Google’s new Pixel 9 Pro XL adds more RAM for more AI features. There are a few other improvements and a new design, but it also costs more.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Intro
The Pixel 9 Pro XL feels like the first phone that is truly all-in on AI and the future. It helps that Google has also made it nearly perfect in terms of hardware.
What is not so good is that Google has hiked the price this year, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL now starts at $1,100, closer than ever to the $1,200 price of the iPhone Pro Max model. And it also looks a lot like an iPhone.
But of course, it’s not an iPhone, it’s an AI phone.
Many of the newly announced Google AI features are related to Gemini, including the incredible Gemini Live, which feels almost indistinguishable from talking to a real person. However, that is available on most other Android phones as well, it’s not a Pixel exclusive.
Other AI features like the photo Reimagine tool you can only get on the Pixel and they allow you to alter photos in crazy ways almost too easily. And yet other AI features like a full integration of Gemini with your Gmail and Google Calendar are yet to come.
In terms of hardware upgrades, the new Tensor G4 chip gets better cooling, so gaming is now much more tolerable, and both battery life and charging are better than before. This might just be the best Android phone of the year, so let’s dive in.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
7.4
PhoneArena Rating
6.9
Price Class Average
Battery Life
7.8
6.9
Photo Quality
7.8
6.8
Video Quality
6.6
6
Charging
6.1
6.7
View all ratings
Performance Peak
4.8
5.8
Performance Daily
6.3
6.5
Display Quality
8
7.9
Design
8
7.4
Wireless Charging
6.9
6.6
Biometrics
8
7.3
Audio
8
7.5
Software
10
7.1
Why the score?
This device scores 6.8% better than the average for this price class, which includes devices like the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola razr Plus (2024)
How do we rate?
Disclaimer: We use a new review rating system at PhoneArena, and you may notice the total score is now lower than you might be used to. Don’t be fooled that the lower number means the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a bad phone. Instead, the idea is to look at the scores in the context of the price class, and this new Pixel actually scores higher than the average for its price.
We believe this a better system, covering a number of categories and providing a holistic view of the device, plus there is less bias with this scoring system. You can learn more about our PhoneArena Review Score here.
Table of Contents:
Specs
Design and Display
Camera
Performance
Software
Battery and Charging
Should you buy it?
Also read:
Pixel 9 Pro Preview: Google built the dream compact phone
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Pixel 7 Pro: two years of evolution!Google Pixel 9 Pro XL SpecsMore RAM, a faster chip and faster charging
Pixel 9 Pro XL on the left and Pixel 8 Pro on the right
Before we dive in the new features, take a closer look at the hardware differences between the new Pixel 9 Pro XL model and the Pixel 8 Pro from last year:
Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel 8 Pro
Size
162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm
221g Size
162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm
213g
Display
6.8-inch
Super Actua
1344p
1-120Hz Display
6.7-inch
Super Actua
1344p
1-120Hz
Processor
Google Tensor G4
16GB RAM Processor
Google Tensor G3
12GB RAM
Storage
128GB – $1,100
256GB – $1,200
512GB – $1,320
1TB – $1,550 Storage
128GB – $1,000
256GB – $1,060
512GB – $1,180
1TB – $1,400
Android 14
7 years of OS updates Android 14
7 years of OS updates
Triple Rear Camera
50MP main, f/1.68, 1/1.31″ sensor
48MP ultra-wide, f/1.7
48MP 5X zoom, f/2.8
42MP front cam Triple Rear Camera
50MP main, f/1.7, 1/1.31″ sensor
48MP ultra-wide, f/2.0
48MP 5X zoom, f/2.8
10.5MP front cam
Battery
5060 mAh Battery
5050 mAh
Charging
37W wired charge
23W wireless charging Charging
30W wired charge
23W wireless charging
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Design and DisplayNew design with flat sides and an even brighter screen
New flat sides transform the look of the Pixel 9 Pro XL (Image by PhoneArena)
Google stuck with a similar design for its Pixel phones in the past few years, but the new Pixel 9 Pro XL finally shakes things up with an all-new look. We now get flat sides, a modern look that was first pioneered by Apple, but recently adopted by most Android phone makers.
Google says this new Pixel is twice more durable compared to last year’s model, which the company seems to measure using drop tests. Since you have the same materials, an aluminum frame and Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and front, this seems to be all thanks to the new design, which absorbs impact better.
It feels more comfortable to hold (Image by PhoneArena)
The Pixel 9 Pro XL also comes with a matte glass back, so you don’t need to worry about fingerprint marks, and on the sides you have shiny, polished aluminum, which looks cool but that one attracts smudges easily. Standard flagship features like IP68 water and dust protection are of course present too.
Obsidian
Porcelain
Hazel
Rose Quartz
You can get the 9 Pro XL in one of these colors:
Obsidian – black/dark gray color
Porcelain – warm white
Hazel – green/brown (somewhat similar to Pixel 7 Pro)
Rose Quartz – light rose color
We miss the cool blue “Bay” color of the previous generation, but hey, you now have a pink version instead.
In terms of buttons, you have the power and volume keys on the right hand side, a bit higher than before. No fancy Action buttons or Capture buttons here.
Considering this is a premium phone, Google is definitely not being very generous with the unboxing experience. You get a slim box made of recycled materials, where you will find the phone and a 3-feet (1 meter) USB-C cable, but not much else. There is no charger in the box, no case and no screen protector. You will have to purchase all of those separately.
This screen gets super bright (Image by PhoneArena)
The screen size of the 9 Pro XL is only slightly larger, 6.8 inches vs 6.7 inches on the previous model, but that is such a tiny difference in real life that you won’t even notice.
The screen quality, however, has improved, and especially the brightness. The 9 Pro XL reaches peak brightness of 3,000 nits compared to 2,400 nits on the Pixel 8 Pro, which was already one of the brightest phones we have ever tested.
Display Measurements:
Screen measurements
Color charts
Maximum brightnessHigher is betterMinimum brightness(nits)Lower is betterColor temperature(Kelvins)GammaDelta E rgbcmyLower is betterDelta E grayscaleLower is better
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 2052
(Excellent) 1.9
(Good) 6731
(Excellent) 2.26
1.39
(Excellent) 4.98
(Average)
Google Pixel 8 Pro 1449
(Excellent) 1.9
(Good) 6895
(Excellent) 2.22
1.43
(Excellent) 5.23
(Average)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 1280
(Excellent) 1.1
(Good) 6543
(Excellent) 1.93
2.86
(Good) 6.45
(Average)
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 1092
(Good) 2
(Good) 6844
(Excellent) 2.25
2.52
(Good) 7.21
(Average)
View
all
Color gamut
Color accuracy
Grayscale accuracy
The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set(area)of colors that a display can reproduce,with the sRGB colorspace(the highlighted triangle)serving as reference.The chart also provides a visual representation of a display’s color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square.
