Google Pixel 9 Pro review

Introduction

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the new kid on the block in this year's lineup. The Pixel 8 Pro was succeeded by the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the 9 Pro is a new addition to the portfolio - it is a compact, full-featured flagship with all of the bells and whistles of its bigger XL sibling.

A compact Pixel is not a new concept in itself, of course, but this is the first time Google is bringing the entirety of its A-game to this form factor. The Pixel 9 Pro packs a 48MP, 5x optical periscope telephoto camera - the same as the Pixel 9 Pro XL. There is also UWB onboard the Pixel 9 Pro. Frankly, it's kind of amazing that Google managed to fit so much extra hardware inside what is essentially the same footprint as the non-Pro Pixel 9.

Google Pixel 9 Pro specs at a glance:

• Body: 152.8x72.0x8.5mm, 199g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.30" LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak), 1280x2856px resolution, 20.08:9 aspect ratio, 495ppi; Always-on display.
• Chipset: Google Tensor G4 (4 nm): Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520); Mali-G715 MC7.
• Memory: 128GB 16GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
• OS/Software: Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm, 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123-degree, 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF.
• Front camera: 42 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), PDAF.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 4700mAh; 27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 55% in 30 min (advertised), 21W wireless (w/ Pixel Stand), 12W wireless (w/ Qi-compatible charger), Reverse wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.3, aptX HD; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Satellite SOS service, Circle to Search.

Google also paid some extra attention to the display of the Pro. It is a bit bigger than the Pixel 8's and better than that inside the regular Pixel 9. The resolution has been upgraded to 1280 x 2856 pixels, the maximum brightness has been improved, and there is LTPO tech for dynamic refresh rate adjustment.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro also gets a 42MP selfie camera - the same as the Pixel 9 Pro XL and an upgrade over the 10.5MP selfie on the vanilla Pixel 9.

Unboxing

This year's Pixels ship in recycled cardboard packages. There is no plastic anywhere to be found, not even on the inside, which is nice and eco-friendly. There is still a cradle for the phone on the inside, keeping it nice and secure for transit. The box is also quite sturdy.

There is hardly anything in the way of accessories in the retail package. You just get a Type-C to Type-C cable in the box and nothing else. The Pixel 9 Pro charges at a maximum rate of 27W and does so via standard Power Delivery (PD), which is great news since you can easily source a charger. Still, we would have really liked to get one in the box.