Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: A Pocketable Champion
Discover the Google Pixel 9 Pro with its premium build, stunning camera, and AI features, but with some performance drawbacks.
Google Pixel 9 Pro is first flagship phone powered by AI and it’s definitely a game changer. For me, it’s like living next to Disney World—exciting and full of surprises. AI is everywhere on this phone, not just in editing tools or WhatsApp but as the core of the entire experience.
The design is sleek and well-crafted, with small details like a curved SIM card lid that match the phone’s rounded corners. It feels better in my hand than other phones I’ve tried, even the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The real fun starts when you use it. The multi-modal Google Gemini AI can look at a photo and answer questions about it. It’s like having a conversation with the phone. The AI photography features are awesome, producing almost flawless photos, whether real or imagined. But sometimes it feels like AI is everywhere. It pops up asking if it can help with notes, emails, and even making lists.
Despite that, the Pixel 9 Pro is super well-designed, easy to use, and fun, even for someone like me who isn’t into all the flashy tech. The only downside is the price. At $999, you get just 128GB of storage, but Google offers 2TB of cloud storage and a year of Google One AI Premium, which makes it a good deal if you use the cloud.
Playful AI features include the “Add Me” function, which allows you to appear in a group photo even if you weren’t there. All of this is a little excessive, but that’s part of the pleasure. The only drawbacks I’ve observed are the Tensor G4 chip’s occasional sluggishness and overheating problems, which can make the phone feel a little sluggish, especially when using numerous apps.
With a ton of helpful AI capabilities that make everyday chores easier and more enjoyable, the Pixel 9 Pro is an interesting phone. Undoubtedly, it offers a preview of what smartphones will look like in the future.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Specification
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Released | September 09, 2024 |
| ⚖️ Weight | 199g (7.02 oz) |
| 📏 Dimensions | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| 🛡 Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back, aluminum frame |
| 💧 Water Resistance | IP68 (dust tight & water-resistant up to 1.5m for 30 minutes) |
| 📱 Display Type | LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) |
| 📐 Screen Size | 6.3 inches (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| 🔍 Resolution | 1280 x 2856 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~495 ppi) |
| 🛡 Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| 🏆 OS | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15 (7 years of updates) |
| 🔥 Chipset | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) |
| ⚙️ CPU | Octa-core (3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4×1.92 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| 🎮 GPU | Mali-G715 MC7 |
| 💾 Storage & RAM | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB, 16GB RAM (No SD Card Slot) |
| 📷 Main Camera | 📸 50MP (wide) + 48MP (periscope telephoto, 5x zoom) + 48MP (ultrawide) |
| 🎞 Camera Features | Laser AF, LED flash, Ultra-HDR, Best Take, Zoom Enhance |
| 🎥 Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; OIS, EIS |
| 🤳 Selfie Camera | 42MP (ultrawide) + HDR, panorama |
| 🎤 Selfie Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| 🔊 Speakers | Stereo speakers (No 3.5mm jack) |
| 📶 Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (tri-band) |
| 🔵 Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| 📡 Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| 📲 NFC | Yes |
| 🔌 USB | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| 🧠 Sensors | Fingerprint (under display), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, thermometer, UWB |
| 🔋 Battery | 4700 mAh Li-Ion |
| ⚡ Charging | 🔋 27W wired, PD3.0, PPS (55% in 30 min) |
| 🔄 Wireless Charging | 21W (Pixel Stand), 12W (Qi charger), Reverse wireless |
| 🎨 Colors | Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian |
| 💰 Price | $652.63 / £596.99 / €849.00 |
| 📊 Performance | AnTuTu: 838931 (v9), 1088917 (v10), GeekBench: 3850 (v5), 4728 (v6) |
| ☀️ Display Brightness | 2331 nits max brightness (measured) |
| 🔋 Battery Life | Active use score: 13 hours 11 min |
Google Pixel 9 Pro Price and availability
Google Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 in the US, £999 in the UK, and AU$1,699 in Australia for the 128GB version. If you record a lot of videos, you might want to get a model with more storage. Google also offers a year of Google One AI Premium with 2TB of cloud storage and extra AI features.
The phone comes in colors like Rose Quartz, Hazel, Porcelain, and Obsidian (the one I got for review). Rose Quartz is only available with 256GB or less, and the 1TB version is only available in the US in Obsidian.
If the price seems high, keep in mind that the Pixel 8 Pro had discounts shortly after release, so the Pixel 9 Pro might also get a price cut later.
The design is great, and the phone will get software updates for a while. But with performance issues and possible overheating, it’s tough to justify the price, especially when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. However, if you find a good deal, like a storage upgrade or a bundle with Pixel Buds Pro, it becomes easier to decide.
The 128GB model starts at $999 in the US, £999 in the UK, and AU$1,699 in Australia. The 256GB version costs $1,099 in the US, £1,099 in the UK, and AU$1,849 in Australia. The 512GB model is $1,219 in the US, £1,219 in the UK, and AU$2,049 in Australia. The 1TB version is only available in the US for $1,449.
Since the Pixel 9 Pro doesn’t have expandable storage, you need to choose the right storage size upfront.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Design
Pixel 9 Pro has the biggest redesign since the Pixel 6, and it feels more premium than ever. The first thing I do with a new phone is flip it around in my hand to check for sharp edges or uncomfortable grooves. The Pixel 9 Pro is the smoothest phone I’ve felt in years—more comfortable to hold than my iPhone 15 Pro.
It doesn’t have the shimmering finish of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the matte glass and polished metal feel just as premium. The colors also blend perfectly with the materials, making it look and feel high-end.
The most surprising thing? It’s small—at least for a Pro model. A 6.3-inch screen might not seem small, but if you have smaller hands or tight pockets, this phone is a game-changer. Before this, you had to choose between a compact phone and a top-tier one. The Pixel 9 Pro finally gives you both.
Unlike the iPhone 15 Pro or the smaller Galaxy S24, which lack some features of their bigger counterparts, the Pixel 9 Pro is identical to the Pixel 9 Pro XL—just with a smaller screen and battery. Same cameras, same performance, same everything. This is how it should be.
Google claims it’s twice as durable as the Pixel 8 Pro, but I wasn’t about to test that. I kept it in its matching silicone case to protect its beauty. With Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 water and dust resistance, it should handle everyday use, but it’s too nice to risk scratches.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Software
The Pixel 9 Pro keeps Android simple and clean. The interface is easy to use, but the Settings menu is cluttered and confusing.
Google’s AI features are a mix of good and bad. Gemini replaces Google Assistant but isn’t always reliable. It can set timers and toggle settings, but sometimes it struggles. Gemini Live feels slow and often stops working mid-conversation.
AI shines in transcription. The Pixel Recorder is excellent, and Call Notes helps take notes during calls.
Google’s photo AI is impressive but a bit strange. Add Me lets you add yourself to group photos, and Reimagine can change images in fun ways. The results look real, but it’s not for everyone.
Pixel 9 Pro offers a clean Android experience with some cool AI tools, though not everything works perfectly.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Cameras
The Pixel 9 Pro takes amazing photos and is one of the best camera phones available. Every camera mode has improved, not just the main one.
The night-time panorama mode is a game changer. Other phones can’t do it, but the Pixel 9 Pro captures clear panoramic shots at night.
However, some features are hard to find. Video Boost and Super Res Video aren’t enabled by default—you have to turn them on manually. If you don’t, you won’t get the best video quality.
For regular photos, the Pixel 9 Pro competes with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and even beats it in some cases. It handles lens flare better and captures colors more accurately.
If you’re considering the Pixel 9, keep in mind that the Pixel 9 Pro has extra camera features. It takes higher resolution photos (50MP vs. 12MP), records 8K videos, and offers Pro mode for more control.
The Pixel 9 Pro also takes better macro shots, with better depth and background blur. Its brighter display makes it easier to use in sunlight.
If you love photography, the Pixel 9 Pro is worth it.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Performance
The Pixel 9 Pro struggles with performance. The Tensor G4 chip is much slower than the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15. In benchmark tests, it scored far lower, and this slowness is noticeable in daily use.
The phone lags when running multiple apps. If I had Spotify, Waze, and Gemini open at the same time, the screen froze for seconds, making it frustrating to use. With 16GB of RAM, this shouldn’t happen, but it does.
Another issue is overheating. On a mild, sunny day, the Pixel 9 Pro got too hot while taking photos, forcing the camera to lower its resolution. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 and iPhone 15 Pro Max handled the same conditions just fine.
For a phone promising seven years of updates, its performance today is already concerning.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Battery
The Pixel 9 Pro has good battery life, lasting all day with normal use. I only needed to charge it early when using the camera a lot, especially in bright sunlight.
In a test, it lasted over 13 hours, outperforming the iPhone 15 Pro but falling 30 minutes short of the Galaxy S24. Still, it’s a strong competitor.
Charging is faster than before, but not the fastest. Google says it supports 45W charging, but in reality, it only charges at 27W—slower than the Pixel 9 Pro XL (37W). Still, it reached 55% in 30 minutes, just as Google promised.
- Oppo Reno13 Pro Review: Performance Meets Style
- I Was Wrong About the Huawei Mate XT (and You Might Be Too)
- Huawei P60 Pro Review
Pros and Cons of Google Pixel 9 Pro
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 📱 Premium build with excellent durability | ⚠️ Slippery surface, prone to fingerprints |
| 🌞 Bright and vibrant LTPO OLED display | 🚀 Tensor G4 struggles with peak performance |
| 🔋 Good battery life for daily use | 🔌 Charging speed lags behind rivals |
| 🔊 Loud and clear stereo speakers | 📉 No major performance boost over predecessor |
| 📡 Wi-Fi 7, NFC, eSIM, and video output support | 💾 No expandable storage option |
| 🏆 Seven years of Android updates | 📸 No major camera upgrades from Pixel 8 Pro |
| 🤖 AI-powered features enhance user experience | 🌡️ Can heat up under heavy loads |
| 🤳 Superb selfie & rear camera quality | 💰 Higher price compared to some competitors |
Conclusion
Pixel 9 Pro has a premium design and great feel. Google’s AI features are fun, with camera tricks and a voice assistant you can chat with. But the Tensor G4 chip struggles with performance, raising concerns about future updates. Still, it’s great for photos, videos and AI interactions, giving a glimpse of what’s next.
