The leaks are over, the smartphone is official and the reviews have been published. The initial hype surrounding the Pixel 9 Pro XL has finally died down. It's been almost a month since Google launched this smartphone, and I've spent the past four weeks testing it myself. Problem solved, but what is the Pixel 9 Pro XL really like? Is it really as impressive as it seemed at launch? And will new AI capabilities actually be useful in our daily lives?
After using it for about a month, here's what I like and don't like about this device.
I was wrong about the Pixel 9 design
That's amazing
When the leaks came out (and during the official keynote), I wasn't sure if I'd like the Pixel 9 Pro XL's new design.
I was really disappointed in the rendering. This is a significant change from previous Pixel designs, with Google switching to flat sides and a different camera visor. And that rendering looked bad. People were saying it looked like an iPhone – even Daniel Bader said as much in his review of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
However, this was a classic case of “don't judge a book by its cover.” As soon as I took the Pixel 9 Pro XL out of the box, I realized I was being too harsh. Now I love you with all my heart. Google has moved away from the early Pixel design, but as someone who primarily uses an iPhone, I might end up buying a Pixel next time.
The design is friendly and sophisticated. Subtle curves along the edges and rounded corners make it easier to hold than an iPhone. The best part is that it doesn't dig into your hands. The weight is also very well managed, and despite similar weight to the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it doesn't feel like a heavy phone.
If you're skeptical about the Pixel 9 Pro XL's design, go out and try out the phone. To me, this is more than just an Android smartphone, it rivals the best designed Android flagships.
There's more to this smartphone than just AI
Provides one of the best Android experiences
As with all Pixel launches, the Pixel 9 focused more on software than hardware, especially AI features. Pixel 9 Pro XL features an even more powerful Magic Editor for photos, Add Me in Camera, Pixel Studio for AI-generated images, Pixel Screenshot for later review, Gemini Live for deep conversations, and more. Full of AI. You can use AI assistants and more.
But the more I used this phone, the more I realized that while these AI features are great, only a few of them are actually useful on a day-to-day basis (at least for me). For example, some here at Android Police consider the Pixel Screenshots app to be a game changer, but to me, it's just another app. It's useful in certain situations, but I rarely used it beyond the first week.
What I appreciate about AI capabilities is the small, thoughtful integrations across devices. We like how Gemini on your device adds cinematic effects to your wallpaper, and how the new weather app provides a concise overview. This allows you to quickly prepare for the day without having to load a full page of the weather app.
New camera app[Add Me]The functionality is also great, allowing a group of friends to easily take photos without having to ask someone else to take them. The AI ​​features in photos are also very useful, including Magic Editor to remove unwanted objects from photos, Video Boost to improve the quality of videos for social media, and Auto Frame to get the perfect angle for your photos. After catching them.
However, these are features that you use from time to time, and not necessarily every day. At the core of your everyday smartphone experience is the Android OS that Google perfected with the Pixel 9 Pro. To be clear, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is more than just AI. This is a great Android smartphone with an unparalleled user experience compared to other smartphones I've used in 2024.
Now, while some might argue that a phone running Android 14 instead of the latest Android 15 isn't what you want from the new Google Pixel, consider the following: Would you rather have a stable, bug-free version with lots of improvements? Last year, or a new Android version with some out-of-the-box bugs that can ruin your new phone experience? I'd choose the former any day.
There are many small upgrades that make the whole experience stand out.
It's a complete overhaul
But it's more than just an Android experience. It feels like Google developed this phone from the ground up and made it significantly better than the Pixel 8 Pro, even though they're only 10 months apart. Let's take a display as an example. While the displays may look nearly identical on paper, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is only 0.1 inch larger than the Pixel 8 Pro. The increased brightness makes a noticeable difference in real-world use.
A similar case is true for Tensor G4 and Exynos 5400 modems. One of the complaints about the previous generation of Pixel smartphones was that the processor overheated and the modem had trouble receiving a signal. Surprisingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL unit experienced no such issue. At least there was nothing out of the ordinary.
I haven't had any significant overheating issues in the past month. It gets hot at times, but not so much that I need to set it aside to cool down. I think it's on par with my iPhone in terms of thermal management. Similarly, the cell phone issue seems to have been resolved this time, and I never had zero signal reception in my area, which I couldn't say for the Pixel 8a.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL won't be able to run games at full throttle for as long as some Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones, but understand that it's not built for that. Google targets casual users who take photos and videos for social media and want a great multimedia experience with a striking design, easy-to-use build, and reliable software support. And we are achieving all of this.
Battery life is another area where Google has clearly made improvements. While there aren't any major upgrades on paper compared to the previous generation, the Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted a full day on one charge each day for the past month, often with around 20% battery remaining.
Not a single day went by that I didn't forget about the Pixel 9 Pro XL. This is saying something for power users like me. Would you like it to charge faster? Yes, but ultimately I think the battery experience will make up for it.
Pixel 9 Pro XL isn't the default choice yet
Every smartphone has its drawbacks
So what's stopping me from recommending this to everyone? First, Google has taken a big leap forward this year, and next year's Pixel 10 is expected to be an even bigger upgrade. Google is expected to switch chipsets to a new manufacturer (TSMC), which should significantly improve performance and efficiency, and these performance issues may finally be completely resolved.
Next is the price. At $1,100, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the direct successor to the Pixel 8 Pro and is about $100 more expensive. Going back two generations, it's over $300 more expensive than the Pixel 7 Pro. The smartphone somewhat justifies its price, but it's hard to tell if it's worth the $300 price increase just 24 months after the Pixel 7 Pro's debut.
That said, with the best deals currently available and the holiday season just around the corner, the Pixel 9 Pro XL may become my default recommendation for the rest of 2024.
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.