Google Pixel 9 introduces Adaptive Touch: enhanced sensitivity for any environment
Top 3 Key Points:
- Adaptive Touch automatically adjusts screen sensitivity based on your environment.
- Works seamlessly with wet fingers, outperforming previous models.
- The feature is enabled by default and can be fine-tuned in settings.
Google recently launched the Pixel 9 series, and even though the phones have only been out for a couple of weeks, we’re still uncovering new features that weren’t highlighted during the initial announcement. One such feature is the Adaptive Touch, which significantly upgrades touch sensitivity.
You can find Adaptive Touch under Settings > Display > Touch sensitivity. This feature, when enabled, allows the phone’s touch sensitivity to automatically adapt to your surroundings, your activities, and even the presence of a screen protector.
Earlier this year, rumors suggested that the Pixel 9 would introduce Adaptive Touch, but the specifics were unclear at that time. Now, with the Pixel 9 in hand, it’s evident that one of the factors influencing this feature is the presence of moisture, such as when your fingers or the screen are wet.
In practical tests, the Pixel 9’s touch performance with Adaptive Touch enabled was compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, which lacks this feature. The difference was noticeable: the Pixel 9 handled wet fingers much better, maintaining smooth scrolling without the erratic behavior seen on the Pixel 8 Pro.
Although I haven’t yet tried using a screen protector with the Pixel 9, Adaptive Touch will likely enhance touch sensitivity when a protector is detected, just as it does on the Pixel 8. However, the Pixel 9 extends this functionality to adapt to more diverse situations, making it a more responsive device overall.
On both the Pixel 9 review unit and a Pixel 9 Pro XL retail unit, Adaptive Touch was enabled by default. While there’s little reason to disable it, you can easily manage this setting under Settings > Display > Touch sensitivity.
If you’ve already gotten your hands on a Pixel 9, share your experience with its touch sensitivity compared to your previous phone. If you encounter any issues, the new Touch Diagnostics menu under Settings > Display might help resolve them.