We’re entering the era of artificial intelligence, with smartphone brands like Motorola, Apple, Samsung, and Google promoting AI features. While Google is a big proponent of pushing AI with Gemini, the company remembered the Pixel 9 series, as the latest Pixel flagships are fantastic.

This review focuses solely on the Pixel 9 Pro XL; however, you can learn more about the Pixel 9 from Jon Lamont here, but that handset is also pretty awesome. 

But while the Pixel 9 is a fantastic phone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is also excellent. After using the handset several times, I thought, “This phone might be perfect.” I’ve used dozens of handsets over the years, but I rarely, if ever, think a device might be perfect. Its design, AI features, responsiveness, camera, and more are why this handset is among the best. Still, unfortunately, its battery prevents it from reaching perfection, but it’s dang close. Right off the bat, I can say that the Pixel 9 Pro XL is 100 percent the choice for anyone who likes Android devices and hefty phones. 

New look

The Pixel 9 Pro XL (which I’ll reduce to Pixel 9 Pro for this review since much of what I say also applies to the small Pixel 9 Pro too) has a newer, fancier design than its predecessor. Last year, I said Google made “great design changes” to the 8 Pro; this year, that would be an understatement. Besides having an XL and regular size 9 Pro, Google has made other significant design changes to the Pixel line. Firstly, the handset sports flat sides, similar to the iPhone 15 series. However, Google made everything about the Pixel 9 Pro slightly round. 

So, even though the sides are flat, the edges are subtly rounded, so the handset feels great in your hand. The device is solid, and that weight makes the smartphone feel sturdy.

I’m still not a fan of glossy sides because of smudges and fingerprints, but the sides look premium and classy, like a fancy watch. Thankfully, the back is matte so that you won’t get fingerprints. It also comes in this beautiful Hazel, which looks grey or green depending on how you hold it against the light. The handset is also available in a light Rose Quartz colour variant and Porcelain and Obsidian. 

I love the new camera bump, which matches the round aesthetic incorporated throughout the Pixel 9 Pro’s design language. The volume rocker and power button also share this pill-shaped aesthetic.

It’s one pretty smartphone that feels awesome to hold. It’s among the top in both categories in the Canadian market. Not only that, but it also has an excellent display. I like watching content on its display with a 1344 x 2992 pixel resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, LTPO OLED panel technology and 120Hz refresh rate. The smooth display is buttery; you’ll notice it when playing games, scrolling through web pages, and more. Screen technology is pretty standard and looks great across the board, and the Pixel 9 Pro isn’t anything special in this case. Although it offers up to 3000 nits of brightness, even when I’m out and about, I can always see the screen in the sunlight. 

Top of the line 

The Pixel 9 Pro is awesome in other ways as well. The handset sports 16GB of RAM with up to 1TB of storage and the Tensor G4 chipset. The Pixel 9 Pro runs surprisingly quickly, with everything moving insanely. Of course, the Tensor chip doesn’t benchmark well, sporting a single-core score of 1,953 and a multi-core score of 4,550, which isn’t impressive compared to other devices on the market. However, I’ve always said that benchmarks don’t equate to real-life experiences, and that’s 100 percent accurate with the 9 Pro. No matter what, the device is snappy; whether I’m using AI features, opening apps, or anything I do on the handset is quick – it feels like I’m using an iPhone.

However, the battery life on the Pixel 9 Pro XL could be better. With a 5,060mAh battery, the handset can survive the day without issues. It’s reliable, but only for that first day; I’ve gotten mixed usage with the device dying before noon or earlier on the second day. The battery life isn’t bad, but it could be better. I’ve heard that some people can squeeze out two days. The Pixel Adaptive Battery may still be doing its thing, but considering it’s one of the only negative aspects of this device, it’s worth mentioning. 

The Pixel 9 Pro also has tons of AI features powered by the Tensor G4. I was surprised by how quickly Gemini Live responded to questions and had a solid back-and-forth. I wrote a Review in Progress for the Pixel 9 Pro XL earlier this month that focused on the Gemini experience. I’ve found the AI helpful, and I like that it can interact with what’s on my screen. One of the examples I used in the Review in Progress: 

I saw a post on Instagram about a badminton club I wanted to sign up for. However, registration didn’t open until August 23rd, so I told Gemini, “Remind me to register.” It went to Google Tasks to remind me to register for the badminton club using the name of the club, and it made the reminder for the date and time registration opens.

I also played around a lot with the Pixel Studio app, which lets you use AI to make artwork. I often found that it wouldn’t let me create certain pieces because it couldn’t create artwork for people. However, what I sought would sometimes be completely unrelated, and I would still get that response. When it worked, it was fun to use, and I could see how it could be helpful to some, especially if they don’t have any artistic talents. There’s also the new Screenshots app, which allows you to search for any screenshots you took by using AI to help with the search. I didn’t find this too helpful as it requires you to upload your old screenshots manually. I think this is a feature they could have added within Google Photos instead of making it a separate app. Eventually, I’ll have a screenshot database on my Pixel 9 Pro, and this AI feature will be useful, but until then, I’ve barely touched the app. 

Something worth mentioning is how good the Pixel 9 Pro’s haptics feel; every tap and touch had an excellent subtle vibration. This level of haptics is at the same level as the iPhone 15 series, if not better. 

The Pixel 9 Pro offers a pretty solid experience overall. Even though the battery could technically be better, it’s reliable, at least for the first day. 

Say cheese!

What’s even more reliable is the Pixel 9 Pro’s excellent camera. While the primary and telephoto are the same as last year, the ultrawide now offers a larger image sensor that can capture more light. The Pixel 9 Pro series also comes with a brand-new 42-megapixel selfie camera, which should really push the Pixel’s already great selfie game. Google also worked on its ‘Real Tone,’ a feature that matches the colour tone of darker skin.

The primary shooter took reliable shots with realistic colours, brightness, and high dynamic range. Pictures are more accurate to real life than any other flagship. Whereas the Samsung Galaxy handsets take more saturated, vivid pictures and the iPhone takes brighter images that are still pleasing to the eye, the Pixel 9 Pro’s images all seem very true to life. It’s impressive and lovely, but I can see why some might not put it above the other two brands. Google improved the ultrawide camera, which lets in more light as well. And as always, Night Sight is solid.

Real Tone worked great with this improved camera experience, accurately showcasing darker skin tones. I went to Niagara Falls with my family and was happy I had the Pixel.

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Although Google upgraded the selfie camera to a 42-megapixel sensor, I don’t find the picture quality much better than the Pixel 8 Pro’s selfie pictures. The pictures are nice, but I’d still rather use the primary camera on a foldable. Still, if you’re all right with an average selfie, you’ll be OK with the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s not bad; I just hoped for better with the upgraded camera sensor. 

Google has also included a new feature within Magic Editor called Reimagine, letting users put new aspects into a photo, like clouds, flowers and more. I’ve used it to edit some photos, giving them a more exaggerated look, but I didn’t use it too often. There’s also a new AI framing tool, which I did think was useful especially when you’re somewhere crowded. I could take a picture of my family at Niagara Falls, then use the Magic Eraser to remove people from the picture and expand the frame, giving me an awesome photo of my family. Add Me is a new feature that lets you superimpose yourself into a picture, but I did not find this helpful. My friends and I ended up preferring to take selfies still. 

Best of the best 

I've also been enjoying this Bellroy leather case on my review unit.

If you don't mind a bigger smartphone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a solid device. If you want something smaller, I’d wait for the Pixel 9 Pro. I love this handset; it feels incredibly premium inside and out. Of course, I’ve only had the device for a few weeks. The phone may inevitably have issues, and most handsets do, but if you want my current opinion on the phone to get in the market, then it’s the 9 Pro XL. 

But it’s worth noting that Google’s phones aren’t as cheap as they once were. The device costs $1,499 in Canada, which is more expensive than any previous Pixel smartphone. However, if we compare top-of-the-line flagships, the 9 Pro XL costs $250 less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max and $300 less than the S24 Ultra, so with the 9 Pro XL, you get superb quality for your buck. 

Of course, Apple will put its contender in the ring for best smartphone of the year. Still, Google has put out a standout device, and depending on Apple Intelligence and the iPhone 16 Pro’s other features, the Mountain View phone maker may finally see the crown. 

Image Credit: Brad Bennett