Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Older Pixel Models: A Comprehensive Comparison

​​Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Pixel 7 Pro: A huge leap ahead

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Google finally got it right The Pixel 9 Pro XL might not be the best name, but that doesn't change the fact that it's the best Pixel in the lineup. It has a large, beautiful display, a great-performing Tensor G4 chip, a breathtaking camera setup, and a solid battery life with all the Gemini AI features you need. ProsSuperb performanceAll-day battery lifeStunning display ConsIt costs $100 more than its predecessorSlow charging128GB default storage $1099 at Amazon Google Pixel 7 Pro Still great with some sacrifices The Google Pixel 7 Pro might not receive the same level of support as other devices in the lineup, but it still holds up with its timely updates, excellent camera setup, and beautiful display. However, it has a curved panel that makes it harder to hold and use, and it lacks a few AI features that you might want to use. ProsBeautiful displayStill a great performerFantastic camera ConsShorter software support windowThe phone runs hot sometimesCurved display $899 at Amazon Google missed the opportunity to brand the new Pixel 9 Pro XL as an Ultra model, but it shows the company wants to retain its more familiar naming scheme. The new Pro XL is the highest-end Pixel smartphone in the lineup, featuring a powerful camera array, a solid battery life, a premium build and design, and just about all the flashy new AI features that you would expect to see on a modern device. In contrast, the Pixel 7 Pro might no longer be as stylish and good-looking as the latest Pixel 9 series. It's still easily one of the best Android phones you can buy on a smaller budget. It features a large, beautiful display that didn't age, a Tensor G2 chipset that holds up well, and a competitive camera experience with a decent battery life. Price, specs, and availability The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is available at most retailers and carriers, as well as directly through Google. The base model comes with 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and it retails for $1,099, which is a $100 increase over the previous generation. The new Pixel comes in four colors: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Rose Quartz (pink), and Hazel (dark green). The Google Pixel 7 Pro is no longer sold officially in the Google Store, and it's only available at some major retailers until stocks last, as well as at second-hand markets such as eBay. Amazon and Best Buy often have the device on sale for as low as $420 for the base model, but it's likely they're trying to get rid of the stock -- once they run out, your only option will be to buy it from the second-hand market. The device originally retailed for $899 with 128GB of storage, while the 256GB model could set you back $999, and the 512GB model $1,099 at its prime. Amazon Google Pixel 9 Pro XLGoogle Pixel 7 ProSoCGoogle Tensor G4Google Tensor G2Display typeLTPO OLED, 1-120HzLTPO AMOLED, 120HzDisplay dimensions6.8"6.7"Display resolution2992 x 13441440 x 3120RAM16GB12GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB128GB, 256GB, 512GBBattery5,060mAh5,000mAhCharge speed37W wired, 23W wireless23W wired with Google 30W USB-C charger, up to 23W wireless with Pixel Stand, 12W wireless with compatible Qi chargersCharge optionsUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessWired, WirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-CSIM supportNano SIM and eSIMDual SIM (nanoSIM + eSIM)Operating SystemAndroid 14Android 13Front camera42MP f/2.210.8MP, f/2.2, 92.8° FoVRear camera50MP, f/1.7, OIS main; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide; 48MP, f/2.8, 5x telephoto50MP wide (f/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 125.8° FoV), 48MP telephoto (f/3.5, 5x optical zoom)Cellular connectivityLTE, Sub-6 & mmWave 5G (market dependent)5G (mmWave supported in the US), LTEWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6EConnectivityUWB, NFC, Satellite SOSWi-Fi 6e, 5G (sub6 / mmWave)BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.2Dimensions162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mmWeight221g212gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzObsidian, Snow, HazelStylusNoNoPriceFrom $1,099$899 USD Read our review Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: The best big Android phone Google's big flagship earns its $100 price bump and then some. 8 Read our review Google Pixel 7 Pro review: A showcase for Google Some small design changes are welcome, but Google's usual bag of AI-powered tricks are the real treat Design Familiar looks, refined feels Close The Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Pixel 7 Pro have a few things in common, namely the build material, and a similar design. However, there are some stark differences between the two devices, such as the dimensions. The newer Pixel measures 162.8mm x 76.6mm x 8.5mm, while the older model is 162.9mm x 76.6mm x 8.9mm. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is ever so slightly shorter, has the same width, and 0.4mm thinner than its two-year-old predecessor. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is 9 grams heavier, but that's negligible. Both phones have a Gorilla Glass Victus panel on the back, but the newer Pixel has the second generation that's a bit tougher when it comes to scratches and falls, and both phones have an aluminum frame that feels just as premium as ever. Close But the main difference is mostly on the outside, and the way it feels in your hands. We found that the new Pixel 9 series, including the Pro XL, feels far more premium and great in the hand than previous generations. It has flat sides, and a new camera island design with a very large camera bump. The Pixel 7 Pro's visor looked a bit more attached to the device, and it had a lot more curved edges. Each corner of the phone is more rounded off on the Pixel 9 Pro XL with flat sides, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro looks more rectangular with curved sides. The button placement remains the same on the two phones, and the power button and volume rocker are still placed on the right side, with the power button receiving the top spot. The front-facing camera is still on the top center of each device in a punch-hole cutout, and the two devices still look very familiar. Google also kept the IP68 certificate on both phones, retaining water and dust resistance that can endure up to 1.5m depth for 30 minutes. Display Even bigger, even brighter Despite the Pixel 7 Pro and the 9 Pro XL having similar dimensions, Google managed to shrink the bezels and equip the new flagship with a 6.8-inch display, compared to the 7 Pro's 6.7-inch panel. The differences are minimal, but the 9 Pro XL looks more modern and far more refined as a result. The display technology has also changed quite a bit. The Pixel 9 Pro XL features an LTPO OLED display with a variable 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+. It's smooth, looks colorful, and it's bright too. It has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it one of the brightest panels when it comes to supported HDR content. In contrast, the Pixel 7 Pro comes with a similarly excellent LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz and HDR10+ support. However, the peak brightness is half of the 9 Pro XL at 1,500 nits. That's not to say HDR content won't be enjoyable, far from it, but it'll look nicer on the newer phone. Luckily, the colors, contrast, and viewing angles are just as good on both phones, so you won't have a problem using them day or night, wherever you are. The fingerprint reader is still built under the display, but the 9 Pro XL uses an ultrasonic sensor compared to the Pixel 7 Pro's optical, which is much faster and more accurate. We're just glad to see that Google heard the feedback from the community and swapped the technology to something more pleasant to use on an everyday basis. Software and performance 7 years of support and the latest features versus 5 years and new AI options Google's latest user interface looks modern, albeit it's not without its fair share of issues. It's relatively customizable for as long as you don't want to change it too much, and you don't want to use a variety of gestures. For those types of customization levels, you'll still have to opt for a custom launcher, such as the Nova Launcher. However, Google has got a lot of additional features going for it. The latest Pixel 9 series benefits from all the new AI features including the Add Me, Video Boost for Night Sight, Magic Editor, and much more. There are some rumors that this could trickle down to older Pixels, such as the Pixel 8, 7, and potentially even older devices, but that remains to be seen in practice. Related How many years will my Google Pixel get Android updates? Google's Pixel phones are some of the longest-supported Android phones 1 As of now, most of the new AI features remain exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, and some on the Pixel 8 line. And in case that wasn't enough to persuade you that the Pixel 9 series is the latest and greatest from Google, just look at the update promise. Google claims the new devices will receive seven years of OS and security updates, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro will only receive five years of security updates. The Pixel 7 series, consisting of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, will receive OS updates until at least October 2025, and security patches until at least October 2027. If you want to futureproof yourself, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series are the way to go. However, if you're looking for a smartphone that'll continue to receive updates - even though it might not have the latest features - the Pixel 7 series is the way to go, especially if you have a tight budget and fewer requirements. Battery life Slightly faster charging; still a solid day-long battery life The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 5,060 mAh battery, while the Pixel 7 Pro has a 5,000 mAh capacity. The difference is negligible at best, but the efficiency of the Google Tensor G4 makes things run faster and longer. We found that the Pixel 9 Pro XL can last a full day on a single charge, and while it won't win any awards, it'll be perfectly suitable for most power and general users. The Pixel 7 Pro can also last a full day, but more conservative use might be needed by power users to make it to the end of the day. General users will almost certainly be able to get a full day's worth of charge, which is still excellent at this day and age for a phone that's two years old - but not unheard of, as most modern and older flagships can manage that with ease. Related The Pixel 9's missing magnetic charging is Google's latest smartphone blunder This should've been the easiest of wins 17 The charging situation has improved on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but it's fair to say that Google is still far behind the competition. Still, there are some signs of improvement; the new flagship supports 37W fast wired charging, which is advertised to go from zero to 70% in 30 minutes. This is a noticeable improvement over the Pixel 7 Pro, which can only do 23W wired charging and go from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes. Wireless charging remains supported on both devices for up to 23W when using the original Pixel Stand. The 9 Pro XL also supports 12W wireless charging with standard Qi (first version) chargers, but sadly, neither phone comes with Qi2 or magnets inside. At least both phones support reverse wireless charging, enabling you to top up your earbuds and other accessories on the go. Camera Major advancements all around During our review, we found that both the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 7 Pro take excellent photos in all lighting conditions. The 9 Pro XL has a triple camera setup, consisting of a 50MP primary, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. In contrast, the Pixel 7 Pro also has a triple camera setup, but it has a 50MP primary, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Putting these two phones side-by-side reveals that Google has made major improvements to the camera quality and overall performance of the generation - which isn't too surprising, as they also have different sensors. In terms of features, the Pixel 9 Pro XL naturally gets everything: all the latest advancements and AI features. It takes stellar photos regardless of time and light and is hands down one of the best camera smartphones you can buy today. However, the Pixel 7 Pro still holds its ground, and is more than capable of handling most scenarios and environments. Which is right for you? During our review, we called the Pixel 9 Pro XL "the best big Android phone." The reason is simple: Google finally got it right, for the most part. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is large enough for those who want a large device with a beautiful, bright, and colorful display; the Tensor G4, while slightly behind the competition when it comes to benchmarks, provides excellent performance for everyday tasks and games. The camera is also outstanding, and the phone can last a full day on a single charge. Of course, the Pixel 9 Pro XL isn't perfect. It's expensive, and the charging situation still leaves a lot to be desired. Having said that, it excels in nearly all other departments, and even the lack of Qi2 support and magnetic-support can't take that title away from Google's latest and easily the best flagship to date. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL If you're looking for a larger Pixel that features all the new and flashy Gemini AI features, camera upgrades, and a solid performance with a long battery life, then the Pixel 9 Pro XL ticks nearly all the boxes. While the price might put off some people, it's worth noting that you're also getting 7 years of OS and security updates - making it a great investment for those wanting a futureproof smartphone. $1099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy$1099 at Google Store In contrast, the Pixel 7 Pro is slowly starting to show its age, but not because of its chipset. Despite the phone receiving fewer updates than the Pixel 8 series, it's still an excellent smartphone, but when you look at what else you can get for about the same price, you'll see there are other options to choose from. The Pixel 7 Pro remains a solid option for those wanting a Pixel that's relatively affordable, and offers most of the new features you can also find on the newer devices. However, if you're after the new Gemini AI features and camera tricks, you might have to shell out more for the newer Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro. If you're happy with what you're getting, the Pixel 7 Pro is a great buy, especially if you can find it for, or less than, $400. Google Pixel 7 Pro The Pixel 7 Pro is cheaper than ever, yet it still offers a decent performance, a powerful camera setup, a solid one-day battery life, and overall experience. If you're on a budget and you don't mind sporting a 2-year-old phone, it still holds up and offers a respectable value for the money. $899 at Amazon

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Pixel 8 Pro: A flagship by any other name

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Nearly 8 years removed from the series' introduction, the Pixel 9 Pro XL represents the most complete, refined smartphone Google's ever released. A bold, bright display, competent hardware, and increasingly effective software make it a strong contender for best phone of the year. ProsThe peak camera experience we're used toImproved performance and heat managementImpressive battery lifeConstantly evolving AI feature set ConsShips with last year's Android 14Hard-to-swallow price for the storage sizeQi2 charging support would've been nice $1099 at Amazon Google Pixel 8 Pro The Pixel 8 Pro clearly indicated Google's vision of software as the elevating factor in a high-end smartphone, with AI tools and a highly curated interface taking center stage. The Pixel 9 Pro XL directly supplants it, but doesn't make it obsolete, especially since it's now often heavily discounted. ProsSuitable performance for most users' needsThe same Android lifespan as the Pixel 9 familyOften costs hundreds less than its successor ConsHardware lags behind competitors and newer PixelsLess-than-ideal charging speedInconsistent battery life, especially on 5G networks $999 at Amazon The Pixel 8 Pro wasn't perfect, but it showed tons of promise, and the trade-offs it made were far from dealbreakers. It handily won the Android Police community vote for best phone of 2023, and it's still popular among staff here today. While none of the shortcomings of Google's 2023 flagship came close to ruining it, they were pretty clear. A minor lack of refinement in both the software and hardware gave the tech giant a clear path forward, which it not only followed, but even branched out from, releasing the smaller, but almost identically equipped, Pixel 9 Pro alongside the Pixel 9 Pro XL that fulfills Google's true flagship role. Getting to really know a phone's strengths and weaknesses takes time, but early results paint a definitively positive picture. Where Google needed to improve its biggest phone, it did. At this point, though, one of the biggest downsides is the cost, making the Pixel 8 Pro still worthwhile if you want to save a little and aren't too demanding. Price, availability, and specifications Getting the hardest part out of the way early Google's top-shelf handset finally cracked the $1,000 mark last year, which had nobody jumping for joy. The phone mostly justified the cost, especially with Google charting new AI territory that only its high-dollar device could navigate initially (although Gemini did come to the standard Pixel 8 after a small outcry). The 9 Pro XL has, unfortunately, a bit of the same story. Another $100 increase puts its sticker price at $1,100, and even that gets you just 128GB of storage -- a less-than-great figure for a device that costs so much and is supposed to lead its class. We're not saying it's not worth it, because there are plenty of worthwhile upgrades, but it's not quite the slam dunk it'd be if the MSRP had stayed put. You can still buy the Pixel 8 Pro from Google in a few configurations at list price, but keep an eye out for deals. At press time, both Amazon and Best Buy offered $250 off the 128GB and 256GB, but discounts on new 512GB and 1TB models are tough to find, and you won't have quite the same choice of colors as you did at launch. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is available in more configurations from both Google and third-party retailers, although some are already out of stock. You also won't find every storage option in every color, with 1TB exclusive to the Obsidian model, and the Rose Quarts available with exclusively 256GB. Moving from 128GB to 256GB tacks on $100, too; the 512GB upgrade another $120; the full 1TB black an additional $230, for a grand total of $1,549. As usual, you'll also have various carrier tie-in options for trade-ins and new contract provisions. Google Pixel 9 Pro XLGoogle Pixel 8 ProSoCGoogle Tensor G4Google Tensor G3Display typeLTPO OLED, 1-120HzLTPO OLED, 1-120HzDisplay dimensions6.8"6.7"Display resolution2992 x 13441344 × 2992RAM16GB12GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TBBattery5,060mAh5,050mAhCharge speed37W wired, 23W wireless30W wired, 18W wirelessCharge optionsUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessWired, WirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-CSIM supportNano SIM and eSIMDual SIM (Nano SIM and eSIM)Operating SystemAndroid 14Android 14Front camera42MP f/2.210.5MPRear camera50MP, f/1.7, OIS main; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide; 48MP, f/2.8, 5x telephoto50MP main; 48MP ultrawide; 48MP telephotoCellular connectivityLTE, Sub-6 & mmWave 5G (market dependent)5G, mmWave, LTEWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7 (Except certain markets)ConnectivityUWB, NFC, Satellite SOSUWB, NFCBluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3Dimensions162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8mmWeight221g213gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzObsidian, Porcelain, BayPriceFrom $1,099From $999StylusNoNo Read our review Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: The best big Android phone Google's big flagship earns its $100 price bump and then some. 8 Read our review Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Living up to its name If you want to see the future of Google, the Pixel 8 Pro is the phone to buy Design Clearly a Pixel, but also a brand-new phone The Pixel 7 and 8 lineups really leaned into a curve-heavy design language reminiscent of, if you ask me, a marshmallow (the Pixel Buds 2 case is arguably the best example). The Pixel 8a was basically the culmination of that almost cheery, friendly curvature, but the Pixel 8 Pro had it in spades, too. With the advent of the Pixel 9 family, said curvature is history. The 9 Pro XL and its relatives have adopted a considerably more clean-cut, professional stature, with flat sides, a flat back, and -- get ready for this -- a perfectly flat screen that won't lead a screen protector to peel off if it's installed 0.2mm off center. Curved screens are finally, actually dead, and we're here for it. More than just ensuring better screen protector adherence, the multiple newly flat surfaces make the phone easier to hold, allow for more consistent touch response on the edges, and look significantly better. Does it look a ton more like an iPhone? Yes. Is it taking design cues from others, just like some have criticized Samsung for doing? Also yes. But it's clearly a more functional, classier-looking design. Fluffy curves aren't the only iconic feature to get a makeover. The camera visor that's been practically synonymous with Pixels for three years also lost its frame, with the triple-lens array now housed in a floating shape called a stadium, or a rectangle with a semicircle on either end. The camera housing still stretches across nearly the entire back, and retains a little of the visor feel, but is once again worlds of refinement ahead of the previous design (subjectively speaking, of course). And you can't be upset it's mimicking the iPhone if the Pixel does it better -- set a caseless Pixel 9 Pro XL on a table, and it stays flat, with no rocking or tilting. You can argue the 9 Pro XL's polished aluminum frame doesn't look quite as nice as the base Pixel 9's less glossy metal, but it's a minor difference. The 9 Pro XL's matte glass back is still a little slippery, much like the 8 Pro's, but it really does look and feel premium. By comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro's rounded sides look and feel more like an extension of the body. And the 9 Pro XL's edges and corners still have just the right rounded touch for comfortable use. Source: iFixit Physically speaking, the Pixel 9 Pro XL retains the previous generation's IP68 rating while improving durability and repair simplicity. Zack Nelson, of JerryRigEverything fame, has already pushed the 9 Pro XL to its limits, where it even passed the flame-on-the-screen test with flying colors. To be clear, the Pixel 8 Pro passed similar tests with no issue, so we're confident either can physically withstand the intended 7+ years of use if not unreasonably abused. But it's reassuring to know that despite rearranging some internals, there are no antenna crease faults or overly sensitive display panels to worry about, and battery replacement won't be a pipe dream (although you'll still want to have a technician do it). Display The best gets better, with a special nugget of great news The sun at high noon measures a whopping 1.6 billion nits, but the Pixel 8 Pro's 1,600-nit high brightness mode was more than enough for comfortable viewing in some of the most well-lit conditions. That wasn't good enough for Google, which upped the output to 2,000 nits HBM with a claimed 3,000-nit peak. Brightness measurement methodology (for peak claims, in particular) varies greatly across manufacturers, but the measurements are useful in comparing generational upgrades and different models from the same family. In the Pixel 9 Pro XL's case, a 25% increase to peak brightness means it'll produce some of the best HDR10+ highlights you've ever held in your hand. Related Stop nit-picking about peak brightness, this is the spec you should be looking for No, it's not an HDR rating 2 Sadly, the newer Pixel still lacks Dolby Vision, so you won't see dynamic HDR processing from all the best sources -- but these are phones, not home theaters. And you absolutely won't be using most of those nits most of the time. Adaptive Brightness is a must-use setting for most people, and it gradually learns your preferences until, ideally, your phone's always perfectly bright to your liking, with no input needed. Otherwise, the display remains almost identical between the 8 Pro and 9 Pro XL, but with an early Christmas present for many: Google's use of a notoriously slow optical in-display fingerprint reader has ended, at long last. The ultrasonic sensor now implanted in the front works notably more quickly and consistently, eliminating one of the 8 Pro's few frustrations. It certainly took long enough. Software Even more prepared for the Gemini AI onslaught We've written many thousands of words critiquing, praising, and sometimes criticizing Google's heavily tailored Android implementation here at Android Police (in just the last couple of weeks, no less), so I won't dig up all the most granular arguments. Anyway, these two devices sport extremely similar software right out of the gate. Indeed, Google's decision to push the Pixel release two months earlier in the year had an unfortunate side effect. The Pixel 9 series launched with the same Android 14 OS as the Pixel 8 series, essentially negating the final year of its 7-year update promise. I wouldn't necessarily call that shady, but it is a little disappointing. That is, it would be, if I planned to use a Pixel (or any phone) for 7 years straight without upgrading. I don't plan to do that, nor do most others, so the lag year won't rear its ugly head until 2030 rolls around and the secondhand market starts to take issue with being stuck on Android 21, or whatever it's called by then. Hurry up, we really want to hear about all the AI Lead AP Phones Editor Will Sattelberg goes in-depth on a variety of currently available AI tools in his review of the Pixel 9 Pro, which is mostly identical to the XL outside of size, battery life, and charging speed. To sum up, some show a lot of promise, some are pretty gimmicky, and some land in between. I recommend you check out his rundown. As with many things Gemini, some features are half-baked at the moment. For example, the dream is to someday employ a wide-ranging, AI-based voice assistant to provide comprehensive voice control of your device and cloud services using plain English, including slang and regional dialects. A quick jaunt around settings and customizations using Gemini Live -- which is supposed to be that AI voice assistant -- indicates we're far from that dream. With that in mind, it's new (and subscription-based, although you get a year for free), and Google will get a little grace period before people start balking at any failures to deliver. One thing we're hoping works in Gemini's favor is the 2.64GB of RAM partitioned for AI processing. Related Google Gemini tips and tricks: Put Google's most capable AI model to good use Not sure what's up with Gemini? Here are the goods Holding huge databases of ML parameters in high-speed RAM is central to on-device AI processing -- which is why the base Pixel 8 didn't get on-device Gemini at first -- and that 2.64GB partition on the 9 Pro and Pro XL is nothing to sneeze at. Carve out an additional partition for the operating system, and you're left with 13GB of system memory for apps, which is more than enough for nearly any use case. Given the Pixel 8 Pro's 12GB total, the 9 Pro XL is poised to make quicker work of the increasingly pervasive AI everybody's so excited about. The latest Pixel Pros will come preloaded with the latest tools, some of which will filter down to the Pixel 8 family. But you shouldn't expect all of them to. And a note for non-US readers: Gemini features vary by region and country, and it's surprisingly tough to nail down exactly what's available where. Taken as a whole, The Pixel 9 Pro XL's Android experience is very much more of the same, which isn't a bad thing. The new software push puts an extreme focus on specialty ML-based tools, which everybody and their financial advisor expected after Google's exclusively AI-focused I/O event earlier this year. If you're a fan of the general Android interface found on the Pixel 8 Pro, you'll get it with the 9 Pro XL. But if you don't care much for AI, you won't get the most out of what Google's put into its new flagship. Considering the price difference between a new Pixel 9 Pro XL and a discounted Pixel 8 Pro, it's worth asking yourself if you just love the general Pixel experience (which is reasonable), or if you're ready to go all-in on cutting-edge software tricks. Performance The 8 Pro didn't stink, but the 9 Pro XL is starting to smell like roses Nobody buys Pixels for their industry-leading blazing speed, as it's common knowledge they fall short of Qualcomm-powered phones. The Pixel 8 Pro and its Tensor G3 worked just fine for the many everyday tasks that make smartphones so useful. Outside of ultra-demanding enthusiasts (an important group, no doubt), you'll find relatively few complaints about the Pixel 8 Pro's interface and general performance. But it is far from the fastest, most efficient, best thermally managed set of hardware out there. It does tend to heat up a little more than some find comfortable. Repeated, heavy multitasking might not exactly bring it to its knees -- until you dig into the most advanced AI tools and really push the SoC and RAM. The Tensor G4 is better. It's not perfect. It actually loses a CPU core compared to the G3, but ups the frequency of the remaining 8 cores. The 3 performance and 4 efficiency cores get the biggest boost, with the high-speed AI core seeing just a 100MHz bump compared to the G3's. Benchmarks aren't always indicative of real life, but multiple metrics place the G4's performance behind previous-generation flagship SoCs from Qualcomm and Mediatek. Related The Pixel 9's Tensor G4 might be the least interesting thing about Google's new phones The new Tensor may not pack any major upgrades 3 The truth is, not everybody will notice. Heck, you might not even care. But you will pay a significant premium for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, only to get a chip that's far from being an industry leader. If your main concern is general stock interface navigation and non-AI app performance, it's worth considering dipping into the Pixel 8 Pro market, instead of shelling out top dollar for a marginal increase in real world, non-ML processing power. Battery life Weeding out the cons and harvesting more pros Just like the earlier gaming performance example, Pixels aren't popular because their battery life leads the pack. Quite the opposite, plenty of consumers (including many diehard Pixel fans) had less-than-stellar things to say about the Pixel 8 Pro's battery life. We've seen some shockingly poor numbers in user commentary, and while we didn't actually face any debilitating battery drain issues, at least some folks did face them in the 2023 flagship. Consistency is king in a lot of ways, and the Tensor G4 goes a long way to mitigate some of the problems people faced. It sips power more slowly, doesn't suffer from significant hot spots, and is generally easier on the battery than its predecessor. It's easily the most mature-feeling hardware/software implementation from Google yet, which is why senior AP Expert Daniel Bader gave it such high praise in AP's initial hands-on review. Only time will tell just how great the 9 Pro XL's endurance is, but it's clearly a rung above the 8 Pros, and can only get better as the Adaptive Battery management feature learns the user's habits. Daniel's following that aspect closely, so keep an eye out for long-term updates to his review in coming months. A long-desired charging upgrade, and one the Pixel 9s miss out on We, like a lot of enthusiasts, periodically criticize big manufacturers for failing to jump onboard the global fast-charging train. Samsung, for example, gets a lot of grief for its 25W limitation, and Pixel phones' typical 27-30W peak isn't really any better. The 9 Pro XL is the first to exceed that, with a charging algorithm able to deliver up to 37W. It won't deliver that entire amount throughout the charging process, but the increased rate will apply more at the low end. The 9 Pro XL can go from empty to 70% in roughly a half-hour using a 45W USB PD charger, which isn't bad at all. While some of us are a little neurotic about keeping our batteries in the 40-80% range for long-term health, everybody has long days or occasionally forgets to plug in until the last minute. While we'll probably never see Google adopt the blistering rates that manufacturers like OnePlus use, those aren't only bad for batteries, they're also not really necessary. Camera Don't fix what isn't broken (or do, by dressing it up with AI trimmings) Google basically follows a tick/tock camera update schedule, providing significant upgrades every other year and only minor refinements in off years. This time, the only apparent change to the camera hardware is a larger ultrawide sensor. It lets in more light and increases overall ultrawide image quality somewhat, but the real magic is in the newly enabled macro mode. Interestingly, the ultrawide lens sports a 3-degree narrower field of view, but that's negligible. Otherwise, the Pixel 9 Pro XL sports the same fantastic, stabilized 5× telephoto lens that we've breathlessly touted for many months (and rightfully so). Nobody does image processing algorithms as well as Google, so combined with the premium hardware, you won't find anything better for easy long-range smartphone photography. Likewise, the primary lens remains unchanged, as does our number of complaints about it, which is roughly zero. Where the 9 Pro XL excels is, once again, in software. Google completely revamped HDR processing, and it's absolutely noticeable. Not only are images even more crisp and consistently, perfectly contrasted (in auto mode, no less, without messing around in the camera Pro Controls), but opening the app and switching lenses is snappier, too. Those are somewhat unsung, but very important factors in capturing the most important memories with a device that spends most of its time in your pocket with a blank screen. Close You'll find more great photo samples in our Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL reviews The Pixel 8 Pro seemed like it was at the top of the picture-taking mountain, but the 9 Pro XL managed to peak higher. And it'll continue to benefit from ever-improving image capture and AI editing algorithms. With that said, if this year's Pixel is the best point-and-shoot smartphone camera, last year's Pixel arguably comes in second. Which is right for you? The answer to "Which Pixel Pro is better?" is obvious. The Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn't blow the Pixel 8 Pro out of the water in any one area, but surpasses it a little bit nearly everywhere. It's a better phone that will perform more quickly and age more gracefully in the long term. The design hearkens back to previous Pixel generations, but clearly forges ahead to form its own identity. If you want the best big slab phone Google has to offer, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly the right choice. Top pick Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Google reimagined its full-size phone's design, touched up the hardware almost perfectly, and continues to improve the already great software experience with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It's one of the best phones we've ever reviewed. $1099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy$1099 at Google Store But the 9 Pro XL is also more expensive, and brand-new, so less likely to see big discounts soon. The Pixel 8 Pro's essentially identical Android update lifespan and durability mean that, as far as long-term, AI-excluded smartphone use is concerned, the older model is actually not far behind the newer one. It might see the odd slowdown or dropped frame more frequently than the 9 Pro XL, but the Pixel 8 Pro remains a fantastic device. If you can get it at a good discount, such as the $750 asking price as of press time, you'll very likely be happy with it. Still excellent Google Pixel 8 Pro 2023's Pixel 8 Pro is still one of the top Android phones available today. It's not the easiest sell at MSRP, but frequent discounts make it an especially great choice if you're not interested in the absolute latest AI features. $999 at Amazon$999 at Google Store Considering going small instead? 4 reasons you should buy the smaller Google Pixel 9 Pro over Pixel 9 Pro XL Why the Pixel 9 Pro might be the better choice 5

The Google Pixel phone I recommend to most people is not a flagship (and it's on sale)

Compared to similarly priced phones, like the Nothing Phone 2, the Pixel 8 is a far better value. The Google Pixel 9 might be getting all the attention nowadays (especially with its access to Google's new Gemini AI model), but the standard Pixel 8 is still impressive among Google's lineup this year. Also: The 50+ best early October Prime Day 2024 deals to shop now That's because the Pixel 8 offers one of the best combinations of specs, features, and premium design at a price considerably lower than the competition. What's more, for the past few months, Pixel 8 deals have been hovering around $500. At that price, the Pixel 8 is not only difficult to ignore but perhaps the only phone you should consider if you're shopping on a budget. You won't find another phone like it under $500, and it's only when you sift through the $800-$1,000 options that you find commendable competition. A big reason why this is such a compelling option is the Tensor G3 chip, Google's latest in-house processor that powers all of the Pixel 8's AI and machine learning features. It's not just a solid Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 alternative but a monumental reason why the Pixel 8 is such a great phone. Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro: This phone sold me on an AI-powered future The chip powers all the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices in the Recorder app to letting you edit photos to your heart's content with the AI-powered Magic Editor. The Google Assistant also takes advantage of the G3 to process your voice quicker and even summarize web pages for quickly consuming information. Alongside powering Google's HDR pipeline for photography, ensuring Android 14 is slick and smooth, the G3 is one of the most capable smartphone chips on the market. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you'll never have a slow day. The display is another huge reason to get this phone. The Pixel 8's 6.2-inch Actua display is a bit smaller than the screen on the Pixel 7, but that makes it easier to hold in one hand. It's also stunning to look at; with a Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,000 nits of peak brightness, it's one of the brightest and clearest displays on the market. Plus, it's OLED, so colors are vibrant, and inky blacks are plentiful. Look beyond the display, and you'll find a good-looking phone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. Featuring Google's signature camera bar on the back and thin bezels around the display, the Pixel 8 is a stunner among other sub-$700 phones. It's also IP68-certified for dust and water resistance, and it comes in three nice finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (kinda green), and Rose (more of a golden peach, in my opinion). When it comes to Pixel phones, there are two areas you have to talk about: cameras and software. On the camera front, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP main shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are both excellent performers in broad daylight and at night. The cameras easily match or outpace what you'd get with an iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of clarity, detail, and sharpness, while colors are often far more accurate than they ever have been on a Pixel phone. Also: I upgraded to the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its most impressive feature was not the software You also get all of the camera chops that the Pixel name carries like astrophotography, Super ResZoom, dual exposure controls, and Ultra HDR. That's on top of other features like Best Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the smartest you'll find. Plus, video quality has been vastly improved over previous Pixels -- it's flat-out comparable to the iPhone. On the software side, Google's Pixel experience atop Android 14 remains my favorite way to interact with Android. It's clean and minimal and gives you a warm, inviting feeling that no other Android skin can mimic. You get all the features of Android 14, like customizable lock screens, better security, larger fonts, and improved notifications, along with all of the Pixel features you could ask for, such as Call Screen, Now Playing, Direct My Call, AI-generated wallpapers, and --of course --the Pixel Launcher. But the real kicker in the software department is Google's extended support. The company is guaranteeing seven full years of software support, which means you'll get updates until 2030 if you buy this phone. That's unheard of for an Android phone, and it gives devices like the iPhone a run for their money. Also: Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which model should you buy? The Pixel 8 can also last all day on a charge thanks to the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy usage, I typically end days with 30-40 percent in the tank, which means anyone using the phone a bit less could stretch it out to last a day and a half. Plus, you get 30W fast charging to juice back up as well as Qi wireless charging. So, what are the downsides? Honestly, there aren't a lot. The Pixel 8 still gets pretty warm after using it for a while, but that's typical with Google's Tensor processors. I also wish there was a proper telephoto camera on the back; Super Res Zoom is handy for upscaling digitally zoomed photos, but it can only take you so far. Oh, and I still don't trust Face Unlock; Google lets you use it to pay for things now using Google Pay, but it still relies on a flat image of your face to authenticate you. You're not going to find a much better value than the Pixel 8. From the gorgeous display and design to the speedy performance and amazing cameras, Google's standard flagship phone stands on its own with an impeccable balance of high-end features for a lower price than other flagships. Also: Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so far With its sale price of $499, the closest competition happens to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Phone (2), two devices that are perfectly worthy of a spot in your pocket but don't offer the same value as the Pixel 8. Google's phone is a proper flagship with seven years of software support, the latest AI features, and the company's latest camera tricks. The Phone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that balance specs and price well but don't feel as high-end as the Pixel does. Anyone shopping for an Android phone under $600 -- let alone under $700 -- should look to the Pixel 8. The value is simply incredible, and it's by far one of the best phones of the year.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. OnePlus 12: How much does AI matter to you?

Standout newcomer Google Pixel 9 Pro XL The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL features an improved Tensor G4 chipset with 16GB of RAM. Google has also refined the design of its flagship Pixel series, giving the phone a sleek aesthetic. In addition, it still sports the camera system you've come to know and love about Pixel phones. ProsFantastic displayPremium buildGreat cameras ConsDoesn't charge as fast as the OnePlus 12Lacking in raw power $1099 at Google Store Powerful alternative OnePlus 12 The OnePlus 12 builds on the momentum of the OnePlus 11; it offers a fantastic display, premium build quality, and flagship power with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Although you're sacrificing software support, it's less expensive than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. And you do pick up fast charging, with 80W wired fast charging. ProsExcellent displayFast chargingGreat raw performance ConsQuestionable software supportMediocre cameras $800 at OnePlus The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and One Plus 12 are among the best smartphones you can buy, but they have distinct strengths. Pixel fans are used to feature drops and software extras like Now Playing. Google has added AI to its repertoire with impressive additions like Gemini Live -- and we can never forget about the excellent Pixel camera. However, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has drawbacks; many still question whether the Tensor G4 has the raw horsepower to compete with other flagships. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 12 offers fantastic performance, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It also features a premium build and a gorgeous display. Unfortunately, its camera system is lacking, and software support is a question mark, but it is often available for several hundred dollars less. Let's look at both phones and highlight where each one excels to make your decision easier. Read Our Ranking Best Android phones in 2024 Premium smartphones with unique features Price, availability, and specs The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is available through Google and Best Buy starting at $1,099. The base configuration has 128GB of RAM, but the company sells variants up to 1TB. All versions of the Pixel 9 Pro XL include 16GB of RAM. It's available in four colors: Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Obsidian, and Hazel. The OnePlus 12 starts at $800 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You can get a 16GB/512GB model for $100 more. It's available in two colors: Silky Black and Flowy Emerald. If the modest starting price wasn't enough, the OnePlus 12 is on sale frequently at this point in its life cycle -- saving you even more. Google Pixel 9 Pro XLOnePlus 12SoCGoogle Tensor G4Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Display typeLTPO OLED, 1-120HzLTPO AMOLED, 1-120HzDisplay dimensions6.8"6.82", 19.8:9Display resolution2992 x 13443168 x 1440RAM16GB12GB or 16GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB256GB or 512GBBattery5,060mAh5,400mAhCharge speed37W wired, 23W wireless80W wired (100W international), 50W wirelessCharge optionsUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessUSB-C SuperVOOC wired, AirVOOC wireless, reverse chargingPortsUSB-CUSB-CSIM supportNano SIM and eSIMDual nano-SIM slotOperating SystemAndroid 14Android 14 with OxygenOS 14Front camera42MP f/2.232MP, f/2.4Rear camera50MP, f/1.7, OIS main; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide; 48MP, f/2.8, 5x telephoto50MP, f/1.6, OIS main; 48MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 64MP, f/2.6, OIS, 3x telephoto Cellular connectivityLTE, Sub-6 & mmWave 5G (market dependent)Sub-6 5G, LTEWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7ConnectivityUWB, NFC, Satellite SOSIR blaster, NFCBluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.4Dimensions162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2mmWeight221g220gIP RatingIP68IP65ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzFlowy Emerald, Silky BlackStylusNoNoPriceFrom $1,099From $800 Read our review Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: The best big Android phone Google's big flagship earns its $100 price bump and then some. 8 Read our review OnePlus 12 review: All flagship, no AI This phone leaves nothing on the table, making for a truly complete package Design Premium all around It's difficult not to like both devices, as they have a premium feel in the hand. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is gorgeous and sleek, refining three years of previous Pixel designs. It sports Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back with a polished aluminum frame. Some fans will knock the Pixel for looking too much like an iPhone, but it's a gorgeous design, and most will appreciate what Google has done. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. You can rest assured the OnePlus 12 is no slouch, as it is also made from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and aluminum. Unlike the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the OnePlus 12 features a curved display tapering down to its frame. If you loathe the current flat display trend, OnePlus has you covered. OnePlus is typically behind on IP certification, and the OnePlus 12 continues that trend; it earns an IP65 rating, which is good enough for splashes in the rain, but you can't submerge it. Display Google makes good Display quality had been substandard on Google Pixels for years before the Pixel 8 series. The company turned that around with the Super Actua display, proving it could ship a gorgeous, bright panel worthy of a flagship phone. The Pixel 9 Pro XL takes it further, offering an even brighter panel this year with a 6.8-inch 1344x2992 120Hz display maxing out at 3,000 nits. You'll hardly ever use the full brightness of any smartphone, but it's fantastic to know you can view your Pixel outdoors without an issue. Meanwhile, OnePlus has had no such problems with its flagship devices, and the OnePlus 12 is no exception. It has a vivid 6.82-inch 1440 x 3168 display refreshing at 120Hz and a higher peak brightness of 4,500 nits, but those specs are misleading -- both devices are viewable outdoors. Overall, the OnePlus 12 has a vibrant, fluid, responsive display that looks fantastic and is a major selling point of the device. Software To AI or not to AI The Pixel 9 Pro XL ships with Android 14 out of the box, with an Android 15 upgrade expected shortly. Google has been busy beefing up its AI features with Gemini Nano. Gemini Live is interesting, allowing free-flowing conversations with your voice assistant, and it works well on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Pixel Studio creates AI-generated images based on your natural language prompts. Some AI features aren't the most critical yet, but we like that Google is attempting to make AI more practical. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is your best bet if you prefer relatively stock Android. The company also promises seven years of uncompromised software support, meaning your Pixel 9 Pro XL will receive Android upgrades and security patches for a long time. Overall, the software experience on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is excellent -- the UI runs smoothly, and we expect more of the same with Android 15. Oxygen OS on the OnePlus 12 isn't for everyone, but it's been running well on Android 14. OnePlus promises four years of Android upgrades and five years of security patches for the OnePlus 12. The company promises some AI features in the future, but they're not currently the device's focus. Oxygen OS isn't bad, but understand that it's more heavily skinned than the Pixel's software, meaning there might be a learning curve if you're coming from another Android device. Performance and battery life Pixel has improved, but OnePlus is the champion If you've been looking for a reason to buy the OnePlus 12, performance is where the device shines. It's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, giving it top-of-the-line flagship power -- the OnePlus 12 blazes through even the most intense Android apps. You'll really notice the difference in power while gaming; the OnePlus 12 routinely gets more frames at higher graphics settings on AAA mobile titles. If you use your phone to edit or record lots of 4K videos, the OnePlus 12 will perform better overall. The OnePlus 12 is also power efficient, easily cracking over 8 hours of screen-on time per day from its 5,400mAh battery. When it's time to recharge, few smartphones do it faster than the OnePlus 12, with 80W wired charging (100W overseas), 50W wireless charging, and even 10W reverse wireless charging. The company claims you can get a 100% charge in 30 minutes, which has held true in testing. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro XL also saw increased charging speeds this year, with 45W wired charging. It's a big step up for Google, alleviating one of the main complaints of earlier devices. The Pixel 9 Pro XL also features 25W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand, while other wireless chargers result in slower speeds. We've seen fantastic battery life from the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 5,060mAh cell. It often achieves over nine hours of screen time with little idle battery drain. This is a welcome change for Pixel devices and an important piece of the puzzle if Google will justify higher prices for its phones. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by a Tensor G4. While it lacks the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it can still run most apps smoothly. You won't notice a difference during daily tasks, but if you're a gamer, the Pixel 9 Pro XL will lag in performance and graphics compared to the OnePlus 12. Camera Still a Pixel camera If you're a big Pixel fan, you're most likely interested in the cameras. Rest assured, the Pixel 9 Pro XL cameras are excellent again this year. Google fitted the Pixel 9 Pro XL with a 50MP primary shooter, 48MP 5x optical zoom, and 48MP ultrawide sensor, making for a versatile camera array. Night Sight produces fantastic, detailed low-light imagery, and Google's various AI tools give you endless options for editing and adding post-processing effects. If you're a shutterbug, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is your choice. Close OnePlus has done a wonderful job rehabilitating its cameras over the last few years. The OnePlus 8 produced some lackluster images, with dim colors and soft details. However, the OnePlus 12 does an admirable job, especially in good lighting. It can't compare to the Pixel 9 Pro XL in low-light photography, but it holds its own in most point-and-shoot situations. The device won't have the same computational photography magic as the Google device, but it's no longer the negative it used to be. The OnePlus 12 sports a 50MP primary shooter, a 64MP 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide sensor. Close Which is right for you? The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the more well-rounded device. It features great software support, a fantastic screen, and a premium build. If you're a shutterbug or like Google's software integration, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the phone you should choose. Editor's choice Google Pixel 9 Pro XL The latest and greatest The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL lacks the raw power of the OnePlus 12, but it makes up for it in several areas. Google has worked hard to improve its software and hardware with seven years of support, and Gemini Nano AI features. Plus, we can never forget the Google Pixel camera is still one of the highest quality systems on the market. $1099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy$1099 at Google Store However, if you're looking to save a few dollars and want the most raw power, the OnePlus 12 is an excellent option. Its software takes a little getting used to, and we never know which direction OnePlus is going, but you won't regret picking up a OnePlus 12. It will give you better gaming performance and faster raw performance for apps. Best for gamers OnePlus 12 Still an excellent option The OnePlus 12 is no slouch. Even though we prefer the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, there are still plenty of reasons to pick up the OnePlus. It features fantastic raw performance and is the better gaming choice. You'll notice the extra power if you do a lot of video or photo editing on your phone. It also features faster charging. $880 at Amazon$800 at Best Buy$800 at OnePlus

Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 8: Google's base models compared

Both phones represent the sweet spots of their respective ranges, offering pro-level features in more affordable (not to mention compact) form factors. But which Pixel phone represents the best buy? Sure, the Pixel 9 is an objectively better phone in some areas than the Pixel 8, but with an accompanying price bump and broadly similar feature sets, is it worth the extra expenditure? The only way to find out is to dive into our reviews of both phones and draw out what makes them so special. We've spent plenty of time with the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8, and in this guide, we explore how the two devices match up in areas such as price, specs, and features. Here's an overview of how the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 match up, spec for spec: Google really moved up its timetable with the Pixel 9, which hit shelves on August 22, 2024. This was only about 10 months on from the Pixel 8 launch, which took place on October 12, 2023. Evidently, a lot happened in that 10-month period, because the Pixel 9 received a pretty substantial price bump. The 128GB model starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, while the 256GB model costs $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. This means that you're looking at a $100 / £100 / AU$150 price hike over the Pixel 8, which landed with a $699 / £699 / AU$1,199 price tag for the 128GB model, and a $759 / £759 / AU$1,299 price tag for the 256GB model. If there's just one reason to buy the Pixel 8 over the Pixel 9 right now, it's price. Not only does it rock a much cheaper RRP, but you'll also be able to find it heavily discounted in the wake of the Pixel 9 launch. After several years of refining its rounded Pixel design, complete with a signature width-spanning camera visor, Google has totally rebooted things for the Pixel 9. It's a much flatter, sharper, and more industrial-looking phone than the curvy Pixel 8. Meanwhile, the camera visor no longer tapers away into the frame like on the Pixel 8. Here it stands alone with a defined frame, although it's still unusually wide. Our reviewer was bowled over by this new design, which looks way sharper than any Pixel before it. Google also claims that it's twice as durable as its predecessor, and part of that is due to the use of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back rather than the Pixel 8's Gorilla Glass Victus. We're also big fans of the Pixel 9's bold new Wintergreen and Peony colors, which offer a bit more punch than the Pixel 8's Mint and Rose. At 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm, the Pixel 9 is a couple of millimeters taller and wider than last year's model, but also 0.4mm thinner. It's also 11g heavier at 198g, underlining the fact that this is an all-round better-built and more substantial piece of kit. After successive years of shrinking the size of its Pixel display, Google has reversed course with the Pixel 9. It features a 6.3-inch screen, which is slightly larger than the 6.2-inch Pixel 8 display. There really isn't a great deal in it in practical terms, and both are punchy OLED panels with similar resolutions (1080 x 2424 for the Pixel 9, 1080 x 2400 for the Pixel 8) and identical 120Hz refresh rates. We'd still call the Pixel 9 screen the better of two, however, if only because it gets much brighter. The newer phone hits a 2,700-nit peak brightness in HDR scenarios and 1,800 nits in high brightness mode (HBM). By contrast, the Pixel 8 hits 2,000 nits at its peak and 1,400 nits in HBM. Google has bragged about the Pixel 9 screen being the best in its class, and we're inclined to agree. It's an absolute treat to behold, even on sunny days. Both of these phones feature dual camera set-ups, with a dedicated telephoto camera being one of the main reasons to upgrade to the Google Pixel 9 Pro, if you're so inclined. The Pixel 9 and the Pixel 8 are great at taking photos, and both phones use the same main 50MP 1/1.31" image sensor with an f/1.7 aperture. If that sounds like a bit of a downer on the Pixel 9's part, then also consider that the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL use this component, too, so it's obviously far from being a dud. Google has also given its latest phone something of a Pro flavor in the ultra-wide department, dropping the Pixel 8's 12MP 1/2.9" sensor for a larger and sharper 48MP 1/2.55" alternative. Both phones pack 10.5MP 1/3.1" selfie cameras, but only the Pixel 9 also gives you autofocus. That's a welcome addition that only tends to make its way into flagships - though at the new price, you could argue that the Pixel 9 is now moving in such elevated circles. Image quality is very good across the board with both phones, though the Pixel 9 has the edge. As well as those hardware adjustments, Google's new Tensor G4 supplies superior image processing. Crucially, both phones have access to Google's suite of AI tricks, with Magic Editor letting you radically adjust the composition of a shot, change the sky, erase background elements, and more. In the Pixel 9, Google has added Reimagine, which uses AI to let you fundamentally transform an image using natural language commands. The results are hit and miss, but when they hit, you'll wonder what the word 'photograph' even means anymore. The Pixel 9 misses out on a bunch of advanced features from the Pixel 9 Pro, which means photography nuts should probably consider upgrading. But in this particular generational face-off, it's the better shooter. Google has upgraded its hardware from the Tensor G3 of the Pixel 8 to the Tensor G4 of the Pixel 9. It's considerably slower than the chips used in the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15, but of course those aren't the comparisons we're here for. Across the usual benchmark tests, the Pixel 9 shows a modest but clear bump up in CPU and GPU performance. It'll run apps and games better, especially with a generous 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB in the Pixel 8). That's all well and good, but the point remains that neither of these phones is a particularly strong performer, and we worry about their ability to cope towards the end of Google's promised seven-year software update cycle. Even with the Pixel 9, our reviewer found it to feel somewhat sluggish in certain everyday situations, such as when multitasking. As Google layers more and more AI features on top, you have to worry about the impact on performance over the coming years. Here's hoping that Google does what Google does best, and sorts both of these phones out with software. Talking of which, it will surprise no-one to learn that using the Pixel 9's UI feels very much like using the Pixel 8's UI. Both run on Android 14, with Android 15 having missed the Pixel 9's early launch date. Google's interface is one of the cleanest and most stylish around, with little of the bloat and clutter found with phone UIs from Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and co. Matters such as UI design and pre-installed applications take a backseat in the age of AI, though. Both these phones are saturated with AI features, from Circle to Search to real-time translations. The Pixel 9 adds a bunch more AI stuff, though some of it (such as the new Gemini Live conversation tool) requires a subscription to access, which is a bummer. More generally, Google has made its Gemini AI the default assistant on the Pixel 9, whereas it was Google Assistant on the Pixel 8 with the subsequent choice of adopting Gemini. The new Screenshots app is potentially pretty useful, as it collates all your screenshots (though not all your old ones, sadly) and summarizes the information stashed within. Pixel Studio is less useful, but still pretty cool, allowing you to create custom artwork based on natural language requests. With the Pixel 9 having a (slightly) bigger body and a brighter display, you'd hope that Google would fit it with a bigger battery to match. That's indeed the case, with a 4,700mAh cell topping the Pixel 8's 4,575mAh unit. We didn't have any issue making either of these phones last a full day of moderate to heavy usage. They're both decent performers within their weight class. We're less enthralled with the charging provisions, which top out at 27W in both cases, provided you supply your own suitable charger. That equates to roughly half a tankful, from empty, in 30 minutes of charging. You can get way faster for the money, or even significantly less. You can charge wirelessly with both phones, too, though you'll want to invest in the custom Pixel Stand to optimize those speeds. We rated both of these phones the same in our reviews, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Google has made a flat-out better phone in the Pixel 9 - it's better built, has a bigger and brighter screen, performs (slightly) faster, and takes better photos in pretty much all situations. But aside from that design overhaul, the differences aren't what you'd call night and day. When you add in the fact that Google has bumped up its launch pricing by $100 / £100, it makes choosing between these two fine phones an interesting conundrum. Have you got $799 / £799 / AU$1,349 to spare, and want the very best phone you can get for that money? The Pixel 9 is right up there with the iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S24, and it quite clearly tops the Pixel 8. But if you want a broadly equivalent experience for significantly less money, the Pixel 8 still has plenty to say for itself.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Large phone lovers rejoice

Google's best Google Pixel 9 Pro XL The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is easily one of the best devices that the company has ever made. It is a well-rounded beast that does virtually everything right. Google was even able to fix some of the issues that plagued previous generations, such as the modem performance and the heat output of the Tensor processor. ProsBright, beautiful displayTensor G4 offers fast and smooth performanceAmazing cameras ConsDidn't launch with Android 15Base model has less storage $1099 at Google Store A powerhouse Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is well-crafted and a real powerhouse thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. If you are looking for the absolute best performance from your device, the Ultra has it in spades. It also has a great display, fantastic battery life, and long software support. ProsLarge, beautiful displayBlistering fast performanceExcellent battery life ConsCameras struggle with moving subjectsVery expensive $1300 at Amazon As two of the most recognizable players in the smartphone industry, Google and Samsung are often under heavy scrutiny. Each has its ardent fan base and its detractors, but there is no denying that their devices frequently push the smartphone industry forward. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra do just about everything right and don't have many shortcomings. Both devices are extremely capable and well-equipped to tackle your daily needs. They are also quite large, so if you want something on the smaller side, you may want to check out the Pixel 9 Pro or Galaxy S24. However, if you love the idea of having a large display and a powerful device, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Galaxy S24 Ultra represent two of the best Android phones currently available. Read our ranking Best Android phones in 2024 Premium smartphones with unique features Price, availability, and specs Being two of the biggest players in the smartphone market, you shouldn't have any trouble finding either the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both are available on all major carriers, many smaller carriers, and through retail outlets, such as Amazon and Best Buy. Having launched in August 2024, Google released the Pixel 9 Pro XL a bit earlier than its typical October launch window. With its January 2024 release date, Samsung also launched the Galaxy S24 Ultra a bit earlier than usual. The Pixel starts at $1,099 for the 128GB model and increases to $1,549 for 1TB of storage. The 256GB Galaxy retails for $1,300 and goes up to a 1TB model that costs $1,660. The devices have a good colorway selection, but Samsung offers seven colors, while Google only offers four. Samsung's offerings are a bit more subdued, whereas Google's colors are a bit punchier. The Pixel is available in the Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian colorways. The Galaxy comes in Violet, Yellow, Black, Gray, Green, Blue, and Orange. The last three are exclusive and can only be purchased through Samsung. Google Pixel 9 Pro XLSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraSoCGoogle Tensor G4Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyDisplay typeLTPO OLED, 1-120HzLTPO AMOLED, 1-120HzDisplay dimensions6.8"6.8", 19.3:9Display resolution2992 x 13443088 × 1440RAM16GB12GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB256GB, 512GB, or 1TBBattery5,060mAh5,000 mAhCharge speed37W wired, 23W wireless45W wired, 15W wirelessCharge optionsUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessWired, wireless, reverse chargingPortsUSB-CUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGOperating SystemAndroid 14Android 14, OneUI 6.1Front camera42MP f/2.212MP, f/2.2Rear camera50MP, f/1.7, OIS main; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide; 48MP, f/2.8, 5x telephoto200MP, f/1.7 main; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 10MP 3× telephoto; 50MP, f/3.4 5× telephotoCellular connectivityLTE, Sub-6 & mmWave 5G (market dependent)5G mmWave & sub-6, LTEWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi DirectConnectivityUWB, NFC, Satellite SOSNFC, UWBBluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3Dimensions162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm162.6 × 79.0 × 8.6mmWeight221g233gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium YellowStylusNoS Pen includedPriceFrom $1,099From $1,300 Read our review Review: The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is now the best big Android phone Google's big flagship earns its $100 price bump and then some. 8 Read our review The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still the best, unless you take photos Samsung's latest phablet feels like a do-over Design Large and built to last There's no getting around it, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are well-crafted and large devices. The Pixel features an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the rear, and weighs 221g. Unless you have very large hands, the Pixel's 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm size can be a struggle to use one-handed. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers slightly more premium build materials, shipping with a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor on the back. At 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm and weighing 232g, it's a bit wider and heavier than the Pixel. Both devices have an IP68 rating against dust and water ingress. But looking at the front of these devices, there is a very noticeable difference in design philosophy. The Pixel boasts thin bezels and rounded corners, while Samsung also offers thin bezels but features a boxier design with squared-off edges. I'm not much of a fan of boxy corners and much prefer the rounded edges on the Pixel. Flipping the device over, you'll immediately notice the difference in camera housing. Google kept the camera visor for another year, but it no longer stretches from edge to edge. It now houses the three lenses in an oval shape, which perfectly mimics the phone's larger overall shape. Samsung went with a four-lens setup with each lens raised independently of the rear cover. Samsung does have one design trick up its sleeve which may or may not sway your decision. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a built-in stylus, allowing you to take notes, draw, and make annotations with ease. This stylus, the S Pen, is housed along the bottom edge, readily available whenever it's needed. Display Two of the best available When buying a premium device, you should expect to get a premium display, and these devices don't disappoint. Google chose a large 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display that is gorgeous to look at and punchy. With a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2992 x 1344 resolution, it's fluid and crystal clear. It also has a high brightness mode of 2000 nits and a peak brightness of 3000 nits, so you can easily see the Pixel 9 Pro XL in the brightest conditions. Samsung outfitted the Ultra with a 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display and a 120Hz refresh rate. Boasting a resolution of 3121 x 1440, the Ultra will be marginally sharper than the Pixel, but loses the overall brightness battle, outputting 2600 nits at its peak. Google protects its display with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Samsung chose the slightly superior Gorilla Armor. Overall, these devices offer fantastic-looking displays and, regardless of the specs, are going to look equally good. Software Focusing on AI Your preferred software style may determine which devices you ultimately select. The Pixel 9 Pro XL ships with Android 14 and Pixel UI. The Galaxy S24 Ultra ships with Android 14 and One UI 6.1. Both Google and Samsung offer seven years of Android upgrades and security updates. However, Google and Samsung have different software philosophies. Google's Pixel offering is a mostly stock version of Android that bakes in various AI features, many of them camera-specific. Grabbing a Pixel device grants you access to AI features, such as Gemini, Magic Editor, Zoom Enhance, Add Me, Video Boost, and Pixel Studio. Gemini has replaced Google Assistant as the default digital assistant. In his review, Daniel Bader noted that Gemini is faster and more accurate than the outgoing Google Assistant. Samsung's One UI has always taken a different approach to Android than Google's vision of the OS. You'll get a different theme, Samsung-specific apps, many additional features, and the recently added Galaxy AI. Galaxy AI is new to the Galaxy lineup and includes Live Translate, Interpreter, Browsing, Chat, and Writing Assist. Many of these features need to use Samsung's apps to get the most out of them. If you hate Samsung's keyboard, you'll lose out on things like Writing Assist by switching. Outside of AI, One UI brings along many Samsung-made apps that frequently reproduce the ones from Google, including a web browser. At least Samsung is replacing its own Messenger app with Google's Messenger. You'll also get some productivity-focused features, such as running apps side by side and floating windows. Samsung also includes DeX, which allows the Galaxy S24 Ultra to provide a more desktop experience, capable of taking advantage of external monitors and peripherals. Performance Different approaches Much like with their software, Google and Samsung have different approaches to performance. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by a Google Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM. Google's Tensor lineup has never been focused on top-end performance, instead focusing on running all the AI features baked into the software and providing a solid overall experience. The Tensor G4 isn't significantly faster than the outgoing G3 model, but Google has improved its efficiency and heat output. It may not be the fastest chip on the market, but it provides a speedy and fluid overall Android experience. It can play the latest games, run all the AI software, and do it without slowing down. In the United States, Samsung typically includes the latest and greatest Qualcomm processor and that's the case with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB of RAM, the S24 Ultra is a real powerhouse. It easily plays all the latest games at full graphical settings and provides a fast and great Android experience. In terms of overall experience, both are going to leave you smiling. The S24 Ultra and its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor are the clear winners here. If you are after the most powerful phone, you'll get it with the Ultra as it's significantly more powerful than the Tensor G4 used in the Pixel. Battery life Solid performers Both devices offer good to great battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 5060mAh battery that should easily get you through a full day of heavy use. It can be charged up to 37W wired, 23W wireless with the Pixel Stand, or 12W with a Qi charger, and features reverse wireless charging. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra ships with a 5000mAh battery and is capable of 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Due to some efficiency gains, the Galaxy Ultra gets more out of its battery than the Pixel does. The Ultra can last two full days if you aren't a heavy user and can last more than a full day if you are pushing it to its limits. Both devices can get you a roughly 70% charge in as little as 30 minutes. If you routinely charge your device at night, the phones are more than up to the task as your daily driver. Camera Solid options, one winner When it comes to camera options, you need to consider your typical use case, and then look at the lenses that each device offers to ensure that it's capable of providing a great experience for your needs. Luckily, you don't have to worry about lens selection here, as Google and Samsung have furnished the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a range of lenses that should cover any requirement. . Like previous Pro devices, Google equipped the Pixel 9 Pro XL with a triple rear camera setup. You get a 50MP f/1.7 main camera, a 48MP f/2.8 periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 48MP f/1.7 ultrawide lens. The Pixel can record 8K footage at up to 30fps or 4K at up to 60fps. You also get a 42MP f/2.2 selfie camera that can record 4K video at up to 60fps. Samsung offers even more flexibility with its quad-lens setup. The S24 Ultra has a 200MP f/1.7 main camera, a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, a 50MP f/3.4 periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera. It can record video at up to 8K 30fps or 4K 120fps. The device also has a 12MP f/2.2 selfie camera that can record 4K up to 60fps. Depending on your needs, you can get some breathtaking photos from either device. They will do an amazing job capturing landscape photos or photos of static subjects, regardless of the lighting conditions. The S24 Ultra, like most Samsung phones, struggles mightily once any sort of motion is involved. Where the Pixel will have little to no trouble freezing a moment in time, the Ultra tends to produce a blurry image. For anyone who takes pictures of kids or pets, you understand how crucial it is to get a good image of a subject on the move. The Pixel device also snaps pictures more reliably and rarely produces an image that doesn't look fantastic. The Galaxy can get beautiful photos, but it just doesn't have the consistency that the Pixel device has. If the camera is your top priority, the Pixel 9 Pro XL wins the camera category. Which is right for you? Smartphones have hit their stride over the past couple of years, and when comparing two devices this good, choosing one of these devices will come down to pure preference. Both devices have their fans and detractors and both are worthy of being called the best. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL sneaks in the win here, but only by a slim margin. With a beautiful display, strong performance, excellent cameras, and seven years of OS upgrades, the Pixel is the complete package. While subjective, I find the overall design to be better with its rounded corners, and it's slightly slimmer, making it easier to grip one-handed. The software features also best what Samsung is offering. Cost is another major consideration. At $1,099, the 128GB version is $200 cheaper than the Ultra, and the 256GB version is $100 cheaper. Editor's choice Google Pixel 9 Pro XL An all around great device Google knocked it out of the park with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It does just about everything well and has almost no real knocks against it. Sure, the Tensor G4 processor isn't as fast as some of the competition, but it provides a fast and fluid experience. It also offers a class-leading display, cameras, and software support. $1099 at Amazon$1099 at Best Buy$1099 at Google Store That's not to say that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is less of a device, far from it. If you routinely push your device to the limits or are a gamer, you may want the extra power from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. The Ultra also has a great display and the same great seven years of software support. However, the camera system is less reliable than the Pixel, and it has a boxier design (which admittedly may not matter to you). But the Ultra has unique features, such as the built-in S Pen and Dex support, even if only a subset of its users will ever take advantage of them. Runner-up Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra A performance monster The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is another great option for Android fans, even if it's very expensive. It has amazing performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, beautiful display, fantastic battery life, and great software support. The device also has features like the S Pen and DeX support for power users. It may not have the most reliable camera system on the market, but it can capture some quality shots. $1300 at Amazon$1300 at Best Buy$1300 at Samsung

I put the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL through a 7-round face-off -- here's the winner

After spending nearly a year with the Pixel 8 Pro, I was excited for its spiritual successor with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, mainly for its new AI features and upgraded cameras. But now that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is finally official after being the last flagship announcement for 2024, I'm really curious to see how these juggernauts stack up. That's why an iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL face-off is necessary to definitely say which is worth your money. In my Pixel 9 Pro XL review, I mention how it sets a new record with one part of Tom's Guide's benchmark testing -- while in our iPhone 16 Pro Max review, we saw how much more battery life it gets over last year's model. Not only are they similar in size and features, but they also prove how AI is increasingly becoming an integral part in how they're being used. In fact, I'd argue that they're reshaping our routines by saving us time. Both phones are strong contenders in our best phones list, but my iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL comparison will determine a winner. Despite costing more than its predecessor, the $1,099 starting cost of the Pixel 9 Pro XL still comes out to be cheaper than the $1,199 priced iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, you're only getting 128GB of storage with the Pixel 9 Pro XL versus 256GB with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In order to match its rival's storage capacity, you'd have to shell out the same $1,199 cost for 256GB of storage with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. This is a stark change compared to prior years because Google's flagship has often been priced for much less. But that's not the case anymore, which I think puts the Pixel 9 Pro XL in awkward position. Winner: Tie This one's tough because there's a lot I like about each phone design. For starters, they radiate with premium materials and construction that make them every bit worthy of their flagship statuses. These two couldn't be any similar with their designs, like how they feature flat edges and rounded corners, along with their metal meets glass constructions. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a more sturdy titanium alloy frame than the polished aluminum of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. But since I've kept both phones in a case most of the time, this doesn't have as much of an impact for me. What stands out for me is how the Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly lighter and compact of the two. It's still a big phone, but it's not as heavy or tall as the iPhone. And what finally makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL's design better is how there are a couple of bolder color options to choose from (like the rose quartz color of my review unit), rather than having to settle for the iPhone 16 Pro Max's neutral tones. Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL For those with an affinity for big phones, they'll like what these two offer. Apple fashions a larger 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display into the iPhone 16 Pro Max, while somehow being able to chip away at the bezels. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro XL packs a 6.8-inch Super Actua display with a tiny pinhole for its front-facing camera. I will say that the two displays are perfect for watching videos and playing games, thanks in part to how their OLED panels have a strong contrast look with colors that pop. However, our testing reveals how the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the brighter screen with a peak output of 2,469 nits -- making it the brightest screen we've ever recorded on a phone to date. By comparison, it blows away the iPhone 16 Pro Max's meager reach of 1,553 nits. While I didn't find much disparity between the displays indoors, there's a big difference when it's outside with the sun shining down on them. That's where the Pixel 9 Pro XL's display goes into overdrive by radiating more brightness to make it more visible. Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL Taking photos is such a breeze with both phones, which also helps when they capture some outstanding shots. Plus, I like how they offer extra utility in being able to capture just about any shot because their triple cameras cover a huge spread. It's no wonder why they're two of the best camera phones around. Apple arms the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a 48MP main shooter, refreshed 48MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto with 5x zoom. It's a good matchup against the Pixel 9 Pro XL's setup, which includes a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x zoom. There are things I love about both camera phones, like how the iPhone's new Capture Control button gives me a few controls at the tip of my finger, or like how the Pixel 9 Pro XL can auto track subjects to lock in the focus on them even when they move around. But of course, it comes down to how their cameras perform to deliver the best results. I actually took over 200 photos between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro XL to determine which is the better one for photography, so I'll summarize my favorites shots from it. When the conditions are right, both phones take excellent shots that are worthy of sharing on social media. I took these shots down by the beach and when I look closely into the images, they do capture a fair amount of the textures with the Adirondack chairs. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's warmer color temperature and brighter image takes my vote here. Both phones get refreshed ultrawide cameras, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the wider 123-degree field of view to get more of the church and surrounding area in frame over the iPhone's 120-degree FOV. Beyond that, I still prefer how the colors pop out more with the Pixel's shot, along with how it captures more of the fine details in the stained glass windows. It's really unbelievable what kind of images they're able to pull off with macro photography. Between them, however, my eyes gravitate more on the iPhone's snapshot because of the amount of detail it uncovers, like the pollen around the petals and the hidden spiker right smack in the middle. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's shot still has plenty of detail, but it doesn't quite have the same level of definition -- and it's more aggressive with the color saturation. Not only does it capture more of me in the shot with its wider field of view, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 42MP selfie captures sharper details around my face -- like my hairline and all of my wrinkles. I'll give it to the the iPhone 16 Pro Max for doing a decent job with its 12MP selfie camera, but the Pixel's better overall. I'm surprised by how close they match up against each other in the zoom department. I captured the shots above at 5x zoom, and while they both appear very similar with their clarity and detail. The letters around the sign and giant eye in the middle prove this, but the only difference I can make out is how the iPhone 16 Prop Max slightly boosts the exposure in the shadowed areas of the tree's branches in the lower left side. And lastly, I want to talk about low light because the iPhone 16 Pro Max's main camera does a swell job at brightening the pitch black conditions of my backyard above. Not only is the iPhone's image brighter, but it also manages to capture more detail with the tree and its branches. Even though the iPhone 16 Pro Max ultimately wins in this category, the Pixel 9 Pro XL isn't too far off from what it delivers. Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max Without taking into account the results from various synthetic benchmark tests that were run on both phones, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro XL both match each other in terms of responsiveness. For example, they're both accompanied by fluid animations and actions navigating around their interface -- so I don't see one better than the other when it comes to basic everyday functions. However, benchmark scores tell a different story. That's because the A18 Pro puts up the better scores. For starters, it easily pushed past the Tensor G4 in Geekbech 6 with its single and multicore scores of 3,400 and 8,341 respectively. In comparison, the Tensor G4 delivers scores of 1,929 and 4,747 running the same tests. It doesn't stop there because in 3DMark's Wild Life Unlimited test, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a champ at delivering the faster 107.53 fps frame rate rendering graphics, which is nearly double the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 55.63 fps frame rate. I know very well that the two are more than capable of running any gaming title without much lag, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max's faster frame rates is more suitable here. Phone makers are continually packing on bigger batteries, but this face-off proves that a chipset's power efficiency can make all the difference. Just by looking at their battery sizes, one could easily think that the Pixel 9 Pro XL would be better in the battery life department because the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4,685 mAh battery isn't close to matching the 5,060 mAh battery in the Pixel. Yet, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is able to deliver incredibly longer battery life with its remarkable time of 18 hours and 6 minutes. That's almost 4 hours longer than the Pixel 9 Pro XL's time of 14 hours and 37 minutes. This shows the superior power efficiency of the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is made more impressive given how it's also working with a larger screen. Over on the recharge side, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's faster 37W wired speed allows it to charge faster -- reaching 63% in 30 minutes, versus the iPhone's 55% capacity. I personally favor battery life over recharge time because it means I'll be able to get more out of a phone before needing to charge it. Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max This is where it gets interesting because their software plays more of a critical role to establish how much value they offer. You have iOS 18 on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Android 14 with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. While Google oddly enough decided to launch its phone with Android 14 out of the gate, it shouldn't be long now before it sees Android 15, which will add even more features to the experience that aren't found in my review. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18, but Apple Intelligence will come in a future update. On the surface, they both offer a lot to offer with their software -- like deeper customization with their home and lock screens, while also focusing on privacy at the same time. The Android versus iPhone conversation has long been around, and for the most part, they serve a wide audience well. What makes them different (and more important) than past comparisons is how their AI features redefine their experience. I've said previously how the Pixel 9 Pro XL is still the AI phone to beat, and that doesn't change at all after I've tested some Apple Intelligence features with the iOS 18 beta release. Part of it is because Apple Intelligence is just getting caught up to what Google has been doing now for years with its Pixel phones. Both share commonalities like being able to summarize web pages and articles, easy photo editing with the help of generative AI, and as well as giving me unique grammar and writing styles that are written with the help of AI. Yet, it's the Pixel 9 Pro XL that has a deeper, more robust offering with its AI features. For example, I cannot tell you how frequently I use Circle to Search to look up information with the camera -- like finding shopping deals on gadgets I want, or figuring out the type of weed I come across on my lawn and how best to eradicate it. There's also how Gemini Live feels more like I'm talking to a real human being, in addition to its ability to research stuff on my behalf. I'm still impressed by how it forecasted the true cost of owning an electric vehicle versus a gas-powered one. The iPhone 16 Pro Max can't do this yet, but it could very well match it when ChatGPT integration is rolled out with the software. Either way, it feels like the iPhone 16 Pro Max is playing catchup to what the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers. Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL This one turned out to be a lot closer, but it's still the iPhone 16 Pro Max that pulls slightly ahead in this face-off. Most notably, it earns high marks in areas like its outstanding battery life, processing performance and exceptional cameras. Obviously, it'll only get better once Apple Intelligence is released. As for the Pixel 9 Pro XL? It makes more of a statement around its software and AI features, which are currently a giant step ahead of what its rival offers. The only downside is how Google increases its price, so it doesn't have the same level of savings compared to its predecessors. Usually that would've been enough to give people reason to buy it, but that's not the case anymore.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review -- Creator Favorite

It's 2024 Pixel time! Google has 3 variants of their flagship series now (9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL), unlike last year's 2 (8, 8Pro). It kind of mirrors the Apple iPhone line up like 16, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max and Samsung with their S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra series. Google is definitely playing the big game here. In fact, it is their biggest game and bet on the symbiosis between leading edge hardware and a custom "Gemini-powered, Pixel-heavy" user experience. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is their best effort at producing a flagship that is worthy of our hard-earned money. What's Google's play this time? Can they join the big league of blockbuster flagships this year? Will this be your phone-to-get this holiday season? Or is it another phone-to-forget? Let's find out. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL with 256 gigabytes of storage is currently priced at ₹1,25,000 across multiple major retailers, including Reliance Digital, Croma, and Flipkart. The 512GB variant is ₹1,40,000. All of them have some bank discount or the other. The 256GB variant could be around ₹1,10,000, if you are lucky. It is a good price, considering it comes with freebies, like the one whole year of "AI Premium" plan in Google One, which comes bundled along with the phone. It's almost 2k per month, for 2TB of Google Drive storage and access to "Gemini Advanced" so around 24k is saved if you opt in for the Google One offer. Overall, it is a good value proposition. As a Google Pixel top-end user, it is also a given that the latest Android updates will keep coming for a long time. A top-end phone requires top-class aesthetics. One of the few phones that looks better than the renders. Flat display, flat sides, a curvature that is familiar and materials that feel rich. Matte frosted glass with a glossy Google logo at the back for the Pros, while the compact 9 gets an inverse glossy finish for its back. It's an elite touch and feel, something that has been machined with utmost attention to detail. We were quick to protect the 9 Pro XL this case from Caseology. Even without the case, the phone felt solid and grippy enough to inspire a bit of confidence for no-case usage. "Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel and Obsidian" are the 4 highly unique color options available on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The one we have is the Hazel variant. We think the Porcelain White variant looks the best, as it carries forward the "Panda" theme that became really popular with the Pixel 2 XL. In terms of how the device feels in the hand, no doubt, it feels heavy and sturdy apart from feeling premium and rich. At 8.5mm of thickness and a weight of 221g, sporting a beefy 5,060 mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is definitely on the heavier side of flagships, like the 227g 16 Pro Max and 232g S24 Ultra. We can say, among the flagships, the Pixel is the lightest heavyweight. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is well protected with IP68 dust and water resistance ratings. It's good to know that resistance does not mean proof. The screen on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a 6.8-inch (171 mm) Super Actua OLED display (LTPO) unit, with a peak brightness of up to 3000 nits without HDR and 2000 nits with HDR. In our usage, the display was perfectly visible under harsh conditions, especially when using the camera, which is an angle that's very hard to maintain visibility for. The aspect ratio is a wide 20:9, with the exact resolution coming in at 1344 x 2992 at 486 PPI pixel density. At 120Hz, the display remains smooth and responsive throughout. Since it is LTPO-enabled which means the display can go to very low refresh rate of 1Hz, using the Always-On display all the time is a luxury we can afford, and it didn't create a big dent in the battery life. There is full-blown HDR support in all kinds of apps, as expected from a flagship smartphone like the Pixel. The display quality is surprisingly better than the last year panel, which was already class-leading. The Pixel 9 Pro XL easily has one of the punchiest displays among the flagships. The display is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is currently the top end solution for protection against scratches. Overall, the screen is a top-notch unit with no compromises whatsoever when it comes to creation or consumption of high quality, high value content. The latest Google Tensor G4 powers the Pixel 9 Pro XL with all its might. 1 Cortex X4 high performance core at 3.1 GHz (vs 2.9 GHz on the G3) 3 Cortex A720 Premium Efficient cores at 2.6 GHz (vs 4x 2.37 GHz A715 cores on the G3) and 4 Cortex A520 High Efficiency cores at 1.92GHz (vs A510 at 1.7GHz). A total of 8 cores and a whopping 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, along with the same 3rd generation Tensor cores for Machine Learning, an Exynos 5400 modem and a 4nm fabrication process from Samsung deliver the combined power packed performance for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The ML cores can do upto 45 tokens per second in terms of raw performance in using the "Gemini Nano" LLM that is pre-loaded on the device, taking advantage of the vast amounts of RAM this time. Handling any kind of heavy application or task is quite easy for the Pixel and maintains a steady performance even when the battery is low. Even if the display is set to a dynamic refresh rate, it barely goes below 120Hz because of the stable throughput of the chip and its power efficiency. In 3D Mark wild life stress test, it scored 74.9% which is average, but this is better than the Pixel 9's score of 58%. The temperature increased from 31 to 44 degrees, which is slightly less than the Pixel 9. Now, let's have a look at the benchmarks to see how it compares with other chipsets in this segment. When it comes to overheating, which was a big issue in the Pixel 8 Pro, we are glad to see that the issue has largely been fixed, primarily outside the camera department. When using the camera, though, overheating is inevitable due to the sheer amounts of data processing going on while using it. It's not as bad as the Pixel 8 Pro, which refuses to decrease its heat and continues to heat up while on calls or, sometimes, randomly. No such conditions were observed on the 9 Pro XL. Just when using the camera, that too under heavy usage, the heating of the phone will be noticeable. Beyond that, it's a marked improvement over the previous generation. Google's Pixel line has long been synonymous with computational photography, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes this legacy to new, uncharted territories. On the back of the phone lies a trio of cameras, each with its own distinct duties. This is the camera you'll use most often. It captures detailed images with rich colors and excellent dynamic range, even in challenging lighting conditions. The new color science embedded in the latest HDR algorithm claims to go for more accurate colors. When we compared it to the Pixel 8 Pro, the differences were distinct in how the Pixel 9 Pro XL sees colors. They are much more natural, with tonal contrast more in-sync with reality. The skin colors especially, have gained a big update, as we noticed a lot of accurate white balance estimations in tough scenarios. The large sensor size and wide aperture allowed for exceptional low-light performance and natural bokeh effects. OIS ensures sharp photos and stable videos, while Octa PD enables fast and accurate autofocus. All of this is true in our experience. The main camera is amazing. Both in photos and videos. 2. The Ultrawide Lens - 48 MP! Its 123-degree field of view is significantly wider than the main sensor. The inclusion of autofocus makes it versatile for capturing close-up shots with the macro mode. The higher megapixel count is a gift because almost all the time, we are mostly stuck with low resolution ultrawide cameras, but the Pixel is a class apart. Super high resolution in the ultrawide angle camera is great for landscape shots and even group shots. The new "Add Me" feature might be suggestive of that, in which you can shoot two frames that will be stitched together by AI to fill in new detail from the second frame. For example, you can add yourself in a group photo by asking a friend from the group to switch places and take the second shot in a similar frame. All this is thanks to some quick processing by computational camera magic. 3. The Telephoto Lens: 48 MP! Its 5x optical zoom lens, along with Quad Phase Detect autofocus, takes some of the finest telephoto shots at default zoom. Superzoom is just getting better and better now, with shots that can go up to 30x. Adding the Telephoto lens is one of the toughest engineering problems for a small device like the smartphone. In that sense, Google seems to have achieved its engineering goals and output brilliant results. Although the switching between the lenses is still slightly slower and less smooth than the iPhone, it has definitely gotten much better. The camera unit all-in-all is perfect for content creators. Be it photography with excellent contrast and color science, with the ability to shoot high-res RAW, or the simply amazing videography, with the new HDR algorithms, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has cemented itself as one of the best options in the world for content creators. The video stabilization is top-notch, and all the lenses are wide enough, including the front facing one, with its 42MP high-res sensor, f2.2 aperture and 103 degrees field of view. Surprisingly enough, we are seeing some of the best front facing camera performance ever on a Pixel this time, thanks to the high-res sensor. This is a massive upgrade from the 10.5MP unit on the Pixel 8 Pro, which had a narrower 95 degree field of view. In all kinds of lighting conditions, all the sensors perform admirably well, and the computational photographic prowess is really visible in features like Night Sight and Video Boost, which increases the clarity of your shots to the next level. For vloggers and influencers who like to create a ton of content, the bundled offer of Google One AI Premium plan with 2TB of Drive storage is a great addition to the toolkit. A few drawbacks were noticed in the course of our usage - no cinematic mode (portrait mode in video) was available for the front camera, as on date. 8K mode requires some heavy-duty processing on the cloud. Video boost is also processing-heavy and requires more time for it to work. A slightly more user-friendly approach would be helpful for content creators to fully take advantage of all the features. This time, Google has gone with a similar battery capacity as last year's 8 Pro, with a 5,060 mAh unit. With the help of the LTPO screen, a new power efficient modem and a new gen chipset, the Pixel 9 Pro XL manages to last longer than the 8 Pro, in our experience. The device will easily last at least half a day for even the heaviest content creator who is using the cameras all the time. Up to 37W, exclusively on the 9 Pro XL, the top end Pixel supports fast charging via the PD standard. Meanwhile, the other models can go up to 27W only. It takes about an hour and a half to fully charge the 5,060 mAh battery, which is considerably quicker but still a bit behind the many Chinese smartphone brands which are able to offer shockingly fast charging speeds of about 40 mins to fully charge the phone with ratings of around 100W. But also keep in mind that the Pixel is a long-term device with 7 years of guaranteed updates, so battery health will be longer with 37W, which is still fast enough for most users. The fast wireless charging speeds are up to 23W. Overall, you can expect a good battery life and fast charging speeds on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it will not disappoint. Of course, the Pixel series is blessed with update security and a thriving community of ROM makers who keep it alive much beyond Google's promised timelines. A whopping 7 years of upgrades, Pixel exclusive feature drops and security updates are guaranteed. Currently, the flagship is running on the latest version of Android with the September security update. As you would expect from a Google Pixel, it is one of the cleanest and most minimal user interfaces in the Android world. It's sometimes too minimal for a regular user who has already used Chinese brands or even Samsung. Especially for an iPhone user who has experience iOS 18, it will be radically minimal when it comes to design and customization. This also ensures stable performance and smooth animations throughout the UI. Of course, Android is very extendable with its ability to run custom launchers and custom icon sets. The Pixel experience is still, a blank slate though, which is mostly good for long-time Stock Android users. The star of the show is Gemini, which is Google's best effort at making an AI model based on the new LLM technology. Initially called as "Bard", Gemini plays a big role in how a Pixel is experienced. To enable this, without any compromises, Google has gifted 1 year worth of "AI Premium" plan of Google One, with additional 2TB of Google Drive storage, to enable storage of your photos and files. This means "Gemini Advanced" which is a paid version of Gemini, is available for 1 year of literally free usage, and one year later, a monthly charge of 1,950 Rs is applied, which you can opt out of. There are a lot of use cases for Gemini, which comes on-device with a "Nano" model that powers a lot of the intelligence on the phone. "Pixel Studio" is a new GenAI imaging generation app that is now pre-installed on the Pixels to provide content creators a tool to generate any image other than people, which is a fun playground to have. And it works quite well, mostly because half of its load is off-loaded to the on-board Nano model. Also, available (only with US language set in Assistant settings) is Gemini Live, which is a live chatting version of Gemini, which provides a platform for completely voice-enabled interactions and conversations. This is good for brainstorming of ideas and having a casual conversation that one would have with another person, and it can answer all kinds of questions just like in the normal voice mode, but without much latency. This is direct competition with the advance voice mode of ChatGPT, which offers similar functionality. Gemini Advanced has a massive 1 million context window, which means it can read documents running hundreds of pages and still remember to answer your question without losing memory. With Imagen, it can create images as well. Meanwhile, Gemini "Nano" which works offline, from the device, can handle "Super summaries, smart replies and image descriptions". For example, transcription summaries from the recorder app can have multiple people talking and still it will be able to create a report, a summed up report of what the content is. Smart replies reside inside mail apps and messages apps help with text recommendations. Both "Advanced" and "Nano" are great for content creators who like to take the help of these features. These are the 5G sub6 bands that are supported by the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which uses an Exynos 5400 modem from Samsung - 5G sub-6: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/30/38/40/41/66/71/75/76/77/78/79 The Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 with dual antennas work great in our experience, with hotspot capabilities really enhanced. There is also an UWB chip for spatial orientation and close-range sensing. NavIC support is also included. The Pixel 9 Pro XL supports almost all the latest connectivity standards that you can think of, including the mmwave antennas, which are not functional in the Indian unit. One of the best stereo speakers on a smartphone reside in the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Clarity, separation, good bass frequencies and a loud output ensure that it is one of the best experiences you have on a flagship. It's great for listening to podcasts and sometimes even music, although it is best that the Pixel Buds Pro or some TWS would naturally be a better companion. For the first time, Google has gone for an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which works at least thrice as fast as the absolutely unreliable and shockingly bad optical fingerprint scanner on the previous models since the Pixel 6. The last generation Pixel 8 Pro was seriously panned for having one of the worst experiences when it came to fingerprint scanning, and we are glad to see that this major flaw has been fixed and brought to the big leagues. Without expandable storage or dual SIM slot, it is only possible for adding storage on the cloud and add a second SIM via the eSIM protocol. The key features that standout on the Pixel 9 Pro XL are obviously the cameras, and then Gemini. These two are unmatched when it comes to providing value for your purchase. The 3 cameras, in both photos and videos, output high quality results in a class-leading and creator-friendly way. Seriously, if you are a vlogger or a regular high-end content creator, the Pixel 9 Pro XL with its resolved issues from the 8 Pro, might be the best option available. The colors, the quality of stabilization, the texture and contrast, the dynamic range, everything about the cameras will make the Pixel 9 Pro XL a creator favorite gadget that can be useful in every scenario that requires any form of content creation. There are very few drawbacks to speak of, except may be the overheating that features itself during the use of the camera. Using the camera for a longer time might result in slightly uncomfortable heating issues that are otherwise non-existent. It could be improved after a few software updates. Ultimately, there is nothing like the Pixel 9 Pro XL out here. Only the next generation Pixel can out-compete it, as Google has carefully molded every single exclusive feature on their flagships towards their strengths in computational photography and AI. If you are a content creator who is looking for a flagship camera phone, then the Pixel 9 Pro XL is at the top of our recommendations, closely followed by the iPhone and the Galaxy S Ultra series. This year, Google have done their best.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: An Excellent Foldable That's Tempting Me

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Google certainly went big this year when it comes to smartphone releases and choices. Not only did they give us a Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, we've got a 4th option - they gave us their newest foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This is Google's follow-up to the original Pixel Fold, it costs $1,799, and there are some big changes for this 2nd entry. I've spent the past couple of weeks with this device off and on as I dance between a regular Pixel 9 Pro and this new foldable. So I've got kind of a lot to say on it both because there's a lot going on and also because well, we didn't review the original Pixel Fold. This is our first time diving into Google's view for how a phone that folds in half can function. Let's dive into this. This is our Pixel 9 Pro Fold review. Design. When it comes to design, this new Pixel 9 Pro Fold fits right in with the other Pixel 9 series devices. It carries similar colors and metal finishes, the camera housing has changed, and it should be easy to tell that this is a part of the Pixel 9 line. That said, it is a big change from the original Pixel Fold, which was a little shorter when closed and a little wider when opened. For this phone, Google says that they really focused on making it a phone first in the hand that then unfolds to have this large display on the inside. I think they really nailed the design on this as someone who doesn't love foldables. And I do have some complaints here (that I'll get to later), but it does feel like a phone in your hand, plus it's so easy to use as a phone because the front display really is the perfect size and is very similar to the regular Pixel 9 Pro's size. There's good weight to it, the all-metal frame and hardware feel premium, and the hinge folds the device together perfectly, leaving no gaps when closed. The matte black (Obsidian) color I've been testing does a good job of repelling fingerprints, the buttons are in familiar spots, and the power button doubles as a fingerprint reader. When unfolded you have this very large display to play with. That inside display has symmetrical bezels around it, unlike the original that had the most unfinished look of a foldable I've ever seen. This device looks properly made and as if great care went into how polished it should be. It is essentially a square, though, so while some content displays in a funny way, it's not so large that you can't interact with it. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks like a grown-up foldable, which is saying a lot for a device line that is only in its 2nd generation. Displays. The two displays that Google included on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are both pretty great. The outside panel is a 6.3'' OLED display at 1080p and with a refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz. It's probably very similar to the panel in the non-Pro Pixel 9. And then for the inside display, you get a large 8'' OLED (LTPO) at 2076 x 2152 with a refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz. Both panels can hit peak brightness of 2700 nits, so they are easy to see in outdoor settings and support HDR. The front panel is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the inside display only has ultra-thin glass protecting it, so go easy on it. Like the other Pixel 9 devices, you have limited display color controls (Adaptive or Natural is it), but they do show limited color shifts when you aren't looking directly at them. I keep mine set to Adaptive and that helps darken blacks, probably by ramping contrast, and that helps content really pop without being offensive. Brightness levels are often a bit low during the day for my liking, so I've noticed that I shift the brightness slider often. I do like how low those levels can go though, as someone who spends too much time with a screen in my face when in bed. Touch responsiveness on both displays is excellent. They are as good as the panels in the Pixel 9 Pro and that surprises me some with the inside display. Folding displays have come so far and this Pixel 9 Pro Fold really shows that. It looks as good as any other display, yet it can be folded in half. But speaking of touching it, another surprise is in the way this inside panel feels. Gone are the days of folding panels feeling like icky plastic. This feels very close to a normal display, plus the middle crease isn't that large and I haven't noticed it yet unless I go specifically looking for it. I do have one complaint and that's that I wish Google would find a way to heavily apply an anti-reflective coating to the inside display. This thing shines and reflects anything near me in ways that I feel like I haven't noticed from other displays. Software. The Pixel experience that Google uses on its other Pixel devices is here as you might expect, along with Android 14 since Android 15 (still) isn't out at the time of this review. And since this is a foldable with two displays, you do get to utilize the tablet UI that Google has been steadily working on in recent years as a bit of a bonus. That mostly means a side-by-side notification shade, access to a taskbar at all times, app pairing (that can be saved as shortcuts), and a slight change to the app switcher. I don't really want to spend too much time on the software and features, because we've already talked about it in our Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 reviews. Like, if you have owned a Pixel phone, you know what this is like. All of the AI stuff is here too, with a Gemini Advanced subscription included, camera and photo editing tools, Google's Recorder app, Circle to Search, etc. It runs Tensor G4, so you get all of the newest and best features first. What I do love is that Google hasn't tried to dramatically change the experience just because this is a foldable. Instead, you get a very familiar Pixel software approach that has enough features to give you some power, yet still stays out of your way by not overdoing it. And then because this doubles as a tablet, there are meaningful additions (like the stuff I just mentioned) to turn things up a notch. I really appreciate the taskbar and being able to switch to my most-used apps, access the universal search, and scroll through the app drawer at any moment, no matter the screen I'm on. App splitting and app pairs are super useful and easy to figure out, plus the home screen setups match from the cover display to the inside. Everything flows seamlessly from phone experience to tablet. I feel like so many foldables and tablets want to tell you all of the time that they are tablets and there are special features that you should use, yet Google is here doing the opposite. Instead of making two dramatically different phone and tablet experiences, they have instead given you a perfect blend of the two. Oh, and I should probably mention that because this is a Pixel 9 series device, it will see 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. This phone will be updated far longer than you'll ever keep it. Camera: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold does not have the same camera as the other two Pixel 9 Pro devices and that does come off a bit like a big negative at first glance. It seems to me that if you want to name something the same, it should probably meet the others in one of their most important departments. Unfortunately, this is where Google had to make a sacrifice and I'm guessing it's because of how big the camera modules are in the Pixel 9 Pro devices and how thin they wanted to keep this Pixel 9 Pro Fold. You are getting a main 48MP sensor (f/1.7, 82° field of view) that has been paired with 10.5MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 127° field of view) and 10.8MP telephoto (f/3.1, 23° field of view) lenses. It is essentially the same setup that we had on the original Pixel Fold. As far as the picture-taking experience goes, I've got to be honest here and admit that taking pictures with this beast is a bit of a chore. It's such a heavy and bulky device that I've found myself hesitating to grab it as often to take photos of my daily life. That's not something that happens with a normal phone. That said, once I get the courage to pull this foldable device out, it does so like any other Pixel. The camera app is mostly easy-to-use, with all of Google's typical camera modes, like Photo, Portrait, Night Sight, Panorama, and the new Add Me. There are simple toggles to get to video mode or to change focal lengths/between lenses, view recent pictures, or flip from rear to selfie cameras. Since this is a foldable with a big cover screen, Google will let you open the device up and let the cover display act as your viewfinder and the main camera take selfies of you. This basically gives you the ultimate selfie machine that should crush every other selfie from any non-foldable phone. I've attempted to use this a few times and it can be a bit of a confusing mess to get in and out of, but the results are pretty great. Now, for the results, this is where you are probably wondering how big of a hit you'll take in camera quality by going with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold over a regular Pixel 9 Pro or 9 Pro XL. I don't think you'll take much of one. You'll see in the many camera samples below that the main 48MP camera is quite good in almost any situation. From low-light close-ups to portraits, landscapes, and pictures of food or beer, this camera is as good as other Pixel devices. It is a strong main camera that loves a blue sky, can find hidden details in shadows without flattening an image, and typically finds the proper softness for backgrounds. This is a camera you should feel confident in at all times. But returning to the comparison to the Pixel 9 Pro, I thought it might be best to show a couple of examples of how it compares at 5x, since that's mostly where the cuts came. The Pixel 9 Pro has a 48MP Quad PD telephoto sensor, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a 10.8MP Dual PD camera. What I think you'll notice is that greens turn a little brown on the Fold and that the objects further in the distance start to lose detail. However, for the most part, I think most people will struggle to find major differences. The processing is bringing both so close together. So yeah, onto some more samples that have simply been resized to better work on our website. I think this camera is quite good and viewing photos on it is even more fun, thanks to that big inside display. The better style of foldable. As the resident foldable hater around the Android space, I will say that this is without a doubt the better form of foldable. I think flip phones are, well, bad and I refuse to use them because they have this tiny screen on the front that just forces you to have to unfold your phone over and over all day long to do the simplest of tasks. It is a tiresome action that I do not enjoy. With this style of foldable, you get a phone on the front that's the perfect size and shape, so you can do everything you do on a normal phone on the front - without having to open the device. Then you also happen to have the bonus of an 8-inch tablet on the inside for those times you want to watch videos on a bigger screen, you want to multitask a little bit and run two apps at the same time, or there's just stuff you would like to view in a bigger format, like photos. Again, I don't really like foldables as a general idea in practice and I'm not sure that this is the space that I will ever come back to full time, but this Pixel 9 Pro Fold really comes close to getting me to switch. It has been a lot of fun to use over the past couple of weeks. I've saved app pairs that I often go back to, I've consumed far too much YouTube and Twitch on it, and I've certainly noticed how much less time I've spent on my iPad. I'm about to go on a couple of trips and am weirdly considering bringing this over my Pixel 9 Pro. I thought I had made the decision to switch back to the regular 9 Pro, but as I type this, I'm having second thoughts. Can you believe it? Performance. I keep comparing this to the Pixel 9 Pro, but you kind of have to when the specs and hardware are so similar. I'm going to do it again for performance, which is quite good. The Tensor G4 chip inside with the 16GB RAM and either 256GB or 512GB storage perform as you need them to. While I'm well aware that Tensor chips aren't going to win benchmark awards, they do what you need them to. This device is fast whether you are using the smaller cover display or the larger internal display, it'll handle all of your apps, the transitions between everything are buttery smooth, and battery life has been stellar because of improved efficiency. There's also a thickness to this that you have to get used to as you hold it, there's the opening and closing it non-stop requirement (which takes quite a bit of effort and is not a one-hand move), and when its folded up, that bottom left corner can sure irritate your left palm. Google has at least done a decent job of attempting to round those sharper corner parts, but as a left-hand holder of phones, it has been a struggle at times. Again, the big idea here is that you need to be ready to commit to this size of device. The price is one thing, but the weight and the opening and closing of it need your full attention. The weight is actually down 30g from the original Pixel Fold, yet it's still something I can't help but point out. Coming from someone who has never been the biggest fan of foldables, I think the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is without a doubt a device to consider buying. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with this new foldable from Google, which I can't believe I'm actually saying out loud. I think Google really nailed this idea that a foldable of this type should be a phone first and feels like a phone in the hand when folded up, with a normal shape and resolution. That lets you use the device as you would a normal phone, but then there's this amazing 8-inch tablet waiting for you at any moment. And that 8-inch tablet is a good tablet that showcases the major strides Google has made with Android for bigger screens, making way for simple multitasking, consuming media, editing photos, and doing anything that may require (or look better) on a larger display. The camera experience still lives up to the Pixel name, battery life has been very good for me, the hardware is at a level that meets the price point, and thanks to Google's software support, the investment you make here should be worth it over many years to come.