Pixel 9 Pro XL review | Brilliance behind the AI.

Google's biggest and boldest phone to date could be the best. Even one of the best Android phones. Period.

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Timestamps
--
0:00 - Intro
00:11 - Cool guys do this!
00:29 - Stolen iPhone design, amazing display, and haptics
02:46 - Tensor G4 ain't it, but does that matter?
05:33 - Android 14 frustrations, Gemini, and future outlook
07:29 - Pixel perfect stills
09:32 - Overreliance on Video Boost
10:19 - Actually excellent lifespan but bogus charging
11:25 - This is a great phone behind the AI bluster
--

[darrenl.johnson]

I'm coming over from the pixel 8pro and I'm loving my pixel 9pro XL. I'm a casual user (I'm not a gamer) outside of shooting videos and content for social media for my business. I don't think non-gammers care about benchmarks. One part of my business is getting paid monthly from cellphone bills and I always recommend pixel phones to all my android customers. I haven't had one person get a pixel and then go to another device. They've continued to stay with pixel phones for multiple generations. The average person just wants to talk, text, and take great pictures. And all pixel phones do that.

[Subbias]

Had the phone for 2 weeks and I am loving it more than my s24 ultra.... Benchmarks be damned.

[tubeuserk]

I think this is the best phone Google has released to date. Both in terms of quality, design, and performance (sustained performance and proper cooling). I have had every Google phone since the Galaxy Nexus. Early on, Google was still heavily developing Android. Fast forward to now, you can really see the maturity of the OS and the Pixel brand in general. I like the direction Google is going in with the 9 series and hope that they can continue to build upon this design. It truly feels like a premium Pixel. I know the shape of it gives off iPhone vibes, but it still has Google DNA. Actually, if you look at the camera bar, the curve of it matches the curve of the phone itself so it really makes the design flow well. The only thing I wish they would bring back is the amazing face unlock from the Pixel 4 era. I know soli was a little gimmicky, but the face unlock was solid.

[louishiggins]

Given Google are charging £1100 for a $1100 phone (in the US), I'd want to be sure ALL the Google Pixel features are available in the UK and not just limited to the US !!!

[ricoyou]

Home Run Google! What a great device...got a Pixel 9 Pro XL 512gb Hazel color and Love it! It just does evrerything so smoothly! In direct full blast sunshine can use perfectly. It´s not about porwer but about being synchronized with what you do. This is the best Pixel to date!!

[brownboii]

Im coming from the 8 pro and I love this new update! It feels so smooth, snappier and brighter screen.

[carloslara]

I don't care about gaming on this Pixel 9 Pro XL or care about benchmarks this phone is perfectly fine for me in the USA

[Pixlewatchtoo]

I think Pixels should take videos more seriously, and push the hardware to be on par with higher end models. Higher UFS, Pixel exclusive software ecosystem features for people whose friends use Pixels

[ZarakKhanDurrani]

Still use the pixel 6a and it works perfectly for me. No lags no over heating. I am just a casual user. A little social media and little document reading and taking pictures often.

[wadeepperson]

I know people wanna complain about the tensor it's just the first step to getting better software and hardware integration. It'll take time before they can crush benchmarks. Im glad they focused on real world usage, I have 0 complaints about how the phone works at all.

[raazays]

This is what a complete Pixel experience is. Beautiful hardware to match its always beautiful software. Been using since Pixel 2 and this finally hits the spot.

[PaulDeach]

I ordered Pixle 9 Pro. Currently a Pixel 6 owner so I am hoping to notice a massive jump in performance 😉

[jason]

Cannot wait for my smaller Pixel 9 pro!

[greg]

Very good review. My S24u arrives tomorrow. Having owned the S22 Ultra, I've been spoiled by hearing owners of other brands jealously ask when looking at photos on my phone, "Why do your photos look so much better than mine?"

[DavidDejesus-zf]

I got the 9 Pro XL and I must say, this phone is really pushing me to switch from my 15 Pro Max. Didn't expect to like this phone a lot😅

[ShellymanStudios]

Google is getting there, and that's a great thing to see.

[MehulSathyanarayan]

Switching from the S24 Ultra to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and I gotta say the Pixel has been an absolutely amazing transition for me. The phone is just more fun to use than any Samsung or Apple device I have used in the past. It truly is the “Smart” phone of the industry. This is my first Pixel ever and I couldn’t ask for more. Yes, a better SoC would be welcome, but apart from that, this phone is as good as a smartphone can get.

[tatted]

I’m an iphone user, I have a 14 pro max I was waiting for the 16. Cancelled it and just ordered the Pixel XL.

[darylpryor]

Got my Pixel 9 Pro XL yesterday, upgrading from the 6 Pro. Absolutely loving it so far, feels majorly premium, slick smooth and a pleasure to use.

[majtechtings]

I feel like they fixed most of what my complaints were with the 8 pro. Better heat management, better charging speeds, a good bit quicker, (I genuinely could care less about the dick measuring contest that is geekbench score comparisons.) AMAZING battery life. The other small improvements or bonuses. Even with the few and far between misses? The camera is the best for photos on a smartphone. But the UFS storage needs an update, pixel studio is hit or miss and Gemini needs more work but otherwise? Glad with my purchase.