After spending some time with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, it’s clear that this device is designed for those who want the very best in Android smartphones. As the largest and most feature-packed model in Google’s latest lineup, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers top-of-the-line hardware, an expansive display, and a suite of AI-powered features that enhance everything from photography to day-to-day usability. In this review, we’ll explore what makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL stand out and why it might be the ultimate choice for power users.
Specifications
| Display | 6.8-inch AMOLED with 120Hz (LTPO) |
| Weight | 221g |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB with 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 5,060mAh with 45W charging |
| Camera | 50MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto (5x), 42MP front |
| Connectivity | 5G (mmWave and sub-6 GHz) |
A Design that Exudes Luxury and Practicality
The Pixel 9 Pro XL exudes luxury from the moment you pick it up. The design is a harmonious blend of form and function, with the 6.8-inch Super Actua Display dominating the front. The display’s peak brightness of 3000 nits is nothing short of impressive, ensuring excellent visibility even in the brightest environments. The nearly bezel-less design, coupled with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, makes for a durable and sleek device that feels premium in every sense.
The back of the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a soft-touch matte finish, which not only feels great in the hand but also helps reduce fingerprints and smudges. The polished and matte metal finishes around the edges add to the premium aesthetic, making this phone look and feel like a flagship device. Despite its large size, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is surprisingly ergonomic, with well-placed buttons and a balanced weight that make it comfortable to hold during extended use.
This phone is available in 4 colors: Obsidian, Hazel, Porcelain, and Rose Quartz.
One of the often-overlooked aspects of a premium smartphone experience is the quality and design of its protective case. Google has clearly taken this into account with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, offering a case that not only fits the phone perfectly but also enhances the overall experience of using the device.
The case aligns seamlessly with the device, hugging its edges and ensuring that all ports, buttons, and the camera module are perfectly accessible. This precise fit means that the case feels more like an extension of the phone rather than an added accessory.
A Display That Redefines Visual Excellence
The Super Actua Display on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly one of its standout features. At 6.8 inches, it’s large enough to offer an immersive experience whether you’re gaming, watching videos, or just browsing the web. The 3000 nits peak brightness sets a new standard, making it one of the brightest displays on any smartphone. This is particularly noticeable when using the phone outdoors, where the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight.
The display’s variable refresh rate, which adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the content, ensures smooth scrolling and animations while conserving battery life.
The high resolution and HDR support make colors pop, and the contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and bright whites that enhance everything from high-definition videos to high-res photos. This is easily one of the best displays on the market, perfect for media consumption and gaming alike.
Unmatched Performance for Power Users
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 processor, coupled with a whopping 16GB of RAM. This setup delivers outstanding performance across the board. During my testing, the device handled everything from intensive gaming to heavy multitasking with ease. Apps open quickly, and there’s virtually no lag when switching between them, even when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously.
For gaming, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a beast. Titles like “Genshin Impact” and “Asphalt 9” ran smoothly at the highest settings, with no noticeable drop in frame rates. The large screen and high refresh rate further enhance the gaming experience, making it feel as close to console gaming as you can get on a smartphone. The new vapor chamber cooling system is also worth mentioning—it does an excellent job of keeping the device cool during extended gaming sessions, which helps maintain peak performance without thermal throttling.
Storage options range from 128GB to a massive 1TB, catering to everyone from casual users to those who need to store large amounts of data, like 8K video files or extensive photo libraries. It’s worth noting, however, that there’s no expandable storage, so choose your storage option wisely.
A Camera System That Redefines Smartphone Photography
The Pixel 9 Pro XL sets a new benchmark for smartphone photography. The triple rear camera system, which includes a 50MP wide sensor, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens, offers unmatched versatility and quality. Whether you’re shooting in bright daylight or in challenging low-light conditions, the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivers stunning results.
The wide sensor captures incredible detail and dynamic range, making it perfect for landscapes and everyday photography. The ultrawide lens is equally impressive, with a 123° field of view that allows you to capture more of the scene without distortion. The telephoto lens, with its 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Res Zoom, is where the Pixel 9 Pro XL truly shines. I was able to capture clear, detailed shots from a distance that rival what you’d expect from a DSLR camera. Low-light performance is excellent across the board, thanks to the improved light sensitivity and AI enhancements. Night Sight mode continues to impress, producing bright, detailed images in situations where most other cameras would struggle. The front-facing 42MP camera, with its ultra-wide 103° field of view, is perfect for selfies and group shots, offering autofocus and better light sensitivity than previous models.
Check out the shots taken on the Pixel 9 Pro XL here:
You can compare the same photos taken on a Pixel 9 in our review here.
AI-Driven Camera Features That Elevate Your Creativity
Google has packed the Pixel 9 Pro XL with an array of AI-driven camera features that take your photography and videography to the next level.
Add Me: This feature is one of the most innovative additions to the Pixel 9’s camera suite. Imagine being able to take a group photo without being left out. “Add Me” uses a combination of augmented reality and advanced AI algorithms to seamlessly include the photographer in the group shot. The process is simple: you take the initial photo of the group, then swap places with someone else, and the phone guides the new photographer on how to position the camera. The AI then stitches the two images together, making it look like everyone, including you, was in the shot from the start. The result is a natural-looking group photo where no one is missing, a feature that is both fun and practical for everyday use.
Super Res Zoom: While most smartphones struggle with digital zoom, the Pixel 9 Pro XL leverages AI to enhance zoomed-in shots. The Super Res Zoom feature intelligently fills in the gaps between pixels, predicting details to produce clear and sharp images even at high zoom levels. I tested this feature extensively, and the results were impressive—photos taken at 30x zoom were still crisp and detailed, far surpassing what you’d expect from a smartphone camera.
Auto Frame in Magic Editor: The Auto Frame feature in the Magic Editor is a game-changer for anyone who loves to take perfectly composed photos. This AI tool automatically suggests the best crop for your image, ensuring that the subject is always the focal point. It can even expand the image to include more of the scene, providing creative flexibility that’s particularly useful when you’re trying to capture complex compositions.
Reimagine in Magic Editor: If you’re into photo manipulation, the Reimagine feature is a powerful tool. This AI-driven feature allows you to change elements of your photos simply by typing a description. Whether you want to alter the background, change the appearance of an object, or even add new elements to the scene, the AI makes it easy. During my testing, I found this feature to be incredibly intuitive and effective at transforming ordinary photos into something extraordinary.
Audio Magic Eraser: Video quality on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is top-notch, and the Audio Magic Eraser enhances the experience by allowing you to isolate and adjust specific sounds in your videos. This is particularly useful for vlogs or home videos where background noise can often detract from the overall quality. The AI makes it easy to highlight the sounds you want while reducing or eliminating unwanted noise, resulting in professional-grade audio quality.
8K Video with AI Upscaling: The Pixel 9 Pro XL takes mobile videography to new heights with the ability to shoot 8K video. What’s more, the AI-driven upscaling ensures that your videos are sharp and detailed, even when viewed on larger screens. The ability to pull 33MP HDR stills from your 8K videos is a testament to the camera’s versatility, making it a powerful tool for both photographers and videographers.
Panorama and Night Sight: The Panorama mode has been completely overhauled, with an intuitive UI that guides you through capturing the perfect 360° shot. The inclusion of Night Sight in Panorama mode is particularly impressive, allowing you to capture stunning panoramic images even in low-light conditions. The HDR+ processing ensures that every detail is preserved, making for truly breathtaking images.
Battery Life and Charging That Keep You Going
With all its powerful features, you’d expect the Pixel 9 Pro XL to be a battery hog, but Google has done an excellent job of optimizing battery life. The 5060 mAh battery comfortably lasted through a full day of heavy use, which included gaming, streaming, and extensive photography. For those times when you need to extend battery life even further, the Extreme Battery Saver mode can stretch usage up to 100 hours, though this does limit some functionality.
Fast charging is supported, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL capable of reaching up to 70% in about 30 minutes using the included charger. Wireless charging is also supported, which is a nice touch for those who prefer a cable-free setup.
Rock-Solid Security and Durability
The Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t skimp on security features. The new Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor is faster and more reliable than previous versions, offering quick and secure access to your device. During my testing, the sensor worked flawlessly, even with a screen protector applied.
In terms of durability, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is built to last. It’s rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, and the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides additional protection against drops and scratches. Google’s commitment to 7 years of software support is another big plus, ensuring that your device stays secure and up-to-date long after purchase.
Cutting-Edge Connectivity for a Future-Proof Experience
The Pixel 9 Pro XL supports the latest in connectivity, including 5G, Wifi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3. Throughout my testing, I experienced consistently fast and reliable connections, whether I was streaming 4K video, downloading large files, or using Bluetooth devices. The inclusion of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) further enhances connectivity, especially for features like precise device location and nearby sharing.
Seamless Integration with Google’s Premium Ecosystem
Google has designed the Pixel 9 Pro XL to fit seamlessly into its broader ecosystem. Accessories like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Watch 3 are engineered to work perfectly with the device, offering features like AI-powered fitness tracking, noise cancellation, and easy device pairing. The Pixel Buds Pro 2, for example, come with a new Tensor chip that enhances audio quality and noise cancellation, making them an ideal companion for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. They fit comfortably and securely, even during extended use, and the sound quality is nothing short of premium. The integration of Google Assistant into the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is seamless, allowing for hands-free operation and quick access to all your important tasks.
The Pixel Watch 3 complements the Pixel 9 Pro XL with its sleek design and powerful features. Available in two sizes (41mm and 45mm), the Pixel Watch 3 offers AI-powered fitness recommendations, which are incredibly accurate thanks to the enhanced sensors and Google’s fitness algorithms. The watch also features improved battery life, ensuring it can keep up with your busy day without needing constant recharging. The ability to receive notifications, make calls, and even control your smart home devices directly from the watch makes it a valuable addition to the Pixel ecosystem.
A User Experience That’s Intuitive and Adaptive
One of the most compelling aspects of the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the overall user experience. Running on Android 14 with Google’s Pixel UI, the interface is clean, intuitive, and devoid of unnecessary bloatware. The software is optimized to take full advantage of the hardware, resulting in a smooth and responsive experience whether you’re navigating through menus, using apps, or customizing your home screen.
Google’s continued commitment to software updates is another standout feature. With 7 years of guaranteed OS updates, Pixel Drops, and security patches, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is designed to remain secure and up-to-date for years to come. This long-term support is a significant selling point, especially in a market where many devices are quickly rendered obsolete by lackluster update policies.
Google has also enhanced the AI capabilities across the board, making everyday tasks more efficient and enjoyable. Features like Google Assistant, Call Screen, and Hold for Me have been refined to offer better accuracy and functionality. The integration of these AI features into the core user experience makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL not just a powerful device, but also a smart one that adapts to your needs.
Pricing and Availability
The Google Pixel 9 is available from S$1,739. They begin shipping on August 22nd.
Find the phone:
- Online: Google Store, Amazon SG, Challenger, COURTS, Singtel, Shopee, Lazada and SprintCass (Airport)
- In-Store: Challenger, COURTS, Singtel, SprintCass
Final Verdict: The Pinnacle of Android Excellence
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is more than just a smartphone—it’s a comprehensive package designed for those who demand the best from their mobile devices. From its stunning Super Actua Display and top-tier camera system to its powerful AI features and robust performance, the Pixel 9 Pro XL excels in every category that matters.
While the price point may be higher than other models in the Pixel lineup, the extra cost is justified by the premium features and long-term software support. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a power user, or someone who simply wants the best Android experience available, the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivers on all fronts.
TLDR? The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a true flagship device that sets a new standard for Android smartphones. With its combination of cutting-edge technology, refined design, and intelligent software, it stands out as one of the best smartphones you can buy in 2024. If you’re in the market for a device that offers unparalleled performance, versatility, and longevity, the Pixel 9 Pro XL should be at the top of your list.
