Google announced three non-foldable devices as part of the 2024 Pixel line. In an interesting twist on the usual dual flagship release, Google announced their Pro model would be available in two sizes. Google Pixel 9 Pro, a 6.3-inch display device similar in size to Pixel 9, is the smaller of the two Pro models.
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A response to calls for a premium-pro device for smaller hands, pockets or purses, Google Pixel 9 Pro is almost identical in specs to the 6.8-inch phablet XL. Google’s very best imaging, display and chipset are all on board, but in the smaller frame.
Tensor Inside
Google Pixel 9 Pro runs their newest chipset, Tensor G4. The new tech delivers boosts to performance and efficiency. The chipset also handles a great deal of on-device AI processing.
While Google Pixel 8 Pro could handle some tasks on-device, Google Pixel 9 Pro boasts a raft of AI assistant features that run in the box, which means you can avail of the best that AI bells even with no coverage. The device also features 16GB RAM to help out with its AI workload.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro is flawless at work and at play. The UI is snappy, and switching between tasks is instantaneous, even with the beautiful Google transition animations in motion. Pixel 9 Pro has that premium performance you expect from from a premium device.
Experimental Sized
Google is offering for the first time two sizes of their Pro model, Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Pro 9 XL. Google say they had received feedback from users asking for a more pocketable device with all of the Pro bells and whistles. Pixel 9 Pro is perfect for those with smaller hands, or more active lifestyles.
The 6.3-inch display is a shade larger than Google Pixel 9, but within the same dimensions. 8.5mm thick and just 199 grams, Google Pixel 9 Pro is the littlest big phone on the market.
Pixel Perfect
Google Pixel 9 Pro wears the signature Google visor design, with an updated look. Gone is the wraparound visor, replaced with a rounded mask design. It’s bold, and an eye-catching detail.
The rear is a matte, frosted glass with a solitary ‘G’ logo in gloss the only detail outside the camera arrangement. The aluminium frame is glossy to offer contrast with the frosted glass rear.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro wears its ‘friendly box’ design well. Our Obsidian review model is the most modest of the four colours, but it’s far from boring. The build quality is also outstanding. The device is easy to manipulate in one hand thanks to the frosted rear, straight edges, and slim design.
Display of Excellence
The Pixel 9 Pro display is beautiful to behold. The resolution of 1280×2856 crammed into the 6.3-inch display makes for a detailed and sharp image. LTPO allows the display to run at any refresh rate from 1-120Hz. This keeps the display smooth no matter the content.
The colour of the display pops when it needs to, but the default settings see Google Pixel 9 Pro’s huge dynamic range add a lovely depth to images. Other manufacturers set their devices to dazzle with highly saturated settings out of the box, Google keeps it natural and I respect that.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro is capable of searing brightness, hitting 3,000nits at its peak. The device is usable on the sunniest of days under direct sunlight. The OLED display searing brightness and wide dynamic range give an eye-catching contrast that lend depth to detail.
Google Pixel 9 Pro, and its XL sister, feature the best display we have seen this year. Some outstanding screens have crossed our desk, but Pixel 9 Pro series tops the lot.
Pixel Camera Experience
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL share the same triple camera lens setup. Images from the Pixel 9 Pro’s three lenses are uniformly excellent. The 50MP wide lens does the heavy lifting, offering bright, detailed and high-contrast images across a huge range of conditions.
The ultrawide is similarly capable, offering sharp landscapes or well-toned selfies practically every time. The 5x optical zoom function is only enhanced by the use of high-quality 48MP sensor underneath.
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This marriage of a 48MP sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens allows for some outstanding ‘Super Res’ hybrid zoom performance. In the right light, and with a steady hand, hybrid zoom images out past 20x can be fit for social media. The hybrid zoom tops out at 30x, and does a convincing job most of the way out.
AI Image Trickery
Google Pixel 9 Pro also offers a wealth of AI image enhancement and editing features. Favourites from Google Pixel 8 return, but many can be now performed on the device and are that little bit more refined. Object removal and replacement detect edges a little better, and the filler blends better with the rest of the background.
Google Pixel 9 Pro also brings a raft of new features to the table. Add Me allows the photographer to hand the phone to someone in the image, take a second image and knit the two together for a snap that includes everyone. Pixel 9 Pro comes with a handy guide to line up the shot and explain the process, so you don’t need to be particularly phone-savvy to take advantage.
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An underrated feature is Auto Frame and its Auto Portrait sub-option. Auto Frame can take any photo in your gallery, then crop and rotate to a frame the object perfectly. The app offers you a selection of cuts to choose your best, but the first option is on the money most of the time.
Auto Portrait similarly crops and rotates, but can create a portrait bokeh effect to make the image pop that little bit more. Like Auto Frame, it offers the user a selection of images to pick their favourite.
Magic Editor is a generative AI editor that can alter backgrounds or objects in any image in your gallery using text prompts or images. AI Zoom Enhance allows you to crop any image as tight as you like then AI can enhance the details.
Video Benefits
Google Pixel 9 Pro updates one of its headline video features, and adds another. Audio Magic Eraser can be used on any video in your gallery to enhance the volume of user-selected sounds, or erase distracting background noises. Pixel 9 Pro can follow sounds around a scene, dynamically adjust its boost or cut to keep the sound steady in the mix.
Video Boost uses AI to enhance zoom capture, or to shoot detailed video in low light conditions. Video Boost Zoom can use a hybrid capture to shoot video beyond the 5x optical zoom up to 20x. The video produced from this mode is indeed impressive, even without a particularly steady hand.
Night Sight, again, produces incredible results when you really wouldn’t expect them. Moonlight videos have an artistic quality, but they can take a while for the AI finish its magic.
Safe and Sound
Google are also giving seven years of security updates and feature drops with Google Pixel 9 Pro, and all Pixel 9 series devices. The devices’ chipsets also feature the latest Titan M2 security coprocessor as standard to keep the line-up at the forefront of personal digital security.
The line-up starts at 128GB of storage. While many of you will have cloud storage to offload a great deal of your photos and videos, taking tonnes of snaps and clips using the excellent camera setup of Pixel 9 Pro could see you filling the 128GB storage model sooner than you’d think. If you are a camera abuser, you should consider at least the 256GB model.
Charging and Stamina
A 4,600mAh battery is on the large side for the 6.3-inch diagonal display. Coupled with the efficient chipset and some smart battery management, Google Pixel 9 Pro has excellent stamina. Our average workday often left us with 25% battery in the evening. Lighter periods could see you go without the charger till bedtime on day two.
For those who really need to keep their battery alive, there is an Extreme Battery Saver mode that can keeps the device running for up to 100 hours.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro can charge from 0-55% in just 30 minutes using a 45W Google USB-Charging Unit. With a Pixel Stand, the device can avail of 21W wireless charging. Qi-compatible chargers can deliver power up to 12W.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Specifications
| Chipset: | Tensor G4 (4nm) with Titan M2 security coprocessor – Octa-core (1×3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4×1.92 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| RAM: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 128GB (Reviewed) /256GB /512GB/1TB |
| Display: | 6.3-inch Super Actua Display , 20:9 aspect ratio 1280×2856 LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz 3,000 nits peak |
| Camera: | – 50 MP Octa PD wide camera – 48 MP Quad PD ultrawide camera with autofocus – 48 MP Quad PD telephoto camera, 5x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom up to 30x |
| Selfie Cam: | – 42 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus |
| Security and OS Updates: | 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates |
| Battery: | 4,600 mAh |
| Resistance: | IP68 dust and water resistant |
| Charging: | – Up to 45W via Google USB-Charger; from 0-55% in 30 minutes – Up to 21W wireless via Google Pixel Stand – Up to 12W wireless via Q-compatible charger |
| Dimensions: | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm |
| Weight: | 199 grams |
| Colours: | Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian (Reviewed) |
Pixel 9 Series Pricing and Availability
Google Pixel 9 Pro is available right now in Ireland sim-free from €1,099.
