Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: 3 ways it beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max

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of Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the latest member of the Pixel family. Before the launch of the Google Pixel 9 series, there were only two smartphones in the lineup: the base model (e.g. last year’s Google Pixel 8) and the Pro version (e.g., Google Pixel 8 Pro in 2023).

Google has changed things up with a three-device lineup. Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Proand Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Interestingly, despite its name, the Pixel 9 Pro XL isn’t much bigger than last year’s biggest model (i.e. the Google Pixel 8 Pro). The new Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display, while the Google Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch panel.

what Really The reason why the Pixel 9 Pro XL is larger than the Pixel 9 Pro is because Google actually Shrunk The Pro model has been scaled down from 6.7 inches to 6.3 inches, meaning the Pixel 9 Pro small than the Pixel 8 Pro. The phone is usually big It will be bigger, not smaller, than its predecessor.

Now that we have a good understanding of the Pixel 9 Pro XL (and its new family), let’s dive into my experience using it.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL price and specs

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has Prices start at $1,099 on the Google StoreThe specifications are as follows:

If you want, you can upgrade to the 256GB model for more storage, but that will cost you $1,119. If you want the 512GB or 1TB models, you’ll have to pay $1,319 and $1,549, respectively. (I highly recommend buying the 256GB model. In my personal experience, 128GB of storage will last you about a little over a year before it fills up.)

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL design

Unlike its successors (such as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro), the Pixel 9 Pro XL is actually Appearance and feel Premium Finish — With a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 matte back and a polished metal frame that encases the Pixel 9 Pro XL, iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is also highly resistant to fingerprints, so you can use it without feeling guilty.

The particular unit I tested for this review features a Hazel chassis, with three other colors available: Obsidian (black), Rose Quartz (pink), and Porcelain (off-white).

I’ve seen them all. Obsidian might be the most popular of the four, as you can’t go wrong with a premium onyx-colored device that looks like it belongs on Batman’s desk. Rose Quartz brings a pinkish hue to the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Like Because it’s pastel, almost “baby shower pink” in feel. If you want a pink that’s not afraid to actually be pink, check out the Pixel 9’s “Peony” color.

Google has made subtle, yet gen-over-gen changes to the camera bar that make the Pixel 9 series more visually appealing: the funky Geordi La Forge-esque visor no longer stretches from edge to edge, but is now an island-style design that’s color-matched to the case.

On the right side of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, you’ll find the volume and power buttons, and at the bottom, you’ll find the USB-C port and SIM card slot (the Pixel 9 Pro XL also supports eSIM).

Compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL Just a little It’s bigger (6.41″ vs 6.40″ long), but slightly thinner (0.33″ vs 0.35″). The Pixel 9 Pro XL fits very well in the hand; the curved edges wrap around your fingers nicely. I’ve never been a fan of the Pixel series design, but now I’m finally starting to like it.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Display

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display with a resolution of 1344 x 2992 pixels. The screen-to-body ratio is about 88%, which is a slight increase from the 87% screen-to-body ratio of the Pixel 8 Pro. This means that the Pixel 9 Pro XL has thinner bezels, which allows for a more immersive viewing experience and allows for more of the display to be dedicated to content.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I played a number of videos on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, including from platforms like YouTube and Netflix. One thing I noticed is that the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s panel is very saturated, especially compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. For example, Love is Blind UKMeanwhile, the competitor’s vibrant green top looked so vibrant compared to Apple’s that it practically jumped out of the screen.

However, my regular phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, is even clearer than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Too Vivid. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is just right.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera

The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s megapixel count remains unchanged from the Pixel 8 family. It has a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto sensor.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

But now the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s ultra-wide camera has been slightly updated with an improved aperture, which should result in better ultra-wide photos in low light.

In other words, your vacation photos shot at an ultra-wide angle with a stunning landscape should see improved detail on the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

I tested the Pixel 9 Pro XL against my beloved iPhone 15 Pro Max and to my surprise, the Pixel 9 Pro XL won. And here’s the proof.

Wide Camera

I took some photos of antique cars in a museum and was amazed by the results I got from the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

^This is a photo of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This is a scene captured with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

^This is a photo of the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The first thing that catches our eye is how well the Pixel 9 Pro XL handles difficult lighting conditions, delivering shots that are almost completely free of lens flare (unlike the iPhone 15 Pro Max). The Apple device produced a more realistic rendition of the two antique cars, while its Google rival captured richer, more saturated shots.

Ultra-wide camera

I also took a photo of Northport Harbor in Long Island, New York. Surrounded by lush foliage, this ultra-wide shot was taken with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Photo of Northport Harbor taken with a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Here’s the same scene taken with an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Photo of Northport Harbor taken with an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s depiction of the scene looks more vibrant and colorful: the grass is greener and, most notably, the sky and harbor look bluer. Ripples and waves in the water also look more detailed.

Telephoto

Both the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 15 Pro Max telephoto sensors have a maximum optical zoom of 5x before digital (software) zoom kicks in. I took a photo of some yellow flowers in my neighborhood, and this is what came out (5x zoom):

Looking at photos taken with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, we can see that the eye-catching flowers are captured with greater clarity and detail compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

^This is a photo of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

^This is a photo of the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Pixel 9 Pro XL might be better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it comes to the camera, but when it comes to performance, the Google smartphone proves inferior.

If you’re curious to know how far you can zoom with the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s super-resolution zoom feature, check out my Demonstration of zooming in to 5,280 feet You get incredible detail.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Performance

We ran Geekbench 6 on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is equipped with the new Google Tensor G4 chip, and it delivered a multi-core score of 4,569.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This is quite low compared to the scores recorded by other phones we’ve reviewed.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL – 4,569

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – 6,069

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – 6,300

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – 7,078

iPhone 15 Pro Max – 7,359

The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s score of 7,359 may seem astronomical, and it is. It’s just too powerful for a smartphone. The Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t need to match that score to be considered as powerful as the most expensive iPhones, but its Geekbench 6 score is surprisingly low. The Pixel 8 Pro is actually Higher In terms of scores (e.g. 4,639), the G4 chip feels even more underpowered.

Still, I didn’t notice any slowdown when using multiple apps at the same time. It’s worth noting, however, that the Pixel 9 Pro XL did get a little too hot at times, especially when using the camera on a warm day. Using this phone at the beach could be a nightmare.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL’s AI features

Apple Intelligence is on the line: Google has packed a treasure trove of AI features into the Pixel 9 family, and here’s our hands-on experience with some of them.

Be sure to check out the new ones too! Gemini Livea big update for Google’s ChatGPT rival.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL battery life

Unbelievable! The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL drained just 5 percent battery per hour in our tests.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I put the Pixel 9 Pro XL through the TikTok rundown at 50% brightness, and was amazed to see it last a whopping 1000 hours. 18 hr 41 min On a single charge, it exceeds the 1000mAh of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 14 hr 53 min In the same test.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Is it worth buying?

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Completely The battery life alone is worth it: the Pixel 9 Pro XL lets you enjoy being on the go without worrying about running out of juice, even if you’re a little lazy. do not have Charge your phone overnight or two.

Moreover, when it comes to the camera, we can say that it can compete with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is the best smartphone on the market. That said, the Pixel 9 Pro XL beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max in at least three categories: camera, display, and battery life.

In addition, the Google AI features on the Pixel 9 Pro XL are very easy to use (albeit with some quirks), and the Pixel 9 Pro XL Best smartphones of 2024.