Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review

Saving the real upgrades for next year, are we?

The Pixel 9 Pro XL carries over the rear camera bits from the 8 Pro, with just a minor change on the ultrawide, if the specs are to be believed. The 8 Pro wasn't exactly cutting-edge itself, so a bit more of a hardware upgrade would have been welcome, but Google is a software company so we get AI instead. The selfie camera is all new, for what it's worth.

The main camera retains the 1/1.31" sensor size, leaving the Chinese makers to battle it out with the 1-inchers. Realistically though, with both the current top iPhone and top Galaxy at around the same sensor size, the Pixel isn't exactly underequipped from a sheer size perspective.

Adopting the same comparative approach, the telephoto should also be about as good as the Galaxy's and likely superior to the iPhone's, if we limit comparisons to sensor size and zoom capability. What's not going to be a match for the Galaxy is the Pixel's minimum focusing distance of around 75cm as it's not nearly as close as the Galaxy's.

The Pixel's ultrawide is new, with Google trading in sensor size for a brighter lens - a 1/2.55" imager replaces the 1/2.0" one (still 48MP) while the optics now have an f/1.7 aperture vs. the f/2.2 of the 8 Pro (AF is still present). It's looking like more of a side step than an upgrade this one, but it's still a Quad Bayer sensor instead of the conventional 1/2.55" sensors used by the competing iPhone and Galaxy.

So with all things considered, in that specific and limited context where we ignore Xiaomi, vivo, and Oppo, the Pixel's camera hardware is, actually, competitive.

Oh, and then there's the new selfie camera, a 42MP sensor replacing the 10.5MP one of the previous generation. As is the norm with Pixels, there's an ultrawide lens here for getting more people in the frame and there's also autofocus.

• Wide (main): 50MP (1/1.31", 1.2µm-2.4µm), f/1.68, 24mm, dual-pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS; 4K@60fps/8K@30
• Ultrawide: 48MP (1/2.55", 0.7µm-1.4µm), f/1.7, 12mm, multi-directional PDAF; 4K@60fps
• Telephoto 5x: 48MP (1/2.55", 0.7µm-1.4µm), f/2.8, 110mm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; 4K@60fps/8K@30
• Front camera: 42MP (0.7µm-1.4µm), f/2.2, 18mm, dual-pixel PDAF; 4K@60fps

Daylight photo quality

Main camera

The Pixel 9 Pro XL captures excellent photos with its main camera during the day. It has nicely crisp detail and is generally rendered well. There are hints of pixelation in certain situations, but sharpening is conservative, and random textures don't look overprocessed. Noise is essentially non-existent.

Daylight samples, main camera (1x)

Dynamic range is typically great, with a caveat that Google phones tend to like high contrast and maybe shadows can look a bit dark on occasion. Colors can feel a bit muted if you're coming from a Galaxy - even the fairly restrained recent Samsungs have more pop. Conversely, compared to iPhone images, you'll find a lot more life in the Pixel's shots.

Daylight comparison, main camera (1x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra • iPhone 15 Pro Max

The Pixel does a fine job of capturing skin tones and it also renders facial features nicely. Portrait mode's default blur level is more than a little excessive, though, plus we're not entirely sure the hazy transition around shoulders and such is entirely convincing.

Daylight samples, main camera (1x), Photo mode

Daylight samples, main camera (1.5x), Portrait mode

The full-res 50MP samples are more often than not just plain blurry, though we could convince ourselves that the Pixel has indeed resolved more detail in this or that scene - like the one with the snail, for example.

Daylight samples, main camera (1x), 50MP

At 2x, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does decently, though it won't be fooling anyone examining these at 1:1.

Daylight samples, main camera (2x)

The Pixel is about on par with the current iPhone, if not quite as good as the Galaxy. None of these can match the X-series vivos, however.

Daylight comparison, main camera (2x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra • iPhone 15 Pro Max

You can still take people shots at 2x with relative confidence. You won't be able to discern your subject's skin pores in the photo, but at least the shooting distance will be more comfortable for both parties. Oddly enough (or entirely expectedly?), Portrait mode will further rob you of fine subject detail.

Daylight samples, main camera (2x), Photo mode

Daylight samples, main camera (2x), Portrait mode

As was the case last year, there's also a 50MP resolution option at 2x. Even with all the AI at play now, we can't see it come up with enough pixel-level detail to make it make any practical sense.

Daylight samples, main camera (2x), 50MP

Telephoto camera, 5x

The Pixel 9 Pro XL's telephoto takes solid photos, without particularly shining. It's not lacking in sharpness, though it's missing that ultimate edge that would make you go 'wow'. The camera's inability to focus as close as some of the other top cameraphones (Galaxy S24 Ultra included) isn't doing it any favors either when it comes to extracting detail from your subjects. We have no complaints about dynamic range or colors, though - all is well.

Daylight samples, telephoto camera (5x)

There's no Portrait mode at 5x, unless you go through some hoops, but even then it's not too great of an idea. If you like your photos of people at a 110-ish millimeter equivalent, the Photo mode will serve you just fine though.

Daylight samples, telephoto camera (5x), Photo mode

Here's how a few of those scenes look when shot in 50MP.

Daylight samples, telephoto camera (5x), 50MP

Side by side with the Galaxy and the iPhone, we're seeing comparable detail - the Pixel has nothing to be ashamed of in this company, but also nothing to really stand out with.

Daylight comparison, telephoto camera (5x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Similarly, at 10x there's not a lot to split these three - the iPhone's shots may be a little noisier, but the detail is about the same.

Daylight comparison, telephoto camera (10x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Ultrawide camera

The ultrawide camera doesn't disappoint and captures very good photos. It resolves a ton of detail and processes it organically. Global parameters are in tune with the established Pixel look too.

Daylight samples, ultrawide camera (0.5x)

The superior sensor does appear to be giving the Pixel an advantage over its archrivals in detail rendition. We're seeing that extra bit of definition in the 9 Pro XL's shots that is missing on the other two.

Daylight comparison, ultrawide camera (0.5x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra • iPhone 15 Pro Max

The full-res mode on the ultrawide doesn't bring any further improvement in detail - not to our eyes, at least.

Daylight samples, ultrawide camera (0.5x), 50MP

Close-ups (macro)

With the telephoto not being able to focus particularly close, Google has the ultrawide camera tasked with a Macro mode. When you're at 1x and have the Macro focus set to auto, if you go beyond the main camera's minimum focus distance, the phone will switch to a zoomed in view from the ultrawide camera, which can focus really close.

The results are pretty good, though not quite pin sharp. Depth of field is very shallow at this distance, plus there's plenty of field curvature so even if you're shooting a flat subject, chances are you will only have a sweet spot of sharp focus in the center of the frame. There's also the fact that you'll likely be throwing a shadow over your subject due to the extreme shooting distance. Overall, we'd very much prefer a nice close-focusing zoom camera, though the Pixel's implementation is better than nothing.

Close-ups, Macro mode

Mind you, the ultrawide camera will focus down to as close as about 15mm from the edge of the lens, Macro mode or otherwise - you can do some extreme ultrawide closeups in its native field of view as well.

Close-ups, ultrawide camera, regular photo

Selfies

One way or another, Pixels have historically managed to make us like their selfies, even though they've often had their flaws, and the 9 Pro XL's results are pretty great too. What we can come up with as a minor complaint this time is the slightly pixelated detail rendition, but it's more of a niggle than a true flaw. Indeed, the 10.5MP images are nicely detailed, while the ultrawide lens allows for some extra coverage. Colors are vivid, skin tones are lifelike, and dynamic range is excellent.

Selfie samples

Now, both major competitors are also superb selfie shooters, and just because the Pixel is great, doesn't mean the others aren't as well, each in its own way. We're probably least fond of the iPhone's relatively washed out rendition when viewed immediately next to the others, and we'd be inclined to point to the Galaxy as the better option for dimmer lighting. Overall though, the Pixel is shaping up to be the winner here.

Daylight comparison, selfie camera: Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Low-light photo quality

Main camera

After dark, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's main camera does a respectable job. It captures good detail without exactly setting standards for definition - shadows in particular can be a little mushy. That's sort of a byproduct of the shadow boost - exposures do look great overall, without gloomy dark patches. The good highlight preservation almost goes without saying, too. White balance can be a bit shaky on occasion, with consecutive shots of the same scene getting slightly different hues, but it's not every time and it's only a slight variation. Saturation is on point.

Low-light samples, main camera (1x)

The Galaxy does have the upper hand in our experience, capturing sharper shots with finer shadow detail.

Low-light comparison, main camera (1x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra

Against the iPhone, we'd say the Pixel has a bit of an edge, but it's not a dramatic advantage.

Low-light comparison, main camera (1x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • iPhone 15 Pro Max

At 2x, the Pixel's results in the dark are okay, though you'd probably be better off limiting your 2x shooting to scenes with a bit more light.

Low-light samples, main camera (2x)

The Galaxy maintains an advantage over the Pixel at 2x, while comparisons against the iPhone are inconclusive - neither is consistently better in our experience.

Low-light comparison, main camera (2x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra

Low-light comparison, main camera (2x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Telephoto camera, 5x

The telephoto camera isn't getting us all excited with its low-light performance. While it does expose well and maintain good color fidelity and saturation, it paints detail with strokes that are too broad for our liking. The images we get often look like they've been sourced from the main camera at 5x digital zoom, even if the EXIF data points to the telephoto.

Low-light samples, telephoto camera (5x)

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is notably better at 5x, offering superior sharpness and detail. The Pixel is also losing to the iPhone at 5x, and here the Pixel admits it has resorted to the main camera.

Low-light comparison, telephoto camera (5x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra

Low-light comparison, telephoto camera (5x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Ultrawide camera

The ultrawide continues to deliver bright exposures with pleasing tonal development, even if that can be at the expense of pixel-level detail and sharpness - indeed, at 1:1 things are quite soft.

Low-light samples, ultrawide camera (0.6x)

Side-by-side against the Galaxy, the Pixel's images are cleaner, but the Ultra does have notably more detail to offer in its noisier presentation. That said, darker scenes like the second one do tend to even things out.

Versus the iPhone, it's once again not that clear if there's a universal winner.

Low-light comparison, ultrawide camera (0.5x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • Galaxy S24 Ultra

Low-light comparison, ultrawide camera (0.5x): Pixel 9 Pro XL • iPhone 15 Pro Max

AI: Unblur, Zoom Enhance, Add Me, Eraser, Magic editor

There's a wide array of AI-based image editing functions. The Zoom enhance will try and come up with detail where the camera didn't capture much - it spits out 3MP images, so you'll generally be better off working with crops from your photos rather than the full image - the tool does advise you to do so. Here are a few examples.

AI zoom: Original 30x image • Unblur • Zoom Enhance

AI zoom: Original 30x image • Unblur • Zoom Enhance

AI zoom: Original 30x image • Unblur • Zoom Enhance

AI zoom: Original 30x image • Unblur • Zoom Enhance

'Add Me' is the feature that can help you be part of a group shot when there are no strangers to take a picture of the whole group. You take the first shot of the group and then hand over the phone to someone else which guides you to your spot next to the already photographed group shown on screen. Or you can add another you to you.

Add me: Source 1 • Source 2 • Final image

Now that you already have a photo of you, you can use Magic editor to transport yourself to a nicer place.

Magic editor: Source • Takes on 'sandy Greek island beach'

You can play around with Magic editor just for fun, or come up with creative ideas to extract some practical use out of it (the next few are obviously not that).

Magic editor: Source • Reimagine as 'a red Vespa' • Source • Reimagine as 'a whitewater stream'

Magic editor: Source • Reimagine as 'an octopus' • Snail removed with Eraser

Video recording

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL can record video up to 4K60 with all of its cameras - the three rear ones, and the front-facing one. The rear cameras can also record in 4K at 24fps, not just 30fps, but the selfie camera doesn't get that capability. The main camera and the telephoto add 8K30 to the list of modes as well.

There's the usual selection between the h.264 codec for wider compatibility and the more efficient h.265 option. 10-bit HDR recording is another option on the menu.

There's also the Video Boost toggle, which is the AI-enhanced processing for improving HDR, stabilization, and zoom results. It requires backing the files up to Google Photos, and the boosting takes place in the cloud. You get one non-boosted 1080p video for immediate consumption, while the pseudo-raw file for further boosting is in a 4032x2268px resolution.

There's a three-pronged approach to stabilization, with 'Standard' available across all modes and cameras. 'Active' mode locks you into 1080p30 on the ultrawide a for action shoots, while 'Locked' is for zoomed in recording at 2x or 5x (at up to 4K60). You can also disable the stabilization entirely if you have other measures in place to ensure steady footage.

Video sample playlist

You can check out the playlist below, which includes multiple video samples.

Main camera footage out of the Pixel 9 Pro XL is leaving us unimpressed. It's softer than ideal - softer than the competition and softer than the Pixel 8 Pro, which isn't very logical. And it shouldn't be a lens defect since we didn't observe an issue in stills - it's just that the Pixel processes its videos this way. Looking at the ultrawide and the telephoto's clips, we're getting a bit more of the same. Perhaps, it's the early software and Google will change things up a bit in later revisions, but we're not thrilled with the results as they are now.

Contrast is a bit too high for our liking, but that's not necessarily an objectively bad thing - we can attribute it to the 'Pixel look'. Colors can lean a little into warm, though not enough to be considered a problem - they're generally quite likable, in fact.

In low light, the Pixel's main camera videos are also a little bit behind the competition in terms of sharpness, though the differences are smaller. The ultrawide and the telephoto are about on par with their Galaxy and iPhone counterparts - fairly decent ultrawide capture, less likable zoomed in results.

One thing we can't complain about is stabilization - it's thoroughly great. The main camera and the ultrawide deal really well with walking shake, pans are nicely smooth on all cameras, and there's also a remarkable steadiness when just pointing the phone in one direction.