The problem with a Pixel is the hardware is always a step or two behind what other vendors are doing at the same price point, and they tend to be weirdly buggy for a first-party device. For example the bug where Pixel phones are randomly unable to call emergency services has been happening for years and keeps regressing again and again.
I've been using Pixel 8 for nearly a year now and I agree that it's surprisingly buggy. Also, the chip is excessively power-hungry, especially for the performance it offers. In addition: the modem is bad and very power-hungry as well. And the cherry on top for me was the subpar fingerprint scanner. Can't recommend.
Agree with Pixel < 9. Pixel 9 has an ultrasonic fingerprint reader. The modem is also upgraded to an Exynos 5400, which is much better. Even Pixel fans were complaining about the modems in Pixels, but pretty much everyone is positive about the modem in the Pixel 9.
Beware though that the Pixel 9a still uses the old modem and an optical fingerprint reader.
Until the 9a prices drop it probably doesn't make sense to get a 9a anyway, since the 9 is barely more expensive on a discount.