The premium Android phone segment just got hotter with the launch of the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The Pixel 9 costs ₹79,999, while the 9 Pro XL is priced at 1,24,999 in India.
There is also a Pixel 9 Pro that sits in between these two models, but its India price and availability is still a mystery at the time of writing this review.
Anyway, if you're thinking about getting the new Pixel phones, keep reading because I’m going to give you 5 reasons why they’re a great choice—and 4 things you might want to consider before buying.
Plus, I’ll let you know which of the two phones is the better buy.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL cameras
So, the number one reason to buy any Pixel phone is the camera. Both these phones have the same 50MP primary and 48MP ultrawide sensors.
But as always, the telephoto camera remains a Pro feature. It boasts a 48MP periscope lens with 5x optical zoom, capturing stunning photos with excellent dynamic range.
Please watch the video to see camera samples.
Both phones capture great photos with the main camera during the day. It has nicely crisp detail and is generally rendered well. Dynamic range is mostly great, but Pixels tend to like high contrast, so shadows can look underexposed occasionally.
Low light shots, however, are pretty good with well controlled noise. 4K 60 fps videos from the main camera are stable with an impressive amount of detail, even in tricky lighting conditions.
Images from the ultrawide camera are quite impressive with great amounts of detail and consistent colours with the main camera. Even low-light ultrawide photos are quite good.
Let’s now shed some light on Pixel’s AI assisted post-processing tools. Both smartphones get this futuristic ‘add me’ feature which is really handy while ensuring that no one is missing in a group photo. It also allows you to be a little creative.
The Pro XL can also enhance your low light videos, although the processing happens on cloud and takes a long time. Plus, this feature is not available on the vanilla Pixel 9.
Anyway, you also get the handy AI eraser tool on both phones, although this is very common on Android phones nowadays.
If I have to rate the camera systems on these phones, they are probably like 7.5 on 10, which is very good.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL design
Now, the second reason to consider these phones is their gorgeous design. Both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL showcase a sleek, updated look with a flat back and a smooth aluminum frame
The iconic Pixel camera bar is now shorter and does not merge with the frame of the phone. It is thankfully still long enough to make these phones quite stable on a flat surface.
The base contains two camera sensors and a flash on the Pixel 9, and three camera sensors, plus a temperature sensor on the 9 Pro XL.
The Pixel 9 has a glossy back and a matte frame, while it's the other way around on the 9 Pro XL.
If not for the camera bar, the design of these two phones is quite iPhone-esque, and I really like that
I definitely prefer the in-hand feel of the Pixel 9 because of its smaller footprint, but do note that it is nowhere as compact as the Galaxy S24.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL display
The display is one area where the two phones start to diverge more significantly. The Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This phone lacks LTPO tech.
Without LTPO, the refresh rate on the Pixel 9 can only switch between 120Hz and 60Hz, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro XL can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 120Hz down to 1Hz.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s display is larger at 6.8 inches and has a slightly higher resolution. Both displays support HDR10+ video playback as well.
Google has also added a new ultrasonic fingerprint rear on the Pixel 9 series is quite fast and reliable.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL software & AI
One of the standout perks of these phones is Google’s commitment to long-term software updates—7 years of updates, to be exact. That’s a huge draw for anyone looking to keep their device running smoothly for years.
But it’s not just about longevity; Google has been leading the AI game long before the competition caught on.
This year’s Pixels come packed with even more smart features, like a new call, text, and email summarizer that helps you instantly get to the information that matters. And let’s not forget the Gemini AI assistant, now supporting over 100 languages, and can handle natural language questions as well.
Another interesting feature is Pixel Screenshots, which lets you search within your screenshots. For example, if you’ve saved a recipe but forgot about it, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can quickly help you find it using Gemini's AI. It’s a handy tool that’s easy to see becoming part of your daily routine.
By the way, all that AI magic needs some serious power, so it’s good to see both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL get a hefty RAM upgrade—12GB for the Pixel 9 and a massive 16GB for the Pro XL.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL battery life
Another reason you might want to grab the new Pixel phones—and I can’t believe I’m saying this—is the improved battery life.
The Pixel 9 now boasts a slightly larger 4,700 mAh battery, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL steps up with a 5,060 mAh battery. In my testing, the Pixel 9 delivered an impressive average screen time of around 8.5 hours, which is a huge improvement considering the Pixel 8 struggled in this area.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, despite its larger battery, averaged around 8 hours of screen time. The more demanding display and features do drain the battery a bit faster, but it’s still a significant step up from previous Pixel generations.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL: Tensor G4 performance
Now, let's talk about some reasons you might think twice before picking up one of these phones. One of the most noticeable aspects is Google’s in-house Tensor G4 chipset, which powers all the Pixel 9 series devices.
This chip is specifically designed to handle the AI features I just talked about, but here's the thing—most of those AI features still rely heavily on the internet to function properly. So, it’s hard to say how much heavy lifting the Tensor G4 is actually doing on its own.
And when it comes to raw performance, the G4 doesn’t quite match up to other high-end chipsets. In benchmark tests, it scores noticeably lower than its rivals. Check out the benchmark results in the video.
The Tensor G4 can handle demanding games at fairly high settings but thermal throttling becomes noticeable within just 10 to 15 minutes of gameplay. That’s something to keep in mind if you're a serious gamer.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL portrait mode
And then there’s the camera. I know I said it's one of the reasons to buy this phone, but it does fall short in the portrait department. Edge detection can be a bit hit or miss, varying from okay to not-so-great, and this issue pops up on both the Pixel 9 and Pro XL.
It’s also a bit surprising that the Pixel 9 also doesn’t offer manual camera controls, which you’d expect from a smartphone in this price range.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL charging
To add to that, neither phone comes with a bundled charger. And if fast charging is a priority for you, brace yourself for some disappointment. The charging speeds are a bit underwhelming, peaking at 37W for the Pro XL and just 27W for the Pixel 9.
They do support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which is handy, but the overall charging experience might not be as fast as some would like.
Google Pixel 9 & Pixel 9 Pro XL review
Google is asking a premium price for these phones, and while the AI features are pretty cool, they might not fully justify the cost.
If I had to choose between the two, I’d opt for the standard Pixel 9, because it's better value for money.
Ultimately, the Pixel 9 series is still made for a niche audience. These smartphones do things a bit differently than other high-end Android phones, which also makes them a conversation starter.
