It’s always interesting when a manufacturer shakes up their lineup, and Google’s done just that this year, offering a “Pro” model in a smaller form factor. As someone who usually gravitates towards performance and how the hardware feels in hand, this one definitely piqued my interest. I’ve spent some time with it, and it’s been… well, let’s just say it’s a phone with some real highlights but also a few sticking points that are hard to ignore.
Google Pixel 9 Pro: A Closer Look
Google announced the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro, on August 13, 2024. The big news this time around was offering the higher-end “Pro” features in a more compact size, alongside the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. If you want the best camera system and latest tech from Google, but prefer a smaller phone, the Pixel 9 Pro aims to be that device.
Design and Build Quality
First impressions matter, and the Pixel 9 Pro certainly feels like a premium piece of kit. Google has opted for an aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back. This gives it a robust and high-quality feel in the hand, with little details like the buttons and haptics also contributing to an exceptional overall build. It also comes with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, which is expected for a flagship and adds some peace of mind.
The design language, particularly the frame and angles, is noted as being reminiscent of Apple’s current style, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The rear camera bar, a staple of recent Pixels, is still present and described by some as sleek, albeit potentially divisive.
However, this is where I ran into one of the first noticeable issues during my time revisiting the phone. The Pixel 9 Pro weighs in at 199g, which, while not the heaviest phone on the market, feels substantial for a device with a 6.3-inch display. Cramming that weight into this smaller body makes it feel a bit bulky in a way that larger, similarly-weighted phones might not. It’s something that, for me, became a bit of a distraction during daily use.
You can pick up the Pixel 9 Pro in several colours: Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian.
Display
The Pixel 9 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Actua (LTPO) OLED display. It has a sharp 2856 x 1280 pixel resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 495 ppi. Being an LTPO panel, the refresh rate is variable and can range from 1 Hz up to 120 Hz, which helps with both smooth visuals and battery efficiency. The display offers 2000 nits peak brightness, making it look good even in brighter conditions. The screen is protected by scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which has a larger 6.8-inch display, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a high-resolution screen in a more manageable size. The quality of the display itself is excellent.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 Pro is powered by Google’s latest custom-designed chip, the Google Tensor G4. Google designs the Tensor chip to help Pixel phones leverage AI for tasks like photography and productivity. The G4 is stated to improve fundamentals such as battery life and performance compared to the Tensor G3, with Google citing faster web browsing and app opening speeds. AI features running on the device through the Tensor processor are designed to be quick, private, and often don’t require an internet connection.
The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a generous 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which contributes to smooth multitasking and supporting the on-device AI processing. Storage options range from 128 GB up to 1 TB, utilising UFS 3.1 storage. However, obtaining additional storage options can be expensive.
While the Tensor G4 is perfectly capable for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and YouTube, my revisit highlighted a potential drawback: a tendency for the phone to heat up, even during relatively light use. Google has stated that the Tensor G4 isn’t designed purely for raw speed or topping benchmarks, focusing instead on AI and efficiency. But the heating issue is a “nagging issue” that can quickly add up.
Beyond the core components, the Pixel 9 Pro includes a Titan M2 security module and an Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip. It also notably features a temperature sensor, a feature found on the Pro models. It has a full suite of sensors, including accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer.
Camera System
Pixel phones have always been known for their cameras, often relying on software optimisations like HDR+. The Pixel 9 Pro carries on this tradition, and importantly, it features the exact same camera setup as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL. This means you’re not penalised in the camera department for choosing the smaller model.
The rear camera system includes three lenses:
- A 50 MP main sensor with an f/1.68 aperture and optical image stabilisation (OIS).
- A 48 MP ultrawide sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and macro autofocus. The ultrawide offers a 12mm equivalent field of view.
- A 48 MP telephoto sensor with an f/2.8 aperture, 5x optical zoom, and OIS. This lens provides a 110mm equivalent focal length. The camera system also provides 2x and 10x “optical quality” zoom via the main and telephoto lenses, respectively.
The front camera is a 42 MP Dual PD selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus. The selfie camera has been improved.
Overall image quality is described as great, performing well in most situations. The camera system is flexible and capable. Video recording is supported at 4K up to 60fps on both the front and rear cameras. While “8K video” is listed, it’s actually provided via upscaling through a cloud-based “Video Boost” feature. Reviewers note this feature is useful for upscaling or heavy zooming, but might feel more like a marketing gimmick due to the processing time required. The native camera app is simpler compared to many other Android phones. Some AI camera features allow for reshaping reality, and AI photography is seen as a future highlight. Macro performance is noted as average. Features like Night Sight Video are also available.
Battery and Charging
The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a 4558 mAh non-removable battery. Due to its smaller size compared to the Pro XL, it has a smaller battery (the XL has 4942 mAh). However, the quoted battery life is the same as the larger model, likely because the smaller screen requires less power to run.
The phone supports fast charging and wireless charging. It also has reverse wireless charging. It’s worth noting that a charger is not supplied in the box; you only get a USB-C to USB-C cable. You’ll need to purchase compatible chargers separately to take advantage of the fast and wireless charging capabilities.
Software and AI Features
The Pixel 9 Pro launches running Android 14. Google has made a strong commitment to software support for the Pixel 9 series, promising 7 years of OS and security updates. This is a significant commitment and helps ensure the phone remains up-to-date and secure for a long time.
Google has heavily integrated AI features into the Pixel 9 series, calling the phones a “vessel for the AI technology”. Gemini, Google’s generative AI chatbot, is at the core of the experience and replaces Google Assistant as the default virtual assistant. The increased RAM helps facilitate on-device AI processing.
Key AI features on the Pixel 9 series include:
- Add Me: Allows you to “Photoshop” yourself into a group photo by combining two pictures.
- Best Take: Combines similar photos to get the best expression from everyone in the shot.
- Magic Editor: Automatically reframes photos and can even respond to text prompts to change the scene.
- Satellite connectivity: Enables contacting emergency services and sharing your location when cellular or Wi-Fi is unavailable. This feature was available at launch.
- Guided Frame: Uses audio and haptic feedback to help users with low vision take selfies.
- Zoom Enhance: Sharpens details in photos using AI, even after capture.
- Pixel Screenshots: Makes finding screenshots easier using natural language.
The software experience on Pixel phones is often praised for being simple and welcoming, focusing on small details that make it enjoyable to use. Pixel UI is Google’s Android skin used on Pixel devices.
Connectivity
The Pixel 9 Pro offers modern connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 7 with MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. It supports Google Cast. For location services, it has dual-band GNSS (GPS / GLONASS / Galileo). The USB-C port supports USB 3.2 Gen 1, which offers theoretical speeds up to 5 Gbps. It also supports Host/OTG and DisplayPort over USB alt mode for wired video output. Network technology includes GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G.
Verdict
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is, undoubtedly, a feature-packed smartphone. It brings Google’s latest Tensor G4 chip, a comprehensive camera system (identical to the larger XL model), and a host of cutting-edge AI features powered by Gemini. The commitment to 7 years of updates is also incredibly appealing. The build quality is top-notch, using premium materials that feel great to the touch.
However, my experience, particularly upon revisiting it, wasn’t entirely smooth. While the software remains excellent and the AI features are genuinely interesting and sometimes useful, the Tensor G4’s tendency to heat up and the phone’s weight distribution for its size are tangible drawbacks. At 199g for a 6.3-inch phone, it just felt bulkier than I expected, and that’s something that stuck with me.
Starting at £999 in the UK, the Pixel 9 Pro is a significant investment. You’re paying for that premium build, the powerful camera system, the tight software/AI integration, and the long-term support. It’s a great phone for photography enthusiasts and those who want Google’s latest AI tricks in a device that isn’t the absolute largest available. But the heating and perceived weight are aspects potential buyers should consider. It’s not a bad phone by any stretch, offering a “phenomenal smartphone experience”, but whether it’s the right phone will depend on how much those particular issues matter to you.
