This year, I tested the top model of the Pixel series—the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. After five years, Google has brought back the XL version, so now there are three flagship models. There’s also a smaller Pro version that’s almost the same as the XL, but with a smaller screen, less battery, and a lower price.
The new model doesn’t change much from the last one. Google mainly focused on improving its MI features, with a brighter screen, more RAM, better performance, slightly faster wired charging, and an improved front camera.
Is the $1,099 starting price worth it? It seems Pixel 8 Pro users might need to wait another year for bigger upgrades. While not the highest price out there, it’s enough to draw some criticism from Apple fans. However, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is Google’s best phone yet and stands out among Android smartphones. Let’s see how it compares to its competitors.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Operating System | Android 14, 7 years of major updates |
| Screen | 6.8-inch LTPO OLED, 1344 x 2992, 20:9 ratio, ~486 ppi, ~88% screen-to-body ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 3000 nits max brightness, Always-on display, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm), Octa-core: 1×3.1 GHz Cortex-X4, 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720, 4×1.92 GHz Cortex-A520, Mali-G715 MC7 GPU |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage Options | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| Connections | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2, UWB, 3G/4G/5G |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Additional Features | Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Gyroscope, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer, Satellite SOS communication, Stereo speakers, IP68 dust and water resistance |
| Cameras | Rear: 50 MP main (f/1.7, 25mm, dual pixel PDAF, laser AF, OIS), 48 MP periscope (f/2.8, 113mm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom), 48 MP ultra-wide (f/1.7, 123˚, dual pixel PDAF), LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, Best Take, 8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR video. Front: 42 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 17mm, PDAF), Auto-HDR, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Dimensions and Weight | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm, 221 g |
| Battery | Li-Ion 5060 mAh, 37W wired fast charging, PD3.0, PPS, 23W wireless charging with Google charger, 12W wireless charging with Qi-compatible charger, Reverse wireless charging |
| Price | $1,099 (128 GB/16 GB), $1,199 (256 GB/16 GB on sale), $1,319 (512 GB/16 GB), $1,549 (1 TB/16 GB) |
Iconic Design in Mainstream Sauce
Google is known for leaking images before official announcements, so we had a good idea of what to expect. This year, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a less rounded body with more flat edges and a redesigned camera shield. It now looks more like flagship models from Apple, Samsung, or Xiaomi. Although similar designs existed before, Google’s choice to follow mainstream trends is clear.
The Pixel’s rear camera shield has been a signature design for three years. This year, it doesn’t blend smoothly into the side frame, which might lead to dust buildup. Since Google doesn’t include a case, this could be an issue until you get one. However, the camera shield still prevents the phone from wobbling on the table. The design of the camera island matches the Material UI style, showing a rare balance between device design and interface design.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a large phone, as suggested by its name. If you want something smaller, consider the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro. Despite its size, it feels stable in hand, though reaching the screen corners can be tricky. The phone uses premium materials, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back and a glossy aluminum frame. The back is soft and matte but can attract dirt. The frame is slightly rounded to avoid sharp edges but is glossy and slippery, showing fingerprints. The volume and power buttons are on the right side, with the power button above the volume controls. This isn’t a big problem, but it may take some getting used to. There’s also an oval-shaped feature at the top of the frame, possibly an antenna or related to satellite communication, though this is unclear.
It’s Hard Not to Love the Screen
I’ve already noted that I’m not a fan of the rounded screen corners, but I do like the narrow bezel that gives the screen an elegant look. However, the camera cutout seems larger and lower compared to other models. This is something I can overlook because Google has improved the selfie camera this year. The display itself is excellent, with impressive brightness of up to 3000 nits, matching or slightly surpassing competitors like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. However, Samsung’s anti-reflective coating handles sunlight better, and the Pixel’s resolution is slightly lower, but still fine. The contrast and viewing angles are great.
Overall, the display is very good and competes well with other brands.
A Big Step Forward in Unlocking
In the past, Google Pixel phones had poor fingerprint readers. This year, Google has improved dramatically by replacing the old optical reader with a new ultrasonic one, the same technology used by Samsung. This new reader is more secure, as it scans fingerprints in 3D rather than taking a photo. It also doesn’t require pressing on the glass or using light, which could be blinding in the dark. It’s fast and reliable, recognizing fingerprints 9.5 times out of 10.
Foreign reviewers are saying Google’s solution is now faster than Samsung’s. Rumors suggest that Xiaomi and OnePlus will adopt this technology next year. The fingerprint reader is also well-positioned, not too low like in other models. There’s also facial unlocking available for banking apps, but it depends on lighting conditions, so the fingerprint reader is still the better option.
Excellent Speakers, But…
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has excellent speakers and a great screen, making content enjoyable. The vibration motor is also impressive. However, I had trouble with audio when using USB wired headphones or a USB dongle with my Sony 3.5 mm headphones. None worked, even though I’ve never had this issue with other flagship phones.
Battery and Charging Don’t Set Records
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 5060 mAh battery, similar to Samsung, Xiaomi, and Sony flagships. However, its battery doesn’t last as long. With normal use, it should get through the day, but don’t expect it to last two days, as it drains faster than other phones. For instance, my morning routine, which uses about 6% on other phones, took 8% or more on the Pixel.
It also doesn’t come with a charger, and the charging speeds aren’t great. Even though 37W wired charging is the fastest in the Pixel series, it’s slower than competitors. A full charge takes almost 1.5 hours, which is slower than Xiaomi and OnePlus. Wireless charging with the official Google charger is 23W, still behind rivals but better than the 12W you get with other Qi chargers. You can also use reverse wireless charging to power your headphones.
How Does This Year’s Performance Hold Up?
Google has been using “custom-made” processors for three years, but the Tensor G4 is actually made by Samsung, so it’s similar to Exynos chips and has some of the same problems. Rumors suggest that next year, Google will switch to TSMC, which might improve performance and stability. This year, the processor has 8 cores instead of last year’s 9. In performance tests, the Tensor G4 scores low, even below some mid-range phones. However, in everyday use, it’s smooth and responsive because Google optimized the software well. Like Exynos, the processor runs hot and loses graphics power during stress tests, but for normal use, there are no lags unless you’re gaming heavily.
One issue I noticed was slow automatic screen rotation, which feels too sluggish for a phone at this price. This year, the RAM is 16 GB, the highest in this series, to support AI features. But I have concerns about storage. The base model, which I tested, only has 128 GB, which seems too little for a phone that costs over $1,000. After just a week, I had used almost half of the storage. There’s a limited-time offer for a 256 GB version, but once the promotion ends, the 128 GB model will feel underpowered compared to competitors. The 128 GB model also uses UFS 3.1 storage instead of the faster UFS 4.0, which isn’t available in this size.
Android 14 in Gemini Sauce
Pixel phones usually launch with the latest Android version, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL came out early this year, so it runs Android 14, which is almost a year old. Google has promised seven major updates, similar to Samsung’s One UI. However, it’s unclear how the phone’s performance will hold up after seven years.
The pure Android experience is smooth with nice animations between apps and widgets. While other brands offer more customization, even Android’s basic version now has more options, like lock screen customizations. The interface is clean with no unnecessary apps, just Google’s own.
One odd feature on this phone is a thermometer under the flash, which feels a bit outdated. It could only be useful in the U.S., where it’s certified to measure human temperature. However, it’s not accurate and the app warns it’s not for measuring food or other objects, making it feel like a pointless feature that probably won’t return in future models.
This year’s model focuses heavily on AI. Google Assistant is replaced with Gemini, which can handle voice commands in English and typed queries in other languages. AI performance will improve over time as it learns. For now, you can use it to search or interact in a more natural way with Gemini Live. Full integration with real tasks is still missing but could come later.
Pixel Cameras Never Disappoint
The Google Pixel series is known for its great camera performance. Google uses a lot of user data to improve its cameras, developing advanced post-processing that helps even simple hardware perform like newer, better equipment. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a big main sensor and improved ultra-wide and selfie cameras. However, compared to others like Xiaomi, which has a larger sensor with a variable aperture, and Sony with its innovative zoom camera, the Pixel’s hardware isn’t the most exciting. But Google makes up for it with excellent software processing.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with the following cameras:
- 50 MP main camera: f/1.7, 25mm, 1/1.31″ sensor, 1.2µm pixels, dual pixel PDAF, multi-zone laser AF, and OIS.
- 48 MP periscope telephoto camera: f/2.8, 113mm, 1/2.55″ sensor, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, and 5x optical zoom.
- 48 MP ultra-wide camera: f/1.7, 123˚ field of view, 1/2.55″ sensor, and dual pixel PDAF.
- 42 MP ultra-wide selfie camera: f/2.2, 17mm, and PDAF.
The app is pretty simple and doesn’t have as many extra features as other brands. It only offers two main modes: long exposure and “add me.” The Pixel 9 Pro XL also includes a Pro mode, unlike the Pixel 9.
The camera app has four zoom options: 0.5x, 1x, and 5x are optical zooms, and 2x is a digital zoom that maintains quality. This setup is becoming standard among flagship phones. However, while Samsung offers 100x zoom and Xiaomi 120x zoom, the Pixel 9 Pro XL only has 30x digital zoom. This zoom loses quality and is nearly useless in low light, but Google’s algorithms still provide decent results in good lighting.
The main camera performs best. In good light, it takes sharp, detailed pictures with natural colors and minimal graininess. Compared to Samsung’s sometimes overly bright colors, Pixel’s post-processing is more natural. The HDR balances the image well, though the white balance isn’t as natural as Sony Xperia’s. White tones can appear warmer to add character to the images, which is a unique touch but still feels more natural than Samsung, Xiaomi, or OnePlus.
The color consistency across all cameras is impressive. On sunny days, all photos look like they were taken with the same camera. The detail can vary with lighting, and Google’s post-processing helps but can sometimes make images look a bit artificial.
Google’s night mode is well-developed and keeps the Pixel cameras at the top of the list. The Pixel 9 Pro XL handles low light well, though competitors have improved too. The main camera is powerful even without night mode. It’s best to use automatic mode for exposure. The periscope camera’s mode lights up the scene but can lack sharpness. When it works, it produces excellent night shots, but there were many unsharp images due to focus issues and post-processing. Updates might fix this, but I expected fewer flaws from the Pixel’s reputation.
The flat frame of the Pixel helps keep it steady. When placed properly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL adjusts for star photography in night mode. This takes 4 minutes, and results are great. A tripod is recommended; my DIY stabilization led to images where the focus stayed on the ground. I captured the Milky Way, but zoom in to make sure they’re stars and not dust on your screen.
The Pixel’s portrait mode is still good but falling behind competitors. For example, Xiaomi’s collaboration with Leica has resulted in one of the best portrait modes, with options that mimic Leica cameras. Pixel’s portrait shots are generally acceptable but sometimes lose sharpness on the shoulders. Still, it captures skin tones naturally and performs well in low light.
The large main sensor blurs the background naturally, but it’s so big that not everything might be in focus, and autofocus can struggle. This might improve with updates. Portrait mode can be useful for objects and pets, but accuracy issues can still occur.
There’s also a long exposure mode that blurs moving objects and creates light trails.
Are Pixel cameras perfect? No, but no cameras are. Overall, they are reliable and perform consistently well, leaving a great impression and making you want to take more photos. What more could you ask for?
Conclusion – The World Is No Longer Held Up by Just Two Whales
It’s not worth complaining that the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t differ much from the previous model. This is a new chapter because Pixels are finally available here after eight years. Google has done well enough that the Pixel 9 Pro XL attracts not just tech enthusiasts but also users of Samsung and Apple. It has great build quality, an amazing screen, and excellent speakers. The pure software with 7 years of support is a big plus, and the impressive cameras make you want to take more photos.
Is the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL a great phone? Yes! Would I recommend it? Yes! Is it perfect? No! But is any device perfect? This year’s Pixel has small storage, slower base model UFS, battery life could be better, charging is subpar, and performance could be stronger. Does this ruin the overall impression? No! The Pixel 9 Pro XL is so good it can compete with Samsung and Apple’s top models. So, the market is no longer dominated by just two giants.
