The Google Pixel 9 series, which launched recently, has been generating buzz for a feature that wasn’t highlighted during its presentation. This hidden gem, referred to as Adaptive Touch, significantly enhances the phone’s responsiveness under challenging conditions, such as when the screen or your fingers are wet.
What is Adaptive Touch?
Adaptive Touch is a new feature located in the phone’s settings under Display > Touch Sensitivity. Once activated, it automatically adjusts the device’s touch sensitivity based on your surroundings, activities, and the presence of any screen protectors. Google didn’t explicitly mention this feature during the Pixel 9’s introduction, but its practical benefits are becoming more evident as users explore their devices.
Real-World Testing and Performance
Comparative tests between the Pixel 9 and its predecessor, the Pixel 8 Pro, reveal the effectiveness of Adaptive Touch. Users reported that scrolling with wet fingers on the Pixel 9 is smooth and seamless, unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, where it often feels jerky and unresponsive. However, the jury is still out on how Adaptive Touch performs with different types of screen protectors. In my personal experience, using a tempered glass screen protector initially caused some issues with the fingerprint reader, but this improved once I re-registered my fingerprints.
Using Adaptive Touch
Adaptive Touch is enabled by default on the Pixel 9, making it accessible right out of the box. While it’s hard to imagine scenarios where you’d want to disable it, the option is available in the same settings menu. This feature’s primary benefit is its ability to adjust touch sensitivity in a wider range of situations, not just when using a screen protector.
Conclusion
The inclusion of Adaptive Touch in the Pixel 9 series is a notable upgrade, especially for users dealing with challenging conditions like wet hands. Additionally, the introduction of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor further enhances the overall user experience. As more users discover and utilize Adaptive Touch, its benefits are becoming increasingly clear.
