Google Pixel 9 Pro Review specification and price

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review specification and price

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is priced at £999, which is £200 more than the regular Pixel 9. But here’s the kicker: it’s a more affordable, compact alternative to the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The good news? It packs in all the impressive camera tech and features from the XL model, just in a more pocket-friendly size. After a week of testing, and having switched from the XL, I’m ready to give you my detailed thoughts.

Design: Compact, But with a Few Drawbacks

Let’s address the elephant in the room. The Pixel 9 Pro looks suspiciously like an iPhone. I’m not sure why Google decided to follow Apple’s lead here, but the design is almost too familiar. Every time I picked it up, I had to remind myself that it’s not an iPhone (though it feels like one).

That said, the camera bump running the full width of the phone is a nice touch — it doubles as a finger shelf and prevents any wobbly desk situations. The back is made of soft-touch matte glass, which feels premium but does pick up fingerprints quickly. The good news? You can choose from other color options like Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Hazel (Hazel being my favorite).

The metal frame looks great but unfortunately has a glossy finish that feels cheap and attracts even more fingerprints. That said, I do appreciate the compact size, especially after handling the XL version, which felt like trying to carry around a small brick.

Software and Features

The Pixel 9 Pro runs Android 14, though Android 15 is just around the corner. Google promises seven OS updates and seven years of security patches, so it’s built to last. The new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor has been flawless for me — quick, accurate, and no issues even with gloves on. And for those extra cautious moments, you’ve still got Face Unlock.

I’m also pleased to report that temperature sensors are still included — handy for checking if your beer is cold enough to drink (though as a Brit, I’m not picky about temperature). Plus, there’s Ultra-Wideband tech, which means you’re future-proofed for smart home gadgets.

Now, let’s talk about those AI-powered features. I know, I know, AI gets a bad rap, but the Pixel 9 Pro has some genuinely useful stuff here. So, if you’ve got your drink ready, let’s go!

• Gemini: This comes preloaded with a year-long subscription to the advanced version. Gemini Live is great for real-time, smart conversations. It can plan your day or even just chat with you. That said, after a year, you’ll be forking out £19 ($20) a month. Ouch.
• Pixel Screenshot Search: Take a screenshot and Gemini can read it to find specific details. For example, it can pull up a discount code from a screenshot of a sushi menu — super handy for all those deals.
• Pixel Studio: Ask it to draw a picture of anything (except people, for now). It’s a bit of a gimmick, but fun if you’re bored.

Aside from those, there are the usual features like Circle Search, though that’s nothing groundbreaking.

Display and Audio

The Pixel 9 Pro’s display is superb. It’s a 6.3-inch OLED panel with a 1280 x 2856 pixel resolution — sharper than the regular Pixel 9. Colors pop, and HDR10 support is here for Netflix and other streaming services. The brightness is decent, though on super sunny days, you might find yourself squinting a bit. It’s not the brightest display out there, but it’s good enough for everyday use.

The stereo speakers are surprisingly powerful for such a compact phone. They’re perfect for watching YouTube or Netflix without the need for headphones, though the sound can get a bit tinny at full volume.

Performance and Gaming

Under the hood, the Pixel 9 Pro sports the same Tensor G4 chip found in the Pixel 9 and Pro XL, coupled with 16GB of RAM. For most tasks, the phone is buttery smooth. It handles day-to-day apps, multitasking, and even light gaming without a hitch. However, if you push the graphics to their limits in demanding games, you’ll see some frame drops, especially during fast-paced scenes.

One thing to note: the Pixel 9 Pro does get warm after about 15 minutes of gaming. It doesn’t get too hot to the point of shutting down, but the edges do get noticeably toasty.

Battery Life: A Major Upgrade

The Pixel 9 Pro’s battery life is a massive improvement over the Pixel 8. With a 4700mAh cell, I found it easily lasted a full day with heavy use — including camera play, streaming, and browsing. Most days, I’d finish with 30% left. Impressive!

However, charging speeds are still relatively slow. It supports 27W wired charging and 21W wireless charging (via Qi), but it’ll take over an hour to fully charge from empty.

Camera: Top-Notch, as Expected

As always, Google nails it with the camera. The 50MP main sensor and 48MP ultra-wide lens perform exceptionally well. The telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom is a standout feature, delivering sharp, detailed shots even at a distance. AI sharpening helps here too, especially for portrait shots.

The camera app is also fantastic, offering a Pro Mode for manual control, as well as nifty features like Magic Editor to swap out people in photos and Auto Frame, which helps you reframe shots post-capture.

Night shots are impressive, though you might see a little grain in low light. That’s to be expected, though, and doesn’t detract from the overall quality.

For selfies, the 42MP front camera is one of the best I’ve seen in recent years. Low-light performance is decent, and skin tones come out looking natural (a nice change from the overly-processed selfies on many other phones). You can also shoot 4K video on the front-facing camera, which is a nice touch for content creators.

Conclusion

So, what’s the verdict? , all in a compact and pocket-friendly design. The camera tech is top-tier, the battery life is superb, and the performance is solid for daily use and gaming. If you’ve been searching for a smaller phone that doesn’t skimp on features, this is a serious contender.

It does have a few quirks, particularly in design (I’m still not a fan of the iPhone look), and the charging speeds could be better. But overall, it’s one of my favorite phones of 2024.

Let me know your thoughts on the Pixel 9 Pro in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe and ring that notification bell for more reviews! Cheers, everyone!