Google Pixel 9 Pro Review

In the world of smartphones, Google are a force to be reckoned with. The brand has produced a litany of excellent handsets, with the Pro model serving as a premium option for those wanting that little bit extra. We’re here to review the Google Pixel 9 Pro and see how it performs in a range of scenarios.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is available in four different colours Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain and Rose Quartz, with the option of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage.
Specs
• Dimensions – 152.8 x 71.98 x 8.54mm
• Weight – 199g
• OS – Android 14
• Display – 6.32” OLED
• Resolution – 1280 x 2856
• Processor – Google Tensor G4
• RAM – 16GB
• Storage – 128GB
• Rear cameras – 50MP wide; 48MP telephoto; 48MP ultra-wide
• Front camera – 42MP
• Battery – 4700mAh
• Water and dust resistance – IP68
• Connectivity – 5G; 4G; 3G; Bluetooth 6
Design
The Pixel 9 Pro right off the bat is visually stunning. Its rounded corners and sleek metal frame help define much of this handset’s premium qualities.
A significant design change on the Pixel 9 Pro is the reworked camera bar. No longer that distinctive strip, Google changed things up by adding a rounded box that houses the phone’s cameras. The thing that stands out the most here is how much the box extends from the handset; it’s prominent, rather than sitting just a few millimetres off the back. This doesn’t impair the phone at all when laying it down, however, and visually it looks great as a centrepiece.
The standard protective features are also all present on the Pixel 9 Pro, such as damage-resistant glass and IP68 resistance. We’ve long had confidence in Google’s phones that should we drop one or get water on it accidently, these protective layers will help keep it in top condition, and the Pixel 9 Pro very much continues this legacy.
Display
In terms of screen size, the Pixel 9 Pro is almost identical to its Pixel 9 sibling. Where it differs is in the resolution, which is important for those wanting a richer visual experience.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s 6.3” OLED screen comes in at 1280 x 2856, representing a pretty hefty increase from the Pixel 9’s 1080 x 2424 resolution. This extra pixel density is particularly noticeable when playing games with the settings turned up, or if you’re watching a 4K video.
To further improve the quality of every frame, the Pixel 9 Pro also includes HDR support and brings with it the stunning contrasts you’d expect from the technology.
Performance & software
Performance and processing speeds saw one of the biggest jumps on the Pixel 9 Pro, thanks to the Google Tensor G4 chipset. The improved silicon provides more bandwidth and enables apps, menus and games to load faster, creating an overall smoother experience. The Pixel 9 Pro also packs in 16GB RAM to give the processor more breathing room when balancing workloads.
Artificial intelligence remains a key focus for Google on the Pixel 9 Pro, much like the Pixel 8 series before it, and at the heart of that push is Gemini. This AI assistant takes the place of Google Assistant and is designed to help you perform tasks with ease. If you want to draft a plan of action for your holiday, Gemini can put that together without any additional input from the user. Being a language-learning model, Gemini can also learn over time and grow accustomed to what you’re looking to do.
The Tensor G4 chipset also underpins the Pixel Screenshots feature. With it, you can search for information via your screenshots, rather than with a traditional search query. Got a holiday picture you want to learn more from? Pixel Screenshots will use AI to pull information on its contents, from background architecture to foreground plants and fauna. This feature really does give your existing collection of screenshots a new lease of life.
On the operating system side of things, the Pixel 9 Pro includes Android 14 and features some nifty customisation tools such as enhanced lock screens. This version of Google’s OS is all about personalisation, which makes it much easier to shape the Pixel 9 Pro however you like. With support for 7 yearsof updates, too, you can enjoy the Pixel 9 Pro for many years to come.
Cameras
If the Pixel 9 series interests you, but you want a bit more firepower from the camera hardware, the Pixel 9 Pro is the way to go. It includes the same 50MP main camera and 48MP ultra-wide lens as the base Pixel 9, but the Pixel 9 Pro takes things a step further with the inclusion of a 48MP telephoto camera. This is an important addition if you enjoy taking long-distance photos, and the Pixel 9 Pro does an incredible job of bringing in distant subjects while maintaining a high level of detail.
Another inclusion that sets the Pixel 9 Pro apart from the Pixel 9 is the stunning 42MP front camera. The difference between 10MP and 42MP is staggering; selfie photos contain far more detail, and the vibrancy of each image is a step above what the Pixel 9 can pull off. This is even more apparent when using the Add Me feature, which enables the photographer to be included in a group photo via the power of AI.
When it comes to tweaking your photos, the Pixel 9 Pro is also a powerhouse. Front and centre is the Magic Editor feature, which uses AI to intelligently edit images in a matter of seconds. If you want to change the background or remove subjects you don’t want included, Magic Editor will handle this with a few taps of the screen.
Battery
In terms of battery life, the Pixel 9 Pro is very similar to the Pixel 9. Both share the same 4700mAh battery, which can easily handle long commutes and journeys. Even when watching HD videos or playing games, the Pixel 9 Pro had plenty of power left over before needing a recharge.
The Pixel 9 Pro also includes wired and wireless charging support, making it an even greater travelling companion.
Summary
The Pixel 9 Pro can be best described as a superpowered Pixel 9. It possess all of the bells and whistles that define the Pixel 9 series of phones, but the addition of a greater display resolution and improved cameras make it a must-have for gamers and photographers alike.
If you’re interested in picking up the Pixel 9 Pro but need to move your existing data across, our expert guide has you covered.