I’ve had the Pixel 9 Pro for a while now, and I firmly stand by my opinion that it’s the best phone Google has released yet. The phone is elegantly and powerfully designed, has a great camera, and runs the Android 15 operating system more smoothly than any previous version.
Also: What is a Gemini? Everything you should know about Google’s new AI model
However, if you paid attention to Google’s marketing of the Pixel 9 and Android 15 phones, you might think that AI was not only the heart and soul of the new device, but that it was practically required to get the most out of the phone.
This is not the case.
Since I received the Pixel 9 Pro, I’ve interacted directly with AI probably a few times. I installed Gemini Live and haven’t used it yet after doing a test chat. The camera app includes all sorts of tools that help me take better photos (or improve the ones I take), but I’d rather know what I’m doing, so I can take high-quality photos without the aid of an AI shortcut. . The most I’ve done using AI on the Pixel 9 Pro is setting alarms and adding appointments to calendars.
Instead, I used my phone as a phone, a way to listen to music on the go, a way to communicate with people in my circles, and to help keep my life organized. You know…the things most people do with their phones.
Also: I bought a Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature wasn’t the software
If Google and Apple had their way, we would all be using AI for everything. Things like:
- I want to send a message to my wife — let the AI do it.
- I need to take a photo – the AI is ready.
- I need to write an important email to a client – AI, do your job.
- I want to write an article about… Hey, Nelly. Let’s not even go there.
I’ve had several conversations with people I consider to be “power users” of the phone, and not one of them mentioned AI as a necessary feature. However, there are phone upgrades that are much more important.
Here is my list:
- Better application sandboxing
- High quality sound
- Better performance on low and mid-range devices
- Better camera stability
- Better cross-platform desktop integration
- Improved memory management
- More consistent support across manufacturers
- App drawer for iPhone
- FaceTime support for Android
- Better SMS integration between Android and iOS
- Ability to dock the phone and use it as a desktop computer (it’s been done…but not well)
I also asked a bunch of non-technical users, and their answer was (across the board)… I just want my phone to work.
Yes, this is largely unscientific data, and not representative of the entire phone user community, but I think it’s fairly safe to say that most people would rather have affordable phones that work as expected, are secure, and have users. User interfaces are more environmentally friendly than they want AI integration.
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The thing is, we don’t do that needs Artificial intelligence built into our devices. What are we? He does We need phones that can make calls reliably, help us communicate with others, organize our lives, and entertain us.
The cost of adding artificial intelligence
according to Digital trendsThe secret cost of adding AI to a smartphone is that someone will or will eventually collect a fee for using the AI. Nowadays, everything is so new in the world of smartphones that everything is free. You can use Gemini Advanced for free on a new Pixel phone for a year. After that year is up, you will have to pay for the service. If, after that year, you do not remember to cancel your subscription, you will be charged a fee.
That’s not all.
AI requires power… a lot of it. Most AI queries are offloaded to huge data centers that consume huge amounts of energy. Microsoft is Working with the once decommissioned Three Mile Island nuclear reactor To enhance its efforts in the field of artificial intelligence.
How much does it cost, and who eats it in the end?
Also: Everything to know about Apple’s AI features coming to iPhone, Mac, and iPad
As for Google, with the release of the Pixel 9 and Android 15 phones, the company decided to process some of the smaller AI parts locally. What does that mean? If this trend continues, phones will need significantly more powerful chips to function, because, as I said, AI needs power.
Imagine if, suddenly, your device had more integrated AI features that hog your CPU resources so that there was little left for apps. This means that phone manufacturers will have to use more powerful chipsets, more RAM, and better heat dissipation.
It’s all very tangled and complicated, especially since most people just want their phones to work.
Also: A smartphone without apps? This AI assistant aims to replace them all
I get it. Phone manufacturers felt the need to jump on the AI train because (for now) AI is hot, and it sells big. Karl Bey (from nothing) A video was posted on X Reports that the Nothing Phone 3 will be equipped with artificial intelligence. I was very disappointed by this because I was planning to eventually move from a Pixel phone to a Nothing phone, but it kept me cold.
I don’t see AI as the salvation for the phone industry as some believe. The telephone industry does not need salvation because, according to… Market data forecastThe global phone market is expected to reach $493.08 billion by the end of 2024. AI had nothing to do with this massive market share, as phones sell themselves.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against AI. I think AI has its place in certain areas, but as a selling point for phones, I think manufacturers are misguided. We don’t do that needs Artificial intelligence in our phones; We need phones that work reliably and safely without having to mortgage our homes to buy them.
