After using the Pixel 9 Pro for a week, there's no going back to the XL

When Google announced its Pixel 9 lineup earlier this year, the Google Pixel 9 Pro caught my eye. The standard Pixel 9 felt too basic, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold was priced out of my reach. Although it wasn't my first choice, I used the Pixel 9 Pro XL for a month and was genuinely impressed with its performance and feel.

I recently tried out Google's new compact flagship, the Google Pixel 9 Pro. It has the same body size as the standard Pixel 9 and all the perks of the Pro model. After using the Pixel 9 Pro for a week, I can't go back to the XL.

I don't feel that big phones are appropriate anymore

6.3-inch screen for perfect balance

I prefer big cell phones. In addition to the Pixel 8a, I used an iPhone 14 Pro Max and OnePlus 10 Pro. These phones have 6.7-inch displays, and we're happy with the tradeoff between one-handed usability and a larger screen. I watch a lot of content on my phone (and value long battery life), so this is a compromise I'm happy to accept.

However, when I picked up the Pixel 9 Pro, its screen size felt appropriate. The 6.3-inch display is perfectly balanced. It's large enough to enjoy your content, yet compact enough to easily handle with one hand, and comfortable enough to carry in your pocket.

Despite being smaller than the XL, the Pixel 9 Pro's display retains the premium features of the larger model. It maintains an LTPO OLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, 3,000 nits of peak brightness, HDR10+ support, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. Additionally, due to the smaller screen, the pixel density is slightly higher at 495 PPI compared to 486 PPI on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but the difference is hardly noticeable.

The Pixel 9 Pro's display is perfectly positioned, so you no longer need to carry around a large smartphone. We hope Google maintains this balanced design with next year's Pixel 10 lineup.

A telephoto lens on a compact mobile phone? Yes, please

No compromises on camera, even on small devices

Previously, if you wanted a Pixel smartphone with a telephoto zoom lens, you had to choose the larger Pro model. Not only because it has a bigger screen, but also because it was the only one that offered that feature. Google's compact flagship, the Google Pixel 9 Pro, includes the same powerful camera setup as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. .

Both Pro models have the same camera quality. I recently took my Pixel 9 Pro to a concert and the telephoto lens was a game changer. Below are a selection of photo samples showcasing Pixel 9 Pro's camera features. The image is from a concert and uses a telephoto lens. There are also photos to show its performance.

Pixel 9 Pro's battery lasts easily for a day

All-day battery life without the bulk of the XL

One of my main concerns when switching from the Pixel 9 Pro XL to the smaller Pixel 9 Pro was battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro has a smaller battery than the XL. Google's new Tensor G4 seems to solve the heat generation issues I experienced with previous Tensor chipsets, but I was worried I'd miss out on the XL's battery performance.

However, the Pixel 9 Pro exceeded my expectations. During a week of use, it lasted consistently throughout the day. On the day of the concert, Google Maps, photo and video recording, phone calls, text messages, and social media were all heavily used on 5G. Still, the Pixel 9 Pro had 32% battery left by the end of the day.

The only feature I missed was faster charging on the XL. Pixel 9 Pro XL supports up to 37W fast charging, while Pixel 9 Pro has up to 27W. Pixels aren't known for fast charging speeds, but the smaller models more than make up for it with solid battery performance.

The Pixel 9 Pro feels like a smarter choice than the XL. There's no reason to go for the Pixel 9 Pro XL unless you want a bigger phone with a bigger screen. The compact Pro is $100 cheaper and offers all the same features, including the latest AI features like Add Me in the camera app, Reimagine in the Magic Editor, Pixel Studio, Pixel Screenshots, and Clear Calling.

With the money you save, you can invest in essential accessories for your Pixel 9 Pro, like top-quality cases, charging adapters (not included), and screen protectors.

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  google pixel 9 pro

  The Pixel 9 Pro is a compact addition to Google's lineup, retaining all the AI ​​and camera features of the Pro series while offering a smaller form factor. It has the same dimensions as the standard Pixel 9, but has premium features like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, making it a standout among Google's high-end product range.

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  Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

  The Pixel 9 Pro XL fills the same role as last year's Pixel 8 Pro, with similar specs and a familiar footprint. However, the new Pixel 9 Pro is a smaller flagship option. The 9 Pro XL offers all the camera and AI features of the 9 Pro, plus a bigger screen, faster charging, and a bigger battery.