For the last couple of weeks, I’ve had the Pixel 9 Pro XL in my pocket, and it’s been fantastic. Right from the get-go, the setup process was easy, the hardware delightful and Gemini (the AI assistant) has been genuinely helpful.
It’s a Pixel phone, so what’s changed?
So, there’s a lot going on here, some that’s obvious and some that isn’t quite so obvious. From a spec perspective — as covered in the launch post — there’s a number of spec bumps, all of which are expected with the generational evolution of devices.
For the visually aware users, the key changes across the Pixel 9 lineup mean that:
- There are now three phones: The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Physically the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are the same size
- Spec wise: The you’ll get the full “Pro” experience on either the Pro or Pro XL
The biggest development this year, is the leap forward that Google has taken with Gemini: Its AI assistant.
Early impression: Has Google nailed the hardware?
If you’re after an easy comparison, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the replacement device for the Pixel 8 Pro. The hardware is, again, a bit better polished and aesthetically pleasing with clean lines and easy to hold curves. The buttons have a distinct, and rather satisfying click to them and the screen bezel is the smallest it’s been on any Pixel device melding seamlessly into the edge of the device.
Under that display is a — wait for it — ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, that responds and unlocks the device quickly and accurately. This is, by far, the best fingerprint sensor experience that Google has delivered and it adds to the feeling that Google hasn’t just delivered another Pixel device; it’s a premium device. That is, assuming that your finger is quick enough to beat the speed of the face unlock – it’s a plethora of unlocking options that work well.
Like previous years: The screen resolution is not at full capability out of the box, you’ll need to turn that up if you want to fully utilise this gorgeous screen, but it does affect your battery life.
If I were simply at a desk all day, with zero risk of my phone being damaged, I’d actually consider not putting this in a case. The polished metal frame and stunning finish on the device make it just gorgeous. There are case options too and although Google sent a sleek, rubberised case with the unit; mine is already in a QuadLock case because of my investment in mounts and charging and to protect the phone when I’m on the back of a fire truck.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is feeling like a genuine, premium device and that’s a big win!
This time around, if you’re not into Matte Black (obsidian), there are Rose Quarts, Hazel and Porcelain options to keep everyone happy. But what’s got me really impressed is the screen which hasn’t just evolved, it has taken a significant step forwards this year. As mentioned there’s slimmer bezels, the 1 – 120Hz refresh change is seamless and the colour reproduction is the best I’ve seen this year. Impressively, the peak brightness has now hit 3000 nits which makes it very easy to see, even in bright sunlight.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 8 Pro was close, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL got it right…
The 5,060 mAh battery in the Pixel 9 Pro XL will — according to Google — last over 24 hours vs the “all day” battery life that many phones advertise. My experience across the first week of use backs that up comfortably, with around 30% battery life remaining when I went to bed around 11pm after unplugging the device at 5:45 am.
If you’re in real trouble, the extreme battery saver mode is said to offer up to 100 hours of life, although this is from full and will significantly affect your device use capability.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL supports up to 37W fast charging, which can restore you to 70% battery in a whisker over 30 minutes. In my testing, on a non-Google branded charger it took just over 40 mins to hit the 70% mark. Unfortunately, like most phones (including the last couple of Pixels) you don’t get a charger in the box. I’m pretty well sorted, but if you want a charger that’s going to hit the mark for you, check out the Google store for the official charger.
Gemini is Google’s AI future
As AI has advanced, there’s plenty of options on the market but Google isn’t just investing in AI they’re integrating it into the ecosystem. Gemini can read and summarise messages, email threads, and a whole bunch of other intuitive (and remarkably conversational) options. The issue many users have with AI is that to get the best of it, you’ve got to pay for a subscription.
Google is including a 12 month Google One AI premium AI plan (Gemini now available in Drive and Gmail along with 2TB of storage) with any Pixel 9 Pro (Pro or Pro XL) device purchase.
With this Gemini experience, you’ll have access to Gemini Live – it’s a conversational model that helps you to expand on ideas, brainstorm and gain further access/insight into data within your storage. For instance, I tracked down the receipt in my email for something I purchased in 2020 in seconds for a warranty claim; including the receipt number and serial number of the unit.
As Gemini is still in development and, aside from some code checking, don’t gravitate towards AI assistants this is something I’m still working on changing my habits for to really utilise moving forward.
Pixel Studio, Zoom enchance and Screenshots
I’ve bundled these together because there’s an element in each of them that are intertwined. Studio being the AI image generator, where you can provide a simple set of instructions and it will spit out an image. Zoom enhance uses the source image, crop a section and let the AI work its magic to create a ‘zoomed in’ shot. While the results aren’t always perfect, they’re very impressive.
Finally, when you take a screenshot: Gemini scans it for information and offers you ways to automatically sort your screenshots into collections. This could be information about networks, shopping lists, or even menus from your favourite local restaurants. A reminder that Gemini is still in development, so the results are either great or confusing at times… but it will get better.
Camera hardware, software and AI
There’s a lot to talk about on the Pixel 9 phone series when it comes to cameras. You’ve got a 50MP main, 48MP ultra-Wide and a 48MP telephoto sensor on the back of the unit. On the front, you’ve got a 48MP selfie cam that hides in a hole punch on the display.
With the multiple lenses, light capture, colour correction and image sharpening after capture; it’s genuinely a struggle to take a bad photo. Google has been the leader for a few years now in low-light photography and that continues with the Pixel 9 Pro XL offering night site that has produced some excellent photos even when the human eye was struggling to make out detail.
None of this is a real surprise, Google does cameras well but the extras incorporated have added a new, somewhat fictitious dimension to photography.
Re-imagine your day in Magic Editor
The concept is simple, when you’ve taken a photo you can transport yourself (or your subject) to another location, real or imaginary. Change the background of a lawn area to a tranquil bush setting, or — if you’re as strange as I am — put a Giraffe on a crowded beach. Whatever you choose to do, it only takes a few taps and you’re done.
Add me – a neat way to capture group photos without anyone missing out
A new feature that allows you, as the Pixel user in the group with the best camera, to take a group photo. Then when your friends vacate the space, you hand your phone to someone else who can see the you in the space of the previous photo, guide you to be appropriately placed then take a photo. Then by the magic of AI, your second photo will be stitched into the first. Of course, there are ways you could use this to create some interesting, potentially terrifying photos.
Should you buy the Pixel 9 Pro XL?
Each year, the Pixel phones are getting better and this year is another step forward in look, feel, performance and user experience. The increased RAM and capabilities of the Tensor G4 result in a remarkably snappy performance level, even when you’re really giving your phone a hard time; and the Tensor G4 is the processing force behind Gemini on your phone and the connectivity is a home run in my book too, giving users the best of wireless with Wi-Fi 7 and 5G connectivity.
If you’re not using or interested in AI then this probably isn’t the phone for you at this time… but if you’re due for an upgrade and curious about where AI is going this is a really good entry point because of the instant access to AI in your pocket.
The look of the device is nicely refined and the feel of the phone in your hand, with a touch of extra compared to previous years gives a solid, genuinely premium feel to the phone. With that premium does come a premium jump in price from last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. So far though, I’m really enjoying the updates offered and the additional features from Gemini.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL will cost:
– $1,849.00 for the 128GB version
– $1,999.00 for the 256GB version
– $2,199.00 for the 512GB version
– $2,549.00 for the 1TB version
And is available through the Google Store and all of the usual retailers and mobile carriers.
Disclosure Statement
Google does not want the device back following review
