Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: Google Is Doing Its Best iPhone Impression

The Pixel 9 looks and feels like an iPhone, through and through. I’m not just saying that to be inflammatory and get a rise out of the Android versus iOS crowd. Even if I am known to do that, there were far too many times I kept saying to myself, “Boy, this Pixel 9 Pro XL sure feels like an iPhone.” Everything from the curve on the rounded corners to the flattened-out sides to the fact that there are three models instead of two feels decidedly Apple-like. There are even exclusive features that are only available if you purchase specific models, mainly in the AI realm.

I have lots to say about each of the Pixel 9 models launching this phone season. This review primarily tests the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which you get if you spend the most money on a Google phone —$1,100 with 256GB of storage. Most of this review explains the differences between the other models so you know what you’re saving money on or spending more for. (You can also read this abridged version if you want the low down.) The most important thing to remember before buying any Pixel 9 devices is this: shopping for the new Pixel 9 is a “good, better, best” situation. The “good” phone is the entry-level Pixel 9, the “better” phone is the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the “best” phone is the Pixel 9 Pro simply because it is the perfect size for most people.

Google Pixel 9: Design
Goldilocks and the three Pixel 9s

Finally, Google settled on a design paradigm that isn’t just a camera bar across the back of the Pixel device. This year’s models adopt an oblong camera bar that looks more distinct than the rectangle metal that adorned the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8. Granted, a few phones have just a bar across the back. Whenever I see one of these in the wild, I immediately know it’s a Pixel, the same way I know when I see the stovetop that it’s an iPhone. At least this generation’s Pixel design is a little more futuristic. There’s something about how the back camera module pops out that’s satisfying, and it’s because the rest of the phone feels balanced and sturdy.

With a case on, you can barely tell the Pixel 9 Pro XL from the iPhone 15 Pro Max when both screens are off. I’m not saying that Google purposefully designed this after the iPhone. But this move is much in the same vein as Samsung slowly maximizes the curvature on its Galaxy phones to suggest an iPhone-like look from afar. Anyway, whatever Google did here with the design and construction materials is what it should have been doing a while ago. The plastic backside over the last few generations felt chintzy. This time, it feels like a $1,100 phone.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend that much on the Pixel 9 if you don’t want everything it does. It comes in three variants this year. Here’s a general breakdown of the models:

• Pixel 9: A 6.3-inch device with 12GB of RAM (not 8GB!)
• Pixel 9 Pro: A 6.3-inch device with 16GB of RAM
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: The “Pro Max-equivalent” of the Pixel. It is the biggest device, with a 6.8-inch display display and 16GB of RAM

All three devices run on the fourth-generation Google-made Tensor G4 processor. They ship with Android 14 (where is Android 15, anyway?), and each has a battery to accommodate the various screen sizes and capabilities. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are the same size; if you look for cases, you will probably see listings for the Pixel 9/9 Pro separate from the Pixel 9 Pro XL. They also have the same battery size. 

Like the iPhone family, there’s a distinct difference in color aesthetic between the entry-level flagship Pixel 9 and the costlier Pro-level Pixels. All phone models come in four colors, two of which are black and white. Pixel 9 users can also choose from more pastel colors like green or peony, while Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL users can choose between a grayish-green called Hazel or a prominent pink called Rose Quartz.

Buy Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at Amazon

Buy Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at Best Buy

If you want a Pixel 9, ask yourself whether you want a smartphone for its camera capabilities or one for its utility. The fundamental differences between models are size, performance, and camera capabilities. But the good news is that if you are starting with the Pro, now there are two sizes to choose from rather than defaulting to using the largest smartphone.

Like the Pixel 8 before it, the Pixel 9 is a barebones Pixel experience. You get a 6.3-inch Actua display, a dual camera system featuring a 50-MP wide-angle camera, and a 48-MP ultrawide with macro focus capabilities. The same Tensor CPU powers it as the Pro variants but with less RAM, though there’s still a little more than you used to get. I’m relieved that Google bumped it up to 12GB for the Pixel 9 because I have struggled the last two seasons with a mere 8GB of RAM. I’m talking about shutting down apps and using the camera in airplane mode so that all resources are dedicated to the task at hand. This extra bump-up in memory is necessary for all that Google is pushing with its AI capabilities.

The Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL upgraded to 16GB of memory, putting it on par with performance releases like the OnePlus 12, which also boasts 12-16GB of RAM. The Pro’s camera system is bumped up from the regular Pixel 9, too: in addition to the same primary and secondary lens, there’s a third 48-MP telephoto camera, which enables 5x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom on both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL.

There are a handful of features you’ll miss out on if you go for the $800 Pixel 9 over the Pros. First, there are no Pro controls available in the camera, nor is there a High-Res mode, which lets you shoot with the full 50-MP rather than the pixel binning behind the scenes. There’s also no Zoom Enhance since there is limited optical zoom to leverage, nor is there Video Boost, which ups the quality of the video’s lighting, colors, and details, or Night Sight Video, which is how you get neat trail effects from brake lights at night.

The Pixel 9 Pro seems like the best deal for all. I plan to make a more significant case about this once my pre-order gets here, but in short, it’s not too big like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, yet it’s equipped with the same capacity. Granted, the big phone might be the one that outsells the other two Pixel 9 devices as the iPhone 15 Pro Max did in its family, but the point is that there’s a phone that’s small-hand-sized without being overbearing with access to the high-end parts of the Android lifestyle. And unlike the iPhone 15 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL don’t differentiate in optical zoom. You are just choosing whether you want a big or small phone.

Pixel 9 Review: Performance
It’s all about AI processing 

As I mentioned earlier, a measly 8GB of memory wasn’t working out for me with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8. I’m thrilled that Google bumped up the RAM offering because it means things will feel smoother, at least when simultaneously loading up Pokémon Go and Spotify. I had trouble with that weeks ago on vacation with the Pixel 8. With the Pixel 9, I feel more confident playing around with AI without fear it will bog down the rest of the system. I did not have that kind of confidence these last two generations.

The Google Tensor G4 CPU powers up the Pixel 9, and Google promises increased speed in web browsing, app launch, and overall power efficiency. We know the processor fires off at 3.1GHz, a slight increase from last year’s chip, and that it’s best tuned for Google’s AI magic. It’s also equipped with satellite connectivity, which I’ll get into shortly. 

Geekbench doesn’t typically work with pre-release Pixel hardware, and we prefer more real-world testing anyway, so we’ll have to follow up on how this new Tensor G4 CPU performs in numbers. If you scope out the headlines now, you’ll see mention that the chip performs “behind” Qualcomm’s equivalent chipsets. Again, these chips are for processing Google’s AI, not necessarily for inspiring long gaming sessions, though they can do that.

Battery performance is the best it’s ever been for the Pixel series, though it’s still not iPhone-level. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series and the iPhone have outlasted Google’s past few flagships in our slightly dated but effective battery rundown test. We mainly test for on-screen time by streaming a YouTube video until the phone dies. The Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted nearly 23 hours in our battery rundown test. The iPhone 15 Pro Max outlasted it by over two hours. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro managed a little more than 20 hours. The Pixel 9, despite having the same screen size and battery, lasted nearly 24 hours. That can be attributed to its basic Actua display versus the LTPO used in the Super Actua on the Pro variants. Sometimes, brighter isn’t better, especially if it taxes on your battery. 

Satellite SOS

Some will spend time calling this a catching-up-to-Apple feature, but we should be more relieved that Android users now have some access to satellite connectivity for emergencies. Google’s version is Satellite SOS, which works like Apple’s Emergency SOS. The feature lets you use a satellite connection to contact to call for help. Satellite SOS is carrier agnostic, though it will only work in the continental U.S. at launch. You’ll have to use the Google Messages app to access it, just like on iOS.

Google partnered with Skylo, a company that’s worked with phone manufacturers like Bullit, to offer a similar feature on phones for devices used on job sites. The deal is like Apple’s in that there’s exclusivity with the Pixel 9 handsets, meaning Android devices made by other manufacturers will have to find another way to connect to satellite. Qualcomm has been working on its satellite offering with Iridium, the network that powers up the Garmin network. But we’re still waiting for a prominent OEM like Samsung, which uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, to get on board.

Satellite SOS became available right after I published this review. I did receive a notification ping that it was ready to use. If you get the same prompt, follow the demo to learn how to connect to the satellite network before you ever need it.

Google Pixel 9 Pro: Camera
Reliable cameras with new AI tricks

The Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL camera is better than before in the Pixel 8 Pro. It’s the same 50-MP pixel-binning camera with a slightly larger sensor to capture more light. The 9 Pro/Pro XL’s primary camera lens has an aperture open at f/1.68 over the Pixel 8 Pro’s f/1.7. The difference can help with things like depth effect and, of course, night mode. The ultrawide camera sensor was also upgraded to a full 48-MP sensor compared to 12-MP in last year’s release. The telephoto camera stays the same with 48-MP, offering the same 5x optical zoom and 30x Super Res Zoom, or digital zoom, as its predecessor.

Google did some fine-tuning to make the first shot you take with a Pixel 9 worthy of posting without an edit. I see the subtle differences in the color temperature of the photos taken at the same time of day between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8. The Pixel 8 takes its cue from the sky and tints blue; on the Pixel 9, it’s a tad more yellow-orange, so the dirt path stands out a bit more. Night Sight photos also have a more balanced color temperature across the board, and it was especially apparent in the full moon photos I took during the testing period.

The front-facing cameras on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL are disparate experiences across the board. The regular Pixel 9 has a 10.5-MP camera, while the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL has a higher resolution 42-MP selfie camera with a wider field of view. I was disappointed with my experience with the Pixel 8’s front-facing camera during my year of using it. I often looked for one of the review devices with a better sensor to record a confessional or something of the sort. The 10.5-MP sensor will be fine for video chatting, but I feel more vindicated over my choice to pay more for the smaller Pixel 9 Pro to upgrade that selfie camera.

With every new Pixel release, Google bundles in a variety of notable new features to sweeten the deal on its hardware and showcase what its algorithms can do. For the Pixel 9 series, the best new features are in the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL, though the Pixel 9 is capable of some magic, too.

Add Me is the marquee AI-infused feature available on all three devices, which Google is pushing heavily with this particular generation. The idea is that most folks who take the pictures aren’t always in them, so why not concoct a built-in mode that lets the person behind the camera get a chance to get into the shot? I’m in favor of a tool like this since I’m the one who always takes photos of other people. But Add Me requires some thought beforehand and a very steady smartphone. This isn’t a feature to rush through because the result seems worth it. I was unfortunately quarantined from my family during this review process, but I plan to dive more into the capabilities behind this feature, especially as it pertains to a group photo featuring little kids.

Google’s other new feature is the enhanced Panorama mode. It mainly involves interface changes in the panorama prompt to help you stitch the photo. I’ve always been a fan of Google’s panoramic capabilities, and I wonder if this will re-spark an interest in posting scenic photos to Google Maps. At the very least, I plan to use this to get additional background details into a picture.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL are the only devices that can perform the new Video Boost feature, which purports to zoom in more smoothly and increase the quality of videos in low light. I went for a night walk to test this out. There is definitely an improvement in the quality of the boosted video compared to the regular ones recorded on the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL. The only thing is that you’ll have to wait for Google Photos to do the boosting. It took about an hour before the clips I’d recorded on that night walk were ready to share on social media. I’m still figuring out the best scenarios where to utilize this feature, but it seems particularly useful if you’re filming outside at night under ambient lights and enough moonlighting. It helped that I tested this feature during a full moon, but I’m curious to see how the videos come out with a dimmer night sky. 

Pixel 9’s AI Software tricks

The Gemini Live demonstrations you watched at the Made by Google event are available only to Gemini Advanced subscribers on the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. When you buy the device, you will get a year of Gemini Advanced for free to try it all out. So far, the cadence of interacting with the digital assistant is much more organic than before. I can have a conversation with Gemini Live. But it’s still limited in scope. For instance, after it helped me figure out where to eat in a town nearby, I asked it to send out a restaurant link to another one of the Android devices linked to my account.  Gemini said, “Sorry, no, can do.” It feels like such an essential thing that I’d want it to do with Gemini, more than engaging it in conversation about where I should eat for the night. My point is that Gemini is made for talking to, not executing, commands, which is hard to wrap my mind around because I used Google Assistant. At the very least, if you ask it to do a task generally reserved for the Google Assistant, it will take you to that pop-up to do the deed, like if you’re setting an alarm or running a smart home routine.

Pixel Studio is another big part of the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL’s enhanced AI capabilities. It’s an image generator based on the latest Imagen 3 text-to-image models. It’s fine. I can fake photos of Hello Kitty with it. I don’t plan to use it much because it still struggles with creepy image generation. The image I generated of a bluebird in the sky, anime style, has four talons on one leg and three on the other. It’s just weird. It’s too horrifying to drop into a kid’s birthday party invitation.

The Reimagine feature available in Google Photos, in particular, has caused quite a bit of controversy because of its ability to recreate scenes of disaster and fake a friend’s drug habit. We will eventually have a larger conversation about what the future means with a smartphone that can bend the rules of reality, especially after Apple Intelligence pushes through its Clean Up feature for all to use. For now, I say this: if you’re not interested in anything I just described here, there’s nowhere to go except back toward Apple. Whatever we know about Apple Intelligence is only sufferable because it’s about a year behind the rest of the Android ecosystem. If it wants to keep users on, Google needs a better way to let people opt out.

Google Pixel 9 Review: Verdict

The Pixel 9 series isn’t a smartphone family that competes with its other Android OEM brethren. It’s here to entice you away from Apple’s walled garden. From the commentary I’m seeing on Reddit and across different parts of social media, the buzz is that this is the Pixel model to justify a break from iOS’s well-coifed walled garden. Indeed, if you were one of those people waiting for a Pixel to jump from the iPhone, this would be it.

Don’t immediately jump on the Pixel 9 if you’re on another Android device. In the past, I’ve been quick to conclude that the latest Google Pixel flagship is the Android phone to own. I’m changing my tune with this generation. I like all the forward-facing features that are a part of the Pixel 9/9 Pro’s collective identity and how the models have been split up to offer a smaller Pro-grade device for smaller hands. But the Pixel 9 lineup has its entire identity tangled with where Google is hedging its bets for the rest of its business. It’s too much too forced right now. 

I will trade in my base-model Pixel 8 for a Pixel 9 Pro. I hope the price increase is worth the extra memory and camera capabilities and that I won’t feel as let down by the device as I did these last two generations. My unit is scheduled to arrive after the iPhone madness comes upon us. Then, we’ll also have new iPhone devices to compare to the Pixel 9. Stay tuned for more.

Buy Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at Amazon

Buy Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at Best Buy