Google is taking a bite out of the Pixel Pro+ this year. This makes the Pixel 9 Pro an interesting choice for lovers of compact premium phones.

After officially launching the Pixel phones in Belgium a year ago, Google is continuing to expand its offering this year. In the summer, the company launched four new smartphones. In addition to the fixed Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, the latest additions are an “XL” model and the foldable Pixel Fold.

We previously took a closer look at the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, now it’s the turn of the Pixel 9 Pro. The Pixel Pro is traditionally Google’s show model, but the presence of the Pixel 9 Pro XL puts the device between the other two models this year. However, this middle child receives just as much attention and love from his parents as the older and smaller brothers.

Size smaller

We know the Pixel Pro as a great phone, but this year Google washed the device at temperatures that were too high. The Pro model has “shrunk” to 6.3 inches and is the same size as the Pixel 9, which has hardly any external differences. Fans of large cell phones can still choose the XL version (6.8 inches).

Google has therefore decided to release two Pixel Pro models this year. This move can be as clever as it is confusing. With the Pixel 9 Pro, Google is breaking the unwritten rule that premium phones have to be big, while there is definitely a target group for small phones. The Google Pixel has been the best alternative to Samsung Galaxy S phones for years.

The Pixel 9 Pro’s screen lives up to its name. With a resolution of 1,280 x 2,856 on an area of ​​6.3 inches, the Pixel 9 Pro can definitely be described as a pixel bomb. Google has also significantly increased the resolution of the Pro models: we measured a peak brightness of up to 200 nits.

Homemade processor

The inner workings of all Pixel 9 devices are identical. As in previous years, Google is relying on a self-built Tensor G4 processor. The Pixel 9 Pro has 16GB of RAM and the storage can be configured from 128GB to 512GB. Only the XL version offers up to 1TB of storage.

The Tensor processor is not a sprint bomb and this also shows in comparison with other brands. Xiaomi and Samsung don’t even have to choose their top models to leave the Pixel 9 Pro far behind. Google’s processor clearly doesn’t have the raw processing power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

If we simulate at the level of more everyday applications such as web surfing, we find that the differences are less pronounced, to the detriment of Google. In everyday use, the Tensor G4 runs smoothly and you hardly notice any glitches with the Pixel 9 Pro.

There are more questions about the graphical capabilities of the Pixel 9 phones. Once again, the differences to the Samsung S24 and the GPU monsters Xiaomi 14 and OnePlus 12 are striking. A simple game can be played without any problems, but if you like to play a 3D game, you will notice that the Pixel 9 Pro does not deliver top performance for its price.

Relieves stress trauma

The Pixel 9 Pro has the same 4,700mAh battery as the Pixel 9. On paper, you’d expect the Pixel 9 Pro XL to be the star with its 5,060mAh battery, but the opposite is true. Despite their smaller battery, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro perform better in the battery tests. The Pixel 9 is even a surprising standout.

Charging has been a difficult affair for Pixel phones for years. The Pixel 9 Pro brings a small improvement. The charging power is 27 W, the same as the Pixel 9, but the Pro still charges significantly faster. Charging to fifty percent takes 26 minutes and charging to eighty percent takes 45 minutes. The charging times are comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S24. Wireless charging is supported at 21W.

Don’t make the mistake of buying Google’s 45W charger. Theoretically, only the Pixel 9 Pro XL can achieve this maximum capacity. If you own a Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro, you’re limited to 27W, regardless of whether you bought the branded charger for 35 euros or use any charger.

House specialty

Photography has been a hallmark of Pixel phones since the first generation, and the ninth generation doesn’t disappoint. Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro share two cameras: a 50 MP main camera (f/1.7), supported by a 48 MP wide-angle camera (f/1.7, 123°). The most important addition to the Pro models is a telephoto camera.

Thanks to the large sensor, the main camera can let in a lot of light. This has advantages both during the day and especially in the evening. The sharpness is well maintained without creating an excessive artificial lighting effect. In some images the color isn’t as bright, but we prefer a more realistic representation over overzealous algorithms that turn your photos into a coloring book.

A wide-angle camera is a must for many devices, but that’s not the case here. The quality of the wide-angle camera is very close to the main camera and the camera holds up well even at night. However, there are few situations in which we needed the wide-angle camera. The main camera allows a wide viewing angle. With the main camera in a vertical position, you can even get a full view of tall buildings, which also produces more natural results than forcing them into view with a wide-angle camera.

The telephoto lens has an optical zoom range of 5x and you can zoom in digitally up to 30x. The camera doesn’t shake when you zoom in far. Even at maximum zoom, objects remain clearly visible, although you can see an expected difference in lighting. When night falls, a conveniently placed lamp post is not an unnecessary luxury. In dark places, you are more likely to notice “grains” when zooming in.

Additionally, there are plenty of fun features to spice up your photos both during and after you take them. As a photographer, are you never included in group photos? Then you can Add me-Have multiple photos taken by different photographers. With the help of AI, photos are combined into a group photo that includes everyone.

Goodbye Google Assistant, hello Gemini

Google is not afraid to integrate AI functions into its new smartphones. Gemini can be found all over the Pixel 9 devices. Gemini is the successor to the late Google Assistant, which quietly disappeared. You still wake up the Assistant in the same way, by pressing the Home button or saying “Hey Google” into the microphone.

Gemini can do much more than just tell you the weather or a bad joke. Google likes to sell Gemini as a helper that you can always fall back on. Gemini can, among other things, tell you more about your surroundings based on a photo you just took, summarize websites for you, or search specifically for information in your inbox. What Google ultimately has in mind with Gemini on your phone is very similar to Apple Intelligence.

However, there are many features hidden behind a paid subscription to Gemini and/or Google Workspace. For owners of a Pixel 9 Pro, Google is giving a little extra and you can use Gemini Advanced for free for a year.

Too early for Android 15

Google is not only a smartphone manufacturer, but of course also the company behind Android. This way you get the pure Android experience on Pixel devices as intended by Google. As a Pixel owner, you also get priority when a new Android version is available. Normally the launch of the new Pixel phones and the new Android go hand in hand, but things are different this year.

Google launched the Pixel 9 series back in August, while Android 15 was just out of the oven. The update is only now rolling out to your device. This made the promise of seven Android updates less effective, as you immediately lose an update to Android 15.

Conclusion: smaller, but even more beautiful

This year too, the Pixel devices are at the absolute top in the smartphone market. The strengths of previous years are once again clearly evident, such as the compact form factor and the cameras. It’s a shame that the usual disadvantages also return, such as slow loading.

The Pixel 9 Pro opens up a new niche in the premium segment. The device offers top features in a pocket size without compromise. If you are looking for a compact premium cell phone, the Pixel 9 Pro is an interesting option this year.

The Google Pixel 9 is available in black, white, pink and gray. The basic version with 12 GB RAM and 128 GB storage costs 1099 euros including VAT.

Android Update Policy: Google guarantees that Pixel 9 devices will receive security updates for at least seven years and OS updates for seven years. This period begins with the launch on September 2, 2024 with Android 14.