Is the Google Pixel 9 good for underwater photography in natural light? Complete review, B1-B7 scores, compatible housing, and price: July 2026.
To learn how to get the most out of your underwater equipment, discover the AquaExposure training program.
In 2024, Google launched the Pixel 9 at a starting price of over €700. In July 2026, the same device is available refurbished for around €440 and even new for under €400 on some comparison websites.
For a diver looking for a smartphone that performs well in natural light underwater, this represents an interesting opportunity.
The question isn't "is it better than the Pixel 9 Pro?" - the answer is no, the Pro has the telephoto lens. The real question is: for the price asked in 2026, does the standard Pixel 9 offer a compelling value/image quality ratio for underwater photography?
This review aims to determine that, following our underwater smartphone comparison guide.
| Criterion | Weight | Score |
|---|---|---|
| B1 Optics | 20% | 3.5/5 |
| B2 RAW and Colorimetry | 25% | 3.8/5 |
| B3 Storage | 15% | 3.5/5 |
| B4 Thermal Performance | 15% | 3.5/5 |
| B5 Battery | 10% | 3.5/5 |
| B6 Autofocus | 10% | 3.5/5 |
| B7 Housing | 5% | 3.0/5 |
| Overall Score | 3.6/5 |
Ideal for: - Recreational divers who want a well-optimized Google device without paying the Pro price. - Photographers shooting wide-angle in natural light (no telephoto lens needed in this case). - Purchasing refurbished or as part of a bundle with a Divevolk.Not ideal for: - Macro photography at a distance (no telephoto lens, only macro ultra-wide angle) - Budget-conscious buyers who are comparing it to the Samsung Galaxy A56 or the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion - Divers who want a native Log video workflow
The base Pixel 9 features two sensors. The main sensor is a 50 MP wide-angle lens with a 1/1.31-inch sensor and an f/1.7 aperture, optically stabilized. This is a very good sensor for an entry-level Pixel model.
The ultra-wide angle sensor is 1/2.55 inches, 48 MP, also with an f/1.7 aperture, and includes a macro mode that can be used at approximately 1.5 cm. Underwater, this ultra-wide angle macro mode can be useful for close-up subjects.
The lack of a telephoto lens is the only real drawback of this optics system. For a diver who shoots exclusively in natural light and at reasonable distances, this is an acceptable compromise.
The 1/1.31" sensor on the main wide-angle lens is identical to that of the Pixel 9 Pro in this respect. It has the same surface area for light collection. What changes with the Pro model is the addition of the telephoto lens, not the quality of the wide-angle lens.
The Pixel 9 offers a 10-bit DNG RAW format that can be activated directly in the official camera app. This is a multi-frame computational RAW, not a pure sensor RAW. The distinction matters to very technical photographers.The product file is compatible with Lightroom or Darktable and offers good latitude for recovering details in highlights. Google's ZSL (Zero Shutter Lag) pipeline shows its limitations after approximately 15 to 20 rapid consecutive RAW shots, as the processing time creates a buffer.
Underwater with a Divevolk membrane housing, the native RAW format is accessible without restrictions. Activation occurs before the dive in the camera app settings.
This is one of the key advantages of the Pixel 9 in an underwater environment. Because it runs on Android with Google services (GMS), MotionCam Pro functions natively. This application produces video RAW files that can be edited with complete manual control over exposure.
For natural light underwater photography, this is an option that iPhones and Android devices without GMS simply cannot replicate.
MotionCam Pro on the Pixel 9 with a Divevolk SeaTouch housing: all touch controls remain accessible via the gel membrane. This represents the cleanest workflow available on a mid-range Android smartphone in 2026.
Manual white balance adjustment in Kelvin is not available in the native app. You need to use Blackmagic Camera or MotionCam Pro to get this level of control.
Underwater, Google's automatic processing tends to oversaturate colors. To work with natural light and achieve accurate color reproduction, shooting in RAW format or using MotionCam Pro is essential from your very first dive.
The Pixel 9 is available in 128 GB and 256 GB versions. On the 128 GB version, approximately 110 GB of free space remains after installing the operating system.
The internal storage uses the UFS 3.1 standard, with read speeds around 1000 to 1200 MB/s and write speeds around 500 to 700 MB/s. This is acceptable for 2024, but slightly behind the Pro models that offer UFS 4.0.
There is no microSD card slot. The USB-C 3.2 connector allows for fast transfers to a computer or portable SSD on the surface between dives.
For a day of intensive diving shooting in RAW format, the 256 GB version is recommended. DNG files from the Pixel 9 weigh between 20 and 35 MB depending on the scene and capture mode.
The aluminum chassis with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back dissipates heat reasonably well. In an underwater housing, thermal dissipation is naturally favored by the water temperature.
The Tensor G4 chip remains hotter than competing Snapdragon chips under heavy load. This isn't a critical issue for photography, but it can slow down RAW burst processing during long sessions.
[WARNING] Silica gel packs: mandatory in cold water. The Pixel 9 shares the same aluminum profile + vapor chamber design as the Pixel 10. Condensation is possible below 15°C without silica gel protection. A packet inside the housing before each dive in cold water is essential.
Tropical overheating: Despite the known heat generation of the Tensor G4, the absence of a very demanding video codec limits temperature increases during photo use. Software overheating occurs after approximately 30 minutes of continuous shooting in water at 28°C. This is acceptable for standard underwater clips.
In cold water (below 15°C), thermal issues become secondary. The housing provides protection, and the water passively cools the device. It's on the surface, between dives, that the Tensor G4 may show its limitations during imports and processing.
With intensive photo use (RAW format, screen on, active geolocation), you can still expect a full day of battery life. In very cold water (below 10°C), a sudden drop in the displayed percentage is possible - this is typical behavior for Li-Ion batteries.
The Pixel 9 does not offer particularly fast charging compared to some Android competitors, but the large capacity compensates for this.
Be sure to fully charge the device the day before each dive session. If the dive lasts longer than 4 hours with continuous use, an external battery pack for the surface interval is a reasonable precaution.
Before each dive session, remember to check your external battery. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the power bank that is suitable for your underwater housing and your desired autonomy.
The autofocus system combines Dual Pixel PDAF with a laser AF sensor. Subject tracking via AI is one of the recognized strengths of the Pixel: it locks onto high-contrast subjects effectively.
The shutter lag measured by DxOMark is less than 70 ms thanks to Zero Shutter Lag. In practice, the trigger responds very quickly.The limitation in an underwater environment is well-known: Google's autofocus system targets faces and strong contrasts. In water with a lot of particles, backscatter (illuminated particles) can interfere with the autofocus. Manual focus lock before taking a picture remains essential.
The Focus Peaking mode is not available in the native app. You need to use Blackmagic Camera to get this manual focusing aid, which is useful in slightly murky water.
There is no dedicated housing for the Google Pixel 9 from a specialized diving manufacturer (no Ikelite, no Nauticam, no specific SeaFrogs).
The chosen solution is a universal touchscreen housing: the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus with the internal DAF303 adapter (designed specifically for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro). The housing is certified to 60 meters. The capacitive gel membrane transmits touch commands without restriction. MotionCam Pro and Blackmagic Camera work fully within the housing.
The Weefine WFH07 is an alternative that goes to 80 meters, but it requires its proprietary software via Bluetooth, which blocks third-party apps.
When purchasing the Divevolk housing, make sure that the DAF303 adapter is included or ordered separately. The Pixel 9 sometimes requires internal alignment adjustments. Keep this in mind before your first dive.
This is the economic reality of underwater smartphones: the housing often has more value than the phone itself.
DNG files from the Pixel 9 can be imported directly into Lightroom (desktop or mobile) and Darktable. The color profile applied by Google in RAW processing may require adjustments to the demosaicing process within Lightroom.
For MotionCam Pro video files (RAW video), processing is done in the dedicated app, or they can be exported as individual DNG frames for more detailed processing.
New: - Starting from €390 (128 GB) via price comparison websites (Idealo.fr, July 2026) - Approximate Google Store France launch price in 2024: around €799
Refurbished: - Back Market France (July 2026): starting from €439 (excellent condition) / €444 (very good condition) / €500 (good) - 12 month warranty - Idealo.fr - used: starting from €320 (July 2026)Sources consulted on July 1, 2026: [idealo.fr](/en/blog/backmarket.fr, the computational color processing of Google which requires manual adjustments, and the lack of a dedicated housing that forces you to use a universal solution.
In July 2026, with refurbished prices around €440, the Pixel 9 enters a category where it is difficult to ignore for a diving photographer who wants a high-performing Android smartphone without spending the price of a Pro model released in the same year.
It does not replace a dedicated underwater camera. But for serious beginners or to complement an existing setup, it gets the job done.
Are you hesitant? Use our diving photography equipment comparison tool to compare this device with other tested models.
To learn more about condensation and overheating, read our dedicated article: Smartphone Overheating and Condensation in an Underwater Housing.
The quality of the smartphone only goes so far. Natural light underwater has its own rules: angles of incidence, absorption of wavelengths, reading conditions in real time.
These techniques can be learned. And they transform any device, even a Pixel 9, into a serious creative tool.Discover the natural light underwater photography course on aquaexposure.com
No. Its IP68 certification covers a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes in freshwater. To use it while diving, a dedicated pressure housing is essential. The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus (adapter DAF303) is compatible and certified up to 60 meters.
Yes. Native 10-bit DNG RAW format is available in the official camera app (it must be enabled in the settings). When used underwater in a Divevolk touchscreen housing, MotionCam Pro functions without restrictions and further enhances the quality of the raw file.
No. The telephoto lens is only available on the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL models. The standard Pixel 9 features a main wide-angle lens (50 MP, 1/1.31") and an ultrawide-angle lens (48 MP, f/1.7, macro). For underwater photography in natural light, this is usually sufficient.
The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus with the DAF303 adapter is the most versatile solution- it features a full touchscreen, is compatible with MotionCam Pro, and is certified to 60 meters. The Weefine WFH07 reaches depths of 80 meters but requires its own software accessed via Bluetooth.
Yes, absolutely. Due to its housing (often made of aluminum) and heat dissipation system using a vapor chamber, the risk of condensation forming in cold water (below 15°C) is significant. Using an anti-fog treatment (such as a silica gel packet or inserts) inside the housing is mandatory before each dive.
This device offers excellent connectivity. With a wired connection, the USB 3.2 port allows you to quickly transfer large amounts of RAW files or 4K videos – gigabytes worth – to an external SSD or computer in just seconds. For wireless transfers, Quick Share is ideal for fast and reliable data transmission.
