Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

♡

16th best phone of 2024 (~$1099)

6.8-inch

221g

8.9mm

37W

waterproof

Click to open full specs on GSMArena.com:

* Screen covers 88% of body.

Reviews

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Last update: 2024-09-17

Pros

Camera

Improved Camera System: Enhanced camera performance, especially in daytime photography, delivering superb images.

Excellent Selfie Quality: The front camera produces superb selfies, appealing to users who value self-portraits.

Design

Bold and Modern Design: A sleek and standout design that is visually appealing and contemporary.

Available in Two Sizes: Offers choice in size without compromising on features, catering to different user preferences.

Display

Exceptionally Bright Display: The brightest display ever seen on any phone, making it ideal for outdoor visibility and vibrant content.

Battery

Long Battery Life: The longest battery life of any Pixel device so far, ensuring prolonged usage without frequent charging.

Faster Charging: Improved charging speed, provided the correct charger is used, allowing quicker top-ups.

Software

Android Straight from the Source: Comes with Android directly from Google, ensuring the most optimized experience with no bloatware.

Seven Years of Updates: Guaranteed seven years of Android updates, which is rare and extends the longevity of the device.

Innovative AI-Driven Features: A range of AI features that are genuinely useful, enhancing user experience and engagement.

Other

Excellent Haptic Feedback: High-quality haptic feedback adds a tactile element to the user experience, often overlooked in other devices.

Cons

Camera

Minimal Camera Hardware Improvements: While the software has improved, the camera hardware itself hasn't seen significant changes compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.

Performance

Poor Gaming Performance: The Tensor chip struggles under heavy gaming loads, leading to throttling and affecting gaming performance.

Display

Unreliable Fingerprint Sensor: The fingerprint sensor can be unreliable, especially when a screen protector is used, potentially frustrating users.

Lowest PWM Dimming Rate: The display has the lowest PWM dimming rate in the industry, which could cause screen flicker issues for sensitive users.

Battery

Battery Life Still Lags: Despite improvements, the battery life is still behind some competitors, which might be a drawback for power users.

No Qi2 Wireless Charging Support: The absence of Qi2 wireless charging might disappoint users who prefer this convenient charging method.

Price

Compromises Despite Improvements: The various drawbacks, particularly given the increased price, might make some users reconsider the value proposition of this device.

Software

Some AI Features Feel Gimmicky: Not all AI-driven features are useful, with some feeling more like gimmicks than practical tools.

Potential for Paid AI Subscriptions: Some new AI capabilities may eventually require a paid subscription to the Gemini AI service, adding to the cost.

Storage

High Price: The price is higher than previous models, which could be a concern, especially with the base model starting with just 128GB of storage.

Availability

No Android 15 at Launch: Despite launching with Android 14, it doesn't come with Android 15 out of the box, which might disappoint some users.

Rankings

The Best Phone Of 2024: #16

The Highest Optical Zoom Of 2024: #4

The Largest Screen Size Of 2024: #13

The Smallest Screen Size Of 2024: #57

The Lightest Phone Of 2024: #54

The Thinnest Phone Of 2024: #56

The Fastest Charging Speed Of 2024: #53

The Highest Screen To Body Ratio Of 2024: #56

The Cheapest Phone Of 2024: #60

GSMCritic Camera Score: 100