Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: Google's Biggest Gamble Yet

Google's latest flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, marks a significant leap forward in the company's smartphone evolution. It isn't just another incremental update – it's a bold statement of intent. 

From the moment you look at it, you know this isn't your average Pixel. Gone are the familiar curves, replaced by a sleek, flat-sided design that screams premium. The Pixel 9 Pro XL positions itself as a formidable contender in the high-end smartphone market. 

But here's the million-dollar question (or should I say the ₹1,24,999 question): Is all this innovation worth the eye-watering price tag? Does Google's AI wizardry justify the premium over its rivals? And can a great camera and all-day battery life sway a potential buyer's decision in Google's favour?

Design

The Pixel 9 Pro XL represents an evolution in Google's design language. Gone are the curved edges of previous models, replaced by a sleeker, flatter profile reminiscent of recent iPhones. The aluminium frame has a high-gloss finish that looks premium but might be a bit slippery. 

The camera bar has morphed into more of a camera island, which fits nicely into the overall aesthetic. Its design stands out from that of other Android flagships while still feeling refined and purposeful. The frosted Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back has a nice tactile feel and resists fingerprints well.

With a 6.8-inch screen, this is a big phone, but Google has managed to trim the bezels even more than before, resulting in an impressive screen-to-body ratio. The flatter sides make this phone feel thicker in hand than the Pixel 8 Pro, even though it's technically slightly thinner.

The colour options are more muted this year, with shades called Rose Quartz and Hazel replacing previous bolder choices. Overall, it's a more mature look that should appeal to a wide audience.

Display

The 6.8-inch OLED display on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is simply stunning. Google calls it a Super Actua Display, and it lives up to the hype. With a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, it's easily viewable even in bright sunlight. The colours are vibrant yet accurate, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations.

The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it excellent for media consumption. The uniform, slim bezels add to the immersive experience, and the slightly larger screen compared to the Pixel 8 Pro (despite similar overall dimensions) is a welcome improvement.

Text is razor-sharp thanks to the 2992x1344-pixel resolution, and the always-on display is useful and power-efficient. Overall, this is one of the best smartphone displays on the market, rivalling and, in some ways, surpassing offerings from Samsung and Apple.

Performance

The Tensor G4 chip powering the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which Google designed itself, is a bit of a mixed bag. In raw benchmarks, it lags behind the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon and Apple A-series chips. However, the phone feels snappy and responsive in real-world usage, likely due to Google's excellent software optimisations.

Where the Tensor G4 really shines is in AI and machine learning tasks. Features such as real-time translation, advanced photo processing, and the new Gemini AI assistant run smoothly and quickly. The 16GB of RAM ensures excellent multitasking performance, with apps staying in memory for extended periods.

Gaming performance is generally good, though you might notice some frame drops in the most demanding titles at the highest settings. This phone can get warm during extended gaming sessions, but not uncomfortably so.

While not a benchmark champion, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers more than enough performance for most users, especially those interested in leveraging its AI capabilities.

Battery life

Battery life has been a weak point for previous Pixel flagships, but Google seems to have finally cracked the code with the 9 Pro XL. Its 5,060mAh battery consistently delivered all-day battery life during the review period, even with heavy use. Most users should be able to comfortably get through a full day with 7-9 hours of screen-on time.

Charging speeds have been upgraded to 37W (wired) and 23W (wireless, using Google's Pixel Stand). A full charge takes about 75 minutes, which is decent but not class-leading.

The improved efficiency of the Tensor G4 chip and Google's adaptive battery technology likely contribute to the longer runtime. Overall, battery anxiety should be a thing of the past for most Pixel 9 Pro XL users.

Cameras

The camera system on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a tale of incremental improvements rather than revolutionary changes. The primary 50MP sensor has the same resolution as last year's model, but improved processing delivers even better results, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

The ultrawide camera has been upgraded with a brighter f/1.7 aperture, improving low-light performance. The 5X telephoto camera remains excellent, though some competitors offer more zoom range.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL really shines in its computational photography and AI-powered features. The new Add Me feature allows you to add yourself to group photos after shooting them, while Magic Editor offers powerful editing capabilities right on the device.

Video performance has improved significantly, with better stabilization and the ability to shoot 8K clips. The new Video Boost feature, which processes footage in the cloud for enhanced quality, is impressive when it works but can be inconsistent.

The upgraded 42MP selfie camera is a standout, offering excellent detail and improved low-light performance.

While its hardware specs may not be the most impressive on paper, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's camera system delivers consistently excellent results across a wide range of scenarios, cementing Google's reputation for top-tier smartphone photography.

Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly the most refined and capable Pixel phone to date. It addresses many of the pain points of previous models, particularly regarding battery life and overall performance. The camera system, while not revolutionary, remains among the best in the smartphone world.

This phone's AI capabilities, powered by the Tensor G4 chip and Google's Gemini AI, offer a glimpse into the future of smartphones. Features like real-time translation, advanced photo editing, and contextual assistance showcase the potential of on-device AI.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is best suited for those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem, who value clean software with long-term update support, and are excited about cutting-edge AI features. For others, it's worth considering alternatives or perhaps the smaller Pixel 9 Pro, which offers nearly all of the same capabilities in a more compact and slightly more affordable package.

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL is impressive, its ₹1,24,999 price tag means it won't be the best choice for everyone. It's a showcase of Google's AI prowess and software capabilities, wrapped in refined hardware – but you'll need to decide if that's worth the premium price.