When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
If you’re in the market for an ultra-premium flagship smartphone, what are the key factors that influence your decision? Is it a stacked list of next-generation specifications on paper, or an extremely smooth and reliable experience across the board?
Google is known to release devices that make use of AI along with well-tuned software to offer an extremely smooth user experience. The company’s latest Pixel 9 Pro XL embodies this approach through significantly improved hardware and a slew of next-generation AI features. But how does the device perform in real life? We’ve been testing the Pixel 9 Pro XL for over a week, and here is everything you need to know.
Design: Premium at Last
Google has come into its own by refining the look and feel of the new generation Pixel phones. The Pixel 9 Pro XL personifies premium with a meticulously designed flat-sided, metal-glass sandwich design. The device is reasonably thin at 8.5mm thick, and its weight is comparable to rivals at 221g. Ever since we handled the device for the first time, we’ve been impressed with the solid yet elegant in-hand feel which neither feels too bulky nor too delicate.
The edges of the device are slightly rounded, and the frame is constructed out of aluminum. The back of the device has a matte-finish glass . However, there are a few caveats. The Pixel 9 Pro’s XL camera module noticeably protrudes which may be worrisome. However, this does not particularly affect the phone’s position when placed on a flat service such as a table. Additionally, the device tends to be a bit slippery, so it’s advisable to use a case from day one. The bezels around the display are minimal, and give the phone a large screen with a relatively small footprint.?
The volume rocker and the power button are located on the side and well within reach, although you might need to relearn some instincts if you’re coming from another phone. The SIM tray, USB-C port, and one speaker are located on the bottom end of the device. The earpiece doubles as a second speaker for stereo output.
As on other Pixel 9 models, the Pro XL has a faster, more reliable ultrasonic fingerprint reader. If you were put off by the inconsistent optical reader from previous models, you’ll be much happier here.
Display and Speakers: Refining a Successful Formula
If you appreciate large high-resolution screens with ample brightness, exceptional color reproduction with some kick, and support for the latest HDR standards, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a treat. The phone packs a 6.8-inch (1,344 x 2,992)? AMOLED screen with a dynamic 1-120Hz refresh rate and, more crucially, 3,000 nits peak brightness. The screen is extremely bright and can be used without any issues outdoors, even in direct sunlight.?
The screen is vivid with just the right amount of saturation for that oomph factor without being too jarring. Watching content on platforms such as Netflix and YouTube was a blissful experience thanks to OLED’s deep blacks and high contrast. Additionally, the phone excels in HDR playback with supporting apps. Scrolling through social media feeds and browsing the web was a breeze thanks to the fast refresh rates.
However, it’s important to note that you can’t manually set the refresh rates aside from enabling 120Hz through the Smooth Display setting. The screen is very sensitive, making precise tasks (like selecting a portion of a song for an Instagram story) occasionally challenging.
The speakers are loud and offer decent bass, while the mids and highs are well-tuned. They won’t necessarily compete with iPhones, but you probably won’t mind listening if you aren’t wearing headphones.
Performance and Battery Life: More Than Fast Enough
While Pixel series smartphones haven’t had the fastest chipsets, the synchronization between the software and hardware has usually resulted in a smooth user experience. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, like its siblings, packs a Tensor G4 that’s modestly faster than its predecessor.? In Geekbench 6 tests, it scored 1,845 in the single-core CPU test and 4,402 in multi-core. In comparison, the Galaxy S24 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 gets 1,960 in the single-core test and a whopping 6,358 for multi-core. In the GPU test on Geekbench 6, the Pixel 9 Pro XL scored 6,391.?
Those differences don’t matter in real life. Performing everyday tasks such as browsing the web, using social media apps, and watching videos was a breeze. The device can easily open multiple apps at once without breaking a sweat, in no small part thanks to 16GB of RAM.
We tested games including Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Grimvalor, and the device could run the games at high settings. The experience was generally smooth, but we did notice a few stutters during extended gameplay sessions and when the device had a low charge. If you’re looking to purchase a smartphone with gaming primarily in mind, the Pixel 9 Pro XL might not be the device for you. If you appreciate exceptional overall performance, though, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is an easy choice.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered with a 5,060mAh battery. The company claims that the phone can be charged from 0-70% in close to 30 minutes when using the Google 45W USB-C charger (not in the box), although the phone itself peaks at 37W. We were able to charge the device from empty to full using a third-party charger in close to 1.5 hours. The Pixel 9 Pro XL also comes with support for 15W wireless charging, but no MagSafe-style Qi2 support; you’ll need a third-party case to get that magnetic attachment.
Not that you’ll mind much. The device easily lasts an entire day even in heavy usage, and up to two days with moderate usage. Even some of the larger Pixels of previous years couldn’t always manage this longevity, so it’s good news if you’ve been looking for an alternative to other big-screen handsets.
Camera: The Best Yet
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a triple rear camera setup headlined by a 50MP primary shooter with an f/1.68 aperture. Other cameras on the back of the smartphone include a 50MP f/1.7 ultrawide shooter and, as it’s a Pro model, a 48MP f/2.8 5X telephoto sensor. In well-lit conditions, all three lenses excel at capturing crisp, detailed images. Even in less-than-ideal lighting, the device performs admirably. The handset processes images with just the right amount of pop in terms of color rendering without seeming too over the top. Images usually come out on the cooler side of the color spectrum.
The main camera snaps wonderful images in most situations, with great HDR performance and sharp detail. The ultrawide shooter captures images with a greater field of view with a reasonable amount of distortion at the edges; Google’s excellent image processing produces some of the most eye-pleasing ultrawide images in ideal conditions. The 5X telephoto shooter works well for long-range shots and supports 30X digital zoom, although you’ll need steady hands to get usable images. Zoom Enhance is available for AI sharpening of those pictures, but we had trouble making it available.
The device is adept at bringing out details from dark areas and shadows. This sometimes results in some textured noise that’s noticeable on close inspection. Light sources can also be overexposed in some photos. Night Sight (aka long exposure) still produces sharp, detailed photos with a ton of detail and brightness. However, the seconds-long delay remains problematic if your hand shakes or the subject moves. The telephoto sensor is more prone to this issue due to its smaller aperture.
Pixel Studio on a Pixel 9 Pro XL. | Source: Varun Krishan for Techopedia Source: Varun Krishan Source: Varun Krishan for Techopedia
When things go its way, the device is capable of shooting some of the most attractive images that you can expect in a smartphone today. However, the camera is occasionally unreliable. We noticed a watercolor-like texture (combined with a loss of fine details) on the subject’s face in certain photos when zooming in. The Portrait mode works well most of the time, but the separation between the foreground and background isn’t flawless.?
The Pixel 9 Pro XL includes a much sharper 42MP selfie camera. We were mightily impressed with the performance of this sensor, as it consistently delivered shots with incredible detail and accurate colors across various conditions. While the default setting is 1X zoom, the digital 0.7x ultrawide angle option helps with group shots and showing more of the background. The AI editing tools help offset some of the limitations.
The Add Me feature allows users to insert themselves or others into photos, making it useful for group shots — or recreating the Spider-Man meme. The feature works decently when implemented correctly and combines augmented reality and AI to seamlessly integrate a person into a group photo. The process involves taking a base photo, and handing the phone to someone else for a second shot, which is then used to create a composite image. This feature is particularly helpful when it’s difficult to include everyone in a photo without external help.?
Google also provides a variety of AI-powered tools on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, including the Reimagine feature in Magic Editor. The feature will allow you to select parts of the image which can be dramatically edited by using generative AI. For instance, you can select the floor in a restaurant photo and change it to a river. Reimagine offers a plethora of creative possibilities, although it does raise questions about the ethics of manipulating pictures. Established tools like Magic Eraser work well, at least.?
The Pixel 9 Pro XL can shoot 4K videos at 60FPS with impressive stabilization and clarity. One Pro models, a new Video Boost function enhances recorded videos by upscaling them to 8K resolution, enriching colors, and improving stabilization. The feature works well and noticeably improves quality. Videos need to be sent to the cloud, however, and take a while to process.
You can shoot videos with up to 20X zoom. But, as with photos, you must tread carefully for stability. Some artifacts can manifest if the camera shakes. All the same, the device offers above-average quality when you’re recording outdoors in good lighting.?
Software and AI: New Tricks on a Familiar Platform
??The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Android 14 with Google’s in-house customizations, including Gemini (more on that in a moment).? This mostly clean version of the OS will be very familiar, but smooth and fast with Material You interface customizations. And you might not mind when Google guarantees seven years of updates.
To no one’s surprise, Gemini AI plays a central role in the Pixel 9 series. It can assist with everyday tasks like generating ideas based on photos and summarizing texts. The AI can also help create custom images through Pixel Studio, though it doesn’t yet support generating images of people. While relatively fast, we found Pixel Studio to lag behind in output when compared to other options, such as Meta AI.
The Pixel Screenshots app is more useful. You can search and organize screenshots by content, even if you don’t know the exact terms to use. And Circle to Search is a timesaver that eliminates the need to use Google Lens.
The Pixel 9 series includes Satellite SOS, an emergency texting option supported through a partnership with Garmin. It’s only available in the US, but worth noting if you need urgent help when you’re hiking or otherwise away from a reliable cell signal.
The Bottom Line and Alternatives
The Pixel 9 Pro XL certainly has an eye-popping design, a top-of-the-line display, competent cameras enhanced by software, and class-leading battery life. But it’s not perfect.
For those seeking better performance, the larger Samsung Galaxy S24 models, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and the Vivo X100 series offer more power than the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Gamers might prefer ASUS’ all-out ROG Phone 8, and portrait photography enthusiasts may find the Vivo X100 Pro particularly appealing.?
However, the Pixel 9 Pro XL excels as a very fine union of capable hardware with clever software. It finally boasts impressive hardware on many fronts, and its AI and software capabilities truly set it apart. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking the most powerful example of pure Android.
