When Google unveiled the Pixel 9 lineup earlier this year, the Google Pixel 9 Pro caught my eye. The standard Pixel 9 felt too basic, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold was priced out of reach. Even though it wasn’t my first choice, I spent a month with the Pixel 9 Pro XL and was genuinely impressed by its performance and feel.
Recently, I tried out Google’s new compact flagship, the Google Pixel 9 Pro. It features the same body size as the standard Pixel 9, with all the perks of a Pro model. After a week with the Pixel 9 Pro, I’m not going back to the XL.
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The Pixel 9 Pro is Google’s Goldilocks flagship
Not too big, not too small; just right
Big phones just don’t feel right anymore
A 6.3-inch screen that strikes the perfect balance
I prefer larger phones. Alongside my Pixel 8a, I’ve used an iPhone 14 Pro Max and the OnePlus 10 Pro. These phones feature 6.7-inch displays, and I’ve been happy with the trade-off of one-handed usability for a bigger screen. I watch a lot of content on my phone (and value long battery life), so it’s a compromise I willingly accepted.
However, when I picked up the Pixel 9 Pro, its screen size felt right. The 6.3-inch display strikes a perfect balance. It’s big enough for enjoyable content consumption yet compact enough to be easily manageable with one hand and comfortable enough to carry in my pocket.
Despite being smaller than the XL, the Pixel 9 Pro’s display retains the premium features of the larger model. It keeps the LTPO OLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, HDR10+ support, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. Plus, with the smaller screen, the pixel density is slightly higher at 495 PPI compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 486 PPI, though the difference is hardly noticeable.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s display hits such a sweet spot that I no longer need to carry a larger phone. I hope Google keeps this balanced design for next year’s Pixel 10 lineup.
A telephoto lens in a compact phone? Yes, please
No compromises on the camera, even in a smaller device
Until now, if you wanted a Pixel phone with a telephoto zoom lens, you had to opt for the larger Pro model. Not only for the bigger screen but also because it was the only one offering that feature. With the Pixel 9 Pro, Google’s compact flagship includes the same powerful camera setup as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
The camera quality on both Pro models is identical. I recently took the Pixel 9 Pro to a concert, and the telephoto lens was a game-changer. Below is a selection of photo samples showcasing the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera capabilities. The images are from the concert and use a telephoto lens. There are also pictures showcasing its performance.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s battery easily lasts the day
All-day battery without the bulk of the XL
One of my main concerns when switching from the Pixel 9 Pro XL to the smaller Pixel 9 Pro was battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro has a smaller battery than the XL. While Google’s new Tensor G4 seems to have resolved the heating issues we experienced with the previous Tensor chipsets, I was worried I’d miss the battery performance of the XL.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro exceeded my expectations. Throughout my week of use, it consistently lasted all day. The concert day involved heavy use of Google Maps, photos and video recording, phone calls, texts, and social media, all on 5G. Still, the Pixel 9 Pro had 32% battery left by the end of the day.
The only feature I missed was the faster charging on the XL. While the Pixel 9 Pro XL supports up to 37W fast charging, the Pixel 9 Pro maxes out at 27W. Pixels aren’t known for the fastest charging speeds, and the solid battery performance on the smaller model more than makes up for it.
Related
I used the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max for a week: Here’s what I learned
Google’s put the work in
The Pixel 9 Pro feels like a smarter choice over the XL. Unless you want a larger phone with a bigger screen, there’s no reason to pick the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The compact Pro is $100 less and offers all the same features, including the latest AI features like Add Me in the camera app, Reimagine in Magic Editor, Pixel Studio, Pixel Screenshots, Clear Calling, and more.
With the money saved, you could invest in essential accessories for the Pixel 9 Pro, like a top-quality case, a charging adapter (since it isn’t included), or a screen protector.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro is a compact addition to Google’s lineup, offering a smaller form factor while retaining all the AI and camera capabilities of the Pro series. It shares dimensions with the standard Pixel 9 but brings premium features like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, making it a standout in Google’s high-end range.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Pro XL carries the same role as last year’s Pixel 8 Pro, with similar specs and a familiar footprint. The new Pixel 9 Pro, however, is a smaller flagship option. The 9 Pro XL offers a larger screen, faster charging, and a bigger battery, along with all the camera and AI features of the 9 Pro.
