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Pixel 9 Professional evaluation: A images powerhouse

Key Takeaways

  • Wonderful AI-powered images options, together with the spectacular Zoom Improve and Tremendous Res Zoom Video
  • Nice-looking, Apple-like design with a great-feeling matte rear.
  • Easy software program that is straightforward to navigate (however watch out for among the implications surrounding “Reimagine”).



Google’s Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL are images powerhouses with a wonderful, iPhone-like design that even probably the most hardcore Android followers will possible admit appears to be like and feels nice.

Did I anticipate to be this blown away by the pictures and video Google’s newest flagship can seize? No, undoubtedly not, particularly since there aren’t notable digital camera {hardware} upgrades over final 12 months’s Pixel 8 Pro. Via glorious, surprisingly true-to-life post-processing, I discover I want the look of the Pixel 9 Professional’s photographs over even these taken with Apple’s iPhone 15 Professional, which had been my earlier favourite digital camera array. Due to surprisingly useful AI photo and video features, Google’s Pixel 9 Professional options what I would confidently say is my favourite smartphone digital camera ever.


Add within the clearly Apple-inspired design with its easy matte rear, minimized bezels, and tasteful colour choices, you may have a formidable all-around smartphone bundle. After all, you would argue that nobody wants a Pixel 9 Professional collection smartphone this 12 months as a result of the bottom Pixel 9 is an outstanding machine that gives options sometimes reserved for higher-end smartphones, and I would wholeheartedly agree with this attitude — until you are actually into capturing pictures and movies along with your telephone. If that is you, then the Pixel 9 Pro’s further price is price its dearer price ticket. Its cameras are actually that good.

This evaluation has been up to date to cowl the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL. Past the display and battery measurement completely different, each smartphones carry out identically.

Editor’s Alternative

Pixel 9 Professional

The Pixel 9 Professional brings a brand new squared-off design, the Tensor G4 chip, and new AI options like Pixel Screenshots to Google’s flagship smartphone line. It is obtainable beginning September 4th.

Professionals

  • Wonderful AI-powered images options
  • Nice-looking design
  • Easy software program that is straightforward to navigate
Cons

  • Costly
  • Some AI options are a bit terrifying
  • Sides aren’t matte

See our course of

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and check our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have really reviewed.

Value, availability, and specs

Google’s Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional can be found directly from Google and different retailers for $1,100 and $1,000, respectively, in porcelain, rose quartz, hazel, and obsidian (the latter featured on this evaluation). These costs are $300 and $200 greater than the $800 base Pixel 9.


The Pixel 9 Professional XL incorporates a 6.8-inch 1,344 x 2,992 LTPO OLED show, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional has a 6.3-inch 1290 x 2856 LTPO OLED display. Each shows embody a 1-120Hz variable refresh fee and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, with brightness reaching 2,000 and three,000 nits of peak brightness, respectively. The Pixel 9 Professional XL’s battery capability is 4,700mAh, and the Pixel 9 Professional’s is 5,060mAh. Their weights are roughly 7.7oz (221g) and 7oz (199g), respectively.

Storage choices begin at 128GB and prolong as much as 1TB. This 12 months, RAM has been upgraded to 16GB from final 12 months’s 12GB. The smartphone additionally options Google’s Tensor G4 chip. Digicam specs embody an f/1.68 50-megapixel primary huge shooter, a touch upgraded f/1.7 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera, and an f/2.8 48-megapixel telephoto shooter able to as much as 5x optical zoom. The entrance digital camera has been upgraded to an f/2.2 42-megapixel shooter from final 12 months’s f/2.2 10.5-megapixel lens.


  • Pixel 9 Professional Pixel 9 Professional XL
    Model Google Google
    SoC Tensor G4 Tensor G4
    Show 6.3-inch Tremendous Actua show 6.8-inch Tremendous Actua show, 1344 x 2992 LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz refresh fee, as much as 3000 nits peak brightness
    RAM 16GB 16GB
    Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    Battery 4700mAh, 24+ hours of battery life 5,060 mAh, 24+ hours of battery life
    Ports USB-C USB-C
    Working System Android 14 Android 14
    Entrance digital camera 42-megapixel f/2.2, 103-degree FOV selfie digital camera 42-megapixel f/2.2, 103-degree FOV selfie digital camera
    Rear digital camera 50-megapixel f/1.68 huge digital camera / 48-megapixel f/1.7, 123-degree FOV ultrawide digital camera / 48-megapixel, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, as much as 30x Tremendous Res Zoom telephoto digital camera 50-megapixel f/1.68 huge digital camera / 48-megapixel f/1.7, 123-degree FOV ultrawide digital camera / 48-megapixel f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, as much as 30x Tremendous Res Zoom telephoto digital camera
    Connectivity Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Extremely-Wideband chip, GPS, 5G mmWave, Satellite tv for pc Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Extremely-Wideband chip, GPS, Satellite tv for pc, 5G mmWave
    Dimensions 6 x 2.8 x 0.3-inches 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3-inches
    Colours Porcelain, Obsidian, Hazel, Rose Quartz Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz
    Weight 199g / 7oz 221g / 7.8oz
    Cost pace As much as 55% in half-hour with 45W cost As much as 70% in half-hour with 45W cost
    IP Ranking IP68 IP68
    Value $999 $1,099
    Safety Fingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock, Titan M2 safety coprocessor Titan M2 safety coprocessor, Fingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock
    Yr of launch 2024 2024


Pixel 9 Professional construct and design

An iPhone-inspired look even probably the most hardcore Android followers will like

The Pixel 9 Pro XL display in front of a fence

I lined it extensively in my Pixel 9 review, however I am a giant fan of the look of this 12 months’s Pixel 9 line. The Pixel 9 Professional adopts a glance harking back to the iPhone, with its squared-off sides and barely rounded corners that make it total simpler to carry, particularly at awkward angles. The again is matte, not like the Pixel 9’s shiny rear, however sadly, its sides stay shiny, making them a smudge and dirt magnet. I might have most well-liked a extra premium all-matte-everything look that is in keeping with the iPhone 15 Professional. This not solely feels higher once you run your fingers over it but additionally repels smudges and dirt higher.


Sadly, Google has ditched the visor for a sprawling digital camera bump that appears prefer it was dropped on the rear of the machine. It isn’t a deal-breaker, particularly for those who plan to place the machine in a smartphone case, however it’s a step again from the identifiable rear digital camera visor featured in final 12 months’s Pixel 8 Professional.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL beside the Pixel 8 Pro

Total, the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL are very solid-looking smartphones that provide a degree of refinement immediately noticeable from the second you decide it up. Pixel units have at all times felt fairly good, however the Pixel 9 Professional collection takes issues to a different degree.


It is price noting that that is the primary time Google has provided a bigger 6.8-inch model of its higher-end smartphone. A 6.8-inch display is an honest measurement, and in my time with the machine, it hasn’t felt unwieldy. Folks like large telephones, so it is sensible for Google to supply an even bigger possibility. However I want the smaller 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Professional (it is simply simpler to make use of with one hand). After all, this can come all the way down to your private smartphone measurement choice.

The back of the hazel Pixel 9 Pro

Associated

The Pixel 9 is a nearly perfect Android phone that also terrifies me

The Pixel 9 delivers gorgeous efficiency and design, however its Reimagine AI instrument actually scares me.

Pixel 9 Professional show

A surprising, high-end show that appears nice beneath practically all lighting circumstances

The Pixel 9 Pro's screen


The Pixel 9 Professional’s show is gorgeous, surpassing the vibrancy of Apple’s iPhone 15 Professional display and, in some instances, even Samsung’s Galaxy S24 collection, by a big margin. The Pixel 9’s display is greater than brilliant sufficient at 1,800 nits with 2,700 nits of peak brightness, however the Pixel 9 Professional’s show takes issues to a blistering 2,000 nits with as much as 3,000 nits of peak brightness.

Colours are vibrant, and pictures, movies, and video games look sharp, however not wildly higher than my expertise with Google’s base Pixel 9, regardless of its OLED building versus the Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional’s higher-end LTPO display expertise.

The show appears to be like nice, however at instances, I’ve really discovered it too brilliant, particularly when viewing content material beneath darkish circumstances, forcing me to show the brightness down. Then again, I respect the added illumination when utilizing the machine outdoors beneath direct daylight. You can even clearly see how a lot brighter the Pixel 9 Professional show is in comparison immediately with the Pixel 9’s display.


Pixel 9 Pro XL side

Each the Pixel 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL sport larger decision shows than the Pixel 9, at 1344 x 2992 and 1280 x 2856 pixel decision, respectively. Colours are vibrant, and pictures, movies, and video games look sharp, however not wildly higher than my expertise with Google’s base Pixel 9, regardless of its OLED building versus the Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional’s higher-end LTPO display expertise. To me, this simply speaks to how good all of the shows in Google’s Pixel 9 lineup are.


As a adverse aspect observe, I managed to get a really nasty scratch towards the center of the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s show, regardless of its supposedly sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 building. I am fairly cautious with my units, so I’ve no clue how this occurred, however it’s price mentioning. That mentioned, I do not assume it is a widespread situation with the Pixel 9 Professional show and it is in all probability simply unhealthy luck on my half.

Associated

The Pixel 9 Pro is great, but here are 5 reasons why I’m waiting for the Pixel 10 Pro

Google’s Pixel 9 Professional is a slam-dunk success, however I am nonetheless not satisfied it is time to take the Pixel plunge.

Pixel 9 Professional digital camera

This 12 months’s key promoting level is superb digital camera efficiency (and never solely due to AI)

Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL camera

The principle cause to buy the Pixel 9 Professional or Pixel 9 Professional XL over the Pixel 9 is for the additional digital camera options the higher-end telephones provide. First off, the Pixel 9 Professional XL incorporates a f/2.2 48-megapixel telephoto lens with as much as 5x optical zoom. These are the identical specs as final 12 months, and total, pictures shot with this digital camera look stellar. I nonetheless want a telephoto lens over an ultra-wide, and it might be nice if Google ditched the latter from its base Pixel 9 in favor of an actual optical zoom.


On the AI aspect of issues, “Tremendous Res Zoom Video” is again once more and a bit extra spectacular than final 12 months. The visible improve continues to be considerably minimal, however clips look noticeably clearer most often. The characteristic is irritating to activate because it requires you to activate “Video Enhance” and change to 5x optical zoom earlier than zooming into no matter digital zoom you want, however it works effectively and stays spectacular. As you possibly can see above, the fish are barely clearer and extra vibrant within the Tremendous Res Zoom enhanced clip above, even with X’s dismal video transcoding.


On that very same observe, Video Enhance additionally stays spectacular, notably on the subject of smoothing out panning, which continues to be surprisingly uneven with the Pixel 9 Professional line, particularly when switching between lenses (the iPhone 15 Pro beats the Pixel 9 Professional relating to video). It will be nice if there was a approach to activate Video Enhance completely, although I perceive why there is not provided that the characteristic requires each file to be uploaded to Google’s servers. Like final 12 months, movies can typically get caught changing to Video Enhance and take upwards of half-hour to course of, particularly for those who use the Pixel 9 Professional line’s new 8K upscaling (it is a welcome addition, however I haven’t got a lot use for 8K footage). This implies for those who’re seeking to put up one thing rapidly, Video Enhance typically is not an possibility.


Sticking with getting nearer to topics, this 12 months “Zoom Improve” means that you can enhance the standard of pictures shot with digital zoom. Much like Tremendous Res Zoom Video, the modifications are delicate however nonetheless noticeable, giving zoomed pictures extra definition and an total barely clearer image that is typically extra vibrant. Sometimes, the farther you zoom in digitally, the extra spectacular the outcomes are when utilizing Zoom Improve. The enhancements are fairly minimal, however for those who’re into images, you will discover them.


On the optical zoom aspect, pictures are clear, crisp, and spectacular, notably at 5x, which I discovered very helpful on a latest crusing journey. Nevertheless, I’ve skilled camera tilt at 5x zoom that causes pictures to be considerably off-kilter. I have been fixing this with a fast crop, however I am assured Google will resolve this situation within the coming weeks with a digital camera app replace. Together with the already talked about telephoto lens, the Pixel 9 Professional collection options an f/1.7 50-megapixel huge digital camera that is the identical as final 12 months’s major digital camera.

PIxel 9 Pro XL camera bump


It nonetheless snaps nice pictures that strike a stability between the over-processed really feel of Samsung’s Galaxy collection and the more and more out-of-this-world tackle images Apple has been pushing for the previous couple of years (check out the sky in iPhone 15 Professional pictures, and you may see what I imply). Of all of the flagship smartphones at the moment obtainable, the Pixel 9 collection provides probably the most true-to-life photographs, which is just a little ironic given the tech large’s emphasis on AI this 12 months, bringing into query what {a photograph} even is anymore.

Pixel 9 digital camera options like “Add Me,” which lets you create a composite group shot with out asking a stranger to snap the picture, are additionally a part of the Pixel 9 Professional collection’ quiver of AI-powered performance. “Add Me” works simply as effectively with the Pixel 9 Professional line and is the sort of harmless AI characteristic I really discover helpful.


One necessary factor to notice is that the Pixel 9 Professional’s AI digital camera options don’t work when you may have the principle shooter set to 48 megapixels as an alternative of 12 megapixels, which is a disappointing transfer on Google’s half. This possible has one thing to do with the present AI processing pipeline and the way Google makes use of the bigger sensor, however it might be nice to see compatibility with 48-megapixel photographs within the Pixel 10 Professional collection nonetheless.

It was nonetheless potential to rapidly snap the pictures I wished with the 48-megapixel sensor, however I wanted to be very intentional with my photographs.


Talking of 48-megapixel photographs, I do not discover the necessity to snap them fairly often until I intend to crop the picture indirectly. The shutter can be nonetheless a bit slower when utilizing the total sensor, making it troublesome to quickly take pictures, which was a problem whereas snapping photos on the Toronto Worldwide Airshow, forcing me to largely follow 12-megapixel pictures. It was nonetheless potential to rapidly snap the pictures I wished with the 48-megapixel sensor, however I wanted to be very intentional with my photographs.

There’s additionally the f/1.7 48-megapixel ultra-wide shooter that gives a minor improve over final 12 months’s ultra-wide. It snaps respectable pictures, however past the occasional macro shot, I do not discover myself utilizing the ultra-wide digital camera fairly often. And at last, there’s the f/2.2 42-megapixel front-facing digital camera that snaps clearer photos than final 12 months’s selfie shooter. I am not a giant selfie individual, however the pictures I shot are clear, with even publicity all through. I typically discover that selfie cameras blow out a picture’s highlights, and that is not the case with the Pixel 9 Professional collection’ front-facing digital camera.

Associated

The Pixel 9’s Super Res Zoom hits the sweet spot — the rest is AI overkill

The Pixel 9 Professional helps Tremendous Res Zoom in video for the primary time, and it is a good instance of AI-enabled options that make sense on Google’s telephone.


Pixel 9 Professional XL efficiency

The Tensor G4 benchmarks beneath the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, however who cares?

Light hitting the back of the Pixel 9 Pro XL

On the efficiency aspect, Google’s Tensor G4 runs nice within the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Even beneath a heavy load, I did not expertise the identical warmth points as I sometimes encountered with the Pixel 8 Professional, possible due to the brand new inner cooling design and the telephone’s bigger measurement. Nevertheless, the Tensor G4 shouldn’t be that a lot of a soar over the Pixel 8 Professional when it comes to uncooked efficiency. For individuals who care about benchmarks, the Pixel 9 Professional XL scores 1,901 for single-core and 4,707 for multi-core, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional hits 1,966 for single-core and 4,723 for multi-core.


These marks are effectively under these of units powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Nonetheless, I did not encounter a single occasion of slowdown, whether or not I used to be looking the web, enjoying video games, doing minor picture edits in Adobe’s Lightroom CC, or watching the occasional video on YouTube.

I did not encounter a single occasion of slowdown, whether or not I used to be looking the web, enjoying video games, doing minor picture edits in Adobe’s Lightroom CC, or watching the occasional video on YouTube.

Until you are the definition of a smartphone energy person, you will discover only a few points with the Pixel 9 Professional’s efficiency even for those who’re a giant multi-tasker, because of its ample 16GB of RAM. Smartphone chips have been overkill for years, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL is not any exception. Battery life lasts effectively into the late night with reasonable use, much like my expertise with the Pixel 9. Provided that the Pixel 9 Professional XL incorporates a bigger 5,060 mAh cell versus the Pixel 9 Professional’s 4,700 mAh, the latter machine provides barely higher battery life.


Associated

How I use my Pixel 9’s Screenshots app to remember everything

The Pixel 9 makes use of its on-device Gemini Nano mannequin to research and catalog each screenshot you’re taking. Right here’s tips on how to use it greatest.

Pixel 9 Professional softwareAI coupled with a throwback to an easier period of iOS

Gemini on Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL

On the software program aspect, Google’s Pixel 9 Professional collection helps all the identical considerably terrifying AI options because the Pixel 9, together with “Reimagine,” which lets you add practically something to a picture with prompts, and Pixel Studio, Google’s AI app that generates pictures. There’s additionally Screenshots, a wonderful app that makes use of AI to floor related screenshots, and extra.

Reimagine’s guardrails are fairly free. With creative prompts, you possibly can simply trick it into creating off-putting pictures, and in some instances, these AI-edited pictures look very convincing. Do not get me improper, they’re typically ridiculous-looking and clearly pretend, however that is not at all times the case (take a look at that image under of a submarine in Lake Ontario). Then again, Pixel Studio is a foolish AI picture generator in keeping with Meta AI or OpenAI’s DALL·E 3 that works fairly effectively.


My key concern is that these pictures could be posted as actuality with none apparent indication that they’re AI-generated. It is a slippery slope we have been sliding down for months, and it is solely a matter of time earlier than these options attain different Android units, making AI-altered and generated pictures much more frequent on social media.

For extra on the Pixel 9 collection’ potential AI pitfalls and the intense implications Reimagine might have, check out my Pixel 9 review. It is price mentioning that even in its early state, Gemini and its extra conversational counterpart, Gemini Stay (which is free for a 12 months with the acquisition of a Pixel 9 machine and $20/month after), work shockingly effectively. Despite the fact that I’ve encountered the occasional glitch, I’ve by no means actually been in a position to have a dialog with an AI earlier than Gemini/Gemini Stay. Does speaking to an AI assistant match into my workflow, although? Probably not, and I am unsure it ever will.


The Pixel 9 Pro XL beside the Pixel 9

Lastly, I am a giant fan of the Pixel’s Android pores and skin. It is easy, simple, and clear. In reality, I discover it simpler to navigate than iOS 18. Apple’s cellular working system has change into more and more difficult over the previous couple of years, and Android 14 working on the Pixel 9 collection has made that much more obvious (the replace to Android 15 is coming quickly). It is also nice that Google has promised to supply seven years of software program updates to the Pixel 9 line.

Associated

Apple Intelligence feels far away after Pixel 9’s AI announcement

Google’s occasion might have been targeted on the Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3, however its AI bulletins confirmed how forward the corporate is of the competitors.


Must you purchase the Google Pixel 9 Professional?

It is one among Google’s most full smartphone packages in years

Most individuals ought to go for the usual Pixel 9, however for those who’re into images, the Pixel 9 Professional collection has quite a bit to supply. It captures my favourite smartphone pictures but, providing a extra true-to-life stability that sits firmly between Samsung’s intense saturation and Apple’s more and more inconsistent, out-there tackle pictures and movies. That is in stark distinction to the assorted picture and video AI options provided by the Pixel 9 Professional collection, together with Zoom Improve and Tremendous Res Zoom Video, which I discovered notably helpful.

Total, the Pixel 9 Professional line provides one among Google’s most full smartphone packages in years, however for those who’re not an avid photographer, it can save you a couple of hundred {dollars} and stick to the usual Pixel 9.

That mentioned, I am nonetheless involved about Reimagine’s broader implications, given how straightforward it’s to make use of and the way convincing the outcomes might be typically. Moreover, I have never discovered a approach to combine Gemini into my life, regardless of its spectacular capabilities. Total, the Pixel 9 Professional line provides one among Google’s most full smartphone packages in years, however for those who’re not an avid photographer, it can save you a couple of hundred {dollars} and stick to the usual Pixel 9.


The back and front of a Hazel Pixel 9 Pro.

Editor’s Alternative

Pixel 9 Professional

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