Google Pixel 9 Pro Review | Phone of the year!

Summary

This humorous and candid review dives into the Google Pixel 9 Pro, comparing it with the Pixel 9 Pro XL and highlighting its compact, pocket-friendly design. The reviewer discusses the phone’s camera features, AI tools like Gemini, performance, and impressive battery life, while poking fun at its iPhone-like appearance and fingerprint-prone finish. The review covers software improvements, display quality, and audio capabilities, offering a balanced take on pros and cons. The reviewer also shares personal opinions on the phone’s affordability and gaming performance, all wrapped in a playful, casual tone.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Google Pixel 9 Pro is priced at 999 GBP, making it 200 GBP more than the regular Pixel 9 but cheaper than the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
• 👌 It offers the same camera and software features as the larger Pro XL model but in a more compact and user-friendly design.
• 📸 The phone's rear camera system features a 50MP primary sensor, 48MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, great for portrait and close-up shots.
• 📲 The Pixel 9 Pro includes Google's AI-powered 'Gemini' feature, offering a year of free subscription, but continuing costs £19 per month after the trial.
• 🔋 Battery life has seen significant improvement, with the 4700 mAh battery comfortably lasting a full day of heavy usage, but charging speed remains slow at 27W.
• 🔑 The new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works reliably, even with gloves, and face unlock serves as a backup option.
• 📺 The 6.3-inch OLED display has a 1280x2856 resolution, supporting HDR10 and offering a bright, sharp viewing experience with good color accuracy.
• 🎮 Despite the smaller size, the Pixel 9 Pro handles gaming well but experiences frame drops and heating issues during more demanding sessions.
• 📸 The camera app offers a Pro mode with RAW image capture and extensive editing tools, making it great for photography enthusiasts.
• 🎙️ The phone supports 4K video recording on both rear and front cameras, with clear audio capture and good video stabilization.

Q & A

What is the price difference between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro?

The Pixel 9 Pro costs 999 GBP, which is 200 GBP more than the regular Pixel 9.

How does the design of the Pixel 9 Pro compare to an iPhone?

The reviewer notes that the Pixel 9 Pro looks a lot like an iPhone, which is confusing and annoying, as they feel tempted to mistake it for an iPhone and dislike the resemblance.

What materials are used in the construction of the Pixel 9 Pro?

The Pixel 9 Pro has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back and a metal frame. However, the metal frame has a shiny, glossy finish that can make it look cheap and prone to fingerprints.

What are the different color options for the Pixel 9 Pro?

The Pixel 9 Pro comes in Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Hazel. The reviewer’s favorite color is Hazel.

How well does the Pixel 9 Pro handle fingerprints and smudges?

The soft-touch matte glass on the back tends to pick up fingerprints and grease. The metal frame is also prone to smudging and fingerprints.

What is the standout feature of the Pixel 9 Pro's ultrasonic fingerprint sensor?

The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works reliably without any issues. It performs well even when wearing gloves, with Face Unlock available as a backup.

What AI features does the Pixel 9 Pro come with?

The Pixel 9 Pro includes Gemini, an AI tool that helps with tasks like planning your day, reading screenshots, and drawing images through Pixel Studio. Other AI features include Circle to Search and Pixel Screenshots.

How is the battery life of the Pixel 9 Pro compared to the Pixel 8?

The Pixel 9 Pro offers stellar battery life, lasting an entire day with about 30% remaining even with heavy usage. This is a significant improvement over the Pixel 8.

What are the charging capabilities of the Pixel 9 Pro?

The Pixel 9 Pro supports 27W wired charging and 21W wireless charging. However, it takes over an hour to fully recharge the battery, which the reviewer found slow.

What camera features does the Pixel 9 Pro offer?

The Pixel 9 Pro includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP ultrawide angle lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. It excels in taking detailed photos, especially in well-lit conditions, and offers advanced features like Magic Editor and Pixel Studio.