Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: AI-Powered Features, Stunning Display & Camera

Positioned between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Pixel 9 Pro is Google’s premium offering, combining high-end specs, compact looks and deep AI integration. Let’s take a closer look at the Pixel 9 Pro and how it compares to its predecessors and rivals in this price range.

Design

The Pixel 9 Pro looks almost exactly like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, moving away from the rounded bezels and curved edges of the Pixel 8 Pro. The flatter edges and bezels not only give the device a more modern look, but also improve the overall handling. But it is clearly one of the most beautiful phones launched by Google this year. With its high-quality finish, it immediately attracts the attention of onlookers.

The Pixel 9 Pro retains Google’s signature rear camera module from the base variant. This oval module is positioned centrally and minimizes any wobble when the phone is laid flat — a notable improvement over offset camera modules found on iPhone models, which can cause balance issues. The device is available in four colors: porcelain, rose quartz, hazelnut and obsidian, providing variety and a premium touch.

The Pixel 9 Pro is made from 100% recycled aluminum and is packaged plastic-free, highlighting both sustainability and durability. Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects both the front and back of the device, making it more resistant to drops and scratches. The placement of the ports and buttons remains the same as on the Pixel 9.

Display

The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with Google’s new 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED display, which offers a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. This means it outperforms even high-end competitors such as the iPhone 16 Pro, which reaches 2,000 nits, and the Galaxy S24 series, which achieves 2,600 nits. This brightness ensures that the display remains easy to read and bright even in direct sunlight.

The Super Actua display also has a variable refresh rate of 1-120 Hz, which makes the user experience smoother and saves battery power at the same time. Compared to the Pixel 9’s standard Actua display, which only supports a range of 60-120 Hz, the Pixel 9 Pro’s LTPO OLED panel can scale down to 1 Hz when displaying static images or in always-on display mode. With a resolution of 1280 x 2856, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a razor-sharp display that can be reduced to 1080p if the user wants to optimize battery life. This screen resolution is comparable to other flagship displays in its class and offers detailed clarity suitable for everyday use and multimedia consumption.

OS

Just like the Pixel 9, the Pro variant comes with Android 14 OS, which features a clean and optimized interface. The phone comes with seven years of OS and security updates, ensuring that users can expect long-term support without the need for frequent upgrades.

Processor

The Pixel 9 Pro is powered by the same Google Tensor G4 processor used in the other three phones, backed by 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. We have also discussed this in detail in previous test reports. While the Tensor G4 does not outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor found in competing models like the Galaxy S24 series, its real-world performance is optimized to work seamlessly in Google’s ecosystem.

A standout feature of the Pixel 9 Pro, as well as the other Pixel Series 9 phones, is Gemini AI, Google’s latest generation of AI-powered assistance. Integrated directly into the device, Gemini improves the user experience through contextual awareness and efficiency. For example, Gemini AI optimizes photo management, uses natural language processing to improve message replies, and provides smart reminders and suggestions. The Pixel 9 Pro, like the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Pixel 9, benefits from this on-device AI, setting it apart from other Android devices that rely on poorly integrated and bloatware-laden operating systems.

Camera

The Pixel 9 Pro’s camera system is a key feature, offering high-resolution sensors, refined software and computational photography enhancements. The camera on the back of the device consists of a 50 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle sensor with a 123° field of view and a 48 MP telephoto lens that supports 5x optical zoom and up to 30x super-res digital zoom.

Compared to the basic version of the Pixel 9, which has no special telephoto lens, the Pixel 9 Pro offers significantly improved zoom functions. The 5x optical zoom captures details from a distance without compromising clarity, while even the 10x digital zoom retains an impressive level of sharpness, with the loss of detail only becoming apparent at 20x.

Google’s software optimization through HDR+ technology ensures natural colors and balanced lighting conditions, especially in low light, where the Pixel’s Night Sight feature improves clarity.

The Pixel 9 Pro also offers new features for computational photography, such as the “Add Me” tool, which allows the photographer to appear in group shots by stitching images together. Other notable tools include the Magic Editor for advanced photo retouching, the Magic Eraser for removing unwanted elements and Best Take for selecting the best shots in a sequence. The camera’s software features combined with the robust hardware make the Pixel 9 Pro a leading choice for smartphone photography.

On the front, a 42 MP selfie camera offers ultra-wide shots with a 103° field of view. This is a significant upgrade over the Pixel 9’s 10.5 MP front-facing camera, which is suitable for group selfies and wide-angle portraits.

Battery

The Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a 4,700 mAh battery, which is the same as the vanilla version. The battery lasts a whole day under normal conditions. The Pixel 9 Pro supports wired charging with 27 W, just like the Pixel 9, as well as fast wireless charging (Qi-certified) and Battery Share for charging other compatible devices.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel 9 Pro sets a high bar for Android-only flagships, combining premium hardware with Google’s advanced AI and software features in a compact form factor. Its modernized design, improved Super Actua display and versatile camera system make it a competitive choice for anyone who values a premium smartphone experience.

For Pixel lovers, the new Pixel 9 Pro is the best choice on the market because it fits both ways in your pocket. And it’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful phones on the market today.