The Google Pixel 9 Pro series looks, feels, and performs as well as it should for its price. But this early Amazon Spring Sale deal makes it even more enticing.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a starting price of $1,099, while the Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999.
For the price, you’re getting a larger, brighter-than-ever 6.8-inch display, exclusive Google AI features, and the most forgiving camera system on the market.
I just wish the base storage (128GB) was at least double and the AI features were more reliable.
On Amazon, even ahead of the retailers, Big Spring Sale, every single configuration of Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL has seen at least a $200 discount. Prices now start at $899. Several models of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are also on sale.
Holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro series for the first time reminded me of when I held the iPhone 12 Pro for the first time. The shift from the previous year’s curved design to flatter edges made all the difference in its feel and perception of value. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL exude premium, and Google knows it.
That’s why the company is charging you more for its new Pixel phones this year, with the standard model starting at $799, the Pro at $999, and the Pro XL at $1,099. In this economy, it’s a bold move. But in the big picture, Google has only matched what competitors like Samsung and Apple have been pricing their flagship handsets.
Fortunately, you have plenty to gain by paying Google more. From my month of testing the Pro XL model — with short stints using the smaller Pro — I’ve greatly benefitted from upgrades such as the brighter (up to 3,000 nits) display, AI features like Call Notes and Pixel Screenshots, the faster 45W charging, and Tensor G4 chip that has kept the phone running smoothly. The new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is also crazy fast.
With the Pixel 9 Pro series, the design — as unexpected as it is — is the standout feature for me. The flat edges rest smoothly against my hand, giving me a confident grip when swiping and typing, a treatment of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 makes the model twice as durable as last year’s, and whether you prefer a smaller or larger form factor, you’ve got options. By comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro feels like a toy.
My two gripes with the Pixel 9 Pro design are the camera bump and frosted back glass. The former is a longstanding issue with the Google Pixel’s protruding camera bar design, which collects dust and debris around the edges and fingerprint smudges on the visor.
