What you need to know
- The Pixel 9 series has quietly added an “Adaptive Touch” feature, making it more responsive with wet fingers or screens, though Google didn’t mention it during the launch event.
- You’ll find a new Adaptive Touch option in the Display settings, which adjusts touch sensitivity based on your environment and whether or not you have a screen protector.
- Adaptive Touch is enabled by default on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The Pixel 9 series has quietly gained “Adaptive Touch,” a useful feature that improves response to wet fingers or screen protectors. The details surfaced after launch, though Google didn’t highlight it during the event.
As mentioned by Mishaal Al Rahman in Android AuthorityThere’s a new Adaptive Touch option in the Display settings. When turned on, it automatically adjusts your device’s touch sensitivity based on your surroundings, how you use your device, and whether there’s a screen protector in the mix.
Although Google hasn’t officially announced it, it’s no surprise that Adaptive Touch wasn’t mentioned at the Made by Google 2024 event for the Pixel 9 series.
The feature has now been confirmed to be enabled by default on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. It was rumored back in March, but it’s now officially available, and it’s especially useful when your fingers are wet.
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It’s probably worth noting that the screen protector mode switch is still available, perhaps for those who prefer to manually deal with screen protector detection rather than using Adaptive Touch.
Side-by-side tests reveal a big difference between the Pixel 9 with Adaptive Touch and the older Pixel 8 Pro. In the Android Authority video, the Pixel 9 excels in touch sensitivity, even with wet fingers, while the Pixel 8 Pro without the feature suffers from irregular screen jumps and zooming.
The Pixel 9 comes with Adaptive Touch pre-installed, so you’ll be ready to use it right out of the box. While it’s hard to know why you’d want to turn it off, you can still find the option in Settings if you change your mind.
The Pixel 9 launch event was short and focused heavily on AI, which likely means there wasn’t time to cover all the cool features of Google’s new flagship phones. However, the advanced AI technology certainly adds to the appeal of the Pixel 9 series.
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