Google’s newest flagship devices, the Pixel 9 series, have been distributed to reviewers during the embargo period, raising questions about the handsets’ capabilities due to unexpected restrictions. Reports have emerged that users are unable to download popular benchmarking apps such as Geekbench 6, PCMark 10, and 3DMark from the Google Play Store. This limitation is causing speculation that Google is attempting to manage the narrative about the performance of the Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 chip.
Attempts to bypass these restrictions by sideloading the benchmarking applications have been unsuccessful on the Pixel 9 devices. Users have encountered compatibility errors, as indicated by a post from a user identified as Cartidise, showcasing the difficulty of sideloading Geekbench AI onto the new Pixel phones.
The decision to limit access to these benchmarking tools is puzzling, especially following a Google executive’s statement that the Tensor G4 chip’s focus is on delivering an enhanced user experience rather than on setting new performance benchmarks. In light of this philosophy, the need to control benchmark-related data seems counterintuitive.
Despite these restrictions, independent testing outside of the Play Store-managed apps continues, with some publications providing performance statistics and comparisons. Notably, reports have indicated that the Pixel 9 Pro XL experiences significant performance throttling, reducing to 50 percent under stress test conditions. Curiously, this stress test app is not part of the restricted list, which allows some performance evaluation tools to remain accessible.
As the situation continues to unfold, prospective users of the Pixel 9 series are left wondering about the true performance of these devices and the extent to which the restrictions may reflect on the Tensor G4’s capabilities. The matter poses an intriguing dilemma for Google as it navigates user expectations and market competitiveness.
