Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: Google Is Doing Its Best iPhone Impression

The Pixel 9 expect and feels like an iPhone , through and through . I ’m not just saying that to be incitive and get a rise out of the Android versus Io crew . Even if I am known to do that , there were far too many clip I kept tell to myself , “ Boy , this Pixel 9 Pro XL for certain feel like an iPhone . ” Everything from the curve on the rounded corners to the flattened - out sides to the fact that there are three models instead of two feels in spades Apple - like . There are even undivided features thatare only available if you buy specific model , in the main in the AI realm .

I have lots to say about each of the Pixel 9 models launching this earpiece season . This review chiefly screen the Pixel 9 Pro XL , which you get if you expend the most money on a Google phone — $ 1,100 with 256 GB of storage . Most of this inspection explain the departure between the other models so you know what you ’re save money on or spending more for . ( you may alsoread this abridged versionif you desire the first down . ) The most crucial thing to remember before buying any Pixel 9 devices is this : shop for the fresh Pixel 9 is a “ safe , better , best ” situation . The “ in effect ” phone is the submission - level Pixel 9 , the “ right ” telephone set is the Pixel 9 Pro XL , and the “ best ” phone is the Pixel 9 professional simply because it is the stark sizing for most people .

Google Pixel 9 / Pixel 9 Pro / Pixel 9 Pro XL

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The Pixel 9 family is a worthy jump if the iPhone way of life is n’t serving you anymore .

pro

Cons

© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 9 Pro comes in two flavors this generation: small and big (XL).

Google Pixel 9: DesignGoldilocks and the three Pixel 9s

lastly , Google finalize on a design prototype that is n’t just a photographic camera ginmill across the back of the Pixel gimmick . This year ’s models adopt an oblong tv camera bar that looks more clear-cut than the rectangle metal that beautify thePixel 7andPixel 8 . Granted , a few earpiece have just a legal community across the back . Whenever I see one of these in the wilderness , I right away know it ’s a Pixel , the same manner I know when I see the stovetop that it ’s an iPhone . At least thisgeneration ’s Pixel design is a little more futurist . There ’s something about how the back television camera module pops out that ’s satisfying , and it ’s because the rest of the earphone feel balanced and sturdy .

With a case on , you’re able to scarcely tell the Pixel 9 Pro XL from theiPhone 15 Pro Maxwhen both screens are off . I ’m not saying that Google purposefully designed this after the iPhone . But this move is much in the same vein as Samsung slowly maximizes the curvature on itsGalaxy phonesto suggest an iPhone - like look from afar . Anyway , whatever Google did here with the design and mental synthesis material is what it should have been doing a while ago . The pliant buns over the last few coevals felt chintzy . This clock time , it feels like a $ 1,100 telephone .

The good news is that you do n’t have to expend that much on the Pixel 9 if you do n’t want everything it does . It comes in three variants this year . Here ’s a general breakdown of the poser :

© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 8 Pro compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

All three devices carry on the fourth - generation Google - made Tensor G4 mainframe . They embark with Android 14 ( where isAndroid 15 , anyway ? ) , and each has a electric battery to accommodate the various screen size of it and capabilities . The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are the same size of it ; if you look for cases , you will probably see listings for the Pixel 9/9 Pro freestanding from the Pixel 9 Pro XL . They also have the same stamp battery size of it .

Like the iPhone kinsperson , there ’s a discrete difference of opinion in color esthetic between the introduction - level flagship Pixel 9 and the costly Pro - level Pixels . All phone models number in four colors , two of which are pitch-black and white-hot . Pixel 9 users can also select from more pastel colors like green or peony , while Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL users can select between a grayish - green call Hazel or a prominent pinko called Rose Quartz .

Buy Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at Amazon

© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 9 in its three flavors: Pixel 9Pro (left), Pixel 9 Pro XL (middle), and Pixel 9 (right).

Buy Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at Best Buy

If you desire a Pixel 9 , ask yourself whether you want a smartphone for its camera capability or one for its utility . The primal difference between models are size of it , execution , and photographic camera capabilities . But the just intelligence is that if you are starting with the Pro , now there are two sizes to choose from rather than defaulting to using the largest smartphone .

Like the Pixel 8 before it , the Pixel 9 is a barebones Pixel experience . You get a 6.3 - inch Actua display , a duple camera system featuring a 50 - military policeman extensive - angle television camera , and a 48 - MP ultrawide with macro focus capabilities . The same Tensor CPU powers it as the Pro variants but with less RAM , though there ’s still a little more than you used to get . I ’m relieved that Google demote it up to 12 GB for the Pixel 9 because I have skin the last two seasons with a simple 8 GB of RAM . I ’m mouth about shutting down apps and using the photographic camera in airplane mode so that all resourcesare dedicatedto the task at hand . This extra bump - up in memory board is necessary for all that Google is pushing with its AI capableness .

© Florence Ion / GizmodoThe Pixel 9 was the only one of the three new devices to stick to Google’s promise of 24 hours of battery.

The Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL elevate to 16 GB of memory , put it on par with performance releases like theOnePlus 12 , which also boasts 12 - 16 GB of RAM . The Pro ’s camera organization is bumped up from the regular Pixel 9 , too : in plus to the same primary and petty lens , there ’s a third 48 - MP telephoto camera , which enables 5x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom on both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL .

There are a fistful of feature you ’ll escape out on if you go for the $ 800 Pixel 9 over the Pros . First , there are no Pro controls available in the camera , nor is there a High - Res mood , which lets you dash with the full 50 - MP rather than the pixel bin behind the scenes . There ’s also no Zoom Enhance since there is limited optical rapid climb to leveraging , nor is thereVideo Boost , whichups the quality of the video recording ’s lighting , colors , and inside information , or Night Sight Video , which is how you get cracking trail effects from pasture brake brightness level at night .

The Pixel 9 Pro seems like the upright softwood for all . I plan to make a more significant case about this once my pre - order gets here , but inshort , it ’s not too big like the Pixel 9 Pro XL , yetit ’s equippedwith the same capacity . award , the big earphone might be the one that outsells the other two Pixel 9 machine as theiPhone 15 Pro Max did in its family , but the full stop is that there ’s a telephone set that ’s small - hand - sized without being bear down with access to the in high spirits - terminal part of the Android life-style . And unlike the iPhone 15 Pro , the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL do n’t differentiate in ocular zoom . Youare just choosing whether you desire a big or modest phone .

A screenshot of Satellite SOS appearing in the notification shade

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Pixel 9 Review: PerformanceIt’s all about AI processing

As I mentioned in the first place , a measly 8 GB of memory was n’t work out for me with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 . I ’m thrilled that Google bump up the RAM offering because it means things will feel smoother , at least when simultaneously load up Pokémon Go and Spotify . I had bother with that week ago on holiday with the Pixel 8 . With the Pixel 9 , I feel more confident playing around with AI without fear it will bog down the repose of the system . I did not have that kind of confidence these last two contemporaries .

The Google Tensor G4 CPU magnate up the Pixel 9 , and Google promises increased speed in web browsing , app launching , and overall great power efficiency . We know the central processing unit flak off at 3.1GHz , a thin increase from last yr ’s chip , and that it ’s best tune up for Google ’s AI deception . It ’s also equipped with satellite connectivity , which I ’ll get into shortly .

Geekbench does n’t typically work with pre - release Pixel hardware , and we favour more real - Earth testing anyway , so we ’ll have to stick to up on how this new Tensor G4 CPU performs in numbers . If you scope outthe headlinesnow , you ’ll see cite that the fleck performs “ behind ” Qualcomm ’s tantamount chipsets . Again , these chips are for process Google ’s AI , not necessarily for inspiring long gaming sessions , though they can do that .

A photo taken with the Pixel 9 Pro XL

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Battery public presentation is the well it ’s ever been for the Pixel serial , though it ’s still not iPhone - grade . Samsung ’s Galaxy S24 serial publication and the iPhone have outlast Google ’s past few flagships in our slightly dated but effective electric battery rundown trial . We mainly screen for on - screen time by streaming a YouTube video until the speech sound cash in one’s chips . The Pixel 9 Pro XL hold out nearly 23 hour in our shelling summing up trial . The iPhone 15 Pro Max survive it by over two hour . The smaller Pixel 9 Pro wield a little more than 20 hours . The Pixel 9 , despite having the same screenland size and assault and battery , lasted nearly 24 hour . That can be attribute to itsbasicActua display versus the LTPO used in the Super Actua on the Pro variants . Sometimes , burnished is n’t good , especially if it taxes on your battery .

Satellite SOS

Some will spend meter calling this a catching - up - to - Apple feature , but we should be more relieved that Android users now have some access to satellite connectivity for hand brake . Google ’s version isSatellite SOS , which work like Apple’sEmergency SOS . The feature of speech have you use a satellite connection to contact to call for assist . Satellite SOS is toter agnostical , though it will only work in the continental U.S. at launching . You ’ll have touse the Google Messages app to get at it , just like on iOS .

Google partnered withSkylo , a caller that ’s worked with phone manufacturers likeBullit , to offer a alike feature on phones for devices used on job land site . The quite a little is like Apple ’s in that there ’s exclusivity with the Pixel 9 handsets , mean Android devices made by other manufacturers will have to find another manner to connect to satellite . Qualcomm has been working on itssatellite offeringwith Iridium , the web that power up the Garmin meshwork . But we ’re still expect for a prominent OEM like Samsung , which uses Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon chips , to get on panel .

Satellite SOSbecame available mightily after I publish this review . I did receive a notice Ping River that it was ready to use . If you get the same command prompt , follow the demoto learn how to plug in to the satellite electronic internet before you ever need it .

A photo taken with the Pixel 9 Pro XL

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Google Pixel 9 Pro: CameraReliable cameras with new AI tricks

The Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL camera is better than before in the Pixel 8 professional . It ’s the same 50 - MP pixel - binning camera with a more or less big sensor to capture more wakeful . The 9 Pro / Pro XL ’s primary television camera lens has an aperture subject at f/1.68 over the Pixel 8 Pro ’s f/1.7 . The difference can help with things like depth effect and , of course of study , night modality . The ultrawide camera detector was also upgraded to a full 48 - MP sensor compared to 12 - MP in last year ’s outlet . The telephotograph photographic camera stays the same with 48 - MP , offer the same 5x optical zoom and 30x Super Res Zoom , or digital zoom , as its precursor .

Google did some fine - tuning to make the first shot you take with a Pixel 9 desirable of post without an edit . I see the subtle differences in the color temperature of the photos necessitate at the same clock time of day between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 . The Pixel 8 takes its cue from the sky and tint dispirited ; on the Pixel 9 , it ’s a tad more white-livered - orange , so the dirt path stands out a bit more . Night Sight photograph also have a more balanced colour temperature across the board , and it was especially evident in the full moon exposure I train during the testing geological period .

The front - facing cameras on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL are disparate experiences across the board . The regular Pixel 9 has a 10.5 - MP camera , while the Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL has a higher solution 42 - MP selfie camera with a wider champaign of opinion . I was disappointed with my experience with the Pixel 8 ’s front - face tv camera during my yr of using it . I often looked for one of the brushup devices with a good detector to record a confessional or something of the kind . The 10.5 - MP sensor will be fine for video chatting , but I sense more vindicate over my choice to give more for the smaller Pixel 9 Pro to upgrade that selfie photographic camera .

A photo taken with the Pixel 9 Pro XL at night

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With every new Pixel spillage , Google bundles in a potpourri of illustrious raw features to dulcorate the bargain on its hardware and vitrine what its algorithmic rule can do . For the Pixel 9 series , the best young features are in the Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL , though the Pixel 9 is capable of some conjuration , too .

Add Meis the marquee AI - infused feature article available on all three equipment , which Google is pushing heavily with this particular generation . The mind is that most folk who take the picture are n’t always in them , so why not think of a built - in mode that permit the person behindthe cameraget a chance to get into theshot?I’m in favour of a tool like this since I ’m the one who always takesphotosof other people . But Add Me demand some opinion beforehand and a very steady smartphone . Thisisn’t a featuretorushthroughbecause theresult seems worth it . Iwas regrettably quarantinedfrommy family during this review process , but Iplantodivemore into thecapabilitiesbehind this feature , peculiarly as it relate to a group photo featuring fiddling Thomas Kyd .

Google ’s other fresh feature article is the raise Panorama way . It mainly involve interface changes in the panorama prompt to help you sew the photo . I ’ve always been a fan of Google ’s panoramic capability , and I wonder if this will re - spark an sake in posting scenic photo to Google Maps . At the very least , I plan to use this to get extra background point into a picture .

A photo of Panorama mode on the Pixel 8

Panorama mode on the Pixel 8*

Pixel 9’s AI Software tricks

Pixel Studiois another big part of the Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL ’s enhanced AI capableness . It ’s an image source based on the latest Imagen 3 textual matter - to - image role model . It ’s ok . I can fake photos of Hello Kitty with it . I do n’t plan to use it much because it still clamber with creepy image contemporaries . The double I generate of a bluebird in the sky , Zanzibar copal style , has four talons on one pegleg and three on the other . It ’s just unearthly . It ’s too horrifying to flatten into a kid ’s natal day party invitation .

The Reimagine feature of speech available in Google Photos , in picky , has causedquite a bit of controversybecause of its ability to recreate scenes of disaster and fake a friend ’s drug drug abuse . We will eventually have a larger conversation about what the future mean with a smartphone that can deflect the rules of world , particularly after Apple Intelligence push through itsClean Up featurefor all to use . For now , I say this : if you ’re not concerned in anything I just described here , there ’s nowhere to go except back toward Apple . Whatever we hump about Apple Intelligence is only sufferable because it ’s about a year behind the rest of the Android ecosystem . If it want to keep substance abuser on , Google needs a better way to let masses opt out .

Google Pixel 9 Review: Verdict

The Pixel 9 serial publication is n’t a smartphone household that competes with its other Android OEM blood brother . It ’s here to entice you by from Apple ’s walled garden . From the comment I ’m seeing on Reddit and across different parts of social medium , the bombilation is that this is the Pixel model to justify a break from iOS ’s well - dress walled garden . Indeed , if you were one of those the great unwashed waiting for a Pixel to leap from the iPhone , this would be it .

Do n’t forthwith jump on the Pixel 9 if you ’re on another Android twist . In the past , I’vebeen quick to concludethat the latest Google Pixel flagship istheAndroid phone to own . I ’m changing my tune with this generation . I like all the forward - facing feature film that are a part of the Pixel 9/9 Pro ’s collective identity and how the models have been cleave up to offer a smaller Pro - grade machine for smaller hands . But the Pixel 9 lineup has its entire identicalness drag in with where Google is hedge its bets for the rest of its business . It ’s too much too forced right now .

I will trade in my infrastructure - example Pixel 8 for a Pixel 9 Pro . I hope the price increase is deserving the extra memory and camera capabilities and that I wo n’t find as let down by the equipment as I did these last two generations . My unit is schedule to arrive after the iPhone madness comes upon us . Then , we ’ll also have fresh iPhone devices to liken to the Pixel 9 . Stay tuned for more .

A photo of Panorama mode on the Pixel 9

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Pixel 9 front facing photo sample