The Pixel 9 Pro is one of the absolute best Android phones of the year. Our full review explains why it should be your next phone.
The Google Pixel 9 series is here, and for the first time, those who want a smaller Pro phone can finally have it without needing to compromise on features. Google has given me the Pro phone that I’ve been hoping for.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the middle child of the Pixel 9 line. It’s physically the same size as the base model Pixel 9, but it has the same features as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. It’s the Goldilocks of the Pixel 9 slabs.
If you want a flagship Android phone that is not monstrously large, packs in plenty of power, has a gorgeous design, and even comes in pink, then the Pixel 9 Pro is one of the best choices you can make.Google Pixel 9 Pro: specsGoogle Pixel 9 Pro: design
The Pixel 9 Pro’s design is one of my favorite things about the phone. While the Pixel line has always had a unique look that sets it apart from the competition, the new aesthetic for the Pixel 9 lineup as a whole really stands out. In a way, it feels so much more modern and sleek than before.
This year, Google flattened the frame across the entire Pixel 9 family, similar to what Apple has done for several years with the iPhone. When you combine this with the rounded corners, the Pixel 9 Pro is very comfortable to hold, even for extended periods of time.
Another big change is the new camera bar. Rather than extending out to the phone’s edges, it is now an elongated capsule shape that’s more like a camera island. Honestly, I like this new design better than the old one. It’s still distinctive, like the camera bar, but it looks much cleaner.
The back of the Pixel 9 Pro is a matte finish glass, and the aluminum frame has a glossy polish, making it look very premium. The buttons are tactile and have a nice click when pressed, the speakers sound great, and the new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is very reliable. The Pixel 9 Pro also has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, so it’s extremely durable. Also, props to Google for keeping a physical SIM card tray at the bottom.
I’ve seen people say that the Pixel 9 redesign feels very iPhone-like, and that’s fair criticism. But maybe that’s also why I like it so much. The Pixel 9 Pro is just well-made hardware with a premium look and feel. It’s really beautiful this year.
And hey, Google gave us a pink (Rose Quartz) color, which I absolutely love. If pink isn’t your color, there is also Obsidian, Porcelain, and Hazel.Google Pixel 9 Pro: screen and performance
The Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, just like the base model Pixel 9, but it is a Super Actua LTPO OLED panel with 1280 by 2856 resolution at 495 pixels per inch (ppi) and a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. It also gets 2,000 nits of brightness for HDR content and peaks at 3,000 nits, making this display very usable outdoors. Further, the screen features a uniformly thin bezel all around.
By default, the Pixel 9 Pro is set to the “high resolution” option, which is a slightly lower 960 by 2142 resolution to save battery power. Changing it to “full resolution” was one of the first things I did when I set up my Pixel 9 Pro — it’s worth the slight battery drain, in my eyes.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s Super Actua display is just beautiful, and everything looks great. The colors are bright and vibrant without being overpowering. Whites are truly white, and blacks are deep and inky. Text is sharp and crisp, and scrolling is incredibly fluid with the “Smooth display” setting on.
Regarding performance, the Pixel 9 Pro packs quite a punch with the Tensor G4 chip and 16GB RAM, a first for the Pixel line.
Though Google’s Tensor chips had a rough start, it began to shape up with G3, and the G4 has been doing quite well so far in my testing. I have not experienced any overheating issues with the Pixel 9 Pro, which was a problem with previous models, and all of my apps and games run smoothly without any issues. Opening apps, switching between them, taking many photos, playing games, and everything else is done seamlessly without fault.Google Pixel 9 Pro: cameras
Pixels are known for having reliable cameras, and thankfully, that doesn’t change with the Pixel 9 Pro. Even though this is the smaller version of the Pro this year, Google did not skimp out on the camera hardware, unlike Apple with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a triple-lens camera system on the rear that features a 50-megapixel main camera, 48MP ultrawide camera, and 48MP telephoto camera.
