A key feature of the Google Pixel is its long camera bar that stretches across the phone. This distinct design makes the phone noticeable compared to others, but it also brings several issues.
Notably, it creates a large bump that spans the whole device.
Recent leaked images suggest that the Pixel 9 Pro will alter its design. Instead of a full-length camera bar, Google has chosen an oval-shaped camera bump with trimmed edges.
This new design appears to be even more unattractive.
The Pixel camera bar had its appeal, despite not being perfect. Discussing phone camera setups can be a touchy subject.
In today’s world, large camera bumps are common and frequently very large. Additionally, there are limited options for arranging the camera lenses, often leading to a lack of creativity in their design.
The Pixel camera bar demonstrated Google’s attempt to innovate with its rear cameras by providing a distinct and appealing design.
For the Pixel 6 series, this included a two-tone look, with the bar serving as the boundary between the two colors. However, Google appeared to abandon this concept rather swiftly.
The unique design, being unlike anything other phone companies offered, had its downsides. The bar running the entire length of the phone sometimes interfered with using accessories such as grips or stands.
For instance, using the Razr Kishi with a Pixel 6 Pro was not possible because the camera bar blocked it.
Similarly, the single glass piece used in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 8 increases the risk of damage. If it breaks, all the camera lenses could be affected, not just one or two.
Given the camera bar’s prominence, it is particularly vulnerable to damage, especially if the rest of the phone is shielded by a case.
The benefit of the camera bar covering the full width of the phone was its symmetry, which prevented the phone from wobbling when placed on a flat surface, unlike other phones with asymmetrical designs.
However, the design and size of the new camera on the Pixel 9 Pro suggest that this won’t be a problem, at least for the triple-lens Pro model. The dual-lens Pixel 9 might still face issues.
Google has altered the camera on the Pixel 9 Pro without clear reasons. The full-length camera bar previously offered a sleek appearance, which the new designs in the leaked images do not.
The biggest issue is that the main camera is still centered on the phone but now has trimmed edges. Additionally, it protrudes more noticeably than in past models.
It’s not entirely clear how much more the camera bump on the Pixel 9 Pro sticks out, as its depth is hard to determine.
It might just seem larger due to the new design of the oval-shaped module with straight edges, making it more noticeable than earlier Pixel versions.
Using a case could make it less conspicuous, which is a wise choice for any phone owner. However, some people prefer not using a case, which makes the standalone design important.
Although the Pixel 9 Pro’s design isn’t as extreme as some other brands with very large camera bumps, like the Honor Magic6 Pro and Xiaomi 14 series, Google has still opted for a significant, visible camera bump.
Google could have used the launch of the Pixel 9 series as a chance to significantly revise its camera design, addressing errors from the last three models and offering a camera that is both functional and attractive.
They could have created a design that keeps the camera glass from touching surfaces, potentially dirty, or separated the glass so that it doesn’t cover all three lenses in one piece.
However, it appears Google made changes just for the sake of making them, which isn’t usually a smart approach. This is something Coca Cola learned the hard way.
What we think?
I think the new camera design on the Pixel 9 Pro might not be as liked. The oval camera bump sticks out more and looks different from the full-length bar they used before. People who liked the old style might miss it.
However, the change could prevent the phone from wobbling on flat surfaces. It’s a big change, and not everyone will be happy with it.