Image credit — PhoneArena
Adaptive Touch can be toggled on or off from the Display > Touch sensitivity menu
Tests comparing the Pixel 9 with Adaptive Touch to the older Pixel 8 Pro without it show a clear difference. Scrolling on the Pixel 9 with wet fingers feels smooth and normal, while the Pixel 8 Pro jumps and stutters.
The jury is still out on how it performs with different types of screen protectors. In my personal experience, I did have some trouble with a tempered glass screen protector when using the fingerprint reader, although it improved once I deleted my fingerprints and added them again after applying it. Likely, Adaptive Touch increased the sensitivity once the fingerprints were registered again. The main improvement is that the Pixel 9 can now adjust its touch sensitivity in more situations, not just when you have a screen protector.
This new feature is a great addition to the Pixel 9, making it easier to use in all sorts of situations. Whether you’re caught in the rain or just have sweaty hands, you can still use your phone without any problems. Additionally, the Pixel 9 series for the first time comes with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which adds to the experience.