Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL: Google's Best Phones Go Bigger on AI

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I've awarded coveted CNET Editors' Choice awards to two out of the last three Pixel Pro phones, so the new Pixel 9 Pro has a hell of a lot to live up to. But Google is coming out swinging with its new launch, with a fresh design, new processor, new AI tools and two size options. 

The Pixel 9 Pro is the smaller model at 6.3 inches (the same size as the Pixel 9), while the Pixel 9 Pro XL, as the name suggests, comes with a larger 6.8-inch display. The phones are otherwise identical, and both models are available to preorder today with shipping expected in the coming weeks. 

The smaller Pixel 9 Pro will cost $999 directly from Google, while the larger 9 Pro XL will set you back $1,099. It's arguably a bit of a price hike, as the new XL model is the equivalent to last year's Pixel 8 Pro, which started at $999. And while the base 9 Pro has the same starting price, you're now expected to fork out more cash for that bigger display. At least you can opt for the smaller model if you don't want to spend the extra hundred bucks.

On paper the hardware seems broadly similar to last year's Pixel 8 Pro, but Google has peppered in a variety of new AI tools for image editing, along with deeper integration throughout the phone with its Gemini AI assistant. And some of these features do seem cool, but whether they make the phone truly appealing over its competition -- especially the upcoming iPhone 16 line -- remains to be seen.

One phone, two sizes

While the Pixel 9 Pro comes in two sizes -- 6.3 inches and 6.8 inches -- the phones are otherwise identical. Specs are mirrored across both phones, from the new Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM to the triple-camera setup on the back. The display technology is identical on both phones too (Google calls them Super Actua displays), so it doesn't appear you'll have to suffer with a lesser display experience if you opt for the smaller model.

It's a move I wish Apple had taken with its iPhone 15 Pro range -- only the largest iPhone 15 Pro Max has the 5x zoom lens, meaning you're forced into using a larger phone if you want the best camera. With the Pixel 9 Pro, you will get the same performance no matter which size you choose. 

Watch this: Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL Hands-On

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A fresh, flat design

The Pixel 9 Pro has been given a significant spit and polish, with the rounded edges of previous models exchanged for flat, polished edges -- not unlike the edges seen on the last few generations of the iPhone. There's a frosted glass back, which Google reckons makes the 9 Pro, in part, twice as durable as that found on the Pixel 8 Pro. Google told CNET that the design team studied how phones break and used their learnings to create a new design that's more resilient to impact.

The phones come in a range of colors including a vibrant-looking new rose quartz hue, which I personally think looks great. 

Both Pro phones offer IP68 waterproof ratings and both have a new camera bar across the back. The bar is now a pill shape that stretches across the phone but no longer meets the edges, instead sitting more as an island. It's a small change, but I think it helps give the new generation a fresh aesthetic that sets it apart from its predecessors, but still maintains that family resemblance.

Pixel 9 Pro cameras

The Pixel phone range has always offered solid overall camera performance, and while I discovered some early teething troubles with the Pixel 8 Pro, I generally found it to be extremely capable in a variety of situations. The Pixel 9 Pro's cameras haven't seen much of an upgrade on paper, with the same 50-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultrawide and 48-megapixel telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Even the main camera's image sensor is the same size. 

It's a shame not to see a bigger push for hardware upgrades in the cameras, especially as companies like Xiaomi are delivering incredible image quality by using much larger 1-inch type sensors on phones like the 14 Ultra. That said, much of Google's imaging quality is achieved by computational skills, AI additions (which I'll come to later) and other software tweaks, so I'll reserve judgment on the overall camera quality for the full review. 

The front-facing camera has had a big boost, however, getting a new 42-megapixel sensor and a wider field of view to help you get even more of your mates into those embarrassing shots on your next night out. 

Android and Gemini AI features

The Pixel 9 Pro will arrive with Android 14 on board, rather than the new version of Android 15. It's surprising to see the company launch its new flagship phones without the latest generation of Android already on board, but an update is expected later in the year. 

Google made a huge fuss about its new AI skills at its I/O developer conference, so it's no surprise that it's keen to tout the Pixel 9 Pro as an AI powerhouse. Pressing and holding the power button on the side will bring up Google's Gemini assistant, which will be able to perform a huge variety of functions, from finding info in your emails to suggesting nearby businesses in Maps. It'll better understand natural language queries and will be able to respond in kind. 

Google even says you can snap a photo of the inside of your fridge and ask Gemini what you can make from your leftovers. I'll be interested to try this -- I'm not sure what gourmet meals Gemini thinks it'll be able to make from week-old pizza, chicken nuggets, chocolate and beer. Perhaps it'll just shrug and, knowing it's been beaten, open up a food delivery app instead.

There are new AI camera tools, including an "Add Me" mode, which lets you combine multiple images into one so the person taking the image can also get into the shot. Using generative imaging, you can also expand the frame of your images and reframe the shot in hopefully a way that's hopefully more aesthetically pleasing. You can tap on areas of an image and type what you want to see to use generative AI to fill in the gaps. 

Android 15, when it arrives, will be broadly familiar to anyone who's used Android 14. The visual interface hasn't been radically changed, and you'll still find features like Magic Eraser and the generative image creator for wallpapers on board. New features include the ability to archive unused apps to free up space, various tools to help in case of theft and a handy private space where you can keep sensitive apps, data and images locked away from prying eyes. I'm looking forward to diving deep into the new version, but it's still frustrating to have to wait for it. 

Like the Pixel 8 Pro, Google promises seven years of software and security support for the Pixel 9 Pro, meaning the phone should still be safe to use until at least 2031.

The phone runs on Google's latest home-grown processor, the Tensor G4. Google promises that this chip will be especially good for on-device AI tasks like voice recognition and image generation, though how well it performs in general use remains to be seen. Google's chips have typically offered enough power for most tasks, but they're no match on paper for top processors like Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. I found Google's Tensor G3 on the Pixel 8 Pro a little sluggish on some tasks -- including image generation -- so I'm keen to see how the new chip compares.