After switching from an iPhone to the Samsung S24 Ultra for the past six months, the only other phone launch I’ve been genuinely excited about is the Google Pixel series. In fact, I've been eagerly waiting to try out the Pixel 9 Pro XL and its Fold counterpart. Now, before we dive in—this post isn’t sponsored in any way. Team Pixel seems to have disappeared from the UK, so this review is sponsored by me. Hashtag #TeamMyWallet, because I personally shelled out £3,500 for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the new Fold Pro, the watch, and the buds. By the time you’re reading this, they’ve probably all arrived.
But for today, I want to focus solely on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL. As a long-time iPhone user, I was intrigued when I watched the Google Keynote, and to be honest, it felt like Google knocked it out of the park. Here's why.
Design
The design of the Pixel 9 Pro has really impressed me. For years, people have praised Google’s software but criticized its hardware. Not anymore. This year, the Pixel series really stepped up. The rounded edges give the phone a comfortable feel, unlike the sharp-edged S24 Ultra. And unlike some phones (looking at you, iPhone), the buttons are laid out right. Power on top, volume below—much easier to handle.
The back of the phone? Beautiful. The smooth satin finish, glossy rails, and a camera bump that’s designed in such a way that the phone doesn't wobble when it’s laid flat. It honestly reminds me of an iPhone in many ways, but with one key difference: Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Gone are the days of the slip-and-slide gymnastics that often led to me dropping my iPhone. Though, I must admit, the Pixel does like to slide out of my jogger shorts, so a case might be a good idea. (RIP the corners of my own Pixel 9 Pro XL.)
Specs
The Pixel 9 Pro’s 6.8” screen offers 3,000 nits peak brightness, making it fairly easy to see in sunlight—though it can struggle to maintain that brightness during extended use.
And the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor? Lightning quick! Much needed after previous Pixel versions. Battery life is decent too—24+ hours claimed, though not quite in heavy use. Fast charging, though, could use a speed boost. And the camera setup is as strong as ever, with a 50MP Wide, 48MP Ultrawide, and a 42MP Selfie Camera that delivers fantastic results.
There’s also a bucketload of software features this year, including the highly anticipated Google Gemini AI.
Google Gemini
Google’s new Gemini AI is a huge upgrade over the previous Google Assistant. It’s more responsive, more natural, and overall just more useful. Well, at least, almost.
We’re close to reaching a point where you can ask Google anything, and it just does it. But it's still a bit behind in some areas. For example, I’ve had issues with Android Auto. Despite Gemini being available on the Pixel 9, it doesn’t carry over to Android Auto, which is frustrating, especially when compared to Apple’s CarPlay that integrates seamlessly with Siri. I really expected Gemini to shine here, but it doesn’t.
Cameras
Let’s talk about the cameras, because if there’s one thing Google consistently nails, it’s this. The Pixel’s cameras always rank highly in blind tests, and the 9 Pro is no different.
That said, I do have two complaints. First, shooting photos at the full 50MP resolution causes a serious lag—up to a second between pressing the shutter and the actual capture, which is frustrating when trying to capture fleeting moments. Secondly, switching between lenses during video recording can be a bit jerky, which doesn’t happen on my S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Still, despite these hiccups, the quality of the photos and videos is top-tier.
Battery Life and Performance
Performance on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is solid. The Tensor G4 chip may not benchmark as highly as other flagship processors, but in daily use, the difference is negligible. Everything feels smooth and responsive, whether it’s switching between apps, using accessories like the Meta Ray-Bans, or controlling my smart home devices like Sonos speakers and Govee LEDs.
Battery life is up there with the best, rivaling the S24 Ultra and iPhone, though I did notice it draining faster during setup.
One minor design win: the NFC placement on the Pixel is higher up, which makes mobile payments a breeze—no more fiddling with your phone to get it in the right spot like you have to with some other devices.
Final Thoughts
Google has truly outdone itself this year. It feels like they’ve taken an iPhone and slapped Android on it. For someone who’s considering making the switch from iOS to Android, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL are strong contenders. They’ve got the design, the software, and the specs to stand toe-to-toe with the best of the best.
Whether you’re a Google loyalist, a Samsung fan, or even someone eyeing the new iPhones, you won’t be disappointed with the Pixel 9 series.
What about you? Are you sticking with your current phone, or thinking about switching it up this year? Let me know in the comments below.
