Introduction
August feels like October, not because of the weather, but because Google prematurely announced the ninth-generation Pixel 9. It’s all about AI and cameras, of course, new hardware and plenty of software updates. We also got new sizes and new models. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We kick off Google’s reviews with the biggest of the new phones: the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Google made a bold move this year by introducing the Pro model in a compact and XL version, something Apple has been doing for a while now with the Pro and Pro Max models. And that makes sense: not everyone wants a big phone, but missing out on the best cameras and most advanced features isn’t an option either. Enter the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has only two differences from the Pixel 9 Pro. These differences are in size: the screen diagonal and the battery capacity.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a flattened design with a new prominent camera bar – oval and thick with a slightly abrupt end. It has an improved Super Actua display – a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED with a 486ppi density, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3000 nits peak brightness.
The Google Tensor G4 chip is responsible for everything happening on the new Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the phone now comes with 16GB of RAM, which should be more than enough to run Gemini AI smoothly.
The camera department is what many users think of first when they hear Google Pixel, and it features three cameras on the back – a 50MP OIS primary (1x-2x), a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto, with all three assisted by Multi-zone LDAF. The primary camera supports 8K video recording, a feature not available on the Pixel 9.
The selfie camera has also been upgraded: it is now a 42MP camera with autofocus capabilities.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, a welcome upgrade over the unreliable optical ones of previous generations. It also packs a 5,060mAh battery that supports up to 45W fast wired charging. Fast wireless and reverse wireless charging are also present.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, like the rest of the new Pixels, supports Satellite SOS, which is currently only available in the US.
Finally, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with Android 14, just like it did before the launch of Android 15. The phone gets a full 7 years of software support, just like the rest of the series.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL specifications at a glance:
- Body: 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm, 221 g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP68 dust and water resistant (up to 1.5 m for 30 min).
- Display: 6.80″ LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak), 1344x2992px resolution, 20.04:9 aspect ratio, 486 ppi; Always-on display.
- Chipset: Google Tensor G4 (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 and 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 and 4×1.92 GHz Cortex-A520); Mali-G715 MC7.
- Memory: 128GB 16GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS.
- Operating system/software: Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades.
- Rear camera: Broad (head): 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, multi-zone laser AF, OIS; Telephoto lens: 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm, 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚, 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF.
- Front camera: 42 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultra wide angle), PDAF.
- Video recording: Rear camera: 8K@30 fps, 4K@24/30/60 fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240 fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR; Front camera: 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60 fps.
- Battery: 5060mAh; 45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 70% in 30 min (advertised), 23W wireless (with Pixel Stand), 12W wireless (with Qi-compatible charger), reverse wireless.
- Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; WiFi 6; BT 5.3, aptX HD; NFC.
- Miscellaneous: Fingerprint scanner (under-display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, satellite SOS service (US only), thermometer sensor for measuring skin temperature.
Unboxing the Pixel 9 Pro XL
The new Pixel 9 phones, including the Pro XL, come in eco-friendly retail boxes made of recycled paper and with paper sleeves. The print is monochromatic.
In the box you will find the phone, a USB-C cable and a PIN code to eject the SIM card.