Google Pixel 9 Pro review: I wanted to love it

For those who weren’t following the Pixel 9 launch carefully, you might be forgiven for pondering that AI was the one attention-grabbing factor about Google’s new telephones. 

As official advertising reveals, there are numerous makes use of of synthetic intelligence throughout all 4 Pixel 9 fashions. But in day-to-day utilization, AI is remarkably straightforward to disregard or miss. 

Throughout my month of testing the Pixel 9 Professional, my direct interactions with it have been fleeting and the outcomes blended. 

However you shouldn’t be shopping for any of those telephones for AI alone. The 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Professional has loads of different strings to its bow, packing almost all the bigger Pixel 9 Professional XL’s specs right into a extra compact physique. 

In that regard, it’s extra of a brand-new mannequin than a successor to the 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Professional and the type of Professional we’ve been ready a very long time for. Does it do sufficient to turn out to be the perfect telephone within the Pixel 9 lineup? Practically, however not fairly. 

Design & Construct

• Redesigned digicam module 
• Premium, sturdy construct 
• IP68 water and mud resistance 

Identical to the remainder of the Pixel 9 household, the 9 Professional has had a design revamp.  

The Pixel 8’s giant digicam visor is gone, changed by a smaller module with rounded corners. It nonetheless stands proud a good distance from the again of the telephone, however doesn’t interrupt usability whereas flat down on a desk in contrast to most. 

Rounded corners give the telephone a glossy, outlined look, and it’s additionally evident on the edges of the telephone. Mixed with a totally flat show, it feels extra like an iPhone than ever earlier than. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Many individuals, together with our Critiques Editor Chris Martin (in his evaluate of the common Pixel 9), are disillusioned that Google has given up its signature look.  

However personally, I adore it. The 9 Professional seems glossy and refined, but it’s nonetheless unmistakably a Pixel. That’s very true for the Obsidian (black) mannequin I examined, although it’s additionally obtainable in Porcelain (off-white), Rose Quartz (pink) and Hazel (gray).  

Whichever mannequin you select, a matt coating on the again avoids seen fingerprints, although it’s one of many slipperiest ones I’ve used shortly. 

I’d extremely suggest pairing the telephone with Google’s official case, which prices £34.99/$34.99. The mix of a polycarbonate shell and microfibre lining helps cushion the telephone from any affect whereas wanting good within the course of. 

For those who’ve acquired your eye on a brightly-coloured Pixel 9 Professional, it’ll be a disgrace to cowl it up, so I’d counsel getting the telephone in one of many extra muted finishes and including certainly one of these vibrant instances as an alternative. 

Alongside IP68 water and mud resistance, I felt snug utilizing the Pixel 9 Professional (in its case) in any atmosphere.  

After all, the case will add weight to a tool that already isn’t the lightest at 199g. Nevertheless, the additional safety and wonderful construct high quality greater than makes up for it.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Haptic suggestions is on by default, and gives customisable vibrations whereas typing, navigating and enjoying related media. It really works effective for on a regular basis utilization, however lacks the additional oomph discovered on the Galaxy S24 Extremely whereas gaming. 

It’s additionally value mentioning sustainability right here. All of the aluminium housing and round 20% of the system in whole is recycled materials, whereas no plastic has been used all through the packaging.  

When it comes to repairability, iFixit offers the 9 Professional XL a repairability rating of 5/10, so it’s more likely to be the identical for the common Professional. 

Display & Audio system

• 6.3-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED display screen 
• Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner 
• Twin stereo audio system 

Google has outfitted all of the Pixel 9 telephones with new technology Actua shows, and it makes an enormous distinction on the 9 Professional. 

The primary enchancment is brightness. With a peak brightness of 2700 nits, it’s straightforward to see in nearly all environments – together with direct daylight. Inside, I recorded a most of 949 nits, which is without doubt one of the highest we’ve seen on any telephone. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Identical to the common Pixel 9, it’s a 6.3-inch OLED panel, making it very compact in a world of principally large flagship units (together with the 6.7-inch 9 Professional XL). 

Not like the common mannequin, although, the 9 Professional has an LTPO display screen. This implies its refresh charge can robotically regulate between 1-120Hz relying on what you’re doing, which ought to assist to minimise energy consumption. 

Simply ensure you allow the ‘Clean show’ toggle in Settings, which oddly isn’t utilized by default. With it turned on, the show felt impressively clean and responsive, particularly when scrolling. 

A most decision of 1280 x 2856 (495 ppi) is spectacular, although it’s set to 960 x 2142 out of the field to assist with battery life. Be sure to change ‘Display decision’ to ‘Full decision’ to make the small particulars look even higher. 

Alongside the OLED tech, which delivers wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks, the Pixel 9 Professional’s show is a pleasure to make use of. It’s up there with the perfect screens you’ll discover on any telephone. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Inside it, you’ll discover one thing simply as spectacular: the under-display fingerprint scanner. After years of underwhelming optical sensors, Google has lastly upgraded to an ultrasonic model (additionally discovered on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 sequence), and it makes an enormous distinction. 

In comparison with the Pixel 8 I reviewed final yr, it’s a lot faster and extra dependable at unlocking the system, logging into banking apps or authenticating funds. 

Nevertheless, all of that will also be achieved utilizing Google’s tackle Face ID, which is completely seamless when the lighting is nice. Having each is an actual plus for the Pixel 9 Professional. 

When it comes to audio, the telephone has twin stereo audio system. Regardless that certainly one of these doubles because the earpiece, it means the sound is projected straight in direction of you. It will get impressively loud with none audible distortion. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Google Tensor G4 chipset 
• 16GB RAM on all fashions 
• 128-, 256- or 512GB of non-expandable storage 

Google has been utilizing its personal chipsets in Pixels since 2021, and that’s no totally different on the Pixel 9 sequence. All the handsets use its newest Tensor G4 chipset, reasonably than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the MediaTek Dimensity 9300. 

Nevertheless, I can confidently say that you simply don’t want to fret a couple of lack of energy. Alongside 16GB of RAM on all fashions, the Tensor G4 delivers excellent efficiency on the Pixel 9 Professional in each state of affairs. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

That features any common on a regular basis duties, be it net searching, social media, taking photographs or navigation. However the telephone can be greater than able to gaming, with clean framerates maintained all through the likes of Name of Obligation: Cell, Genshin Influence and Asphalt Legends. 

Even throughout these demanding workloads, the Pixel 9 Professional solely ever acquired barely heat to the contact. Google is clearly doing one thing proper in the case of thermal administration. 

Nevertheless, pretty much as good as efficiency is, I’m involved that energy effectivity isn’t fairly up there with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The underwhelming battery life suggests which may be the case. 

With no help for expandable storage, the bottom 128GB mannequin won’t be sufficient for many individuals. I’d suggest getting no less than 256GB, although 512GB and 1TB are additionally obtainable. 

Connectivity is simply as nice as you’d count on, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Twin-SIM (one bodily, one eSIM), GPS and NFC all included. 

Google Pixel 9 Professional benchmarks

Cameras

• 50Mp essential rear digicam 
• 48Mp 5x telephoto 
• 48Mp ultrawide 
• 42Mp selfie lens 

The Pixel 9 Professional’s rear cameras are nearly similar to final yr’s 8 Professional. You continue to get a triple-lens setup, consisting of 50Mp essential, 48Mp telephoto and 48Mp ultrawide, with minor tweaks to the latter the one adjustments right here. 

I hoped for some extra upgrades, however when the cameras have been already so good, it’s straightforward to see why Google has caught with them. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The primary lens is the one you’ll use most frequently, and it continues to ship wonderful outcomes more often than not. The signature Pixel look isn’t true to life, however the additional pop of vibrancy and distinction makes pictures look very visually interesting. 

Alongside excellent element and nice dynamic vary, the Pixel 9 Professional (and 9 Professional XL, which has similar digicam specs) is the last word point-and-shoot Android telephone. You possibly can simply snap a satisfying picture and add it straight to social media with none modifying, such because the one beneath.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nevertheless, that ease of use means it’s not precisely perfect for digicam fanatics. There are some ‘Professional’ choices throughout the digicam app, however nothing just like the vary provided by one thing just like the Xiaomi 14 Extremely. 

A devoted ‘Portrait’ mode makes you crop the picture to both 1.5x or 2x, reasonably than utilizing the telephoto lens for optical zoom.  

Portraits are typically good, with Google’s Actual Tone function guaranteeing pores and skin tones are captured with spectacular accuracy. Nevertheless, I discovered it extra spectacular on pets than individuals – it tended to battle with edge detection on human hair.

In low gentle, Google’s ‘Night time Sight’ mode does a outstanding job of brightening even the darkest scenes whereas preserving most particulars. It made a dimly lit music venue look a lot brighter than it truly was, although this was as unrealistic because it was spectacular. 

These options are nothing new however for group photographs, you may be tempted to make use of ‘Add Me’, a function at the moment unique to the Pixel 9 sequence. It permits the photographer to be included in group pictures, with another person taking a second picture that’s overlaid on prime of the unique. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Nevertheless, in order for you photographs to look real, I’d keep away from it. The AR overlay that helps you line up the second picture could be complicated, and it depends on everybody being neatly spaced out and never touching one another. Even whenever you do all these issues, outcomes are hit-and-miss. 

Not like some telephones, switching digicam lenses on the Pixel 9 Professional doesn’t end in a drop-off in high quality. The 48Mp ultrawide provides the pliability of a 123° subject of view, enabling panorama pictures that simply wouldn’t have been potential with the principle lens. 

By default, Macro Focus is ready to ‘Auto’, which suggests it makes use of the ultrawide for close-up photographs. It permits you to get impressively near your topic, although disabling it and utilizing the principle digicam can ship extra aesthetically pleasing outcomes. 

Then there’s the 48Mp telephoto, which allows optical zoom at as much as 5x. For each a day on the seashore and at a live performance, this proved invaluable. It’s the large digicam benefit the Professional telephones have over the common Pixel 9, which solely has essential and ultrawide on the again as standard. 

You additionally get a greater front-facing digicam on the Professional and Professional XL. It’s now a 42Mp sensor, and able to clear, crisp selfies in nearly all lighting situations. Portrait-style pictures are strong right here, and it’s good to have the choice for a wider 0.7x picture. 

The Pixel 9 Professional can technically shoot video at as much as 8K 30fps, although this depends on its Video Enhance function upscaling 4K footage. The result’s a real enchancment, although with out an 8K show, I can’t make sure of its high quality. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 4700mAh battery 
• As much as 27W wired charging 
• As much as 21W wi-fi charging 

The Pixel 9 Professional has a 4700mAh battery. It’s a step down from the 9 Professional XL’s 5060mAh cell, matching the common Pixel 9 as an alternative on account of chassis measurement limitations. 

Sadly, battery life isn’t any higher. It will get me by way of most days of reasonable utilization, however I’m typically reaching for the charger by the night if I’ve been out for a number of hours. Until you barely use the telephone, don’t count on it to ever final for 2 full days. And this was on the default display screen decision reasonably than full.

Apparently, our standard PCMark battery take a look at suggests battery life is above common, with a formidable rating of 13 hours and 19 minutes. As we already know, benchmarks don’t essentially replicate real-world utilization, as is the case right here. 

Underwhelming battery life could be tolerable if Google had outfitted the Pixel 9 Professional with real quick charging, however it hasn’t. As a substitute, you’re restricted to 27W speeds, and even that depends on you having a suitable charger – there isn’t one within the field.

Frustratingly, the Pixel 9 Professional XL will get barely sooner charging at 37W. Learn extra in our The reality about Pixel 9 charging speeds article. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Utilizing one I already had at residence, it went from 0-42% in half-hour, with a full cost taking round 1 hour and 40 minutes. Definitely not the slowest on the market, however irritating whenever you’ll in all probability be charging most days. 

Wi-fi charging is a handy various, however this tops out at 21W, and solely when you have the suitable Pixel Stand accent. Common Qi speeds are restricted to 12W, whereas reverse wi-fi charging (for charging earbuds and different small equipment) is even slower. 

Software program & Apps

• Runs Android 14 
• Seven years of updates 
• Hit-and-miss AI options 

Out of the field, the Pixel 9 Professional runs Android 14. An August launch means Android 15 isn’t obtainable on the time of writing, however the telephone might be first in line to get it. Google will then help the 9 Professional with seven years of each OS and safety updates, which is the joint better of any telephone with Samsung. 

You’re in all probability acquainted with the slick person expertise on Pixel telephones by now. In my view, the Pixel software program expertise is probably the most user-friendly of any telephone, with unique options similar to Name Screening and Now Taking part in including to total package deal. All the things I stated concerning the core software program expertise in my Pixel 8 evaluate nonetheless applies – it’s up there with the perfect. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

However you’re in all probability studying this part to study concerning the AI options, and there are quite a lot of them. Maybe probably the most vital is Google Gemini, which has changed Google Assistant as the principle digital assistant on the telephone. 

On the floor, it’s much more succesful than earlier than, providing higher context-based dialog and strategies, plus photographs from the net in seconds. I used to be additionally impressed with the best way it recognised the mannequin of an outdated function telephone from a fast picture. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless frustratingly restricted in some areas. There’s no direct integration with Google providers similar to YouTube Music or Nest on the time of writing, whereas even timers and the search bar on the house display screen nonetheless default to the outdated Assistant. 

Gemini can also’t create generative AI photographs out of your command, although the brand new Pixel Studio app can. It permits you to fine-tune the exact photographs you’re on the lookout for, with typically spectacular outcomes.  

A devoted Pixel Screenshots app is separate from the Google Photographs app. It kinds and collects knowledge about all of the screenshots you are taking, permitting you to seek out one thing particular with a fast search. 

Then there are the picture modifying options. Earlier fashions have already had the likes of Picture Unblur, Magic Eraser and Finest Take, and are actually joined by Add Me (see digicam part for extra particulars). 

One other massive new addition is Reimagine, which is buried inside Google’s Magic Editor instruments. In concept, it permits you to choose a part of a picture and alter it to something you possibly can consider. Most of the time, any remotely complicated requests I made have been rejected, however it’s spectacular when it really works.  

See the picture beneath of a UFO touchdown in central London, which was certainly one of 4 choices you might select from. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

After all, a function like this comes with its personal dangers. It’s straightforward to see how Reimagine could possibly be used to trigger hurt, with no specialist abilities required to create sensible faux photographs.  

Nevertheless, except you recognize it’s there, Reimagine will in all probability be left undiscovered. The identical could be stated for just about all the AI options: the day-to-day expertise of utilizing the telephone is essentially AI-free, except you depend the summaries Google has added to look outcomes for everybody.  

Value & Availability

When purchased outright, the Pixel 9 Professional begins at £999/$999. That will get you the 128GB mannequin I examined, although it’s additionally obtainable with 256GB (£1,099/$1,099), 512GB (£1,219/$1,219) or 1TB (£1,449/$1,449) of storage. 

It’s obtainable direct from Google, but additionally through a spread of third-party retailers. See the complete choice in our information on the place to purchase the Pixel 9 sequence. 

Given these excessive costs, you would possibly favor to purchase the telephone on contract and cut up the associated fee into extra manageable month-to-month funds. See the perfect choices within the UK and US beneath. 

That outright beginning worth places it consistent with lots of the finest telephones you should purchase, together with the Samsung Galaxy S24+ (from £999/$999) and iPhone 16 Professional (from £999/$999).  

It sits in the midst of the Pixel 9 lineup (excluding the 9 Professional Fold), with the common Pixel 9 beginning at £799/$799 however the 9 Professional XL costing no less than £1,099/$1,099. 

Do you have to purchase the Google Pixel 9 Professional?

Sure, however provided that you possibly can stay with the mix of underwhelming battery life and gradual charging. The Pixel 9 Professional is a good telephone, however these two weaknesses might be dealbreakers for many individuals when a telephone prices this a lot. 

It’s a disgrace, as a result of the telephone is sensible in nearly each different space. A premium design consists of the perfect construct high quality we’ve ever seen on a Pixel but, whereas a surprising show and top-tier cameras complement the expertise completely. 

The 9 Professional additionally excels on the software program facet, with slick Android 14 and 7 years of updates. Not all of the AI options hit the mark, however people who do are spectacular, and you’ll simply ignore the others (and no less than they’re obtainable out of the field in contrast to Apple Intelligence).

In some ways, the Pixel 9 Professional gives the no-compromise compact telephone expertise I’ve been craving. However these two massive shortcomings imply I can’t totally suggest it. 

Specs

• Android 14 with seven years of updates 
• 6.3-inch FHD+ 120Hz LTPO OLED 
• Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner 
• Face Unlock 
• Google Tensor G4 chipset 
• 16GB RAM 
• 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB non-expandable UFS 3.1 storage 
• 4700mAh battery 
• 27W wired charging 
• 21W wi-fi charging
• Reverse wi-fi charging 
• 50Mp f/1.7 essential digicam 
• 48Mp f/1.7 ultrawide digicam 
• 48Mp f/2.8 5x telephoto digicam 
• 42Mp f/2.2 entrance digicam 
• Twin stereo audio system 
• USB-C 3.2 
• 5G 
• NanoSIM +eSIM 
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.3 
• IP68 
• Gorilla Glass Victus 2 
• 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm 
• 199g