Google Pixel 9 Pro review: one size smaller

Google cut a piece off the Pixel Pro+ this year. That makes the Pixel 9 Pro an interesting choice for fans of compact premium phones.

After the official introduction of the Pixel phones in Belgium a year ago, Google continues to expand its lineup this year. Over the summer, it launched no less than four new smartphones. In addition to the regular Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, the latest additions are an “XL” model and the foldable Pixel Fold.

Earlier we took a look at the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL, now it is the Pixel 9 Pro’s turn. The Pixel Pro is traditionally Google’s show model, but with the presence of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the device falls between the other two models this year. However, this middle child gets as much attention and love from its parents as its bigger and smaller brother.

Size smaller

We know the Pixel Pro as a big phone, but this year Google has washed the device on too high a temperature. The Pro model has been “shrunk” to 6.3 inches and is the same size as the Pixel 9, which shows few differences on the outside. Fans of large phones can still turn to the XL variant (6.8 inches).

So Google is choosing to release two Pixel Pro models this year. That move may be as smart as it is confusing. With the Pixel 9 Pro, Google is going against the unwritten rule that premium phones must be big, while there is indeed an audience for small phones. The Google Pixel has been the best alternative to Samsung Galaxy S phones for years.

The screen of the Pixel 9 Pro lives up to its name. With a resolution of 1,280 x 2,856 on a 6.3-inch surface, you can call the Pixel 9 Pro a pixel bomb. Google also boosts the resolution of the Pro models considerably: we measure a peak brightness of up to 200 nits.

Proprietary processor

The internals of all Pixel 9 devices are identical. As in previous years, Google is opting for a home-made Tensor G4 processor. The Pixel 9 Pro comes with 16 GB of RAM and storage can be configured from 128 GB to 512 GB. Only the XL version can go up to 1 TB of storage.

The Tensor processor is not a spurt bomb, and it shows when compared to other brands. Xiaomi and Samsung don’t even have to select their top models to also leave the Pixel 9 Pro far behind. Google’s processor clearly does not have the raw computing power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Simulating at the level of more everyday applications such as web browsing, we see that the differences are less pronounced to Google’s disadvantage. Therefore, in daily use, the Tensor G4 holds up smoothly and you will hardly be able to catch the Pixel 9 Pro on hiccups.

The graphics capabilities of the Pixel 9 phones are more questionable. Once again, the differences with the Samsung S24 and the GPU monsters Xiaomi 14 and OnePlus 12 are striking. A simple game succeeds without a murmur, but those who already enjoy playing 3D games will find that the Pixel 9 Pro does not deliver top performance for its price tag.

Softens charging trauma

The Pixel 9 Pro has the same 4,700 mAh battery as the Pixel 9. On paper, you would expect the Pixel 9 Pro XL to be the outlier with its 5,060 mAh battery, but the opposite is true. Despite their smaller battery, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro do better in battery tests. In fact, the Pixel 9 is a surprising outlier.

Charging has been a difficult story for Pixel phones for years. The Pixel 9 Pro brings a little bit of improvement. The charging capacity is the same as the Pixel 9 at 27 W, but the Pro charges significantly faster. Charging to 50 percent takes 26 minutes, while 80 percent takes three quarters of an hour. Charging times are comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S24. Wireless charging is supported at 21 W.

Don’t make the mistake of buying Google’s 45 W charger with it. Only the Pixel 9 Pro XL theoretically gets to that maximum capacity. If you have a Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro, you’re capped at 27 W either way, whether you bought the $35 branded charger or use a random one.

Specialty of the house

Photography has been a hallmark of Pixel phones since the first generation, and the ninth generation does not disappoint. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro share two cameras: a 50 MP main camera (f/1.7), assisted by a 48 MP wide-angle camera (f/1.7, 123°). The main addition in the Pro models is a telephoto camera.

The large sensor allows the main camera to let in a lot of light. This has advantages both during the day, but especially at night. Sharpness is maintained well, without giving you an overly artificial exposure effect. Color is not so bright in some pictures, but we prefer a more realistic rendering to overzealous algorithms that turn your photos into a color book.

A wide-angle camera runs for bacon on many devices, but that is not the case here. The quality of the wide-angle camera is very close to the main camera, and even at night the camera holds up well. Still, there are very few situations where we needed the wide-angle camera. The main camera allows a wide viewing angle. You can get tall buildings in full view even in vertical mode with the main camera, which also gives natural results than when you “cram” them into the picture with a wide-angle camera.

The telephoto lens has an optical zoom range of 5x and you can zoom up to 30x digitally. The camera does not jitter when you zoom in far. Even at maximum zoom, objects remain easily visible, although you can see an expected difference in exposure. At nightfall, a conveniently placed lamp post is no luxury. In dark places, you notice “grain” faster when zooming in.

There are also plenty of fun features to spice up your photos both during and after they are taken. As a photographer, do you never stand along in group photos? Then with Add me you can have multiple photos taken by different photographers. With the help of AI, photos are merged into a group photo that includes everyone.

Goodbye Google Assistant, hello Gemini

Google is not holding back on integrating AI features into its new smartphones. Gemini is all over the Pixel 9 devices. Gemini is the successor to the late Google Assistant, which quietly disappeared. You still wake the assistant the same way though, by pressing the start button or speaking Hey Google into the microphone.

Gemini can do much more than tell you the weather or a bad joke. Google likes to sell Gemini as a helper you can call up anytime. Among other things, Gemini can tell you more about your surroundings based on a picture you’ve just taken, summarize Web pages for you or look for targeted information in your mailbox. What Google eventually envisions with Gemini on your phone is very similar to Apple Intelligence.

However, many features are behind a paid subscription to Gemini and/or Google Workspace. For Pixel 9 Pro owners, Google is giving a bonus and you can use Gemini Advanced for one year for free.

Too early for Android 15

Google, in addition to being a smartphone manufacturer, is of course the company behind Android. Thus, on Pixel devices, you get the pure Android experience, as intended by Google. As a Pixel owner, you also get priority when a new Android version is ready. Normally the launch of the new Pixel phones and the new Android go hand in hand, but that’s different this year.

Google launched the Pixel 9 series back in August, while Android 15 has just been taken out of the oven. The update will only now start rolling out to your device. This made the promise of seven Android updates less powerful, as one update means you’ve already lost Android 15 right away.

Conclusion: smaller but even finer

The Pixel devices are once again among the absolute best in the smartphone market this year. The strengths of previous years are again well played out, such as the compact form factor and cameras. Too bad the perennial downsides also return, think slow charging.

The Pixel 9 Pro opens a new niche in the premium segment. The device offers top features in pocket size without compromising on anything. If you are looking for a compact premium phone, the Pixel 9 Pro casts itself as an interesting option this year.

The Google Pixel 9 is available in black, white, pink and gray. The base version with 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage costs 1099 euros, incl. VAT.

Android update policy: Google guarantees that Pixel 9 devices will receive at least seven years of security updates and seven years of OS updates.That term starts from launch on Sept. 2, 2024 with Android 14.