Pricing starts at $999.
Additionally, both phones share the color options: Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian.
My review units, pictured throughout this review, are the Hazel and Obsidian models.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
In myinitial hands-on post, I noted that the phone felt slippery, and that opinion hasn’t changed.
The wide camera visor has given the Pixel series its distinctive appearance, which isn’t changing this year.
I never found a reason to set either phone to full resolution because they looked great as is.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro features a sophisticated design, a powerful Tensor G4 processor, and 16 GB of RAM, making it ideal for advanced AI applications, stunning photos, and videos. It includes a pro triple rear camera system, a 42 MP front camera, and the brightest Super Actua display, offering an immersive experience in two sizes. Pricing starts at $999.
Under the hood, both phones are powered by the Tensor G4 and 16GB of RAM.
When I tell you that this gadget has more than enough power, I mean it.
Every task I threw at these Pixels ran smoothly and without issue.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro features a sophisticated design, a powerful Tensor G4 processor, and 16 GB of RAM, making it ideal for advanced AI applications, stunning photos, and videos. It includes a pro triple rear camera system, a 42 MP front camera, and the brightest Super Actua display, offering an immersive experience in two sizes. Pricing starts at $999.
This isn’t a problem with handsets that include magnets, as those align everything perfectly.
Beyond that, Google has promised seven years of firmware, security, and Pixel Drop software updates.
Basically, this phone should continue receiving support for as long as you own the equipment.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers an expansive 6.8-inch Super Actua display, combined with the powerful Tensor G4 processor and 16 GB of RAM for top-tier AI performance and advanced photography. It features Google’s most advanced camera system, including a pro triple rear camera and a 42 MP front camera, all within a sleek design starting at $1,099.
Two that received a lot of attention were Add Me and Reimagine.
You then hand off your phone, and then they take a photo of you in the same scene.
The phone then stitches these together, making you look like you were in the original shot.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
Ultimately, though, I found these to be mostly gimmicky.
Thankfully, Google announced several other AI features that are a bit more useful.
The perfect example of this in action happened a couple of days into testing the Pixel 9 Pro.
While scrolling Threads, I read a post about a new note-taking app.
I took a screenshot of the post to remember the promo code if I used the app.
I don’t know if the Pixel Screenshots app needs to be standalone.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
Call Notes is the perfect addition to this collection.
I was surprised by how well this feature worked.
Besides looking rather realistic, I was surprised by how well the Pixel Studio app handled text.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
You get a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto.
All three produce terrific coloring, with very minor differences when switching between sensors.
I’m not the biggest fan of the ultrawide camera, though.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
When capturing landscapes, the lens creates a pretty extreme fisheye effect.
The front of the Mini Cooper is stretched out, making it not so mini.
Also, don’t expect miracles when digitally zooming all the way to 10x.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
Under the glass, you’ll find a 42MP camera with a 103-degree field of view.
While the other sensors aren’t bad, you’ll get more data with the Pixel 9 Pro.
I noticed this when Portrait mode is enabled and disabled.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
Pro vs.
Pro XL: Which Screen Size Do You Prefer?
Honestly, deciding between the standard Pixel 9 Pro and the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL is pretty easy.
Because everything under the hood is basically identical, purchase the equipment based on your preferred size.
Personally, the regular Pixel 9 Pro got me through most days with at least 30% battery left.
I wouldn’t sacrifice my preference for “smaller” phones just to have 10-20% extra battery performance.
In use, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are almost indistinguishable.
Should You Buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro (or 9 Pro XL)?
In changing its design, Google retains the Pixel’s iconic look while modernizing it.
Plus, most of its Gemini AI features add true utility, which only enhances the great software performance.
If you’re considering either of these Pro phones, you won’t be disappointed.
