The Google Pixel 9 Pro is an ambitious evolution of the Pixel line, and it shows how Google is trying to redefine the smartphone experience through artificial intelligence (AI) and camera prowess. With an emphasis on AI, an improved camera system, and an enhanced user experience, the Pixel 9 Pro aims to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. In this in-depth review, we will explore the various aspects of the Pixel 9 Pro, from design and build quality to performance, battery life, and camera capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Google Pixel 9 Pro strikes a balance between familiarity and innovation. At first glance, it retains the characteristic Pixel look with its prominent camera bar and minimalist design. However, Google has introduced subtle refinements that make the device more premium and comfortable to use. The Pixel 9 Pro is available in several colors, including Obsidian, Hazel, and Snow, each offering a distinct aesthetic appeal.

The build quality is robust, with a combination of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back. The phone feels solid in hand, and the slightly curved edges add to its ergonomic feel. One of the key design improvements is the flat display, which many users find more comfortable for daily use compared to curved screens. The phone’s matte finish also helps in providing a better grip, although the device can still feel a bit slippery without a case.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in two sizes: the standard Pro with a 6.3-inch display and the Pro XL with a larger 6.8-inch display. Both models are nearly identical in features, with the size being the primary differentiator. The Pro model is easier to handle one-handed, while the Pro XL is better suited for users who prefer larger screens for media consumption and gaming.

Display

The display on the Pixel 9 Pro is one of the standout features. The standard Pro model features a 6.3-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, while the Pro XL bumps up the size to 6.8 inches with the same resolution. Both displays offer a 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling and an overall responsive feel. The display is bright and vivid, with excellent color accuracy and contrast.

One of the highlights of the display is its brightness, with the Pro XL model peaking at 3,000 nits, making it one of the brightest displays on the market. This makes the phone easily usable even under direct sunlight. Additionally, the display supports HDR10+ content, enhancing the visual experience when watching movies and playing games.

Google has also made strides in optimizing the display for battery efficiency. The adaptive refresh rate can drop down to 1Hz when the screen is idle, helping to conserve battery life without compromising the user experience.

Performance

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is powered by the Tensor G4 chip, Google’s in-house processor designed to enhance AI and machine learning capabilities. While it may not benchmark as high as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Apple’s A17 Bionic in raw performance, the Tensor G4 is no slouch. It handles everyday tasks with ease, and multitasking is smooth thanks to the 16GB of RAM available on both the Pro and Pro XL models.

Where the Tensor G4 really shines is in AI-driven tasks. The chip is optimized for tasks like image processing, real-time language translation, and voice recognition. This focus on AI allows the Pixel 9 Pro to offer unique features like Magic Eraser, which can remove unwanted elements from photos with a simple tap, and the new Add Me feature, which intelligently inserts the user into photos taken by others.

The performance is further bolstered by an improved cooling system, especially in the Pro XL model. The vapor chamber cooling ensures that the device remains cool during extended gaming sessions or when performing intensive tasks. This not only improves the phone’s longevity but also prevents the performance throttling issues that plagued earlier Pixel models.

Despite the focus on AI, the Pixel 9 Pro handles gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks well. Games like “Genshin Impact” and “Call of Duty: Mobile” run smoothly at high settings, although the Tensor G4 doesn’t quite match the gaming performance of its Qualcomm and Apple counterparts. However, Google’s focus seems to be less on raw performance and more on creating a smart and responsive user experience.

Software and AI Features

The Pixel 9 Pro ships with Android 14 out of the box, and Google has promised an unprecedented seven years of software updates, ensuring that your device remains secure and up-to-date well into the future. The user interface is clean and intuitive, with Google’s Material You design language allowing for a high degree of customization.

One of the key selling points of the Pixel 9 Pro is its AI-driven features. Google has integrated AI deeply into the software, offering a range of features that enhance the user experience. The new AI Assistant is smarter than ever, capable of understanding and executing complex commands. For example, you can ask it to summarize long articles, create playlists based on your listening habits, or even control smart home devices with natural language commands.

The camera app also benefits from AI enhancements. The Real Tone feature ensures that skin tones are accurately represented in photos, and the Night Sight mode has been further improved to deliver clearer and more detailed low-light photos. The AI-powered noise reduction in videos works remarkably well, making the Pixel 9 Pro a solid choice for content creators who rely on their smartphones for shooting videos.

Google has also introduced new accessibility features powered by AI. The Live Caption feature now works in more languages and can transcribe speech in real-time, even in noisy environments. The phone also offers enhanced voice typing, which is faster and more accurate than previous versions.

Camera Performance

The camera system on the Pixel 9 Pro is arguably its most impressive feature. Google has always been known for its computational photography, and the Pixel 9 Pro takes it to the next level. The device is equipped with a triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 48MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.

The main camera delivers stunning photos with rich colors and excellent dynamic range. Google’s AI algorithms do a fantastic job of optimizing photos in real-time, ensuring that every shot looks professional. The ultra-wide camera offers a 123-degree field of view, making it perfect for landscape shots or capturing large groups of people.

The periscope telephoto lens is a standout feature, offering 5x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. The photos taken at high zoom levels are surprisingly detailed, thanks to Google’s Super Res Zoom technology, which uses AI to enhance the image quality.

The video capabilities of the Pixel 9 Pro have also been improved. The device can shoot 4K video at 60fps, and the new AI-powered stabilization ensures that videos are smooth and shake-free. The addition of HDR10+ support in videos further enhances the visual quality, making the Pixel 9 Pro a powerful tool for videographers.

Battery Life

Battery life on the Pixel 9 Pro is solid but not groundbreaking. The device is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, while the Pro XL model features a slightly larger 5,060mAh battery. Both models offer enough juice to get through a full day of heavy usage, including gaming, video streaming, and extensive camera use.

Google has made some improvements in battery efficiency with the Tensor G4 chip, and the adaptive refresh rate on the display also helps conserve power. However, the Pixel 9 Pro still lags behind competitors like the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 in terms of battery longevity.

Charging speeds are adequate but not class-leading. The Pixel 9 Pro supports up to 27W wired charging and 21W wireless charging, while the Pro XL can charge at up to 37W wired and 23W wirelessly. However, to achieve these speeds, you’ll need to use Google’s proprietary charger, which is sold separately. The lack of support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard is a notable omission, but the device does support reverse wireless charging for accessories like earbuds.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Pixel 9 Pro supports a wide range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3. The device also features an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded under the display. While it works well most of the time, some users have reported occasional issues with accuracy and speed.

The device is also IP68 certified, making it resistant to dust and water. The inclusion of stereo speakers delivers good audio quality, with clear highs and a decent amount of bass, although it doesn’t quite match the audio experience of some of its competitors.

Collective Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a testament to Google’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do with AI. While it may not have the raw power of some of its competitors, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a unique user experience that is enhanced by Google’s software and AI capabilities. The camera system looks to be among the best in the industry, the display is bright and beautiful, and the design is sleek and premium.