Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review
The Pixel 6 Pro features a vapour chamber cooling system and retains wireless charging capabilities while being lightweight like the titanium-clad iPhone 15 Pro Max and slimmer than its predecessor, the Pixel 8 Pro. It also has an IP68 rating, making it suitable for submersion in fresh water and sand, although water damage is not covered under warranty.
Google 9 Pro XL Display Review
The Google 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inch display with rounded corners, offering a resolution of 1,344 x 2,992 pixels and a refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. The display type is flat, LTPO, OLED, and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and rear panels. The ‘Pro XL’ designation signifies a larger display compared to previous ‘Pro’ models, providing a bright screen with 3,000 nits peak brightness and natural-looking colors when the Natural color preset is enabled.
Despite not matching the sharpness of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display, the Google 9 Pro XL’s screen performs well. The device features an upgraded ultrasonic under-display fingerprint reader, offering improved reliability. Additionally, the selfie camera supports secure unlocking through AI-based facial recognition, which is of banking-grade security, as long as there is sufficient lighting available.
Display Design of Google Pixel Phones
The design of Google Pixel phones, with excessive curvature of rounded corners and skinny bezels, results in some wasted screen space similar to iPhones. The status bar has been pushed higher towards the top edge, leaving wasted space above it, reducing the usable area of the 6.8-inch display to 6.7 inches on the Pixel 8 Pro.
Despite this, the well-spaced-out content on the display looks aesthetically pleasing.The Pixel 7 Pro’s display feels larger due to its wider aspect ratio with sharper corners compared to the 8 Pro and 9 Pro XL. Overall, the design offers a visually appealing layout, although some screen space is underutilized due to the specific design choices.
Google 9 Pro XL Review: AI Features and Software Updates
Google’s Pixel UI remains visually similar but now includes heavy artificial intelligence (AI) features, especially in the ‘Pro’-branded models. The software commitment includes 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates, ensuring longevity and continuous improvement for users.
Add Me Feature for Creative Editing
The ‘Add Me’ feature allows users to insert themselves into photos where they were not physically present, sparking thoughts on the boundary between reality and artificial enhancements. While technically not deceitful, this feature may evoke a sense of guilt when viewing the modified images.
Pixel Screenshots for Enhanced Organization
The Pixel Screenshots feature offers a convenient way to manage and retrieve numerous screenshots efficiently. Whether for memory preservation, evidence collection, or information extraction, this tool simplifies the process of locating specific details within screenshots for future reference.
Fun Tool for Artistic Creations
Pixel Studio is a new feature that adds to the ongoing discussion of fake versus real content. This tool, currently in beta, allows users to effortlessly bring their artistic visions to life. From creating an edible dog resembling a cake to a pizza made of Oreo cookies, Pixel Studio offers a platform for artistic expression with minimal effort. However, there are limitations to the tool, as Google has been imposing restrictions on the content that can be generated, indicating a shift in accessibility over time.
Google’s Limits on Pixel Studio
While Pixel Studio initially provided users with creative freedom, Google has been implementing and removing constraints on the types of content that can be produced using the tool. Despite its innovative approach to digital artistry, there are boundaries to what Pixel Studio can achieve. Users may encounter limitations when attempting to create more complex designs, such as a bridge on fire, highlighting the evolving nature of this tool’s capabilities under Google’s supervision.
Innovative Image Editing Tools
Google and Apple are developing image editing tools with unique features. Google’s tool includes smart workarounds to prevent harmful or gory content, while Apple’s tool focuses on producing cartoon-like images. These tools hint at the future ability to edit human images, but for now, they prioritize safety and creativity.
Impact of Free Editing Tools – Google’s free tool may lead to an influx of internet junk and challenge the role of creative professionals. The availability of these tools raises questions about the necessity of professional editing skills at basic levels, potentially changing how people approach image editing in the future.
Innovative Photo Editing Tools
Reimagine is a new image editing tool in Google Photos that allows users to change backgrounds or reframe photos while keeping the subjects intact. The tool’s output quality may vary, but it can produce convincing results that make it hard to detect edits. On the other hand, Zoom Enhance is another AI-powered tool that enhances photos taken at high digital zoom levels by adding pixels and sharpening the image. While the results are slightly better than the original, the tool is not flawless.
Gemini Live is a standout feature of the new Pixel Pro models, although it is not exclusive to Pixel devices and is already available on other Samsung devices. Despite not being as advanced as Open AI’s GPT-4o, Gemini Live is highly responsive in providing answers. However, the accuracy of its responses may vary, as it can contradict itself and even acknowledge incorrect answers during conversations.
AI Integration in Everyday Apps
The Gemini Live AI assistant offers human-like conversations but lacks practical actions like setting alarms. Despite its engaging interface, the subscription cost may not justify its utility once the free trial ends. Some responses are based on US/EU data, even when asked for local recommendations.
On the other hand, AI technology is expanding into various unexpected areas, such as weather reports, list generation in apps like Keep, and features like Car Crash Detection for specific Pixel phone users in India. However, certain functionalities like Satellite SOS are currently limited to users in the US.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Performance Review
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, powered by the Google Tensor G4 processor with 16GB of RAM and storage options of 256/512GB, falls short in raw performance compared to competitors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC found in premium flagships and foldables like the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro.
Despite this, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does not exhibit any lag when navigating the software interface or multitasking, thanks to its 16GB of RAM which keeps apps in memory and enhances the speed of AI tasks and workloads.
Overall Performance and AI Capabilities
While the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL may not match up to other devices in terms of raw performance, its smooth operation in software usage and multitasking, along with efficient handling of AI tasks and workloads, make it a reliable choice for users who prioritize these aspects over sheer processing power.
The device’s 16GB of RAM plays a crucial role in maintaining app performance and speeding up AI-related functions, ensuring a seamless user experience despite its performance limitations compared to competitors.
Performance and Camera Quality of Google 9 Pro XL
While the VC cooling system maintains peak performance by managing heat, the gaming performance of the device falls short compared to other premium flagships due to the display’s slow touch sampling rate. Despite the new Adaptive Touch feature that adjusts touch sensitivity based on activity, the display lags during interactions. The camera, equipped with a new chip and more RAM, struggles after capturing 5 portrait photos consecutively, similar to the Pixel 8 Pro’s performance issues.
Audio and Camera Specifications
The device features two speakers that deliver high-quality sound, but the bottom speaker, responsible for most audio output, can be easily muffled during gaming or video playback due to its placement. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with OIS, and a 42-megapixel selfie camera, offering a range of photography options for users.
Camera Performance Comparison
When taking selfies, the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s edge detection is lacking compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. Despite having a high-resolution sensor, image quality is similar with minor improvements in daylight and low light conditions. Google’s 5X telephoto camera captures detailed photos in all lighting situations, but image quality diminishes beyond 10X zoom. The Zoom Enhance AI tool in the Photos app can improve images taken at 15X or 30X zoom levels, although the enhancement is not groundbreaking.
The ultra-wide camera of the Pixel 9 Pro XL produces slightly soft images with blown-out highlights and purple fringing in daylight, unlike the Pixel 8 Pro. However, in low-light settings, the Pixel 9 Pro XL captures more detail, especially in darker areas, compared to its predecessor.
Enhancements in Video Quality with Pixel 9 Pro Series
Video quality benefits significantly from the new VC cooling system in the Pixel 9 Pro series, preventing automatic downscaling or quality drops due to reduced heat compared to older models. The Pixel 8 Pro offers better resolved detail than the 9 Pro XL, which has softer and brighter visuals. Despite noise in low light conditions, the overall quality remains satisfactory. While not as smooth as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Pixel’s Video Boost feature helps improve video stability.
Video Boost, introduced post-launch with the Pixel 8 Pro, initially showed mixed results but significantly improved with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google claims the 9 Pro series offers faster video rendering, 8K upscaling support, and enhanced HDR+. Video Boost enhances clarity, contrast, colors, and stabilization, particularly beneficial for low-light footage with noise reduction. However, the downside is the processing time required for Video Boost, with no estimated duration provided for when the enhanced video will be ready.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Battery Review
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a battery capacity of 5,060mAh, a charging rate of 45W, and supports wireless charging up to 23W. Despite a modest increase in battery capacity compared to the previous model, the phone’s battery life fell short in tests, lasting just 12 hours and 19 minutes in a video loop test. With heavy usage, the phone barely managed to last a full day, reaching 18 percent battery by the end of the workday. While the battery performance is acceptable for a Pixel device, it lags behind competitors, making it a one-day smartphone.
Charging Speed and Limitations
When tested with a 65W GaN charger, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL took 1 hour and 30 minutes to charge. Google states that the 45W charging rate can only be achieved with its proprietary charger, which is not available for purchase in India. This limitation may impact the charging experience for users in regions where the official charger is not accessible.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: A Premium Smartphone with AI Features
Priced at Rs.1,24,999 for the base 256GB variant and Rs. 1,39,999 for the 512GB variant, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a top-end model that addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, the Pixel 8 Pro. While it may not match Samsung or Vivo‘s flagships in raw performance, it offers a range of AI features that can revolutionize how users work and socialize. These AI capabilities are marketed as “helpful” and “time-saving,” although some users may find them intrusive.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts premium build quality and addresses long-standing hardware issues such as heat management and display brightness. Despite its slightly underwhelming battery life and the premium cost of Gemini Advanced features, this model is likely to appeal to Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro users, as well as iPhone owners looking for a device that excels in various aspects. Overall, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL presents a compelling case for the integration of AI features in smartphones, offering users the choice to embrace or ignore these functionalities.