Google has launched its latest Pixel 9 series, and the Pixel 9 Pro is a standout. For the first time, Google offers a smaller Pro phone without sacrificing key features. With its powerful hardware, stunning display, and excellent cameras, the Pixel 9 Pro is a top choice for those looking for a compact flagship device. In this article, we’ll explore the key features, design, performance, and more to help you decide if this is the right phone for you.
1. Pixel 9 Pro: A Compact Powerhouse
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a new addition to the Pixel 9 series, designed to fit comfortably in your hand without compromising on features. It’s the same size as the base Pixel 9, but it comes with all the advanced capabilities of its bigger sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It’s the perfect choice for users who want a powerful phone in a compact form.
2. Design: Sleek and Modern
Google has revamped the design of the Pixel 9 Pro, giving it a premium and modern look. The flat frame and rounded corners make it easy and comfortable to hold for long periods. One of the most noticeable changes is the new camera bar, now an elongated capsule shape instead of extending to the edges. This cleaner design makes the phone stand out while maintaining the unique look that Pixel phones are known for.
The phone’s back is made of matte-finish glass, paired with a glossy aluminum frame, giving it a luxurious feel. With its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, the Pixel 9 Pro is built to withstand everyday challenges. It also includes a physical SIM card tray, which many users appreciate.
The Pixel 9 Pro comes in four beautiful colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz, the latter being a delightful pink option that many will love.
3. Display: Stunning and Bright
The Pixel 9 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 2856 pixels and a refresh rate that can vary from 1Hz to 120Hz. It offers a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The display is vibrant, with deep blacks, crisp whites, and vivid colors, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing, or playing games.
Out of the box, the phone is set to a lower resolution to save battery life, but you can switch to full resolution if you prefer sharper visuals. The thin bezel around the screen adds to its sleek, modern look, creating a stunning viewing experience.
4. Performance: Powerful and Efficient
Under the hood, the Pixel 9 Pro is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip and 16GB of RAM, delivering impressive performance. Previous Pixel models had issues with overheating, but the Pixel 9 Pro runs smoothly, handling multitasking, gaming, and camera use without any problems. The improvements in the G4 chip ensure that apps open quickly and function seamlessly, giving you a reliable and responsive experience.
5. Camera: Capturing Every Moment Perfectly
Google’s Pixel phones are known for their excellent cameras, and the Pixel 9 Pro is no exception. It features a triple-lens system on the back: a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera. The front-facing camera is an upgraded 42MP lens, perfect for selfies.
The main camera delivers stunning photos with balanced colors and fine detail. Even in low-light conditions, it performs well, capturing clear and vibrant images. The 48MP ultrawide lens, with its 123-degree field of view, allows you to take expansive shots, and the improved resolution provides better clarity and color accuracy.
The 48MP telephoto camera offers 5x optical zoom, with the option to go up to 30x using Google’s Super Res Zoom feature. While this camera works well, there may be some noise or grain when zooming beyond 5x, especially in darker areas.
Overall, the cameras on the Pixel 9 Pro make it easy to capture beautiful photos effortlessly, making it a great option for photography enthusiasts.
6. Software and AI Features: Useful, but Sometimes Controversial
The Pixel 9 Pro runs on Android 14, even though we expected it to launch with Android 15. It includes several new apps and AI features. Pixel Weather, a new weather app, provides dynamic backgrounds and detailed weather information, while Pixel Screenshots lets you organize and search your screenshots easily.
Google has also introduced Gemini, its new AI assistant that replaces the older Google Assistant. It offers a conversational experience and even saves conversations as transcripts for later. However, some features, like the image-generation app Pixel Studio and the Reimagine tool in Magic Editor, have raised concerns due to potential misuse. These tools allow for significant editing and manipulation of photos, which could be problematic.
Despite these concerns, the Pixel 9 Pro’s software remains user-friendly, with a clean Android experience and plenty of useful features. The phone is set to receive seven years of updates, ensuring that it remains secure and up-to-date for years to come.
7. Battery Life: Lasting Power, Slow Charging
The Pixel 9 Pro has a 4,700mAh battery, providing around 24 hours of usage, and it can last even longer with Google’s Extreme Battery Saver mode. On light usage, it may extend to a day and a half. While the battery life is good, the charging speed is not as fast as some other flagship phones. The Pixel 9 Pro supports 27W wired charging, which gets you to 55% in 30 minutes and takes a little over an hour for a full charge. Wireless charging is available at 21W with the Google Pixel Stand or 12W with other Qi-certified chargers.
Unfortunately, Google has not included the new Qi2 support in this model. Although the charging speed is slower than some competitors, the overall battery life makes up for it, providing a dependable experience throughout the day.
8. Price and Availability: Competitive and Accessible
The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 for the 128GB version, with options for 256GB, 512GB, and even 1TB of storage. It is available in major stores like the Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy, and U.S. carriers. The four available colors give users plenty of options to choose from, whether they prefer classic black or something more colorful like the Rose Quartz.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a fantastic option for those seeking a powerful flagship phone in a smaller size. With its excellent design, stunning display, powerful performance, and impressive camera setup, it stands out as one of the best Android phones of 2024. While some AI features may be controversial, the phone’s hardware and overall experience make it a solid choice.
If you want a compact flagship that doesn’t compromise on quality or features, the Pixel 9 Pro is worth considering. It’s a great blend of style, functionality, and power — all in a size that’s easy to use and carry.
