Early Verdict
The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL prove how AI features complement the experience with practical features that just work, all while sporting upgrades to their display, cameras and performance.
Pros
- +
More helpful AI features
- +
Impressively fast image generation
- +
5x optical zoom in both phones
- +
Brilliant looking screens
Cons
- -
$100 price increase for Pixel 9 Pro XL
- -
Flat edged design
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After using the Pixel 8 Pro for over 6 months as one of my daily drivers, I cannot tell you how it has exceeded my expectations. Not only is it one of the best Android phones around, but also one of the best phones overall with its impressive AI features and camera performance. That’s why I’m eager to test its successors: the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The company’s rearranging its Pixel lineup because instead of just one flagship model, we’re getting two instead — while the standard Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold round things out on the other ends of the spectrum. Given the popularity of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google’s turbocharging its new Pixels with newer cameras, durable designs, and more helpful AI features. As much as Apple Intelligence claims to redefine the iPhone experience, I think these new Pixel phones take it a step further.
In my Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL hands-on, I’ll explain the main differences between the two — as well as sharing my early impressions to see if they’re worth the money.
Google Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL: Specifications
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Screen size | 6.3 inches | 6.8 inches |
| CPU | Tensor G4 | Tensor G4 |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto (5x zoom) | 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto (5x zoom) |
| Front camera | 42MP | 42MP |
| Battery size | 4,700 mAh | 5,060 mAh |
| Colors | obsidian, porcelain, hazel, rose quartz | obsidian, porcelain, hazel, rose quartz |
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Price and availability
Just as a reminder, the Pixel 8 Pro launched at $100 more than its predecessor last year with its $999 starting cost — and that’s for a phone with a 6.7-inch display. That’s why the Pixel 9 Pro XL is regarded as its true successor because of its 6.8-inch display, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro has a smaller 6.3-inch one.
Unfortunately, Google’s also marking up the prices of its new Pixels. I think it’s a mistake because Pixels have historically undercut the competition, making them much more appealing options without forking over the typical flagship cost. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL fetch for $999 and $1,099 respectively, which means yet another $100 increase for a phone with the same sized screen as the Pixel 8 Pro.
Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL preorders are available right now, with four color options to choose from: obsidian, porcelain, hazel, and rose quartz.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Design
On the surface, the same peculiar design traits that make the Pixels distinct are present here — but with slight alterations. Most notably, I like the redesigned camera bar on the back of both phones, which now is an elongated pill shaped protrusion as opposed to edge-to-edge one in past devices.
While I’ve been accustomed to handling the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s size, it's a refreshing feeling to hold the smaller Pixel 9 Pro. Apart from the camera cutout, the designs of the new Pixel phones make them look eerily similar to the iPhone 14 Pro series due to the polished metal trims that are not flat as opposed to contoured. I’m on the fence about this peculiar change because the contoured edges make the Pixel 8 Pro much more comfortable to hold.
It’s a change I’m going to need to get used to, but at least they’re still sporting the same matte glass surfaces as before to give them that always clean, smooth look. Google claims they’re twice as durable as the Pixel 8 generation, while Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the screens. I also like the four color options they’re available in, especially rose quartz with its subtle amount of saturation.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Displays
One of the biggest areas Google improved on was the introduction of its Actua displays with last year’s Pixel 8 lineup, which I point out in my Pixel 8 Pro review. The company claims that the Super Actua Displays in its new Pixels, however, are 35% brighter with peak brightness outputs of 2,700 nits.
They’re ambitious claims for the 6.3 and 6.8-inch displays of the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, but given how the Pixel 8 Pro realistically peaks at 1,526 nits, I’d be happy if it manages to exceed 1,600 in Tom’s Guide’s benchmark testing. I pulled up a couple of 4K HDR videos on YouTube on both phones and I’m glad to report they’re just as lovely as ever, complete with wide viewing angles and deep colors that catch my attention.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Cameras
I’ve got to give Google credit here because unlike other flagship pairs, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are outfitted with the same camera arrangement. This turns out to be a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. The latter spec is important because its rivals typically have a divide, much like how the iPhone 15 Pro gets a 3x optical zoom while the iPhone 15 Pro Max gets the better 5x one. So, it’s nice that Google’s giving both phones the same 5x optical zoom.
If that’s not enough, their selfie cameras are also getting a tremendous boost with 42MP front-facing cameras with autofocus. I snapped a couple of selfies on both phones, and based on what was previewed, they look much better than the ones I’ve taken with my Pixel 8 Pro. Another way that the Pro Pixels differ from the standard Pixel 9 (and from the Pixel 8 Pro) is that they gain up to 8K video recording, along with an upgraded Video Boost feature and better low light panorama performance.
For the smaller Pixel 9 Pro, I’m glad that it has the same robust set of camera features as the more expensive Pixel 9 Pro XL — so that may be an incentive to stick with the smaller phone this time around.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Performance
The biggest area of opportunity for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL without a doubt has to be its processing performance, mainly because it’s underperformed against rivals chips like Apple’s A17 Pro and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. With the Tensor G4 calling the shots, I’m eager to see what improvements it has over last year’s Tensor G3.
First of all, both flagship models are accompanied by a generous 16GB of RAM, which not only allows it to better multitask between apps, but to also boost its AI performance. I was impressed by how it took just 4 seconds for it to generate a custom image with its new Pixel Studio generator. Google claims that the Tensor G4 is 20% faster at web browsing and 17% faster launching apps.
Other everyday tasks, like running apps and moving around the interface, feels buttery smooth with its actions and animations. Although, the Tensor G4 chipset needs to pull out all the stops when it comes to benchmark tests — more the Tensor G3 lagged way behind the competition.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Battery
Honestly, battery life’s going to come down to the power efficiency of the Tensor G4 chip. That’s largely because the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 5,060 mAh battery, which is marginally better than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 5,050 mAh one.
In theTom’s Guide’s battery benchmark test, the Pixel 8 Pro trailed behind its rivals. It posted a time of 10 hours and 3 minutes, falling short of the 14 hours posted by the iPhone 15 Pro Max — and nowhere close to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s remarkable 16+ hours time. Google claims that the battery is 20% longer, which I suppose should be a welcome relief that it’ll be better this time.
Power efficiency will also play a role in how the smaller Pixel 9 Pro will perform with its even smaller 4,700 mAh battery. Clearly the bar has been set high, so these phones can’t afford to fall further behind. On the flip side, though, Google updates these phones with faster 45W speeds — which is up from last year’s sluggish 30W speed.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Software & AI
Before Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI, Google was paving the way for AI in phones. That continues to be the case for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL that add even more helpful Google AI features into the fold. I got a demo of many of them, and came away convinced that Google’s making a lot more headway in the mobile space with AI.
First of all, Google Gemini is the virtual assistant that handles everything on the phone — from getting details from a photo you take, to pulling in invite details from your emails. What makes it even more formidable in helping you out is that Google’s giving these phones one year of Google Gemini Advanced at no cost. But that’s not the best part about the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL in my opinion.
That’s because they exceed in deepening their toolkit with brand practical AI features that you’ll likely use more often than not. For example, the AR-assisting abilities of its Add Me feature guides you to have the photographer be included in the photo — with the end result appearing authentic.
Magic Editor gains additional skills that make it a much more complete, comprehensive photo editor. I’m inclined to say it’s the best AI-assisted photo editing tool I’ve come across, especially its new ability to reframe or extend a photo with the help of generative AI. I also tried out the new Reimagine feature, which lets me make selections in the photo and tell Magic Editor to create something new.
I asked Magic Editor to turn the background of a selfie I’ve taken and transform it into a beach scene. While there were a couple of odd compositions, I think it pulled off a convincing shot with one of them.
Rounding things out is Pixel Studio, which uses a text box to generate new images and sketches based on my description. I asked it to make an image with “black cats fighting against teenage mutant ninja turtles on the beach,” and I was astonished by what it delivered. Yeah, I got a good chuckle from all of them, but it was super quick at generating the images. No other phone currently offers anything similar to this out of the box, so it’s a tool I can see myself using.
Call Screen has been one of my favorite AI features with the Pixel 8 Pro, allowing Google Assistant to take phone calls on my behalf, but the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL gain the added convenience of Call Notes. Essentially, it will record your phone calls and then create a summary about it — which is swell if your short term memory isn’t that great.
And finally, the last feature you should know about is the Pixel exclusive Screenshot app. I’m still on the fence about using it as much as the other features, mainly because it involves taking a lot of screenshots. It basically leans on AI to analyze the contents of your screenshots, so it can recall them later on. For example, you would use Pixel Screenshots to recall the passcode of a lock you’ve saved as a screenshot in a WhatsApp group thread. I think this requires a lot more management for it to effectively work, but it can certainly save you time.
All of these features amplify the software in these two phones. Oddly enough, however, they’re launching with Android 14 instead of Android 15. This means they won’t gain the new features of Android 15 that were first introduced at Google I/O 2024 until a later date. Despite this, these Pixels still get the same outstanding 7 years of major software and security updates that make Google’s phones prized in the space.
Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Outlook
Google’s unintentionally putting itself in a bind with this year’s Pixels because of the price hike for the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. It’s hard to tell right now if the $100 increase is justified by its new AI features, so I think it’ll ultimately come down to how well these flagships perform in all the usual categories. On the flip side, however, I have to applaud Google for giving its smaller phone the same amount of love by keeping the same set of cameras found with the pricier Pixel 9 Pro XL. In fact, it’s a front runner for those who prefer smaller phones.
These phones kick off the upcoming holiday season, so they can’t afford to come up short knowing that the iPhone 16 is right around the corner. They need to set the bar high, or face being written off by competing devices between now and the end of the year. I know that price hikes are inevitable, but these Pixels need to overperform in order to stay relevant and remain competitive.
