Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review

21 August 2024


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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • PxV
  • 22 Aug 2024

jiyen235, 22 Aug 2024The X100 Ultra is NOT worth it. Very small changes compared... moreiphone 15pm first released in my county was $1500, now selling back is $900+ ($500-600 lost)

Vivo x100 ultra brand now new is $800+, selling back next year should be $500+ ($200-300 lost)

The selling back value depends on when and where u buy

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • JHY
    • 22 Aug 2024

    I have tested the Pixel 9 Pro XL's camera in a store and compared it with my Pixel 7 Pro and it's a shame that all reviewers forget to mention very important things, for example, the 42 megapixel selfie camera is a lie and the periscope camera is a huge downgrade:

    In contrast to Pixel 7 Pro/8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL uses analog pixel binning at 10x-30x in all light conditions, unless you use the 50 megapixel mode.
    When you use the default mode, the 10x-30x dng files are much, much worse than the dng files from 7 Pro /8 Pro due to the much lower resolution (2.4 megapixel at 10x, whereas my 7 Pro delivers 11.4 megapixel dng files that are not upscaled), though my impression is that dng files of the 9 Pro XL can have fewer noise-artifacts. Even in the 50 megapixel mode, the 15x dng files seem to have a tiny bit less detail than the 7 Pro.
    10x-30x live photo video frames are definitely significantly worse, too due to pixel binning and due to a lower live photo video frame resolution (1.35 megapixel instead of 1.55 megapixel).
    When it comes to the jpgs in the default 12 megapixel mode, the difference is smaller: 15x Pixel 9 Pro XL jpgs do have less noise (aggressive machine learning noise reduction) and have more contrast, this may make low frequency detail appear slightly clearer, but it partly looks very upscaled/oversharpened (mostly due to pixel binning) and artificial with less true fine detail. When you take a photo of a distant sign with small text, there can be wrong numbers/letters and all letters can have slight artifacts, can look deformed or can look brittle, the 7 Pro doesn't have this issue. This makes the 7 Pro's periscope camera so great because Samsung and Apple have similar issues. The 10x-30x algorithm of the 9 Pro XL reminds me of the S24 Ultra, which doesn't produce natural results either.
    There are a few cases where the 9 Pro XL's 15x photos have maybe slightly more detail in certain areas than the 7 Pro due to a better signal to noise ratio, though I didn't test whether this was fake detail.
    Google states "optical quality" at 10x. The term "optical quality" is supposed to mean lossless and that's a big lie because Google is now using pixel binning at 10x-30x, resulting in 2.4 megapixel dng files at 10x.

    When it comes to the selfie camera, Google lies again. You don't get 42 megapixel, you even don't get 10.5 megapixel. You get 10.0 megapixel dng files and there isn't lossless selfie zoom either (2.5 megapixel when you zoom from 0.7x to 1.5x).

    Miscellaneous:
    -there is still no zero shutter lag 50 megapixel mode, even when you use the 50 megapixel mode at 30x
    -no live photos in 50 megapixel mode and you can't record a video in the 50 megapixel photo mode
    -panorama mode neither supports the periscope camera nor the Brenizer method
    -it seems that 4k video still uses pixel binning at 10x-20x and therefore it seems that objects can look more pixelated/oversharpened than in a 30x photo mode video from the 7 Pro
    -according to Google's specs, there is no 8k video option, only an option to upscale to 8k via the cloud
    -Only 46.8 megapixel (if I remember correctly) dng files at 1x, but you get the full 12.5 megapixel at 2x
    -2x zoom delivers worse colors than the 7 Pro because it is more overexposed than the 7 Pro and there are more sharpening/noise reduction artifacts in comparison with the 7 Pro

      GSMArena, where is the photo comparison tool? Why is it suspended?
      I want to know how these AI cameras alter colors and textures in lab settings!

        coolg54321, 22 Aug 2024I've been a pixel user for a long time (before that i ... moreI intentionally wanted to reply on your post but it was created as new post
        please check it with my name if you would love to as i totally align with you on your post

          • Y
          • Your boss
          • gn5
          • 22 Aug 2024

          How could battery life be in bro and cons as well

            One of the few humble men that still cares for smaller screen sizes ( it was the norm in the golden days ) while having hardware that flagship worthy
            come join the line and have a seat :)

            very hard nowdays to find the following sepcs combined:
            - FLAT screen (prefereably LTPO)
            - 6.1 to 6.3 screen size with convenient in hand aspect ratio
            - 8.5 mm max thickness (preferably capped at 8mm)
            - Repsectable SOC that doesnot get overheat or throttle (SD 7+ Gen3 & above in benchmarking)
            - decent battery life (12h+ active score)
            - make sense charging speeds ( average 65W like a lot of MOTOs and min of 45W) , no need for the nonsese 240W & 320W
            - Good SW for clean UI experience (MOTO, Sony, similar )
            - Phycial Proxmimity Sensor (not the virtual BS that is on a lot of midrangers)
            - Max weight of 200g (although 170-180g is an a sweet spot if someone tried it)

            I did not mention other specs like IP rating, Wireless Charging, Aluminum frame or plastic or any other point
            I just want a device with the above points and i will ignore other apsects
            The only device i can think of that fullfills most of these points is the Xiaomi 14 however the Software part is a mess with HyperOS (had a looong history with miui) and its very pricy for the chinese UI experience

            I am currently on Moto Edge 40 ( the device is a beast in terms of dimensions & weight and extra nice stuff like Wireless charging, charging speeds, IP rating [fell in the pool once inside shorts] ) but the cons are also hard like midranger SOC includes throttling & the !@#! curved screen

            Phones trend now to have gigantic screens (with gigantic non pocket friendly and non single hand use friendly with modesl of Pro, Plus, XL , name it) while the compact ones are getting fewer and getting the low hardware and lower endurance capacity
            less than 6" screen is too small but the trend to be 6.7" and 6.8" is also too @!#@! large , 6.2/6.3 is the sweet spot for me all the time
            I have a 24" screen in both home and office and do not need to move with a !@#@ phablet all the day
            Sorry for the long post but i though to share it maybe someone out there has the same opinion and the message assures him that he is not alone

              • L
              • Lister
              • pLd
              • 22 Aug 2024

              As long as this phone doesn't lag when playing games, no one cares if it has x% less processing power than Qualcomms finest. Y'all are setting the bar at the top and complaining about anything less.

                Anonymous, 22 Aug 2024vivo x100 ultra cam laugh at the corner 😂The X100 Ultra is NOT worth it. Very small changes compared to the X100 Pro. The X100 Pro solos every other phone in terms of launch day value.

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                  • Hmm
                  • pE7
                  • 22 Aug 2024

                  This may look like a decent flagship in a vacuum until you realize you can get S24U for about 200-300€ less right now. And unlike a Pixel, S24U doesn't really have any hardware compromises that will make you question your purchase decision.

                    This is not an honest review! In the next few days you will see how they destroy this phone due to its poor performance* I'm going to wait for the Oneplus 13 to see what happens if I don't like it either, because I'll stick with the one I currently have and wait for Pixel 10, maybe you won't be as disappointed as this one pixel 9

                      • L
                      • Lister
                      • pLd
                      • 22 Aug 2024

                      That battery life isn't great for a 5000+ battery.

                      Skip it, and wait for the Pixel 10.

                        What, 22 Aug 2024The 12GB ram of pixel 8 pro is very necessary for longevity... moreDoesn't the Pixel 8 pro get 7 years updates?

                          Anonymous, 22 Aug 2024vivo x100 ultra cam laugh at the corner 😂Good for them, but as they don't sell in most countries, who cares exactly?

                            When Google first showcased its Pixel's AI capabilities, it started with some synthetic camera enhancements on the Pixel 7 Pro. This also included some Tensor G2-powered features such as Cinematic Blur. It then took things up several notches by introducing AI-enabled effects and the ability to "magically" remove people, objects, and more with the Pixel 8 Pro. With the Pixel 9 Pro series, we are now going above and beyond.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • PxV
                              • 22 Aug 2024

                              vivo x100 ultra cam laugh at the corner 😂

                                • W
                                • What
                                • xjH
                                • 22 Aug 2024

                                justasmile, 22 Aug 2024The only thing exciting about Pixel 9 series is the fact th... moreThe 12GB ram of pixel 8 pro is very necessary for longevity. Pixel 8 will start missing out on features soon.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • Idc
                                  • 22 Aug 2024

                                  Minimum focusing distance of 75cm huh? Really? Over two feet?

                                    • W
                                    • What
                                    • xjH
                                    • 22 Aug 2024

                                    Viv, 22 Aug 2024I can tell that a lot of people on here are young. Anywho, ... moreThis type of arrogant statement should not be in this place.

                                      Viv, 22 Aug 2024I can tell that a lot of people on here are young. Anywho, ... moreGoogle don't care about benchmark & they design the phone for the use case is a lie which they use to justify selling mediocre hardware and their inferior soc. Just put pixel software on s24 ultra, it will be the phone to beat

                                        I've been a pixel user for a long time (before that i used to have Sony), now on a pixel 8 pro. I feel pixels are really bad value for money, you get an average hardware compensated by their software, its really smooth imho best for daily use. Only thing i don't like with pixel 8 pro is the size it a bit too big for hands and pixel 9 pro seems to be the solution (i know its not very small but 6.3 is good enough), but i'm not going to get that at this price, i see even trade-in doesn't worth it. I really wish Samsung had made a smaller version of ultra without that s-pen, really great hardware ruined by its monstrous size. With the regular s version you make a lot of sacrifices in the hardware.

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