixel 9 still get updates? Yes. Google provides seven years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 9, running until 2031. A used one bought in 2026 still has around five years of support left, longer than many new budget phones.
Pixel 9 or Galaxy S24? Reviewers give the Pixel 9 series a narrow win in 2026 — it’s the more complete package, with better everyday cameras and cleaner software. The S24 counters with slightly more raw power and, on the Ultra, a Bluetooth S Pen. For most people the Pixel edges it.
Pixel 9a or Pixel 10a? The Pixel 10a has a newer chip and design at a similar price, so if buying new it’s the logical choice. The Pixel 9a makes sense if it’s notably cheaper used, since the real-world experience is very close. Compare the actual prices you’re offered.
Is the Pixel 9 camera still good in 2026? Very. Google’s computational photography keeps the Pixel 9 among the best point-and-shoot phones regardless of age, rivalling far pricier current models. The 9 Pro and Pro XL add a telephoto zoom the cheaper models lack.
How much should I pay for a used Pixel 9? Well below launch price, given two years of depreciation. Prioritise certified refurbished units with verified battery health and a warranty, and compare against the current Pixel 10a’s new price before deciding.