Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: The Ultimate Android Experience

Pixel 9 Pro XL Review

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a high-end smartphone with a 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED screen, 16GB of RAM, and a Tensor G4 CPU. Excellent photography is produced by its 50MP primary camera, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP 5x telephoto, while the 42MP front camera adds the “Add Me” AI function. A 5,060mAh battery may be charged at 15W wireless and 37W wired. It incorporates Gemini AI for more intelligent interactions and runs Android 14 with seven years of upgrades. With a sleek appearance and powerful AI capabilities, it competes effectively in the flagship market and is priced starting at $1,099 USD.

Sleek design that fits comfortably in your hand

With an update of Google’s famous camera bar, the Pixel 9 phones offer a sleek new design that highlights the camera. In addition to being beautiful, the sculpted design is pleasant to hold. They also include new finishes, such polished metal sides and a smooth matte glass back, which give them a very high-end appearance. Furthermore, the phones are twice as robust as the Pixel 8.

The Pixel 9 Pro (6.3″) and Pixel 9 Pro XL (6.8″) are the first two sizes available for Google’s Pro model. Both have it brightest and best Super Actua screens to yet, along with a new 42 MP front camera that will let you to take brighter, clearer selfies in low light. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL have identical specifications and features, with the exception of display size, charging speed, and power.

The Pixel 9 has several improvements. The Pixel 9 has been deemed the greatest display in its class and boasts a 6.3-inch Actua display that is 35% brighter than the Pixel 8. The primary and ultrawide cameras are identical to those found in the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9’s 48MP ultrawide lens outperforms the Pixel 8’s 12MP. Front camera focus has been enhanced for better selfies. The Pixel 9’s screen-on battery lasts 20% longer than the Pixel 8.

All Pixel 9 phones receive security updates, seven years of OS upgrades, and Pixel Drops to improve over time.

AI helpfulness, powered by Google Tensor G4

Tensor G4, Google’s latest proprietary semiconductor, powers it Pixel 9 phones. Google’s most efficient chip to date, it was created to enhance commonplace use cases, such as online surfing and faster app launching.

Tensor G4 is optimised to run Google’s most sophisticated AI models and was created in collaboration with Google DeepMind. The Gemini Nano with Multimodality processor, which enables your phone to comprehend text, graphics, and music, will be the first of its kind.

Google has improved the memory throughout the Pixel 9 family, with 12GB of RAM for the Pixel 9 and 16GB for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, to ensure that the AI-powered experiences on your device function flawlessly.

Gemini Live helps you get the answers you need

All Gemini Advanced users will have access to Gemini Live, a new method to engage with Gemini more organically, which Google introduced at Google I/O. Those who purchase a Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold will also receive a year of Gemini Advanced.

Gemini Live allows you to speak freely with Gemini using your phone or Google Buds. Therefore, Gemini Live will provide a new degree of assistance in a more intuitive, natural approach, whether you’re trying to organise a fun tailgate, need assistance with home maintenance, or need help coming up with present ideas.

Pixel Studio is a canvas for your creativity

The first picture generator of its sort is Pixel Studio. You can now create anything you want on your phone, which is a genuine creative canvas.

It is powered by a combination of it Imagen 3 text-to-image model in the cloud and an on-device diffusion model running on Tensor G4. You can easily share your thoughts with friends and family with a user interface that is optimised for simple prompting, style changes, and editing.

Pixel Screenshots to remember more without doing more

Have you ever taken a screenshot of something on your phone that you want to keep in mind but can’t locate it later? An software designed just for the Pixel 9, Pixel Screenshots, assists you in organising, remembering, and storing critical information for later use.

For example, suppose your squirrel-loving friend’s birthday is approaching. By taking screenshots of squirrel shirts, coasters, and anything else you think they would enjoy, you can search Google Chrome for a present for them. Pixel Screenshots will examine each image’s content and enable you to search for the information within the program. Therefore, all you have to do is launch the app, type in “squirrel,” and these results will appear. Better yet, a description of what you’re looking at with pertinent information will be included, along with connections to all the places you discovered it.

Better weather app

Checking the weather is one of the most popular things people do on their phones, so Google has utilised AI to make that experience more enjoyable and useful. With incredibly precise weather forecasts, the Pixel Weather app boasts a stunning look. To give you an idea of the weather for the day, Gemini Nano will also provide a personalised AI weather report.

More camera improvements for stunning photos and videos

With a redesigned imaging pipeline and exceptional camera performance, your images and movies will better depict the environment. In order to help you obtain the ideal photograph, Google has also included AI tools that can help you take zoomed-in films and get everyone in the group photo.

Typically, one designated photographer is excluded from group photos. You won’t need to bring a tripod or ask a stranger for assistance when you use Add Me to snap a picture with everyone present, including the photographer.

In order to provide detailed photos even in low light, Google redesigned Panorama. On any smartphone, it’s the best low-light panorama.

You can obtain the photo you want with Google Photos’ Magic Editor’s new editing features. You may reframe a photo for a better composition using Auto Frame, and you can reimagine your photographs by just entering in what you want to see, such as wildflowers in an open field, to make your thoughts come to life.

All Pro phones have improved Video Boost, which processes Night Sight Videos twice as quickly when they are uploaded. Additionally, the 48MP 5x telephoto on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL allows you to create high-resolution zoom films up to 20x with Super Res Zoom Video.

Clearer calls and easier note-taking

The audio quality is further enhanced by Clear Calling, and soon after you hang up, the new Call Notes function provides you with a private synopsis and complete transcript of your call. So you won’t have to rush for a pen and paper the next time your technician calls you back. Call Notes operates entirely on-device to preserve privacy, and if you have enabled the function, all call participants will be informed.

Satellite SOS for emergency help even off the grid

Google’s most recent Pixel 9 smartphones are the first Android phones to come with it new Satellite SOS feature, which allows you to share your position and make satellite calls to emergency personnel even when there is no cellular coverage. Regardless of your carrier plan, Pixel 9 devices in the United States will be the first to support satellite SOS.

Google Pixel 9 Specifications