Pixel 9 Pro XL : What's Google Doing?!

Summary

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a premium flagship phone that offers a great display, top-notch software experience, and excellent camera performance. It features a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED screen, Android 14 with Material You, and impressive AI-driven features. However, its performance, powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, falls short compared to competitors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Apple’s A-series chips. Despite solid battery life and great photography, the phone’s pricing in India makes it feel overpriced. While it's a good option for those seeking an Android phone with polished software, those prioritizing performance may want to consider other devices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Pixel 9 Pro XL has impressed the reviewer with its premium feel, build quality, and design.
• 😀 It features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, with an aluminum frame, but lacks a titanium frame like some high-end competitors.
• 😀 Despite the Victus 2 screen, the phone is prone to scratching, especially on the display when used without a case.
• 😀 The phone boasts a stunning 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits peak brightness, providing excellent visibility in all lighting conditions.
• 😀 Software experience is top-notch, with Android 14, Material You, and integration of AI features like Gemini and Magic Editor, making it a great option for those who value software polish.
• 😀 The Pixel 9 Pro XL uses the Tensor G4 chipset, which is an improvement over previous models but still falls behind Snapdragon and Apple chips in raw performance, especially for heavy tasks like gaming.
• 😀 Although the phone has 16GB of RAM, the storage is limited to UFS 3.1, which feels outdated compared to the UFS 4.0 standard in other flagship phones.
• 😀 The camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor, 48MP 5x telephoto, and 48MP ultrawide, offers superb photography with accurate colors and excellent low-light performance.
• 😀 While video quality is improved, the dynamic range is outstanding, but iPhones still outperform the Pixel in video recording quality.
• 😀 The phone has a 5060mAh battery with good endurance, lasting through the day, and supports 37W wired charging, which is decent but not the fastest in the market.
• 😀 At a price point of 1.2-1.25 lakhs in India, the reviewer feels the phone is overpriced, especially when compared to other flagships like the iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung S24 Ultra, which offer better all-around performance.

Q & A

What is the overall impression of the Pixel 9 Pro XL based on the review?

The reviewer has a positive overall impression of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, praising its premium design, software experience, and camera performance. However, it is criticized for its pricing and performance, especially when compared to other flagship devices.

What are the main highlights of the Pixel 9 Pro XL's build quality?

The Pixel 9 Pro XL features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, with an aluminum frame. The back panel has a soft matte finish, and the phone has a premium feel, which is said to even surpass devices like the S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of feel.

Is the display of the Pixel 9 Pro XL considered good for outdoor use?

Yes, the 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display of the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it highly readable in both harsh sunlight and low brightness conditions. It also supports HDR10+ and widevine L1 for high-quality streaming.

What version of Android does the Pixel 9 Pro XL run, and how is the software experience?

The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Android 14 with Material You. The software experience is highly polished, offering AI-driven features like the Gemini integration, Circle to Search, and the Transcript app for summarizing voice recordings.

What are the performance concerns with the Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The phone features Google's Tensor G4 chip, which is an improvement over its predecessors but still lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Apple's A-series chips in raw performance. The device may also overheat under peak performance loads.

How does the Pixel 9 Pro XL's camera perform, particularly in low light?

The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s camera setup is one of its strengths, with a 50 MP primary sensor, a 48 MP telephoto lens, and a 48 MP ultra-wide sensor. It delivers excellent low-light and daylight photos, with highly accurate colors and impressive dynamic range.

Is video quality better on the Pixel 9 Pro XL compared to other flagship phones?

Although the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers good video quality, especially in terms of dynamic range, the iPhone is still considered superior for video recording. The Pixel’s video capabilities, while improved, are not on par with the latest iPhone models.

What are the storage and RAM specifications of the Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with 16 GB of RAM across all storage variants, which helps with smooth performance. However, it uses UFS 3.1 storage instead of the more modern UFS 4.0, which the reviewer finds disappointing for a flagship device.

How does the battery life of the Pixel 9 Pro XL compare to other phones?

The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 5060 mAh battery, providing enough power to last a full day with heavy use. It supports up to 37W wired charging, which is decent but not as fast as some competitors like Samsung's 45W charging.

What is the main downside of the Pixel 9 Pro XL in terms of pricing?

The main downside is its pricing, which is significantly higher in India (around 1.2 to 1.25 lakh INR) than in the US. The reviewer feels that for this price, other flagship phones like the iPhone 15/16 Pro series or the Samsung S24 Ultra offer better overall performance and value.