Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Years ago, some people decided to buy the first Pixel phone without thinking twice about whether it was worth the price. Time has proven that they are definitely worth every penny.

5. Google makes Android better than any competitor

Many people don't like the fact that Android dominates the smartphone world. Earlier Android phones were slow, sluggish, and full of bloatware. So when it came time to pick their first smartphone, many people chose Windows Phone.

By 2017, when Microsoft officially stopped supporting Windows Phone, they were forced to switch to Android. Based on past experience, these people chose a phone that offered as close to a stock Android experience as possible. Some initially chose Motorola phones running Android One, then upgraded to the Pixel 4a .

Most, if not all, Android smartphone manufacturers add their own launchers, apps, and features to Android. It's what makes a phone from a particular company stand out, but it also detracts from the overall Android experience, and the extra features are rarely useful.

Google , on the other hand, offers a near-stock version of Android. The Pixel UI is intuitive and doesn't get in the way of using the phone. It works just as you'd expect, without confusing you with unwanted menus and duplicate functions.

4. Pixel phones offer one of the best camera experiences on Android

One of the first tests I did with the Pixel 4a was a mountain biking trip. This test was done within a few hours of unboxing the phone, making it the perfect playground for the Pixel 4a’s camera. The competition was the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and my Canon 200D Mk 1 DSLR with a 50mm lens.

The photos taken on that trip completely changed the way DSLR cameras were used. For almost the entire trip, the DSLR remained in a backpack while Google's amazing photo and video software was tested.

The Pixel 4a not only outperforms its peers in terms of camera hardware, but it also makes people realize that they don’t need to carry a bulky DSLR around with them everywhere. The biggest change is Night Sight, which delivers some of the best low-light photos on a smartphone in 2025. Astrophotography mode has made life a lot easier, allowing for near-professional night sky shots without having to prop up a camera on an icy mountain in the hope of getting the focus and exposure right.

The latest Pixel 7a and 9a both maintain that model. The camera hardware has also improved since then, meaning the photos are better than ever. As you’d expect, DSLRs still take photos that the Pixel (or any smartphone) can’t beat. But DSLRs have significantly larger sensors and much better optics. With the Pixel, you just point and shoot, and you can rest assured that the photos will be beautiful.

3. Pixel-exclusive features that are actually useful

When you buy a Pixel, you get a bunch of exclusive features that blend into your life. You won't be able to go back to any other Android device.

In addition to the Google Camera features mentioned above, they also include small quality-of-life features like Now Playing, Call Screen, Hold For Me, Direct My Call, face and photo blur. You also get great software like Google Recorder and Pixel Launcher. The ability to use your phone as a webcam on your PC is also great.

These are all small features that you don't need to use every day, but will become tools you won't want to be without once you get used to them.

2. Unique look and hardware

Before the Pixel 5 series, Google's smartphones had great software but not much to differentiate them in terms of hardware and design. With the introduction of the Google Tensor chip , both the hardware capabilities and design language have improved, giving the Pixel the unique design you see today.

The camera bar (or camera cover) now gives the Pixels a distinct look, and the build quality has also improved with each generation. The Pixels, despite being the cheapest phones Google offers, are clearly made from better materials, internal hardware, and overall design. This also extends to the ergonomics of the phones; there’s no denying how great these phones feel in the hand.

On the Pixel 9, Google credits the new design language for making the latest phone twice as durable as the Pixel 8. In our experience, these benefits apply to Google's budget phones as well.

However, no amount of design or hardware improvements can make a phone completely durable. I’ve had the screens crack on all of my Pixel phones shortly after I bought them, including my Pixel 9a, which I dropped just a month ago. However, all of them have survived the screen breakage and continued to function normally without any repairs.

1. Long-term software support

If you want your Android phone to last as long as possible, buying a Pixel is your best bet. A Pixel 9 you buy today will get software updates until 2031.

Compared to most Android manufacturers, Google offers seven years of software support for Pixel 8 and newer devices. This includes Android updates, security patches, and new feature updates for Pixel. You may not get the latest features released for the newest devices, but your phone will still be supported and secure. Even older devices like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series, which launched in 2021 and 2022, respectively, will get five years of support — up from the three years of support originally promised.

You'll also be the first to get these updates, whether they're security updates or new versions of Android. This keeps your phone up to date with new software, with new features, improvements, and security updates added regularly.