Google Pixel 9 Pro Review 2024

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review

The Pixel 9 Pro offers the same flagship performance as the Pixel 9 Pro XL but in a more compact design and at $100 less. It excels in design, build quality, display brightness, wireless performance, battery life, and camera capabilities. While the Gemini AI features on the Pixel 9 Pro are still evolving, they provide an intriguing glimpse into future possibilities. Priced at $999, the Pixel 9 Pro delivers cutting-edge AI in a sleek Android phone. For those who prefer a larger screen, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a great option, but we recommend the Pixel 9, starting at $799, as it provides almost identical features at a more affordable price, making it our Editors’ Choice.

Design: The Pinnacle of Pixel

The Pixel 9 Pro is a new model in the Pixel family. Last year’s options included the smaller, lower-cost, and less-capable Pixel 8 along with the larger, pricier, full-featured Pixel 8 Pro, which was effectively the Pixel 8 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 Pro slots between the $799 Pixel 9 and the $1,099 Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google says it wanted to offer a version of the Pixel that has all the power of the top model but in a smaller form factor.

The Pixel 9 Pro is the latest addition to Google’s Pixel lineup, positioned between the $799 Pixel 9 and the $1,099 Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google aimed to deliver a device that encapsulates the flagship’s power in a more compact design.

Reflecting a shift towards refined elegance, the Pixel 9 Pro showcases Google’s commitment to meticulous craftsmanship. The camera module has been streamlined from a lengthy bar to a sleek pill shape, modernizing its appearance to align with other high-end smartphones. Available in Hazel (gray/green), Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), and Rose Quartz, the Pixel 9 Pro is stylish and well-crafted. Its rounded edges and seamless material transitions enhance comfort during use.

Measuring 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and weighing 7.0 ounces, the Pixel 9 Pro is compact yet substantial, aligning closely with the Pixel 9’s dimensions but smaller than the Pro XL’s 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches and 7.8 ounces. In comparison, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is slightly smaller at 5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and 6.6 ounces, while the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is slightly larger at 6.2 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches but lighter at 6.95 ounces.

The Pixel 9 Pro is the newest model in Google’s Pixel series, fitting neatly between the $799 Pixel 9 and the $1,099 Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google designed this model to pack the flagship features into a more compact form.

The Pixel 9 Pro embodies Google’s evolution toward refined sophistication. The redesigned camera module now features a streamlined pill shape instead of the previous extended bar, giving the phone a contemporary look that competes with other premium devices. Available in colors like Hazel (gray/green), Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), and Rose Quartz, the Pixel 9 Pro combines style with expert craftsmanship. Its smooth, rounded edges and seamless transitions between materials make it comfortable to handle.

With dimensions of 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and a weight of 7.0 ounces, the Pixel 9 Pro is both compact and substantial, slightly smaller than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which measures 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches and weighs 7.8 ounces. For comparison, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is slightly smaller at 5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and 6.6 ounces, while the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is marginally larger at 6.2 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches but lighter at 6.95 ounces.

The Pixel 9 Pro shares every design detail with the 9 Pro XL except size and weight. If the smaller build of the 9 Pro isn’t quite enough phone for you, you may enjoy the larger footprint of the 9 Pro XL. While the Pixel 9 shares the same size as the 9 Pro, it is available in a slightly different selection of colors and drops several features to reach its lower price. The 9 Pro just might be the Goldilocks option for many.

Display: Bright and Clear

The Pixel 9 Pro boasts a vibrant 6.3-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,856 by 1,280 pixels, delivering an impressive pixel density of 495ppi. The screen is crisp, sharp, and remains highly visible even in bright environments, thanks to its typical brightness of 2,000 nits and peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The variable refresh rate, which ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensures smooth performance while optimizing power efficiency.

For those seeking a larger screen, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a 6.8-inch display with a slightly higher resolution of 2,992 by 1,344 pixels, but it retains the same display quality and specs as the 9 Pro. Meanwhile, the standard Pixel 9 also features a 6.3-inch screen, but with a lower resolution of 2,424 by 1,080 pixels and a pixel density of 422ppi. Its refresh rate ranges from 60Hz to 120Hz.

In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro has a smaller 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 2,556 by 1,179 pixels and a pixel density of 460ppi. The Galaxy S24+ falls between the Pixel 9 Pro and XL in size, with a 6.7-inch screen and a resolution of 3,120 by 1,440 pixels, offering an even higher pixel density of 513ppi.

Performance: A Reliable Workhorse

The Pixel 9 Pro is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor and Titan M2 coprocessor, the same setup found in the other two Pixel 9 models. Our test unit featured 16GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, though higher storage variants are available, including 256GB for $1,099, 512GB for $1,219, and 1TB for $1,449. While the base iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S24+ also start with 128GB, we believe this capacity falls short for devices at these price points.

Historically, Google’s Tensor processors haven’t excelled in synthetic benchmarks but shine in machine learning and AI tasks. Google claims the G4 processor makes app launches 17% faster and improves web browsing speeds by 20% compared to last year’s models. In testing, the Pixel 9 Pro handled daily tasks with ease—apps launched quickly, responses were snappy, and multitasking was seamless.

Although we couldn’t run some standard benchmarks like Geekbench 6, we successfully sideloaded PCMark and GFXBench. On PCMark’s Work 3.0 test, the Pixel 9 Pro scored 13,049, slightly surpassing the Pixel 9 Pro XL (12,634) and notably outperforming the Pixel 9 (10,468). However, the Galaxy S24+ with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outpaced them all, scoring 18,776.

For graphics, the Pixel 9 Pro managed 43fps on GFXBench’s Aztec Ruins test at 1440p, matching the 9 Pro XL and edging out the Pixel 9 (41fps). The Galaxy S24+ led here as well, achieving 58fps.

In real-world usage, the Pixel 9 Pro handled the graphically demanding game Genshin Impact smoothly at the highest settings, with fluid animations and no noticeable slowdown. Although the device became slightly warm during intense use, it remained comfortable. While the Pixel series often trails competitors in benchmarks, it consistently delivers strong everyday performance, making those numbers less critical for most users.

Battery Life: The Longest-Lasting Pixel

The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, identical to that of the Pixel 9. In our battery test—streaming HD video over Wi-Fi with the screen set to full brightness—the Pixel 9 Pro delivered an impressive 17 hours and 25 minutes of runtime. In comparison, the Pixel 9 lasted 11 hours and 45 minutes, and the 9 Pro XL, with its larger 5,060mAh battery, achieved 12 hours and 25 minutes. The iPhone 15, with a 3,274mAh battery, lasted 16 hours and 45 minutes, while the 4,900mAh Samsung S24+ managed 14 hours and 10 minutes. Across the board, the Pixel 9 Pro’s battery life stands out as exceptional.

Wired charging maxes out at 27W, though Google no longer includes a charger in the box. For wireless charging, it supports up to 12W with a standard Qi charger or 21W with the optional second-gen Pixel Stand. The Pixel 9 Pro also features reverse wireless charging. For context, the iPhone 15 offers 20W wired charging, while the Galaxy S24+ supports 45W wired charging.

With a fast charger, the Pixel 9 Pro charged from 0% to full in roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. A quick 15-minute charge restored 27% battery, and a 30-minute session brought it up to 55%.

Connectivity: Fast 5G and Wi-Fi

On T-Mobile’s 5G UC network in New York City, the Pixel 9 Pro reached impressive speeds, clocking in at 686Mbps for downloads and 96.1Mbps for uploads. In the same location, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 posted slower speeds, with 596Mbps down and 32.7Mbps up.

When connected to a Wi-Fi 6 router at close range, the Pixel 9 Pro hit 449Mbps down and 16.0Mbps up, while the Z Fold 6 delivered comparable results with 456Mbps down and 13.6Mbps up. Even at the edge of the Wi-Fi network’s range, the Pixel 9 Pro maintained fast speeds of 321Mbps down and 11.7Mbps up, outpacing the Z Fold 6, which managed 306Mbps down and 9.80Mbps up. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro excels in wireless performance.

Call quality is solid. In a voicemail test, my voice came through clearly and consistently, even with loud background music completely filtered out. The earpiece speaker maxed out at 69.9dB, while the speakerphone was slightly quieter at 69.7dB. Volumes around 70dB are sufficient for noisy environments, so the Pixel holds its own.

Media audio plays through dual speakers: the earpiece and a down-firing speaker. When I played Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” the Pixel 9 Pro reached a room-filling 98.1dB. However, deep bass notes, like in The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” weren’t as prominent, so I recommend using Bluetooth headphones for a richer audio experience.

Cameras: Moving Pixel Photography Forward

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL feature identical camera setups, consisting of a 50MP main camera (f/1.6, 82-degree field of view), a 48MP ultra-wide camera (f/1.7, 123-degree field of view), and a 48MP telephoto camera (f/2.8, 22-degree field of view). The telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom and 30x Super Res Zoom, while both the main and ultra-wide cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS). The Pixel 9, on the other hand, retains the same main and ultra-wide lenses but omits the telephoto camera.

The Pixel 9 Pro produces stunning photos with natural colors and excellent detail, consistent across its camera array. The 50MP main camera defaults to 12.5MP shots, although users can adjust settings to capture full 50MP images. While 50MP photos preserve slightly more detail, the difference from 12.5MP images is minimal unless examined closely.

Similarly, the 48MP ultra-wide camera defaults to 12.5MP and upscales images to 50MP, delivering sharp, vibrant results. Distortion correction works well on objects but can introduce some warping when photographing people or pets.

The 48MP telephoto camera follows the same approach, producing 12.5MP images by default with the option to upscale to 50MP. Its zoom capabilities—both optical and hybrid—are highly effective, preserving excellent clarity at long distances.

A major upgrade is the 42MP front-facing camera (f/2, 103-degree field of view), which captures realistic color and impressive detail, though shadows may appear slightly darker. The portrait mode generally creates a beautiful bokeh effect, though it occasionally blurs out areas like eyeglasses.

Low-light performance is another strength of the Pixel 9 Pro. In near-total darkness, the camera captures colors invisible to the naked eye, though the results can appear a bit grainy.

Both rear and front cameras support 4K video recording at 60fps. Footage is smooth and highly detailed, with the rear camera’s OIS providing gimbal-like stability. While the front camera footage shows more movement, it still maintains good stabilization. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL also introduce Video Boost, a cloud-based feature that upscales 4K60 footage to 8K30. This feature is absent on the Pixel 9.

In terms of AI photography tools, the Pixel Pro phones include the new “Add Me” feature, which lets the photographer seamlessly insert themselves into group photos. Magic Editor’s “Auto Frame” automatically zooms in or out to adjust the composition, while the “Reimagine” tool allows users to modify photos by writing prompts, integrating elements like landscapes with impressive precision.

These features, along with other AI enhancements, are shared across the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL models.

Software: Hello, Gemini

Every Pixel 9 model comes with Android 14, and Google has committed to seven years of OS updates, security patches, and feature enhancements. Samsung offers a similar seven-year support plan for its flagship devices like the Galaxy S24 series. While Google typically launches Pixels with the latest Android version, the choice to ship the Pixel 9 with Android 14, despite Android 15 being on the horizon, raises some questions.

At the core of the Pixel 9 Pro’s user experience is Gemini, an AI assistant designed to handle lengthy and intricate conversations while keeping a record of each interaction within the Gemini app. With its extensions, Gemini can also integrate with Google Assistant to manage smart home devices.

However, Gemini lacks persistent memory between sessions, and users cannot search through previous conversations, a feature that could have enhanced usability. Additionally, Gemini requires an active internet connection to function, unlike Google Assistant, which can work offline. The coexistence of these two assistants with differing capabilities can sometimes cause confusion.

Google has also included two pre-installed apps: Pixel Studio and Pixel Screenshots. Pixel Studio allows users to generate AI-driven images based on prompts, while Pixel Screenshots offers a powerful organizational tool that analyzes and tags screenshots for easier retrieval, often outperforming Google Lens in search accuracy. Screenshots are still saved in Google Photos as well.