Is an old flagship still worth buying in Bangladesh, or should you move on? That question pushed me to use both the Apple iPhone X and the Google Pixel 9 side by side for over a month. I carried them daily office work, city traffic, outdoor sunlight, weak signals, long nights. The iPhone X still feels premium in hand, but its age shows in battery, network stability, and consistency. Google Pixel 9 feels calmer, smarter, and more dependable for modern use. Below, I break down bd mobile market price reality, gaming, network, camera, display, and who should buy which, based purely on my lived experience.

I walked through Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park, and neighborhood stores, then cross-checked online sellers. The iPhone X is unofficial-only now, every unit I saw was used or refurbished. That explains the tempting price but also the uncertainty battery swaps, screen replacements, and mixed histories. Google Pixel 9 is officially available, which steadies pricing and support, even though unofficial imports exist. In daily terms, iPhone X costs less upfront but demands caution. Pixel 9 asks more money but feels safer to own in 2026 Bangladesh.

Unofficial Market Buying Risk

When checking iPhone X units in the unofficial / grey market, battery health and True Tone often became problem areas, with many devices failing one or both checks. In comparison, the risk with Pixel 9 is generally lower, though warranty support remains the primary concern for unofficial imports.

For my testing purpose, I picked up both phones, launched PUBG, and played back-to-back for nearly an hour. That’s when the real difference showed. On the iPhone X, the first 15 minutes felt smooth and familiar, but soon the phone warmed up and frame pacing started to wobble. Touch response stayed okay, yet the experience became inconsistent. Switching to the Google Pixel 9 right after, the game didn’t feel flashier, but it stayed steady.

Over longer sessions in COD Mobile and Genshin Impact, the Pixel 9 held performance better with fewer drops and less aggressive heating. Neither phone is a pure gaming monster in today’s market, but in real Bangladeshi conditions warm room, long sessions the Pixel 9 simply stayed playable for longer.

Battery Health Reality

• Daily flow: Pixel 9 feels smooth all day; iPhone X is fast but shows small slowdowns now.

• Battery trust: Pixel 9 gets me through busy days. iPhone X often needs a power bank.

• Camera confidence: Pixel 9 gives usable shots almost every time. iPhone X needs patience.

• Updates & future: Pixel 9 clearly feels built for the next few years.

• Hand feel: iPhone X is compact and pocket-friendly; Pixel 9 is better for typing and media.

The test appeared during regular daily use across different locations in and around the city. I rotated Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel SIMs in both phones for weeks, not just speed tests but real calls, WhatsApp, YouTube, and hotspot use.

• 2G / 3G reliability: Both phones could make calls, but Pixel 9 held signals longer in lifts, stairwells, and older buildings. iPhone X dropped to “searching” more often.

• 4G LTE data stability: During peak hours, Pixel 9 stayed usable for maps and streaming. iPhone X showed slower loading and brief data drops in busy areas.

• Call quality & handover: Pixel 9 handled moving between towers more smoothly. The iPhone X sometimes clipped audio when switching cells.

• Wi-Fi performance: On congested home and office routers, Pixel 9 maintained stable speeds. iPhone X occasionally lagged or reduced range.

• Future readiness: Pixel 9 supports newer bands and 5G Network, giving it a clear advantage for Bangladesh’s upcoming network upgrades, while iPhone X feels limited today.

I noticed the difference the moment I took a photo and checked it on the screen. With the iPhone X, results depended heavily on lighting. Daylight shots looked fine, but indoors or at night I often had to retake photos. Pixel 9 felt far more reliable point, shoot, and the result was usually usable on the first try. Low-light photos were brighter, cleaner, and more consistent, and video looked steadier while walking.

That reliability is helped by the display. The iPhone X OLED display still looks sharp indoors, but outdoor brightness is weak now. Under Bangladeshi sunlight, photos and text were harder to see. Google Pixel 9’s newer OLED panel felt noticeably brighter and more comfortable for daily use scrolling, watching videos, and reviewing photos.

Want reliability, camera strength, and future support? Go Google Pixel 9. Tight budget and love compact phones? iPhone X can still work, if you choose carefully.

Apple iPhone X still has premium charm, but time has caught up. Pixel 9 delivers a calmer, more reliable experience for most Bangladeshi users. Pixel 9 is the smarter long-term buy.

Which phone feels smoother day to day?

Pixel 9 stays smoother all day. iPhone X is quick but shows age during heavy multitasking.

Is iPhone X camera still good in 2026?

Good in daylight, weak at night. Pixel 9 is far more reliable in mixed lighting.

Network stability in Bangladesh?

Pixel 9 holds signals better, especially on busy 4G networks and indoor locations.

Software support difference?

Pixel 9 receives regular updates. iPhone X is nearing the end of long-term support.

Best value for money today?