Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Price, Camera, Performance, AI-Powered Features & More

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: A Smaller Pro Phone with No Compromise

The Google Pixel 9 Pro stands out as the only Pro phone that offers everything you expect from a flagship, but in a smaller, more compact design. Unlike other brands, Google has managed to deliver the same high-end features without cutting back on essential elements like zoom, megapixels, or processing power. Smaller-phone enthusiasts have long awaited a device like this—something Apple and Samsung haven’t provided. We’ll have to see how it performs in a full review, but the Pixel 9 Pro has the potential to set a new trend in the market. It’s refreshing to see a smaller phone that doesn’t make you feel like you’re settling for less.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Specs at a Glance

• Dimensions: 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm
• Weight: 199g
• Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua display, 1-120Hz, Peak brightness: 3,000 nits
• Resolution: 1280 x 2856
• Processor: Google Tensor G4
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• OS: Android 14
• Cameras: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5X zoom, 42MP selfie camera
• Battery: 4,700mAh with 45W charging
• Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Compact with All the Power

The Pixel 9 Pro offers all the top-tier features in a smaller form factor. While you can opt for an iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S24, these brands require you to pay more and accept bulkier designs for the top specs. Google breaks this mould by offering the same camera system and processing power in its compact Pixel 9 Pro that it includes in the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Camera Capabilities

Great camera phones typically come in large sizes, but the Pixel 9 Pro changes that. If you’re eyeing an iPhone or Galaxy for their superior camera features, you’d have to go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra, but these are hefty devices. The Pixel 9 Pro, however, packs the same camera specs as its larger counterpart, including a 50MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP 5X zoom lens. There’s no compromise on camera quality, despite the smaller size. It’s remarkable that Google hasn’t downgraded the camera system for the smaller version, offering the same sensors, megapixels, and 5X telephoto camera as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Display and Performance

The biggest difference between the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the screen size. The Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display compared to the 6.8-inch screen on the XL model. Despite the smaller size, both screens are incredibly bright, with peak brightness reaching up to 3,000 nits, making outdoor use and photography under direct sunlight a breeze. The Pixel 9 Pro may have fewer pixels due to its smaller size, but it boasts a higher pixel density, making it even sharper than the XL.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: AI-Powered Features

While we’ll need to test the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera improvements, the focus this year seems to be on its AI capabilities. Google Gemini AI enhances not only photo-editing tools but introduces a groundbreaking feature called Gemini Live. This conversational tool allows you to talk to the AI directly, and it responds in a natural way. It’s built to work natively on the phone, which is something new and exciting in the mobile space. Google claims that this AI will be able to analyze photos, listen to audio, and answer questions based on what it sees and hears. This feature will only be available on the Pixel 9 Pro, not the standard Pixel 9.

Gemini will also assist with phone calls, offering features like call summaries and note-taking, but this comes with a privacy caveat—both parties will be informed that the AI is summarizing the call. While this may raise concerns for some, it seems like AI is becoming a staple across all phone brands.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Longevity and Performance

Google promises seven years of Android OS updates for the Pixel 9 Pro, including security patches and feature updates. This is a significant commitment, and the 16GB of RAM packed inside the Pixel 9 Pro should help ensure that the phone can handle future updates and AI developments without slowing down. In comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra offers just 12GB of RAM, making the Pixel 9 Pro more prepared for the future of AI on mobile devices.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Pricing and Availability

The Pixel 9 Pro is priced at $999/£999 with 128GB of storage, which feels underwhelming for the price. However, you can upgrade to a model with more storage, up to 1TB. Google’s track record suggests there will likely be promotions offering more storage at the same price in the near future. The Pixel 9 Pro is available in four colors: black Obsidian, off-white Porcelain, gray Hazel, and pink Rose Quartz. Preorders are open now, and the phone will be available on September 4, 2024.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: Competition and Conclusion

As compared to the phone like Samsung Galaxy S24, the Pixel 9 Pro is better in many areas, particularly in display quality and camera performance. With a brighter screen, better charging capabilities, and more advanced AI features, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a strong alternative to Samsung’s flagship. However, Samsung still leads in raw processing power.

Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro is an exciting addition to Google’s lineup. It delivers premium features in a smaller, more manageable size without sacrificing quality or performance. If you’ve been waiting for a compact flagship that doesn’t cut corners, the Pixel 9 Pro could be the perfect phone for you.

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