Google introduces compact Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL

How about that for a plot twist - the Google Pixel Pro now comes in a compact size! Today, Google took the wraps off the new Pixel 9 Pro with a 6.3-inch display, alongside the successor of its last year's flagship, which is now called Pixel 9 Pro XL with a 6.8-inch display.

Those displays are both high-brightness (up to 3,000 nits) Super Actua LTPO units with a 1-120Hz refresh rate and a flat Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on top. The 6.3-inch panel on the Pixel 9 Pro has 1280x2856px resolution, while the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL screen ups that to 1344x2992px panel.

Both Pixel 9 Pros finally ditch the optical fingerprint scanners for an ultrasonic one, which Google says is 50% faster. Ultrasonic scanners can read your print without the need for a bright burst of light and are generally faster and more reliable.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL

The Pixel 9 series design emphasizes flat sides. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL both have flat frames with a glossy, polished metal look around the phone and the cameras. The finish contrasts with the rear panel's matte look.

The two phones look identical, save for the size difference. They also carry identical bars on the back with triple camera setups.

The Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL in Obsidian and Porcelain

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL feature 50MP 1/1.31" wide angle main cameras and a pair of 48MP 1/2.55" cameras for the ultrawide and 5x telephoto zoom. All rear cameras benefit from Multi-zone LDAF (laser-assisted focus). At the front Google has upgraded its Pros to a new 42MP selfie camera (likely using the 50MP Samsung 3J1 sensor).

The new Pixel 9 series uses the Tensor G4 chipset - a 4nm unit with 1x Cortex-X4 prime core running at up to 3.1GHz, 3x Cortex-A720 running up to 2.6GHz, and 4x Cortex-A520 cores at up to 1.95GHz, and the Titan M2 security co-processor. Both Pixel 9 Pro models pack 16GB of RAM, while storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 1TB.

One of the big changes in the Tensor G4 is a reported Exynos 5400 modem, which is said to bring better efficiency.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL in Hazel and Rose Quartz

The Pixel 9 Pro features a 4,700mAh battery while the Pixel 9 Pro XL ups the capacity to 5,060mAh. Both phones support 45W wired charging with 70% charge taking 30 minutes.

Google's Gemini AI plays a major role in the Pixel 9 Pro series. You can ask Gemini to give you ideas on what to cook based on a photo of your fridge contents, while Magic Editor can remove distractions from photos and even generate a whole scenery in a photo - think dramatic sunset where there's a dull one.

Pixel Screenshots uses Gemini to identify content across all of your screenshots, so you can then use it to recall information in them.

Circle to Search is also featured on the Pixel 9 Pros - just hold the nav bar at the bottom and then search anything on your screen to get Google results on it. Google promises 7 years of Pixel Drops for the Pixel 9 series.

The Pixel 9 Pro dup comes in four colors - Obsidian, Hazel, Rose Quartz, and Porcelain and you can pre-order them starting today. The Pixel 9 Pro XL will ship from August 22, while the Pixel 9 Pro will be on shelves a bit later - September 4 in the US and September 9 in Europe. Both phones get 1 year of Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage for free.

The colors of the Google Pixel 9 Pro series

The Google Pixel 9 Pro starts from $999/£999/€1,099 for the 128GB model, then goes to $1,099/£1,099/€1,199 for the 256GB model, and $1,219/€1,329 for the 512GB one.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is normally $1,099/£1,099/€1,199 for the base 128GB model, $1,199/£1,199/€1,299 for 256GB, and $1,319/£1,319/€1,429 for the 512GB model, and €1,689 for the 1TB model.

There's a limited time offer for £100/€100 off the 256GB model and £200/€130 off the 512GB model on both phones, and €150 off the 1TB model (/€1,429).