The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL was released on August 22, 2024. Since then, Google's flagship phone has been the talk of the town. So, is the latest model worth the US$100 price bump over its predecessor? Let's review the Pixel 9 Pro XL design, AI capabilities, and overall performance in detail to answer this question.
Unlike other Pixel designs, it came with flat edges and a new camera visor surprising many fans, who compared the design to that of an iPhone. Pixel 9 Pro XL feels surprisingly light and well-balanced, although it weighs nearly the same as the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Much thought has surely gone into its design with a premium look and feel.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is full of AI features, quite understandably since Google has been eager to introduce AI into its recent product lines. From the potent Magic Editor for photos to new tools like Add Me in the Camera and Pixel Studio for AI-generated images, this phone is cram-full of intelligent AI capabilities.
While these features are innovative, very few of them are useful in day-to-day life. Google's current smooth and responsive software gives the feel of a top-class user experience and the AI in the phone is just a lovely bonus.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.75-inch OLED display with excellent color accuracy. The Google Tensor G4 chipset is accompanied by up to 1024GB storage and 16GB RAM. The triple camera contains a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP telephoto lens, and a 48MP ultra-wide lens. There are stereo speakers, 5G, IP68 water resistance, and wireless charging on board, but there is no 3.5mm jack. The phone has camera and video capabilities above par with a display also. It also comes in a wide storage range from 128GB to 1TB.
Thus, unlike the previous Pixel models, it doesn’t have any severe overheating issues. The device remains relatively cool during prolonged use, and the cellular performance has greatly improved as well. It no longer suffers from signal drops like the previous models.
Even if it is not as strong as some other Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones, Pixel 9 Pro XL is nowhere near lagging. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is meant for everyday users in need of a fantastic multimedia experience like taking snapshots, making movies, etc.
Battery life has also increased. XL version of Pixel 9 Pro can be utilized throughout the day on a single charge with heavy use. Averaging around 20% at the end of the day, and that has been a huge plus. However, the phone doesn’t support super-fast charging, it is more than well-equipped to keep pace with the needs of modern-day users.
First is the price, which starts at US$1,100 which makes it an expensive smartphone. Although for most it's worth every penny, it is still quite high compared to the price of last year's Pixel 8 Pro. There are even rumors that next year's Pixel 10 will bring even more significant changes in performance and efficiency.
Pixel 9 Pro XL is a fantastic device, providing AI innovation with a luxe design. Although some of the AI features do not make much sense for everyday use, the device is still one of the best Android smartphones in the market. For people looking for a flagship device that will deliver a premium experience with cutting-edge AI features, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a must-buy.