The Google Pixel 9 Pro, released in late 2024, is Google’s latest flagship device, showcasing numerous enhancements in terms of hardware, software, AI, and user experience. As the pinnacle of the Pixel lineup, the Pixel 9 Pro merges Google’s advances in artificial intelligence (AI) with premium design, a stunning display, robust performance, and one of the best camera systems on the market. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the Google Pixel 9 Pro’s features, performance, and user experience to help you decide if it’s worth the upgrade.
Design and Build Quality
The Pixel 9 Pro sports a refined and modern design that is both elegant and durable. Measuring 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm and weighing 199 grams, it fits comfortably in hand despite its large display. The matte rear finish provides a secure grip and resists fingerprints, a practical improvement over the glossy finishes of previous models. The camera bar, a signature design element of the Pixel series, is more pronounced and sits on an isolated island, giving the phone a sleek, futuristic look.
Google has used 100% recycled aluminum for the phone’s frame, emphasizing the company’s commitment to sustainability. The phone is available in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Hazel, offering stylish choices for different tastes. The Pixel 9 Pro also features IP68 water and dust resistance, ensuring that it can handle everyday wear and tear, including accidental drops in water.
Display: Vibrant and Adaptive
The Pixel 9 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 2856 pixels. This results in a pixel density of 497 pixels per inch, providing crisp and sharp visuals. The most striking upgrade is the peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it one of the brightest displays available, outperforming most competitors in direct sunlight.
The adaptive refresh rate is another highlight. Ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, the refresh rate adjusts based on the content displayed, balancing smooth scrolling and energy efficiency. Whether you’re watching a high-definition video or simply reading text, the display provides an incredibly smooth experience.
Google has maintained Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, ensuring the screen remains protected against scratches and drops. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded in the display is 50% faster than previous models, providing quick and secure access to the phone.
Performance: Google Tensor G4 and AI Integration
At the heart of the Pixel 9 Pro is the Google Tensor G4 chip, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The Tensor G4 is an 8-core processor based on a 4nm architecture, featuring a combination of high-performance Cortex X4, Cortex A720, and Cortex A520 cores. This chipset delivers 17% faster app launches and 20% faster web browsing compared to the previous generation, making the phone snappy and responsive across all tasks.
The Tensor G4 is designed to optimize AI and machine learning processes, enabling features such as speech recognition, real-time language translation, and on-device image processing. Google’s Gemini Nano coprocessor adds even more AI power, particularly for on-device tasks, improving response times and conserving battery life by minimizing reliance on cloud-based processing.
In terms of gaming, the Mali-G715 MP7 GPU ensures smooth gameplay at high settings. Whether it’s 3D-intensive games or casual mobile games, the Pixel 9 Pro handles them with ease, offering an immersive experience with no noticeable lag or stuttering.
Camera System: Best-in-Class Photography
Google has built its reputation on offering outstanding camera systems, and the Pixel 9 Pro continues this tradition. The phone is equipped with a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The front camera sees a major upgrade, with a 42MP sensor—a significant leap from the 10.5MP selfie camera found in the Pixel 8 Pro.
One of the standout features of the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera system is its AI integration. Super Res Zoom allows for 30x zoom on photos and 20x zoom on videos, delivering remarkable clarity even when zoomed in. The Night Sight Video feature has been improved, enabling better low-light video capture, while Video Boost enhances video resolution up to 8K and processes darker scenes at twice the speed of the Pixel 8 Pro.
AI-based photography features like Magic Editor and Best Take are also more powerful. The Magic Editor allows users to expand or reframe images automatically, while Best Take helps merge multiple photos to capture everyone’s best expression. New for the Pixel 9 Pro is Add Me, which allows photographers to be added to group shots after the fact, merging two photos seamlessly.
The image quality from the Pixel 9 Pro is exceptional across various lighting conditions. In daylight, photos are sharp, vibrant, and rich in detail. In low light, the Night Sight mode produces clean images with accurate colors and minimal noise. The telephoto lens offers impressive zoom capabilities with sharp results even at higher zoom levels.
Software and User Experience: Android 15 and Long-Term Support
The Pixel 9 Pro ships with Android 15, Google’s latest operating system. This version introduces several UI refinements and optimizations, with an emphasis on privacy, customization, and enhanced AI-driven functionalities. One of the major selling points of Google’s Pixel devices is the seven years of software support, including Android updates, security patches, and exclusive Pixel Drops that bring new features and improvements over time.
Google’s new AI features are deeply integrated into the user experience. For example, the Assistant is faster and more intuitive than ever, handling complex voice commands, controlling smart home devices, and even drafting emails. The phone’s AI also excels in understanding and processing natural language, translating text and speech in real-time.
The Material You design theme remains a core part of the interface, dynamically adjusting the system’s color palette based on the user’s wallpaper. This results in a personalized look that extends to app icons, menus, and notification panels.
In terms of security, the Titan M2 security chip continues to safeguard sensitive data, while features like Face Unlock and the under-display fingerprint sensor provide secure and convenient access. Google also emphasizes on-device processing for tasks like voice commands and image analysis, which reduces the need for cloud-based services and enhances user privacy.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 9 Pro is powered by a 4700mAh battery, which, although smaller than the 5060mAh battery found in the Pixel 9 Pro XL, still delivers impressive battery life. Google claims that the Pixel 9 Pro can last over 24 hours with typical usage and up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode activated. This mode limits background processes and lowers performance to extend battery life significantly when needed.
Charging speeds have also improved. The phone supports 45W fast charging, allowing it to reach 70% in just 30 minutes with the compatible charger. Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are also supported, making it convenient to charge accessories like wireless earbuds.
Connectivity and Other Features
The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with 5G connectivity, supporting both mmWave and Sub-6GHz bands for fast internet speeds. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for contactless payments.
Google has also improved its haptic feedback system, delivering more precise and satisfying vibrations during typing, notifications, and gaming. The phone’s stereo speakers are loud and clear, providing a good audio experience for media consumption.
Conclusion: The Pinnacle of Google’s Smartphone Lineup
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a stellar flagship device that excels in every department. Its sleek design, bright and adaptive display, powerful Tensor G4 chipset, and best-in-class camera system make it one of the most well-rounded smartphones on the market. The deep integration of AI enhances the user experience, from photography to productivity, making the Pixel 9 Pro a device that adapts to your needs.
Its long-term software support, coupled with robust security features, ensures that the phone will remain relevant and secure for years to come. For anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience with the best of Google’s innovations, the Pixel 9 Pro is an excellent choice.