Pixel 9 Pro XL Review After 15 Years on iPhone

After 1 week with Pixel 9 Pro, I dive deep into Android’s strengths and weaknesses compared to the iPhone. Plus, in trying to switch to Android, ecosystem lock-in is real.

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Chapters ➡

00:00 Introduction
00:36 Pixel 9 Pro Hardware
02:02 Software Wins
03:35 Android Apps
04:24 App Fails
05:54 Android Software Quirks
08:54 Pixel 9 Pro Camera
09:45 Ecosystem Lock-In
11:39 Conclusion

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[ltR]

Was an iPhone user for 8yrs, then a galaxy note user for 8yrs. Now i have the 9pro XL. Love it. Its different. Very A.i heavy. But its decent. Still getting used to some things but typing is a huge plus. And cameras were more of a surprise than i eas expecting. Good phone. Just heard heating issues with long time gaming? Havent experienced that myself.

[Ampedup]

It really bothers me when an AppleFanboy makes a review of an Android phone and everything they say in the video either bashing the phone in a hypocritical "nice" way, or either just praise their iPhone by saying it is better in this or that area. get it, the title is a just click bait to get more views for your video. But as a tech enthusiast, I feel like they don't do justice to the phone and all its features.
Mostly because 95% of the phone's capabilities are equal or better than iPhone.

[kindofanmol]

Pixels have finally made THE Android phone that's THE ultimate gateway drug for Apple hypnotics.

[russelljohnston]

The most infuriating thing about the iPhone keyboard is how it wont let you just click where you want the cursor. Instead you have to hold down until the context menu opens then slide to the exact spot where you want the cursor. This alone makes the Gboard better. Not to mention better predictive text on Gboard.

[AndrewClare]

Hey that’s me! 9:10 Absolutely love the design of the phone but the ecosystem lock-in is insane to overcome. Great review!

[cjppytube]

Was this a pixel review or a why I don't want to leave apple ecosystem video?

[j.d.]

As someone who enjoys both platforms. A fingerprint scanner is something I definitely want to see return on iPhones. Whether in screen or on the power button.

[TyroneLT]

This was refreshing. My personal phone is always android but I have an IPhone 15 Pro for work and own a personal iPad Pro which is the primary reason I watch your videos.

But this was refreshing because too often you see Apple focused YouTubers make video saying "I'm Switching To Android Phone X. Goodbye iPhone!" only to jump back a week later when the next iPhone comes out.

I appreciate your honesty without any of the gimmicky troll engagement bait.

[engadgetnerd]

I started watching you as my "make me a power user of all things iOS" (whenever I'm on an iPhone - I switch between iOS and Android regularly). Seeing you post a review video stood out over everyone else in my feed because of the contrast as to what your channel is dedicated to. Personally, the pixel is my favorite phone, but I loved your review more than anyone else's. I loved seeing your comparisons.

[Joue]

The Pixel is the only phone that keeps me from going back to an iPhone. Those shortcuts on the iphone are a hit or miss. I usually get error messages like this "There was a problem communicating with the app".

My one two punch is the Google Pixel 9 Pro and an iPad Mini 6.

[FatNorthernBigot]

It's great to hear the honest answer of "ecosystem lock-in", rather than trying to point out all the cons of a particular phone. Let's face it, we're at a stage now where there are a bunch of glossy black slabs and they're all much of a muchness. Take your pick, it will have the same OS as your last one.

[davidconners]

This is the exact reason I went to Android years ago, I had the first 7 iPhones, but didnt like the ecosystem lock in. I agree on the apps, there are more quality apps on Apple. Google is catching up the hardware, apple is catching up the OS features and "openness". This battle is as close as its ever been.

[therealzuluking]

Okay, here's all the things that you didn't mention that are pixel exclusive and some of these have their own rabbit holes that you can go into, but here's the list
Android does have universal clipboard. When you copy something you have the option to share it to your other devices. Just like apple does. Also, how did you not mention any of the call screen features at all from it taking the call for you to screening a call placing it on hold. How did you not mention none of that. Also, how did you not mention any of the pixel safety features that it is stacked up with?

[iAfroTech]

Damn...you are totally locked in Apple Ecosystem.
My ecosystem since 2022: Nothing Phone(1) Black ➕ iPhone 13 Pro Alpine Green ➕ Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 ➕ Bose QC 45🎧➕ Huawei Freebuds Pro.

Everything is connected with Wifi, Bluetooth and Google Apps. No brand loyalty at all.

[kindofanmol]

That t-shirt good lord its an actual cult of grown men glazing an evil megacorp. As dystopian as it gets.

[magic_claw]

Super useful review. My first week on Pixel. Some additional thing I noticed.

1. Can't move Chrome address bar to the bottom, it is so out of reach at the top.
2. OTP autofill doesn't work consistently. Sometimes requires copy-paste.
3. Some apps/features are super shady - ex: requesting mic access but won't show the mic LED on while in use because it happens at the "OS level". Made me uncomfortable.

[jaydanielstech]

That is some serious lock in!
Years back when I first started building out my smart home I committed to only getting products that were able to work on both HomeKit and Google Home. I also don’t have nearly as many items as you - that’s very impressive!

The keyboard is an interesting point. I seem to be a way better typer on android.

[MrPaddyFowler]

Pixel review? Seriously more time given in this video to iphone apps and features and why you dont want to move from it

[shango]

The Pixel suits me perfectly. It's all depends on how you use the device. I use mostly Google products and the Google assistant/Gemini is very useful, and the phone is so easy to use and "smart"

[garyelsworth]

Nice to hear one of these ‘I videos actually mention the difficulty of finding good replacements for apps that are available on Apple. I have tried Android many times, but it’s always the software (specifically apps), that send me back to Apple. When using Android I always felt I was compromising in the apps I used and having to find work arounds. The hardware and wider OS just didn’t offer the upside to justify Android for me.