The Google Pixel lineup has long been a showcase for what Android smartphones can achieve, featuring the latest technology, features, and concepts that often set the standard for other Android devices. However, in recent years, it has lagged slightly in terms of specifications. With the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the company is making a bold statement, delivering a smartphone that competes effectively with major players, offering a solid and robust user experience. The new features, updated chipset, AI capabilities and redesign make the Pixel 9 Pro XL a device truly worthy of the Pixel brand.
I was lucky enough to get some hands-on time with the Pixel 9 Pro XL before the launch, but once I actually got to hold the phone, I was impressed. While the new concept may be a welcome change, for anyone who has owned a Pixel phone before, the 9-range of devices feels more like an evolution than a true revolution in look. That being said, Google has made some smart changes that are more than welcome for this year’s iteration.
The most striking difference between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 is the new camera design. Gone is the full bar that is used for the camera and all the sensors, replaced by a horizontal bump that feels a bit less in the way and gives the phone a striking yet elegant look.
Size-wise, weighing 7.80 oz (221.0 g) the Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly larger than the Pixel 8 Pro, coming in at 6.41 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm) compared to 6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 inches (162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm), although you would not know it just picking the new phone up, with how great it feels in the hand.
“With the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the company is making a bold statement, delivering a smartphone that competes effectively with major players, offering a solid and robust user experience.”
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a solid build that can easily compete with any smartphone on the market. Google has always managed to create striking devices, but this year’s offering is a step above, featuring premium materials that give the phone an elegant feel, comparable to what Apple produces. Available in a range of colours (Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz), the Pixel 9 Pro XL is fingerprint-resistant on the back, featuring a silky matte finish and features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back. However, the polished metal frame, while striking, is a fingerprint magnet, marring its appearance when the device is handled.
On the front of the device, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features an absolutely stunning 6.8-inch (171 mm) Super Actua display (LTPO) with a great screen-to-body ratio. The rest of the phone feels very similar to last year’s offering, with both the power and volume rocker located on the right side of the phone, a selfie camera on the front, speakers, a sim tray and a USB-C connection on the button with the rest of the phone feeling minimal and showcasing the new clean design. This year’s phone also features an IP68 rating, so you can use it in various environments without the fear of the phone being damaged by rain or other issues while doing so.
On the back, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a triple rear camera system consisting of a 50 MP wide lens, a 48 MP ultrawide lens with Macro Focus, and a 48 MP 5x telephoto lens with Super Res Zoom up to 30x, delivering optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, and 10x. More on this later, but it’s impressive to see Google go beyond relying solely on software to deliver fantastic shots, instead blending flagship-level hardware with advanced software features to elevate the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s photography capabilities. The Pro XL and the rest of the Pixel 9 range features some of the best camera smartphones you can buy.
The screen features a 20:9 aspect ratio with a 1344 x 2992 LTPO OLED display at 486 PPI. Like most modern smartphones, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a smooth display that varies between 1-120Hz, making it ideal for gaming and media while also conserving battery life during work-related tasks. The screen boasts 2000 nits of brightness in HDR and up to 3000 nits of peak brightness, ensuring easy use both indoors and outdoors, with colours appearing vibrant and crisp.
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 Pro XL continues Google’s trend of using its own custom silicon. It features the Tensor G4 chip alongside the Titan M2 security coprocessor, paired with 16 GB of RAM (an upgrade from the 12 GB found in the Pixel 8 range). The Pixel 9 Pro XL is available in various storage options, including 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB, depending on your needs. The device is powered by a 5060 mAh battery and supports fast charging, both wired and wireless, with Qi-certified charging.
When putting the Pixel 9 Pro XL through its paces, I was pleased to see that all the tech under the hood translated into real-world performance. Gaming on the phone was fast and fluid, delivering excellent results in all the games we tested, including Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, Honkai: Star Rail, and Diablo: Immortal. In fact, I didn’t encounter any game that didn’t provide a solid experience. All games ran buttery smooth on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, with console-quality graphics and incredibly fast load times.
When using the Pixel 9 Pro XL for work and media consumption, including video editing, social media, YouTube, and document editing, the phone delivers a responsive and high-performing experience. Multitasking was seamless, with no significant signs of slowdown, even when running multiple apps simultaneously. Task switching was smooth, contributing to an overall solid performance. In the past, I noticed that Pixel phones with Tensor processors could slow down at times, so it’s great to see that isn’t the case here. That said, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon SoC still feels slightly faster, though the difference is marginal and likely negligible for most users.
“All games ran buttery smooth on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, with console-quality graphics and incredibly fast load times.”
This brings us to what most people are excited about with this new range: the improved camera system and the new AI features. Right off the bat, the Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts an impressive camera system that builds upon the already stellar reputation of its predecessors. The device features a versatile triple-lens setup, including an advanced main sensor, an improved telephoto lens, and an enhanced ultra-wide camera. They also include a 42 MP Dual PD selfie camera that finally brings a new range of features to anyone who uses their phone for content creation or vlogging.
Perhaps the standout feature of the Pixel 9 Pro XL is its upgraded main sensor, which offers enhanced low-light performance and dynamic range, capturing stunning details in various lighting conditions. The wide-angle main camera features a 50 MP Octa PD sensor with an ƒ/1.68 aperture and an 82° field of view, utilizing a 1/1.31″ image sensor. After using the camera for a week, I was impressed with the clarity and colour reproduction in photos taken with the main sensor. While the software enhancements the Pixel range is known for are still present, the photos achieve a true-to-life look that highlights the natural beauty of subjects.
The ultrawide camera on the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 48 MP Quad PD sensor with autofocus, an ƒ/1.7 aperture, and a 123° field of view, utilizing a 1/2.55″ image sensor. While the shots are solid, they aren’t quite as crisp as those from the main camera. However, the 123° field of view is excellent for capturing large scenes, with minimal distortion around the edges. As someone who has become a fan of ultrawide cameras in recent years, I was pleased to see that Google delivered a strong performance here. The ultrawide camera not only looks good but also adds versatility to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, making it useful in a wide range of scenarios.
The telephoto lens on the Pixel 9 Pro XL now offers an impressive 30x Super Res Zoom, a significant improvement over last year’s model, allowing users to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. The camera features a 48 MP Quad PD telephoto sensor with an ƒ/2.8 aperture, a 22° field of view, and 5x optical zoom, with Super Res Zoom up to 30x.
While I remain somewhat skeptical about the usefulness of telephoto lenses on smartphones—given the limitations of their small size—I was generally impressed with the performance here. It may not rival a mirrorless camera or DSLR with a true range of lenses, but it works well in a pinch, particularly for concerts or situations where you need to see something just out of reach. The software’s ability to enhance a distorted image is impressive, but it’s no substitute for true optics when it comes to this task.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL also introduces 8K video recording capabilities powered by Video Boost technology, marking a significant upgrade from the 4K offerings of previous Pixel phones. This enhancement provides content creators with professional-grade video options, making the Pixel an even more compelling choice for those who need a powerful tool for creating on the go without the need for bulky gear.
In addition to its video capabilities, the Pixel 9 Pro XL introduces several AI-powered photography features. These include an enhanced Night Sight mode for even better low-light shots, an improved Portrait Mode with more accurate subject separation, and the new Add Me feature, which allows for seamless self-inclusion in group photos. While these features aren’t perfect, they are incredibly impressive and offer new ways to capture moments with a smartphone. They can feel a bit uncanny at times, depending on how the shots turn out, but Google has made a strong case for the role of AI in photography—even if the photography purist in me feels a bit conflicted by it all.
As someone constantly on the go, I found battery improvements in the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL to be one of the most exciting features. Equipped with a substantial 5060 mAh battery, this flagship device is designed to last over 24 hours on a single charge under normal usage conditions, and I have to agree with Google’s claims.
Although I’ve only had the phone for about a week, it has consistently lasted through a full, busy day of constant use, still retaining battery life when I finally clock out for the night. Even when pushing the phone to its limits with gaming and media, the Pixel 9 Pro XL managed to keep up without struggling or needing to be plugged in. On particularly demanding days, I did manage to drain the battery to around 20 percent by 7 PM, but even then, it held up impressively well.
“As someone constantly on the go, I found battery improvements in the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL to be one of the most exciting features.”
Google’s adaptive battery technology works behind the scenes to optimize power consumption, learning from your usage patterns to prioritize battery for your most-used apps. When you need an extra boost, the Extreme Battery Saver mode can extend battery life up to an impressive 100 hours by limiting functionality to essential features only. Due to time constraints, I haven’t been able to fully test the 100-hour battery life claim, but based on what I’ve experienced, it seems plausible. Keep in mind that in this mode, the device’s functionality is significantly reduced—designed more for emergencies than regular use. Nonetheless, it’s still a very impressive feature.
Charging is equally impressive, with fast wired charging capable of delivering up to 70% battery in just 30 minutes using the Google 45W USB-C charger. For those who prefer wireless charging, the Pixel 9 Pro XL supports up to 23W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand (2nd gen).
Additionally, the device features Battery Share, allowing you to wirelessly charge other Qi-certified devices, making the Pixel 9 Pro XL a versatile power station for all your gadgets. I tested it with a set of Pixel Buds Pro, and it worked flawlessly. However, it does drain your phone’s battery significantly, so it’s best used in situations where you have no other option or when you just need to give your earbuds a quick boost and no plug is available.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL also brings the latest in connectivity technology. At its core, the device supports 5G, including both Sub-6 and mmWave bands, ensuring lightning-fast data speeds where available. The smartphone is equipped with Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, offering unparalleled wireless performance and reduced latency for home and office networks. Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable and efficient connections to a wide range of accessories.
“Google has addressed all the major issues seen in past devices, bringing out the best that Android has to offer with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.”
Additionally, the inclusion of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology enables precise spatial awareness for features like nearby device detection and improved file sharing. The Pixel 9 Pro XL supports both eSIM technology and a physical SIM slot, offering flexibility in carrier choices and easy switching between networks. Using the Pixel 9 Pro XL on Freedom Mobile in Canada was seamless, with the device connecting instantly. The signal was solid everywhere I tested it, and it managed to maintain a consistent connection even in places where my Xiaomi 14 Ultra or OnePlus 11 had issues connecting.
On the software front, if you’ve used a Pixel device before, you know what to expect. The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Google’s latest Android 14 operating system, delivering a seamless and intuitive user experience. It will also be one of the first devices to receive Android 15 when it launches later this year. The software is deeply integrated with Google’s advanced AI capabilities, offering smart features like improved voice recognition, predictive text, and intelligent app suggestions. Pixel-exclusive features such as Call Screen and Now Playing have been refined to enhance daily usability.
The user experience remains as close to stock Android as you can get, with Pixel phones serving as a showcase of what Android can be. There are no unnecessary skins or bloated features to hinder the experience—at least in theory. This year, the experience is bolstered by on-device AI, powering new capabilities like real-time language translation and advanced photo editing tools. The improved Face Unlock system now works seamlessly with the under-display fingerprint sensor, providing multiple secure and convenient ways to access your device.
“The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Google’s latest Android 14 operating system, delivering a seamless and intuitive user experience.”
The Pixel 9 Pro XL also introduces new AI-driven productivity tools, such as Smart Compose for messaging apps and an advanced voice recorder with automatic transcription and speaker identification. While the jury is still out on whether all these new AI features are genuinely useful or just gimmicks to entice upgrades, I have to admit there are many practical features beyond the flash and spectacle. Real-time language translation, in particular, is something I can see myself using in my work, and the ability to touch up photos easily is something families, especially those with young kids, will likely appreciate. And who does not want to see their Google Assistant get a major upgrade?
While not groundbreaking, it’s reassuring to see Google pricing the Pixel 9 Pro XL competitively within the premium flagship market. The base model starts at $1,099 USD ($1,499.99 CAD), which is in line with what we’ve seen from Samsung and Apple. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 offer similar specs with a few fewer bells and whistles, providing options for those looking to save a bit of money. Even at this price point, Google has made a strong case with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, delivering a flagship device that meets 2024’s expectations. The phone offers a range of features, and the camera alone represents a significant upgrade for anyone coming from earlier Pixel models.
Google has addressed all the major issues seen in past devices, bringing out the best that Android has to offer with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It is fast, powerful, and stunning both in design and usability. I initially worried that the Pixel range wouldn’t offer enough changes this time to justify an upgrade, but I’ve been proven wrong. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a fantastic device that showcases what’s possible on Android, even if some of the AI features might be slightly oversold. If you’re looking for the best Android phone on the market, few devices can compete with what the Pixel 9 Pro XL brings to the table.
