Pixel 9 Pro Review: Best Small Phone Contender
The Pixel 9 Pro is a smaller phone that maintains the bold design, specs, and camera of Google’s larger models, making it a strong contender for the best small phone available. Priced at ₹109972 (€1,099/$999/A$1,699), it is more affordable than its XL sibling but still falls within the high-end category. With a 6.3-inch screen, it offers a more compact option compared to the larger phones in the market, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15 Pro.
Impressive Features of the Pixel Phone
The Pixel phone boasts a bright, fast, and crisp screen that competes with the best in the industry. Its standout design features include a bold camera lump on the back, flat aluminum sides, and a frosted glass back, giving it an expensive look and feel.
The new Pixel phone features a Tensor G4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 128GB starting storage, performing similarly to the 9 Pro XL. While it operates smoothly and handles apps well, it falls short in raw performance compared to Android rivals with Qualcomm’s top chips, especially in gaming.
The phone offers good battery life, lasting over 48 hours with active screen use for about seven hours on a mix of 5G and wifi. Charging the phone to full takes just over 80 minutes using a 27W or greater USB-C charger (not included).
Long-lasting Pixel Phone with AI Features
The Pixel phone comes with Android 14 and offers seven years of software support, with an upcoming upgrade to Android 15. It stands out for its AI-based features, including the Gemini Nano AI models and the Gemini Live experience, which enables conversational interactions with Google’s advanced assistant. This feature allows for seamless back-and-forth discussions, remembering topics, providing information, and asking questions to enhance the conversation experience.
AI Utilities for Image Editing and Organization
The Gemini Advanced subscription, available for £19 a month or bundled free with a Pixel 9 Pro phone, offers human-like answers with personality. Additionally, the Screenshots app organizes images, Pixel Studio generates images from text prompts, Google Photos Magic Editor reframes images using generative AI, and the “reimagine” feature can fully transform photos with text prompts, producing impressive or potentially problematic results with minimal effort.
Camera Features of the 9 Pro
The 9 Pro boasts an impressive camera system, including a 48MP ultrawide, 50MP main, and a 48MP 5x telephoto camera. These cameras deliver high-quality images, especially excelling in challenging conditions like low light or capturing motion. The 5x telephoto camera offers advanced zoom capabilities, with in-sensor zoom features and up to 30x digital zoom, providing users with versatile shooting options.
Add Me Feature for Group Shots
The new Add Me feature on the 9 Pro allows photographers to seamlessly join group shots. By blending two photos taken consecutively, users can easily include themselves in the frame. An augmented reality overlay guides users on where to position themselves for the shot. While effective in some scenarios, mastering this feature may require practice, and it may encounter challenges with certain objects in the scene.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Sustainability
Google does not specify the battery lifespan but expects it to retain 80% capacity after 500 charge cycles. Repairable by Google and third-party shops, with genuine parts available from iFixit soon. Repair specialists rated the Pixel 9 Pro XL 5/10 for repairability.The Pixel 9 Pro incorporates at least 18% recycled materials, such as aluminium, plastic, rare earth elements, and tin. Google details the phone’s environmental impact in a report and offers free recycling for old devices.
Price
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is priced at ₹109972 (INR) (€1,099/$999/A$1,699), while other models like the Pixel 8a costs ₹54931 Pixel 9 costs ₹87956, Pixel 9 Pro XL costs ₹120980, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs ₹126485, and Apple iPhone 15 Pro costs ₹109972. This shows a range of prices for different models in the market. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is positioned in the higher price bracket compared to some of its predecessors and competitors like Samsung and Apple.
Pixel 9 Pro: Top-End Features in a Small Package
The Pixel 9 Pro offers top-end features in a compact size, with a 6.3-inch screen that houses all the high-end hardware found in Google’s larger superphone. This includes a full camera system with a 5x optical zoom, providing capabilities that other phones of similar size can’t match. Additionally, the device boasts long battery life, solid performance, software support for seven years, and cutting-edge AI features, including the Gemini Live conversational AI assistant through a bundled year’s subscription to Gemini Advanced.Priced at ₹109972, the Pixel 9 Pro competes with other high-end phones like Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro, making it a premium option for those seeking a powerful and compact device.
Key Features of Pixel 9 Pro – Compact size with top-end hardware – 6.
3-inch screen with full camera system and 5x optical zoom – Long battery life and decent performance – Software support for seven years and advanced AI features – Includes Gemini Live conversational AI assistant through Gemini Advanced subscription – Priced at ₹109972, in line with other high-end smartphones
