Google Pixel 9 Pro review

The design language of the Pixel series that debuted with the Google Pixel 6 was long overdue for a reimagining, and the Pixel 9 series gets a look that is a fair bit different and fresher. The ‘visor’ type camera module and curved edges at the back are replaced by a more industrial-looking bumped-up camera module and a flat back panel.

This also gives the sides a bit more heft, making holding the Pixel 9 Pro a lot easier and more secure. Of course, another big difference is in the camera system itself; the Pixel 9 Pro gets a triple-camera setup at the back, which is one camera more than on the dual-camera Pixel 9, despite the two phones being the same size otherwise.

ALSO SEE: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

On the whole, the Pixel 9 Pro - like the rest of the range - looks and feels a lot more premium than before. Touches such as the matte finish at the back of the phone and the smooth and reflective sides help make things look and feel even better. While some like screens with curved edges, the Pixel 9 Pro’s flat screen design suits the overall look of the device quite well, and offers premium Android buyers an alternative from the curved-screen flagships.

The size of the Google Pixel 9 Pro is its big selling point; it’s compact and convenient to hold thanks to its 6.3-inch screen, but offers a bit more than the standard Pixel 9 by way of features and specifications. These include a better display, more RAM, and an additional telephoto camera. 

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a larger screen, slightly bigger battery to compensate for the larger screen, and the option to get 512GB of internal storage over the Pixel 9 Pro’s single 256GB variant, while all other specifications and features remain the same. Very usefully, this smartphone is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, which means that you don’t have to worry too much about getting water on it or even dropping it in water.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 have screens which are roughly the same size and aspect ratio, but the Pro model gets better underlying tech to provide a superior visual experience. You get a 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED display on the Pixel 9 Pro, with a resolution of 1280x2856 pixels and a pixel density of 495ppi - slightly higher than that on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. There’s also Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection for the screen.

Usefully, the refresh rate can vary from 1-120Hz, helping to reduce battery consumption for the always-on screen mode. Peak brightness goes up to 3000 nits, and there is also HDR video support on the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s a rather well calibrated screen, providing sharpness, color accuracy, and both peak brightness or visible low brightness in the required conditions.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in a single variant in India, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which is a bit disappointing for those looking at more local storage. Pixel 9 Pro buyers get a free 12-month trial for the Google One AI Premium plan, which also offers 2TB of cloud storage, so you should be able to cover for the lower on-board storage to start with. If you need more local storage, you should consider the Pixel 9 Pro XL with 512GB of storage.

Powering the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the Google Tensor G4 processor, accompanied by the Titan M2 security co-processor. Going by benchmark scores, the Google Tensor G4 isn’t exactly the best processor on the market when compared to competing chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek. 

However, Google states that the Tensor G4 is designed for the Pixel range’s specific requirements with regards to camera and AI features, and will work with the software at practical levels that largely match up to other flagship devices - more on that later. 

The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes with Android 14 out of the box in its absolute stock form. This version of the software might seem a bit minimalist to many, and the obvious lack of custom UI features seen on many Android devices might be a bit jarring for some. Indeed, it does come with the need to carry out more steps to do things, and genuinely useful features (such as double-tap to sleep) not being there needs a bit of a re-learning curve.

ALSO SEE: Vivo X200 Pro review

However, I quickly got used to it, and the lack of add-ons makes for a rather light and easy UI with few complications or diversions. Everything is where it’s supposed to be, and I quickly got used to the way things were set up. All core services function through Google’s suite of apps, so there are no redundant extras such as manufacturer gallery and messaging apps.

There’s a strong focus on AI, with the Gemini app coming with useful features such as live chat. You can also sign up for the AI Premium plan trial as mentioned earlier, to get even more AI capabilities. Of course, AI features work with most Google apps through standard prompts, although the live chat app is largely limited to information-based requirements. If you’re already comfortable with AI, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a good way to keep going, and Gemini is among the better options for core user requirements right now.

The number of cameras is often dismissed as an unnecessary metric to judge a smartphone by, but a proper multi-camera setup can use many different cameras to its advantage. The Google Pixel 9 Pro gets the top-end triple-camera setup, which usefully combines different capabilities into a very powerful camera system.

The Pixel 9 Pro gets a 50-megapixel primary camera, 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view, and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera capable of 5x optical zoom. This setup covers various capabilities, and each camera actually does a fine job in handling its specific requirements. At the front is a 42-megapixel camera with a 103-degree field of view and autofocus.

You can also pull off 8K video recording at 30fps, 4K and 1080p recording at up to 60fps, and super-resolution video zoom to capture 20x zoomed videos. Other features include Pro controls on the Pixel 9 Pro, along with up to 30x digital zoom, macro focus, night sight, astrophotography, face unblur, panorama, and more.

Of course, the primary camera leads from the front, delivering excellent point-and-shoot pictures with little effort on the part of the user. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is notable in how tonally accurate it manages to get the images; I didn’t see too much artificial enhancement or excessive brightening and colour popping in the images I captured. Even in low-light conditions, the Pixel 9 Pro delivered a fairly accurate representation of how things were, save for a bit of helpful brightening.

I found the Pixel 9 Pro to be great for pictures in various lighting conditions, doing its best to retain the detail without adding too much artificial enhancement. Whether images or videos - most of which I captured during a recent work trip to Goa - the Pixel 9 Pro did a great job in retaining natural colours and detail in images, making for excellent social-media-friendly captures.

 

 

 

 

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Like on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the camera system on the Google Pixel 9 Pro is backed by various AI-powered capabilities to do tasks such as adding or removing objects or people from images, unblurring bits, removing unwanted sounds from videos, and Video Boost which enhances video capture in various ways. The capabilities are vast, and the best way to figure it out is to spend some time exploring the features of the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

While other Android smartphone makers typically go with Qualcomm or MediaTek chipsets for their flagship devices, Google continues to push forward with its Tensor project for Pixel devices. The Google Pixel 9 Pro gets this year’s standard offering just like other devices in the lineup - the Google Tensor G4.

The Tensor G4 isn’t quite as powerful on paper (or benchmark tests) as other flagship chipsets, but it is said to be better optimised for the Pixel range’s hardware and software. It’s also suitably helped along by 16GB of RAM and the obviously light operating system, and the Pixel 9 Pro is no slouch in practice. 

Some of it may be disguised by slick animations, but you’re unlikely to be bothered by anything take a fraction of a second longer to load up. It’s a zippy phone for most things save for the most intense tasks, and I didn’t have any trouble with day-to-day stuff or multi-tasking involving switching between different apps quickly. AI and other applications run smoothly too, and the Pixel functions like a flagship smartphone for all discernible purposes.

Battery life on the Google Pixel 9 Pro is pretty good, with the phone managing a full day with ease even with heavy use of the camera and social media. The 4700mAh battery may not sound like much, but it’s adequate to power the device given the smaller screen and efficient hardware and software package. Charging was reasonably quick, but it doesn’t quite match up to the charging speeds on offer from competing brands in the flagship space. There’s wireless charging support as well, if you need it.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro isn’t the fanciest or biggest Pixel device in the 2024 lineup from Google, but it’s probably the one that best strikes a balance between pricing, practicality, and capability. You get the full-fledged Pixel camera experience, plenty of RAM, and a convenient size without losing out on screen capability and flagship-grade functionality.

That said, there’s just one storage option available in India, so you’ll have to bump to the XL if you want 512GB of storage. It also isn’t quite as powerful as competing devices for intense tasks such as gaming and video editing. However, you get an excellent camera, great software, and an overall experience that makes the Pixel 9 Pro a worthy device, if only a bit expensive for what’s on offer.