Pixel 9 Professional evaluation: A pictures powerhouse

Google’s Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL are pictures powerhouses with a wonderful, iPhone-like design that even essentially the most hardcore Android followers will doubtless admit seems and feels nice.

Did I anticipate to be this blown away by the images and video Google’s newest flagship can seize? No, undoubtedly not, particularly since there aren’t notable digicam {hardware} upgrades over final yr’s Pixel 8 Pro. By means of glorious, surprisingly true-to-life post-processing, I discover I choose the look of the Pixel 9 Professional’s pictures over even these taken with Apple’s iPhone 15 Professional, which had been my earlier favourite digicam array. Because of surprisingly useful AI photo and video features, Google’s Pixel 9 Professional options what I would confidently say is my favourite smartphone digicam ever.

Add within the clearly Apple-inspired design with its clean matte rear, minimized bezels, and tasteful shade choices, you have got a powerful all-around smartphone package deal. After all, you would argue that nobody wants a Pixel 9 Professional sequence smartphone this yr as a result of the bottom Pixel 9 is an outstanding system that gives options usually reserved for higher-end smartphones, and I would wholeheartedly agree with this attitude — until you are actually into taking pictures images and movies together with your cellphone. If that is you, then the Pixel 9 Pro’s further price is price its dearer price ticket. Its cameras are actually that good.

Editor’s Selection

Pixel 9 Professional

The Pixel 9 Professional brings a brand new squared-off design, the Tensor G4 chip, and new AI options like Pixel Screenshots to Google’s flagship smartphone line. It is obtainable beginning September 4th.

Professionals

• Glorious AI-powered pictures options
• Nice-looking design
• Easy software program that is simple to navigate

Cons

• Costly
• Some AI options are a bit terrifying
• Sides aren’t matte

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Value, availability, and specs

Google’s Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional can be found directly from Google and different retailers for $1,100 and $1,000, respectively, in porcelain, rose quartz, hazel, and obsidian (the latter featured on this evaluation). These costs are $300 and $200 greater than the $800 base Pixel 9.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL includes a 6.8-inch 1,344 x 2,992 LTPO OLED show, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional has a 6.3-inch 1290 x 2856 LTPO OLED display. Each shows embody a 1-120Hz variable refresh price and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, with brightness reaching 2,000 and three,000 nits of peak brightness, respectively. The Pixel 9 Professional XL’s battery capability is 4,700mAh, and the Pixel 9 Professional’s is 5,060mAh. Their weights are roughly 7.7oz (221g) and 7oz (199g), respectively.

Storage choices begin at 128GB and prolong as much as 1TB. This yr, RAM has been upgraded to 16GB from final yr’s 12GB. The smartphone additionally options Google’s Tensor G4 chip. Digital camera specs embody an f/1.68 50-megapixel important vast shooter, a touch upgraded f/1.7 48-megapixel ultra-wide digicam, and an f/2.8 48-megapixel telephoto shooter able to as much as 5x optical zoom. The entrance digicam has been upgraded to an f/2.2 42-megapixel shooter from final yr’s f/2.2 10.5-megapixel lens.

• 	Pixel 9 Professional	Pixel 9 Professional XL
  Model	Google	Google
  SoC	Tensor G4	Tensor G4
  Show	6.3-inch Tremendous Actua show	6.8-inch Tremendous Actua show, 1344 x 2992 LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz refresh price, as much as 3000 nits peak brightness
  RAM	16GB	16GB
  Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
  Battery	4700mAh, 24+ hours of battery life	5,060 mAh, 24+ hours of battery life
  Ports	USB-C	USB-C
  Working System	Android 14	Android 14
  Entrance digicam	42-megapixel f/2.2, 103-degree FOV selfie digicam	42-megapixel f/2.2, 103-degree FOV selfie digicam
  Rear digicam	50-megapixel f/1.68 vast digicam / 48-megapixel f/1.7, 123-degree FOV ultrawide digicam / 48-megapixel, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, as much as 30x Tremendous Res Zoom telephoto digicam	50-megapixel f/1.68 vast digicam / 48-megapixel f/1.7, 123-degree FOV ultrawide digicam / 48-megapixel f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, as much as 30x Tremendous Res Zoom telephoto digicam
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Extremely-Wideband chip, GPS, 5G mmWave, Satellite tv for pc	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Extremely-Wideband chip, GPS, Satellite tv for pc, 5G mmWave
  Dimensions	6 x 2.8 x 0.3-inches	6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3-inches
  Colours	Porcelain, Obsidian, Hazel, Rose Quartz	Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz
  Weight	199g / 7oz	221g / 7.8oz
  Cost pace	As much as 55% in half-hour with 45W cost	As much as 70% in half-hour with 45W cost
  IP Ranking	IP68	IP68
  Value	$999	$1,099
  Safety	Fingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock, Titan M2 safety coprocessor	Titan M2 safety coprocessor, Fingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock
  12 months of launch	2024	2024

Pixel 9 Professional construct and design

An iPhone-inspired look even essentially the most hardcore Android followers will like

I lined it extensively in my Pixel 9 review, however I am a giant fan of the look of this yr’s Pixel 9 line. The Pixel 9 Professional adopts a glance paying homage to the iPhone, with its squared-off sides and barely rounded corners that make it general simpler to carry, particularly at awkward angles. The again is matte, in contrast to the Pixel 9’s shiny rear, however sadly, its sides stay shiny, making them a smudge and mud magnet. I’d have most well-liked a extra premium all-matte-everything look that is consistent with the iPhone 15 Professional. This not solely feels higher once you run your fingers over it but in addition repels smudges and mud higher.

Sadly, Google has ditched the visor for a sprawling digicam bump that appears prefer it was dropped on the rear of the system. It isn’t a deal-breaker, particularly in the event you plan to place the system in a smartphone case, nevertheless it’s a step again from the identifiable rear digicam visor featured in final yr’s Pixel 8 Professional.

General, the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL are very solid-looking smartphones that supply a stage of refinement immediately noticeable from the second you choose it up. Pixel gadgets have all the time felt fairly good, however the Pixel 9 Professional sequence takes issues to a different stage.

It is price noting that that is the primary time Google has provided a bigger 6.8-inch model of its higher-end smartphone. A 6.8-inch display is an honest dimension, and in my time with the system, it hasn’t felt unwieldy. Folks like huge telephones, so it is smart for Google to supply a much bigger possibility. However I choose the smaller 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Professional (it is simply simpler to make use of with one hand). After all, it will come all the way down to your private smartphone dimension desire.

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Pixel 9 Professional show

A shocking, high-end show that appears nice beneath almost all lighting circumstances

The Pixel 9 Professional’s show is gorgeous, surpassing the vibrancy of Apple’s iPhone 15 Professional display and, in some instances, even Samsung’s Galaxy S24 sequence, by a major margin. The Pixel 9’s display is greater than shiny sufficient at 1,800 nits with 2,700 nits of peak brightness, however the Pixel 9 Professional’s show takes issues to a blistering 2,000 nits with as much as 3,000 nits of peak brightness.

The show seems nice, however at occasions, I’ve really discovered it too shiny, particularly when viewing content material beneath darkish circumstances, forcing me to show the brightness down. However, I respect the added illumination when utilizing the system outdoors beneath direct daylight. You too can clearly see how a lot brighter the Pixel 9 Professional show is in comparison immediately with the Pixel 9’s display.

Each the Pixel 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL sport increased decision shows than the Pixel 9, at 1344 x 2992 and 1280 x 2856 pixel decision, respectively. Colours are vibrant, and images, movies, and video games look sharp, however not wildly higher than my expertise with Google’s base Pixel 9, regardless of its OLED development versus the Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional’s higher-end LTPO display know-how. To me, this simply speaks to how good all of the shows in Google’s Pixel 9 lineup are.

As a damaging facet be aware, I managed to get a really nasty scratch towards the center of the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s show, regardless of its supposedly sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 development. I am fairly cautious with my gadgets, so I’ve no clue how this occurred, nevertheless it’s price mentioning. That stated, I do not suppose it is a widespread challenge with the Pixel 9 Professional show and it is in all probability simply dangerous luck on my half.

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Google’s Pixel 9 Professional is a slam-dunk success, however I am nonetheless not satisfied it is time to take the Pixel plunge.

Pixel 9 Professional digicam

This yr’s key promoting level is superb digicam efficiency (and never solely due to AI)

The principle purpose to buy the Pixel 9 Professional or Pixel 9 Professional XL over the Pixel 9 is for the additional digicam options the higher-end telephones provide. First off, the Pixel 9 Professional XL includes a f/2.2 48-megapixel telephoto lens with as much as 5x optical zoom. These are the identical specs as final yr, and general, photographs shot with this digicam look stellar. I nonetheless choose a telephoto lens over an ultra-wide, and it will be nice if Google ditched the latter from its base Pixel 9 in favor of an actual optical zoom.

On the AI facet of issues, “Tremendous Res Zoom Video” is again once more and a bit extra spectacular than final yr. The visible improve remains to be considerably minimal, however clips look noticeably clearer usually. The characteristic is irritating to activate because it requires you to activate “Video Increase” and swap to 5x optical zoom earlier than zooming into no matter digital zoom you want, nevertheless it works effectively and stays spectacular. As you possibly can see above, the fish are barely clearer and extra vibrant within the Tremendous Res Zoom enhanced clip above, even with X’s dismal video transcoding.

On that very same be aware, Video Increase additionally stays spectacular, notably in terms of smoothing out panning, which remains to be unusually uneven with the Pixel 9 Professional line, particularly when switching between lenses (the iPhone 15 Pro beats the Pixel 9 Professional relating to video). It might be nice if there was a method to activate Video Increase completely, although I perceive why there is not provided that the characteristic requires each file to be uploaded to Google’s servers. Like final yr, movies can generally get caught changing to Video Increase and take upwards of half-hour to course of, particularly in the event you use the Pixel 9 Professional line’s new 8K upscaling (it is a welcome addition, however I haven’t got a lot use for 8K footage). This implies in the event you’re trying to submit one thing rapidly, Video Increase typically is not an possibility.

Sticking with getting nearer to topics, this yr “Zoom Improve” permits you to enhance the standard of photographs shot with digital zoom. Much like Tremendous Res Zoom Video, the adjustments are refined however nonetheless noticeable, giving zoomed images extra definition and an general barely clearer image that is typically extra vibrant. Usually, the farther you zoom in digitally, the extra spectacular the outcomes are when utilizing Zoom Improve. The enhancements are fairly minimal, however in the event you’re into pictures, you may discover them.

On the optical zoom facet, photographs are clear, crisp, and spectacular, notably at 5x, which I discovered very helpful on a current crusing journey. Nonetheless, I’ve skilled camera tilt at 5x zoom that causes photographs to be considerably off-kilter. I have been fixing this with a fast crop, however I am assured Google will resolve this challenge within the coming weeks with a digicam app replace. Together with the already talked about telephoto lens, the Pixel 9 Professional sequence options an f/1.7 50-megapixel vast digicam that is the identical as final yr’s major digicam.

It nonetheless snaps nice images that strike a stability between the over-processed really feel of Samsung’s Galaxy sequence and the more and more out-of-this-world tackle pictures Apple has been pushing for the previous few years (check out the sky in iPhone 15 Professional images, and you may see what I imply). Of all of the flagship smartphones at the moment obtainable, the Pixel 9 sequence presents essentially the most true-to-life pictures, which is a bit ironic given the tech big’s emphasis on AI this yr, bringing into query what {a photograph} even is anymore.

Pixel 9 digicam options like “Add Me,” which lets you create a composite group shot with out asking a stranger to snap the photograph, are additionally a part of the Pixel 9 Professional sequence’ quiver of AI-powered performance. “Add Me” works simply as effectively with the Pixel 9 Professional line and is the sort of harmless AI characteristic I really discover helpful.

One necessary factor to notice is that the Pixel 9 Professional’s AI digicam options don’t work when you have got the principle shooter set to 48 megapixels as an alternative of 12 megapixels, which is a disappointing transfer on Google’s half. This doubtless has one thing to do with the present AI processing pipeline and the way Google makes use of the bigger sensor, however it will be nice to see compatibility with 48-megapixel pictures within the Pixel 10 Professional sequence nonetheless.

Talking of 48-megapixel pictures, I do not discover the necessity to snap them fairly often until I intend to crop the picture indirectly. The shutter can be nonetheless a bit slower when utilizing the complete sensor, making it troublesome to quickly take images, which was a problem whereas snapping photos on the Toronto Worldwide Airshow, forcing me to largely follow 12-megapixel photographs. It was nonetheless potential to rapidly snap the images I wished with the 48-megapixel sensor, however I wanted to be very intentional with my pictures.

There’s additionally the f/1.7 48-megapixel ultra-wide shooter that gives a minor improve over final yr’s ultra-wide. It snaps respectable images, however past the occasional macro shot, I do not discover myself utilizing the ultra-wide digicam fairly often. And at last, there’s the f/2.2 42-megapixel front-facing digicam that snaps clearer photos than final yr’s selfie shooter. I am not a giant selfie individual, however the images I shot are clear, with even publicity all through. I typically discover that selfie cameras blow out a picture’s highlights, and that is not the case with the Pixel 9 Professional sequence’ front-facing digicam.

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Pixel 9 Professional XL efficiency

The Tensor G4 benchmarks beneath the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, however who cares?

On the efficiency facet, Google’s Tensor G4 runs nice within the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Even beneath a heavy load, I did not expertise the identical warmth points as I often encountered with the Pixel 8 Professional, doubtless due to the brand new inner cooling design and the cellphone’s bigger dimension. Nonetheless, the Tensor G4 is just not that a lot of a soar over the Pixel 8 Professional by way of uncooked efficiency. For individuals who care about benchmarks, the Pixel 9 Professional XL scores 1,901 for single-core and 4,707 for multi-core, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional hits 1,966 for single-core and 4,723 for multi-core.

These marks are effectively beneath these of gadgets powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Nonetheless, I did not encounter a single occasion of slowdown, whether or not I used to be searching the web, enjoying video games, doing minor photograph edits in Adobe’s Lightroom CC, or watching the occasional video on YouTube.

Except you are the definition of a smartphone energy person, you may discover only a few points with the Pixel 9 Professional’s efficiency even in the event you’re a giant multi-tasker, due to its ample 16GB of RAM. Smartphone chips have been overkill for years, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL is not any exception. Battery life lasts effectively into the late night with average use, much like my expertise with the Pixel 9. On condition that the Pixel 9 Professional XL includes a bigger 5,060 mAh cell versus the Pixel 9 Professional’s 4,700 mAh, the latter system presents barely higher battery life.

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Pixel 9 Professional softwareAI coupled with a throwback to an easier period of iOS

On the software program facet, Google’s Pixel 9 Professional sequence helps all the identical considerably terrifying AI options because the Pixel 9, together with “Reimagine,” which lets you add almost something to a picture with prompts, and Pixel Studio, Google’s AI app that generates photographs. There’s additionally Screenshots, a wonderful app that makes use of AI to floor related screenshots, and extra.

Reimagine’s guardrails are fairly free. With creative prompts, you possibly can simply trick it into creating off-putting photographs, and in some instances, these AI-edited images look very convincing. Do not get me mistaken, they’re typically ridiculous-looking and clearly faux, however that is not all the time the case (try that image beneath of a submarine in Lake Ontario). However, Pixel Studio is a foolish AI picture generator consistent with Meta AI or OpenAI’s DALL·E 3 that works moderately effectively.

My key concern is that these photographs is perhaps posted as actuality with none apparent indication that they’re AI-generated. It is a slippery slope we have been sliding down for months, and it is solely a matter of time earlier than these options attain different Android gadgets, making AI-altered and generated photographs much more frequent on social media.

For extra on the Pixel 9 sequence’ potential AI pitfalls and the intense implications Reimagine may have, check out my Pixel 9 review. It is price mentioning that even in its early state, Gemini and its extra conversational counterpart, Gemini Reside (which is free for a yr with the acquisition of a Pixel 9 system and $20/month after), work shockingly effectively. Though I’ve encountered the occasional glitch, I’ve by no means really been capable of have a dialog with an AI earlier than Gemini/Gemini Reside. Does speaking to an AI assistant match into my workflow, although? Not likely, and I am undecided it ever will.

Lastly, I am a giant fan of the Pixel’s Android pores and skin. It is easy, easy, and clear. In reality, I discover it simpler to navigate than iOS 18. Apple’s cell working system has grow to be more and more difficult over the previous few years, and Android 14 operating on the Pixel 9 sequence has made that much more obvious (the replace to Android 15 is coming quickly). It is also nice that Google has promised to supply seven years of software program updates to the Pixel 9 line.

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Must you purchase the Google Pixel 9 Professional?

It is considered one of Google’s most full smartphone packages in years

Most individuals ought to go for the usual Pixel 9, however in the event you’re into pictures, the Pixel 9 Professional sequence has so much to supply. It captures my favourite smartphone images but, providing a extra true-to-life stability that sits firmly between Samsung’s intense saturation and Apple’s more and more inconsistent, out-there tackle photographs and movies. That is in stark distinction to the varied photograph and video AI options provided by the Pixel 9 Professional sequence, together with Zoom Improve and Tremendous Res Zoom Video, which I discovered notably helpful.

That stated, I am nonetheless involved about Reimagine’s broader implications, given how simple it’s to make use of and the way convincing the outcomes will be generally. Moreover, I have never discovered a method to combine Gemini into my life, regardless of its spectacular capabilities. General, the Pixel 9 Professional line presents considered one of Google’s most full smartphone packages in years, however in the event you’re not an avid photographer, it can save you a couple of hundred {dollars} and stick to the usual Pixel 9.

Editor’s Selection

Pixel 9 Professional