Google Pixel 9 Pro review
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a compact flagship phone that packs all the top features from Google into a smaller package. It's ideal for those who want a more portable phone without compromising on performance and camera capabilities. One of the standout features of the Pixel 9 Pro is its display, which boasts a high-resolution OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and Ultra HDR compliance. The phone also has stereo speakers that deliver good sound quality. The camera setup on the Pixel 9 Pro is impressive, with a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5x telephoto zoom. Image quality is excellent during the day, with crisp details and natural-looking colors. Low-light performance is also commendable, although some detail may be lost in the shadows. The phone runs on Google's Tensor G4 chipset, which provides smooth performance but falls short of competitors in raw benchmark scores. Battery life is respectable, with the phone lasting around 13 hours with active use. Charging speeds are not spectacular, taking around an hour and a half to fully charge. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro is a solid flagship that checks most boxes, especially for those who value Google's software expertise and camera capabilities in a more compact package. While it may not excel in some areas, it remains a worthwhile choice for those who prioritize these aspects.
Build Quality and Design
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a compact flagship that boasts a premium design and build quality. The phone's dimensions are identical to its vanilla counterpart, the Pixel 9, but with some notable differences in terms of material and finish. One of the first things you'll notice about the Pixel 9 Pro is its matte-finished Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back panel, which provides a tactile feel that sets it apart from other phones. The frame, on the other hand, has a glossy finish, giving the phone a subtle sheen. In contrast, the vanilla Pixel 9 has a glossy back and matte frame. The inclusion of an extra camera module on the Pixel 9 Pro's rear panel adds a touch of sophistication to its design. However, this change doesn't come at the cost of practicality, as the IP68 rating remains the same as other modern flagships, ensuring protection against water and dust ingress. In terms of display, the Pixel 9 Pro boasts a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED screen with a high resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The display is brighter than its predecessor, measuring nearly 1,300 nits maximum in manual mode, which is further boosted to 2,300 nits in auto mode. The Pixel 9 Pro's design also features a pair of stereo speakers that deliver good loudness and crisp, clear mids. Unfortunately, the low end has been toned down slightly, but this minor compromise doesn't detract from the overall listening experience. In terms of durability, the phone is built to withstand the rigors of daily use, with a sturdy construction that should withstand scratches and drops. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro's design and build quality are top-notch, making it a solid choice for those seeking a premium smartphone without the bulk.
Battery Life
In our testing, the Google Pixel 9 Pro's battery life was respectable but not outstanding. The phone features a 4700mAh battery, which is comparable to other flagships in its class. However, despite having a slightly smaller screen than its bigger sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the compact model still managed to deliver similar battery performance. In our active use tests, the Pixel 9 Pro lasted for approximately 13 hours and 11 minutes before requiring a recharge. This is decent, but not spectacular, especially considering the phone's high-end specs and features. Furthermore, the Pixel 9 Pro only supports up to 27W of wired charging, which is somewhat slower than what some competitors offer. While the battery life was respectable in our testing, we did notice that the phone's power management could be a bit more efficient. In prolonged stress tests, we observed aggressive thermal throttling, which brought the level of performance lower. This suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro might not be as efficient with its battery usage as some other flagships. Overall, while the Pixel 9 Pro's battery life was solid, it didn't quite live up to our expectations. If you're someone who uses their phone extensively throughout the day, you might need to top off the battery more often than expected.
Display
The Google Pixel 9 Pro boasts an impressive 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display, boasting a high resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. HDR10+ video support is also included, allowing the phone to display Ultra HDR compliant images with boosted highlights. This display is sharper than its vanilla counterpart, the pixel 9, with a resolution of 495 PPI. One notable feature of the Pixel 9 Pro's display is its ability to dial down the refresh rate all the way to 1Hz when idling, saving energy and then bumping back up to 120Hz when the screen is interacted with again. This is a clever way to balance performance and power efficiency. In terms of brightness, the Pixel 9 Pro has made significant improvements over its predecessor, measuring nearly 1300 nits in manual mode and boosting to an impressive 2300 nits in auto mode. This makes it ideal for use outdoors in direct sunlight. The display's responsiveness is also commendable, with a fast and accurate touch response. However, users may experience some issues with the under-display fingerprint reader, which may not work as well through a screen protector. In our tests, we found that the Pixel 9 Pro's display excelled in both bright and dim lighting conditions. Colors were vivid and true to life, making it perfect for viewing HDR content. The display's brightness also made it easy to read text and navigate menus even in direct sunlight. Overall, the Google Pixel 9 Pro's display is a standout feature of the device, offering an immersive visual experience that rivals more expensive flagships. Its unique combination of high refresh rate, impressive brightness, and HDR10+ support make it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a premium mobile viewing experience.
Camera
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a compact flagship that packs a punch in terms of camera capabilities. While it may not be the largest phone on the market, it's certainly one of the most impressive when it comes to photography. On the back, you'll find a triple-camera setup consisting of a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 5x telephoto zoom camera. The main camera is a real showstopper, capturing excellent photos during the day with plenty of detail and natural-looking colors. The dynamic range is also impressive, with well-contained highlights and shadows that are not too dark or blown out. One of the standout features of the Pixel 9 Pro's camera is its ability to capture human subjects with skin tones and facial features rendered quite well. However, it's worth noting that you can't adjust the strength of the bokeh in portrait mode, which might be a drawback for some users. In low light conditions, the main camera holds up surprisingly well, with nicely boosted shadows and well-contained highlights. The exposure is great, and colors are well-saturated too. However, details may come out a bit soft in the shadows. The 5x telephoto zoom camera is where things get interesting. While it's capable of capturing decent shots, they're often soft and lacking in detail. This might be due to the fact that the telephoto cam doesn't have the extra close focusing capability that some other cameras offer. At night, the exposure is good, but details are a bit artificial-looking. The ultra-wide camera is another story altogether. It's capable of capturing a lot of detail with organic-looking processing, and it even has autofocus and can capture close-up macro shots. The results are pretty good, if not quite pin-sharp overall. One thing that's worth mentioning is the Pixel 9 Pro's new 42MP selfie camera, which captures very nice photos with plenty of detail and sharpness. It also features a wide field of view, making it ideal for group selfies. Overall, the Google Pixel 9 Pro's camera is a solid performer, especially in good lighting conditions. While there are some drawbacks, such as limited zoom capabilities and slightly soft details in low light, it's still one of the best cameras you can find on a compact flagship phone.
Price and Value
In the world of smartphones, compact flagships are a rare breed. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is one such device that packs all the features of its larger sibling into a smaller form factor. But does it justify its existence? In this review, we'll dive into the value proposition of the Pixel 9 Pro and whether it's worth your hard-earned cash. The Google Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 for the base model with 128GB storage, while the higher-end variant with 512GB storage costs a whopping $1,299. These prices put it in direct competition with other premium flagships on the market. So, what do you get for your money? The Pixel 9 Pro boasts an impressive spec sheet, including a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display, a 50MP primary camera with a 5x telephoto zoom, and Google's clean stock Android experience. The device also features a new 42MP selfie camera, wireless charging, and IP68 water resistance. While the Pixel 9 Pro is an excellent device in its own right, it's hard to shake off the feeling that you're paying a premium for a smaller phone. The competition from other manufacturers has driven prices down significantly, making the Pixel 9 Pro feel like a slightly overpriced option. In conclusion, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a solid device with impressive features and performance. However, its high price point makes it a tough sell for those who value affordability above all else. If you're willing to shell out top dollar for a compact flagship experience, then the Pixel 9 Pro might be worth considering. But if budget is your primary concern, there are other options on the market that offer similar experiences at lower price points.
Performance
The Google Pixel 9 Pro's performance is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it runs smoothly in everyday use, with no noticeable slowdowns or stutters. The Tensor G4 chipset, made in-house by Google, provides adequate power for most tasks. However, things take a turn for the worse when it comes to raw performance benchmarks. The Pixel 9 Pro falls significantly behind current flagship competitors running on the latest Snapdragon chipset. This is not surprising, given the Pixel's relatively dated hardware compared to its peers. Thermal management is another area where the Pixel 9 Pro struggles. During our prolonged stress tests, we observed aggressive thermal throttling, which brought performance levels even lower. This suggests that the phone may struggle with demanding tasks or heavy usage over extended periods. In terms of battery life, the Pixel 9 Pro's 4700mAh capacity is respectable, but not exceptional. We measured a battery life score of 13 hours and 11 minutes in our tests, which is on par with other flagships. Charging speeds are also decent, with support for up to 27W wired charging. Camera performance is where the Pixel 9 Pro really shines, but we will save that for another review. The Google Pixel 9 Pro's performance is adequate for everyday use, but it falls short in terms of raw power and thermal management. If you're looking for a compact flagship with good performance, there are better options available. However, if you prioritize camera quality, the Pixel 9 Pro may still be worth considering. Overall, we would give the Pixel 9 Pro's performance 3 out of 5 stars. While it gets the job done, it doesn't excel in any particular area. If Google wants to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple, they'll need to upgrade their hardware game.
Pros
1. The Pixel 9 Pro boasts a bright and high-resolution LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
2. The phone's camera system is impressive, featuring a 50MP main cam, 48MP ultra-wide cam, and a 5x telephoto zoom lens that captures excellent photos in both daylight and low-light conditions.
3. The Pixel 9 Pro runs on Google's clean stock Android software experience, with AI-driven features like Gemini's Advanced subscription tier.
4. The phone has a solid battery life, lasting up to 13 hours with active use.
Cons
1. Despite its impressive specs, the Pixel 9 Pro falls behind current flagship competitors in terms of raw performance.
2. The thermal management is also subpar, leading to aggressive thermal throttling during prolonged stress tests.
3. While the camera system is excellent, it lacks some features like adjustable bokeh strength and the ability to use the telephoto lens for portrait mode shots.