The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL step things up in a serious way, offering a far improved build quality and tons of new AI features.
The Google Pixel series is growing up. Pixel devices have always been a way for Google to showcase its latest and greatest software features in a way that’s completely unadulterated by tweaks from Android device manufacturers. But ever since the launch of the Pixel 6 series, Google has been taking its phones a little more seriously, slowly improving on hardware while diverging from the so-called stock Android when it comes to software.
But the Pixel 9 series feels like somewhat of a turning point. At first glance, it would be easy to assume that the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro devices offer only minor upgrades compared to those in the Pixel 8 series. But, on the contrary, the Pixel 9 series represents a massive leap forward when it comes to things like build quality and overall feel. Those are important factors when you’re trying to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple.
Not only that, but for the Pixel 9 series, there are finally more options. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is available in two sizes, which means you can get a smaller pro-level Pixel phone without sacrificing on things like camera features.
Are the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL worth your hard-earned cash? Or should you spend that money on a Galaxy device? I’ve been using the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL for a while now to find out.Google Pixel 9 Pro specsThe best-made Pixel ever
The Google Pixel 9 Pro retains many of the design elements from previous Pixel phones, including the camera bar across the back of the device. But it also offers a number of design tweaks that I actually quite like.
For starters, that camera bar is a little more distinct and avoids blending into the frame like Pixel phones before it. It’s certainly noticeable, but I like the look, and it helps give the phone a unique design without verging on looking too silly.
Other aspects of the overall design are to be expected. On the right edge of the phone, you’ll find a power button and volume rocker, while on the bottom, there’s a USB-C port.
Perhaps more important, however, is how the phone feels. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is leaps and bounds ahead of the Pixel 8 Pro when it comes to build quality and an overall premium feeling phone. Google has made a series of design tweaks that help make the phone feel more comfortable in your hand while ensuring that the Pixel 9 Pro is durable and well-built.
The phone is built with an aluminum frame around the edges, and on the Pro devices, that frame is a glossy metallic. The front and back of the device are made from matte Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensuring it remains nice and durable. I really like the matte look on the Pro phones compared to the glossy back of the standard Pixel 9.
There are small details that help make the phone feel nicer too. For example, the frame has nicely rounded edges that help it feel more comfortable, similar to what Apple has done for the iPhone 15 series. The phones feel solid and strong, and frankly, I think they’re some of the most premium-feeling phones you can get in 2024.
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available in four colorways, including Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian. I have the Obsidian Pixel 9 Pro and the Porcelain Pixel 9 Pro XL, and both look stunning. The Obsidian color is obviously more subtle and will be the go-to for those who simply want a black device, but I really like the premium look of the Porcelain, too.
Even the haptics feel better on the phone. Haptics are an area where Apple has always been leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, but the haptics on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL feel precise and well-tuned. It definitely adds to the experience.
Generally, I absolutely love the overall look and feel of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. I particularly like that you can get a pro Pixel in a smaller build that’s more pocketable and portable. I prefer larger phones, so in the long term, I’d likely reach for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but having the option to get a smaller pro-level Pixel 9 is very helpful for those with different preferences.A stunning, vibrant display
The displays on both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL look stunning. Obviously, the screen size is one of the major differences between these two phones and probably the main reason you’d get the Pixel 9 Pro XL over the Pixel 9 Pro. On the Pixel 9 Pro, you’ll get a 6.3-inch display with a 1280 x 2856 resolution. On the Pixel 9 Pro XL, that’s stepped up to a 6.8-inch display with a 1344 x 2992 resolution.
No matter which Pixel 9 Pro you get, you’ll have an LTPO OLED display that can range between 1Hz and 120Hz and has a peak brightness of 3000 nits. It pretty much ticks all the boxes when it comes to a great-looking screen. Details are crisp, colors are vibrant, and the display is easily bright enough to be visible even in outdoor use.
We’re reaching a point now where I’m not quite sure how much better smartphone displays need to get. At least in their current size, they don’t need to have a higher resolution, and the brightness on offer by high-end smartphones is more than enough. With a 120Hz refresh rate, they feel smooth and responsive. Again, both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL tick all of those boxes — so don’t expect any difference in quality, just a difference in size.
Cool, calm, and high-performance
Ever since the switch to Google Tensor chips, Pixel phones have been criticized for their performance. Critics argue that the performance of these Tensor chips doesn’t quite live up to the competition from the likes of Qualcomm and Apple, and to be fair, that’s true. When it comes to the numbers, the Pixel 9 Pro doesn’t compete with the iPhone 15 Pro.
