Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Revamped design with exciting AI features

The 2024 Pixel series from Google, the Pixel 9 series is official globally in the latest Made By Google event. The Pixel 9 series includes the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 series also comprises the second-generation Foldable smartphone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The naming has been changed from the simpler Google Pixel Fold to match the current 9 series. Alongside the Pixel 9 series the Google Pixel Watch 3 and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro now includes two options; the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both the flagships are the same but differ in dimension, weight, display size and battery size. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a larger screen and battery size than the 9 Pro. The 9 Pro sits on the same size as the base Pixel 9. The 9 Pro is the new addition whereas the 9 Pro XL is almost the same as the older Pixel 8 Pro. Except for the size and the battery, both the 9 Pro smartphones are the same.

The major changes from the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the 9 Pro XL from last year’s Google Pixel 8 Pro include display features, chipset, front camera, battery and charging options. Let us see what the smartphone offers in terms of specifications.

Specifications of Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL

Design and Display

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL have the same design differing in size and battery. The design however is significantly changed from the Pixel 8 series. The back of the Pixel 9 series is flat instead of curved with a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for protection. The major change can be seen in the camera module which is now changed to pill-shaped and not connected to the frame. The camera module is also flat with a brushed aluminium finish.

The aluminium frame has a shiny finish with curved edges. The display on the front features a hole-punch cutout for the new selfie camera. The display has a slight change in design with slightly rounded edges. The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL both feature high-quality LTPO OLED displays. The Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL is larger with a 6.8-inch display. Both displays have a 20:9 aspect ratio, with the Pixel 9 Pro offering a resolution of 2856 x 1280 at 495 PPI and the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 2992 x 1344 with 486 PPI.

Both options support a smooth display refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120 Hz and have impressive brightness levels, reaching up to 2,000 nits in HDR and peaking at 3,000 nits. It has a contrast ratio of greater than 2,000,000:1 and support for HDR and 24-bit depth displaying over 16 million colours for sharp visuals. The display is protected with the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 dust and water resistance.

Performance and Storage

Both the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are powered by the latest Google Tensor G4 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The new chipset enables Gemini Nano with multimodal capabilities and is also 3x more powerful than the built-in AI compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. The octa-core CPU includes one high-performance Cortex-X4 core at 3.1 GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6 GHz and four energy-efficient Cortex-A520 cores at 1.92 GHz. For graphics processing, the smartphones use the Mali MC7 GPU.

Both models run on Android 14 and come with massive 7 years of OS updates and 7 years of security updates. Both smartphones come with 16 GB of RAM with storage options available in 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB.

AI features

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL come with powerful AI features that enhance photography and accessibility. Guided Frame helps users to take perfect selfies and photos by providing spoken guidance to adjust face and camera angles. It also alerts you about low lighting and automatically captures the photo when everything is perfectly aligned. This feature is now more accessible, as it can be activated directly from the camera settings.

For users who need assistance seeing details, the Magnifier app allows them to zoom into their surroundings, search for specific words and choose the best lens for different situations. Selfie Illumination turns the front camera into a mirror.

The Gemini AI Assistant is integrated into the Pixel experience, helping with various tasks like organizing shopping lists, drafting emails and providing real-time assistance while watching videos. It has advanced features like Magic Editor for photo editing and Add Me for inclusive group photos.

Camera

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL both feature the same triple rear camera system. The camera system is upgraded with new lenses which include a 50 MP main camera a 48 MP ultrawide camera with Macro Focus and a 48 MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Res Zoom. The main camera has an f/1.68 aperture with an 82° field of view, while the ultrawide camera offers a 123° field of view with an f/1.7 aperture. The telephoto camera has an f/2.8 aperture for close-ups with its 22° field of view.

Both models have a multi-zone laser to detect autofocus (LDAF), spectral and flicker sensors and optical and electronic image stabilization for the wide and telephoto lenses for clear and steady shots.

For video capabilities, the rear cameras can record in 8K at 30 FPS, 4K and 1080p at 24, 30 and 60 fps. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL include advanced video features like Video Boost, Night Sight Video, Super Res Zoom Vide, and Audio Magic Eraser. Additional video features include Macro Focus Video, 10-bit HDR video and stabilization modes such as Fused Video Stabilization and Cinematic Pan.

The front camera on both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a new 42 MP dual PD sensor. It features an f/2.2 aperture and a 103° ultrawide field of view for selfies and group photos. The front camera also supports 4K video recording at 30 and 60 FPS.

Battery and Others

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL come with slightly increased battery capacities, with the Pixel 9 Pro with a 4700 mAh battery and the Pixel 9 Pro XL featuring a larger 5060 mAh battery. Both models support fast charging, with the Pixel 9 Pro offering 27W wired charging and 21W wireless charging, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes it a step further with 37W wired charging and 23W wireless charging.

For connectivity, both the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL support Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 for fast internet access and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity with compatible devices. Both phones are compatible with LTE and 5G networks and feature dual SIM capabilities with a single nano SIM and eSIM option to manage multiple phone numbers. For audio, the smartphones come equipped with stereo speakers and three microphones for clear sound quality and support for Spatial Audio enhancing the immersive audio experience.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are also equipped with an array of sensors, including a proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, barometer, and temperature sensor. Additionally, both smartphone now features an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, both come with four colour options; Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel and Obsidian.

The Google Pixel series is not official in Nepal. Many smartphone enthusiasts in Nepal are eagerly waiting for the Pixel series to arrive in Nepal. If the smartphones are to be official in Nepal, we can expect the Google Pixel 9 Pro to cost around Rs 150,000 for the 16/128GB option; Rs 158,000 for the 16/256GB option and Rs 165,000 for the 16/512GB option.

Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL can be expected at Rs 160,000 for the 16/128GB variant, Rs 168,000 for the 16/256GB variant and Rs 175,000 for the 16/512GB variant.