After a well-made Pixel 8 Pro that didn’t overshadow the excellent Pixel 7 Pro, Google is stepping up and offering this year a completely revamped high-end smartphone.
This new change comes with another price increase. Expect to pay €100 more compared to last year’s model… which was already €200 more expensive than its predecessor.
Technical Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Dimensions | 76.6 mm x 162.8 mm x 8.5 mm |
| Manufacturer Interface | Stock Android |
| Screen Size | 6.8 inches |
| Resolution | 2992 x 1344 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 487 ppi |
| Technology | OLED |
| SoC | Google Tensor G4 |
| Graphics Chip | Mali-G715 |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1024 GB |
| Rear Camera | Sensor 1: 50 MP Sensor 2: 48 MP Sensor 3: 48 MP |
| Front Camera | 42 MP |
| Video Recording Resolution | 4K @ 60 fps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| 5G | Yes |
| NFC | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Under-display |
| Connector Type | USB Type-C |
| Battery Capacity | 5060 mAh |
| Weight | 221 g |
| Colors | Black, White, Gray |
In short, the days of Google smartphones at tight prices are long gone. But in wanting to compete with the biggest (like Apple and Samsung) without having the notoriety (as a manufacturer), Google has an interest in producing a highly qualitative smartphone from every point of view.
And under the veneer of design, this Pixel 9 Pro XL must hold up. Performance, AI, photo, autonomy. The list of steps is hairy.
I have been using it daily for two weeks and am finally able to give you a complete opinion on what we can call the big Pixel, the Pixel 9 Pro giving it this name.
Design: The Smartphone of Maturity
Inseparable from my Pixel 7 Pro, I didn’t give in to the allure of the Pixel 8 Pro. The technical improvements were too minimal and the AI features eventually made their way to the Pixel 7 Pro. There was no real need to upgrade. Now, the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes a few more risks, especially with its design.
For months, leaks about the Pixel 9 Pro XL have been so numerous that it seemed there were no more secrets left. However, having it in hand definitely adds another dimension.
The curved screen was lost with the Pixel 8 Pro, and the same is true here. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it reduces the cost of screen replacement in case of damage. The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The handling experience has changed radically compared to previous Pixel Pro models. Moving from rounded edges to flat sides is a significant shift. I was most concerned about this new edge. I didn’t want a sharp edge like those found on Samsung or iPhone devices. Here, it’s beveled on the edge, which provides a comfortable grip. Additionally, the device’s corners have a more pronounced curve than ever before.
However, if you’re wary of phones that slip, a case will be a good idea. The glossy metal finish of the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s frame makes it more prone to slipping, and its large size doesn’t help.
A brief note on the dimensions: they are roughly the same width and height as the 7 Pro and 8 Pro. The weight is slightly higher, with the 9 Pro XL weighing 221 grams, which is 8 grams more than the 8 Pro. The weight is well-distributed, and the smartphone doesn’t tip forward despite its large camera module.
And it’s the camera module that also affects the thickness of the device, which increases to 11.9 mm at its thickest point.
Speaking of the camera, let’s get straight to the point: this new photo area is the real visual success of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, as well as its peers.
Google has moved the horizontal camera module away from the edges. Freed from this constraint, it gains a stronger presence. It’s bold, flashy, and perfectly machined from a single piece of metal. It’s a visual signature that adds a sense of maturity to the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Screen: So Bright
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display. It supports a 120 Hz refresh rate and is LTPO, meaning it can automatically adjust its refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz based on the content displayed, which helps improve battery life.
By default, the phone is set to high resolution rather than full resolution. If you don’t change this, you won’t get the best visual experience… though it will improve battery life. Compromises, compromises.
Of course, we took the time to test the Pixel 9 Pro XL with our CalMAN Ultimate software from Portrait Displays.
Google boasts about its Super Actua display, which is supposed to enhance brightness. And it turns out they’re not exaggerating. It reaches 1960 nits compared to the 2000 nits advertised for SDR content. It’s even better in HDR with 2530 nits. That’s excellent! In practice, you can easily use your smartphone in direct sunlight or watch a video without any issues. The only thing missing is an anti-reflective filter like on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but that’s a minor detail.
Performance: Not the Beast Expected
The Pixel 9 introduces the new Tensor G4. This latest Google chip is once again made by Samsung. We’ll have to wait a bit longer for a 100% Google SoC manufactured by TSMC.
It is rumored that Google may have run out of time to give the Tensor G4 the look they intended. As a result, it feels more like an evolution of the Tensor G3, without any real breakthroughs.
Soniya Jobanputra, Product Lead at Google Pixel, also stated, “When we design the chip, we don’t design it for speed and performance. We don’t design it to beat a specific benchmark. We design it to meet our use cases.
Camera
Google continues with its usual camera setup with three rear sensors:
- Wide angle: 50 MP
- Ultra-wide angle: 48 MP with macro focus
- Telephoto x5: 48 MP
Battery Life: It’s Improving!
Battery life is often a challenging aspect for Pixel devices. The Pixel 8 Pro didn’t excel in this area despite its 5050 mAh battery. With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, there’s an additional 10 mAh.
Does this mean its battery life is better? Google claims it can last 24 hours, based on a usage profile that includes periods of calls, standby, mobile data usage, and access to other features typical of an average Pixel user.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is indeed much more durable than its predecessors. In our Viser test protocol, which simulates continuous moderate activity, it achieved nearly 13 hours and 50 minutes, a very good score.
In comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro lasted 12 hours and 51 minutes. Among 2024 smartphones, it ranks seventh in terms of battery life in our table, behind the Magic 6 Pro and S24 Ultra, neck and neck with the Xiaomi 14, and ahead of the Galaxy S24, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and OnePlus 12.
In practice, I never ran out of battery in a day, despite streaming on myCanal, some gaming on Zenless Zone Zero, and typical use including social media, photography, and web browsing.
In short, it’s great news for Google, offering a smartphone with excellent battery life, along with relatively fast charging.
Yes, because “fast” according to Google means 37 watts. And the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the only one in the new lineup to benefit from this. This means it’s slower on the others… While it’s an improvement, it still falls short compared to competitors, such as the 90 watts of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or even the 45 watts of the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Better, yes, but not extraordinary, especially since the 37-watt power brick isn’t included and you’ll need to spend an additional 35 euros for the official charger.
Audio
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features two stereo speakers. Except for the poor placement of the bottom speaker , which blocks the sound when holding the phone horizontally, it delivers good sound quality.
This is an improvement over previous generations. Despite having an upper speaker located under the screen, Google manages to balance the sound, giving equal punch to both speakers.
Networks and Communication
Compatible with 5G, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a good companion for making calls. The voice is not compressed, and it effectively dampens external city noises. Only sudden sounds might be missed, which is common among many smartphones.
Price and Release Date
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has been available since August 22, 2024. It is sold in four versions:
- Pixel 9 Pro XL 128 GB for $999
- Pixel 9 Pro XL 256 GB for $1099
- Pixel 9 Pro XL 512 GB for $1219
- Pixel 9 Pro XL 1 TB for $1449
No doubt about it, Google has matched Apple on the pricing grid. Nevertheless, it has strengths to showcase, such as its reinvented design, its incredibly bright screen, and its AI features that we’re eager to test. Patience is required.
