Google’s Controversial Decision: Pixel 9 and the Use of UFS 3.1

With the release of the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google has caused controversy by equipping all of its new devices with UFS 3.1 Storagewhen there is already a more advanced option: UFS 4.0.

UFS 4.0, announced in mid-2022, has been implemented in several high-end devices since 2023. Although it is not yet a market standard, its speed advantage is undeniable.

This technology offers Double the read speed and increase the write speed by 60% compared to UFS 3.1, resulting in smoother multitasking and much faster app loading.

Google’s decision: right or wrong?

It is clear that mid-range devices or high-end entry-level models do not support UFS 4.0. However, It’s concerning that Google has chosen UFS 3.1 for its most premium models. like the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, especially when they’re positioned as best-of-the-year phone candidates.

While the difference between UFS 3.1 and UFS 4.0 is theoretically significant, in practice it’s unlikely to be noticeable to the average user. Sequential reads and writes, where UFS 4.0 shows its true strength, aren’t as relevant in everyday use, except when transferring large files or playing large video games.

For common applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp or Google Maps, even UFS 2.2 is sufficient.

Additionally, while UFS 4.0 is 25-45% more power efficient, the impact on battery life is minimal, because storage consumes some of the phone’s overall power.

What does this mean for regular users?

The Pixel 9 is designed to be supported for seven years, meaning older storage technologies may become obsolete over time.

UFS 3.1 lacks some features that UFS 4.0 offers, such as: wear levelinga process that extends the life of solid-state drives. This omission can become a problem as the device ages.

While UFS 3.1 may be enough for most users right now, it’s hard not to miss UFS 4.0 in the new Pixel 9 series.