Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Sleek design, smart AI, and top-tier cameras
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Picture: Noel Campion.
Manufacturers promise bigger and better each year but rarely deliver something groundbreaking. Google's Pixel line has always been known for its AI prowess and exceptional camera capabilities, and with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google has once again raised the bar.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL introduces a new design language for Google, blending sophistication with sustainability. While the name might suggest a larger device, the size is similar to the Pixel 8 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro is a more compact version of the XL.
The Pixel Pro XL is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz. The polished metal frame and silky matte glass back give it a premium, sturdy, comfortable feel.
While the camera hardware has only slight changes, the pill-shaped visor that houses the rear cameras now stops short of the sides — think Bender from Futurama. The change in design was necessary because the edges of the body are now flat instead of rounded. The new shape and styling from the front are similar to the iPhone 15. It’s about the same width and slightly taller than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, albeit about 14g lighter.
The front glass is now flat with no bevel on the edges, and the radius on the rounded corners is slightly larger.
Other changes to the design include moving the SIM tray from the left edge to the bottom, where it replaces a speaker vent. However, the sound quality and loudness are the same as far as I could hear.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts a 6.8-inch Super Actua display with stunning clarity and a dynamic refresh rate of 1 to 120Hz. The true-to-life colours and excellent brightness, even in direct sunlight, make for an impressive display experience.
The Pixel 9 Pro also offers a 6.3-inch version for those who prefer a slightly smaller device. This ensures you can choose the size that best suits your needs without sacrificing any Pro features.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL's camera system features a slightly updated triple rear camera setup that includes a 50 MP primary sensor, a 48 MP ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens that offers optical-quality performance across a wide zoom range—from 0.5x to 10x (5X optical).
The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s telephoto camera has a slightly better f/2.8 aperture than the Pixel 8 Pro's f/2.9. The ultrawide camera has a brighter f/1.7 aperture than the Pixel 8 Pro's f/1.95. The 42MP front camera is a significant upgrade over the 8 Pro's 10.5MP front camera.
The Super Res Zoom now goes up to 30x versus 20x on the Pixel 8 Pro.
The new Pixel 9 Pro XL has upgraded video features, including 8K Video Boost, which enhances video quality. If you think this feature will be helpful, consider one of the higher storage options.
Super Res Zoom, now available for video, and improved Night Sight Video are worthwhile additions to the list of excellent video features.
One of the most advertised new camera features is Add Me. While I’m not a fan of software creating a false world, I can appreciate the advantage of a couple taking a good-quality photo on holidays with the rear cameras without asking someone to take the shot for them. Essentially, you take a shot of the first person and then take a second shot with the first shot superimposed so you can align the subject for the composited photo.
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by Google’s new Tensor G4 processor and a generous 16GB of RAM. In benchmarks, its scores are not as good as I’ve seen on flagships sporting the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. However, it’s hard to tell the difference in real-world uses, and the extra RAM and new G4 combination could easily handle even the most demanding tasks. Whether gaming, streaming video, or multitasking between several apps, the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivers a seamless experience. One downside of the G4 compared to its Snapdragon counterpart is that it doesn’t support Vulkan features like ray tracing in games.
The only real niggle I have with the hardware is the 128GB of base storage. Yes, you can choose more extensive storage options, such as 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of storage, but 128GB is small for a flagship in 2024. You can always pay for a Google subscription plan if you're short on memory. Google includes the One AI Premium Plan for a year, which adds even more power, enabling advanced AI features to be integrated throughout the phone. This should make everyday tasks smarter and more intuitive, from enhanced photo editing to personalised suggestions in Google apps. I didn’t spend too much time playing around with the AI capabilities of the phone, but it’s a feature that can only improve over time.
While Google offers the plan free for 12 months, you must pay a subscription fee (€21.99 per month) once the year is up to continue using the premium features.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features an all-day battery, and charging speeds have improved, although it doesn’t come with an adapter. I used several chargers, all more than 45W, and the best I could get was 33W. While you might have more luck with your charger, if you want to be sure you can charge at the maximum charge rate of 37W, you may need to purchase the official Google 45W USB-C charger (€35). Of course, you also get wireless charging with speeds up to 23W with the Google Pixel Stand (2nd gen), although that drops to 12W if you use a standard Qi-compatible charger. With these improvements, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers reliable and efficient battery performance, ensuring you can use your device throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has Gemini, Google’s latest AI assistant. Gemini isn't just a voice assistant; it's an AI-powered feature that works system-wide and helps you with everything from organising your day to enhancing your photos.
By holding the power button, you can access Gemini’s advanced features, which include pulling relevant information from your Google apps, suggesting nearby locations, and even providing detailed answers to questions about your environment using the camera. This AI assistant is designed to make your life easier and more efficient, enhancing your overall user experience with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL includes features like Satellite SOS for emergencies (USA only for now) when you're off the grid and a new private space for apps and content you want to keep secure. An AI-powered image verification tool also helps you identify whether an image was created with AI, providing valuable context for what you see online.
In addition, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates, ensuring your device remains secure and up-to-date for years to come.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a sleek new design, impressive AI capabilities, and a top-tier camera system. The display is outstanding, the performance is excellent but not outstanding, and the integration of Gemini AI adds a new level of intelligence to daily tasks. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a strong contender for those seeking a premium Android experience with the latest AI and photography technology.
Google Pixel 9 from €919
Google Pixel 9 Pro from €1,119
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL from €1,219
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