Google Pixel 9 vs. 9 Pro vs. 9 Pro XL: What's the Difference? (2024)

Google's Pixel 9 lineup is here, and there are more choices than ever. In addition to the high-end Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google has three slab-style Pixel 9 phones: the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Prices range from $799 to more than $1,549, and while they share plenty of features, knowing the differences between them will help you pick the right one. Let's compare the specs to see how it all shakes out.

Go Large or Extra Large?

With three different phones, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Pixel 9 comes in three different sizes. Instead, there's the base Pixel 9 with a 6.3-inch screen and a costlier Pixel 9 Pro, also with a 6.3-inch screen. These two phones are the same size. It's the Pixel 9 Pro XL that's larger than the other two, owing to its 6.8-inch display.

In terms of dimensions, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro measure 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and weigh 7.0 ounces. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is larger and heavier, measuring 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches and weighing 7.8 ounces.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (Credit: Eric Zeman)

None of these phones can be called small, though the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro's 2.8-inch width makes them easier to hold and use with one hand. The 9 Pro XL is clearly a monster and will be more taxing to your pockets.

Color Choices

The Pixel 9 is available in four colors: Obsidian (black), Peony (pink), Porcelain (whiteish), or Wintergreen. The Pro models are also offered in four colors, but they change things up a bit to Hazel (gray/green), Obsidian, Porcelain, or Rose Quartz (a lighter pink with gold highlights).

Left to right: Google Pixel 9 in Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Wintergreen (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Another visual differentiator? The finishes. The Pixel 9 features a glossy rear panel and matte aluminum framing, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro has a matte finish to the rear glass with a more polished aluminum frame.

Display Differences

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro both feature 6.3-inch displays but differ in other ways. The Pixel 9 has a resolution of 2,424 by 1,080 pixels and a pixel density of 442 pixels per inch (ppi), while the Pixel 9 Pro has a few more pixels at 2,856 by 1,280 and 495ppi. The Pixel 9 Pro XL packs a 6.8-inch display with a resolution of 2,992 by 1,344 pixels for a density of 486ppi. All three are OLED Actua Displays in a 20:9 aspect ratio.

Google Pixel 9 Pro (Credit Eric Zeman)

The Pixel 9 features a refresh rate that ranges from 60Hz to 120Hz, but the Pro line offers a wider range from 1Hz to 120Hz. The Pro's ability to scale down to 1Hz will help boost its battery life, especially when using the always-on display. The Pixel 9 can get really bright at 1,800 nits for HDR content and 2,000 nits at its peak. The Pixel 9 Pro series pushes even more light at 2,000 nits for HDR content and 3,000 nits peak.

Tensor G4 Brings the Power

Google's new self-designed Tensor G4 chip is inside the entire range of Pixel 9 phones. Of note, Tensor chips typically do not excel at artificial benchmarks. Instead, Google tunes the Tensor for machine learning and AI capabilities. The Tensor allows the Pixel 9 series to run Gemini Nano directly on the device. Gemini can recognize images, transcribe audio, and provide text summaries without connecting to Google's servers.

(Credit: Eric Zeman)

For example, you can take a photo of a concert flyer and then ask Gemini to check your calendar to see if you are free and even craft an invitation for your friends to go to said concert. All of these calculations are performed on-device using Tensor G4.

Google says the G4 offers 20% faster web browsing, 17% faster app launches, and better power efficiency. We'll have to see how that actually shakes out in testing.

For connectivity, the Pixel 9 series supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. The 9 Pro models also contain an Ultra-Wideband chip for spatial orientation, which makes it easier to find your device thanks to a higher degree of accuracy.

Memory and Storage

Google has improved memory across the board but left storage options basically unchanged when compared with the Pixel 8 family.

The Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM, while the 9 Pro and Pro XL have 16GB. This should help ensure smooth performance across all three phones, particularly when it comes to multitasking.

(Credit: Eric Zeman)

The Pixel 9 offers either 128GB or 256GB of onboard storage. If you need more, you'll have to upgrade to the 9 Pro or Pro XL, which includes 512GB and 1TB options. Remember, there's no microSD storage slot available on Pixel phones, so what you buy is what you get.

Like last year's models, the Pixel 9 series comes with Google's promise of seven years of OS updates, security upgrades, and Pixel Feature Drops. If you're looking to keep your Pixel 9 for a long time, you may want to opt for the most storage now so you have it down the road.

Camera Quality

All three Pixel 9 models share the same main and ultra-wide cameras. Each features a 50MP main shooter with an aperture of f/1.68, an 82-degree field of view, and both electrical and optical image stabilization (OIS). The 48MP ultra-wide camera comes with an aperture of f/1.7 and a 123-degree field of view.

Google Pixel 9 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have one more lens: a 48MP f/2.8 telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and OIS. This camera has a 22-degree field of view and offers Google's Super Res Zoom up to 20x. Super Res Zoom uses a combination of optical zoom, digital cropping, and AI to produce sharper images than standard digital zoom. The Pixel 9 features Super Res Zoom up to 8x via the main 50MP camera.

The selfie cameras within this generation of Pixels are different. The Pixel 9 gets a 10.5MP front-facing camera with a 95-degree field of view. It adds autofocus for the first time. The Pixel 9 Pro comes with a 42MP f/2.2 selfie camera with a 103-degree field of view and autofocus.

Like last year, the Pro series camera app offers controls that let you change settings like focus, ISO, and shutter speed directly. Pro controls are not available on the regular Pixel 9.

Video capture tops out at 4K60 on both the front and rear cameras of every Pixel 9. The Pixel 9 Pro series can produce 8K video when using Google Video Boost, a feature that lets you upload your video for processing in the cloud and adds HDR+ quality to it. Video Boost is exclusive to the 9 Pro devices.

Battery Life and Charging

Google claims every Pixel 9 has a battery life that exceeds 24 hours, which we will be sure to test. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro both have a 4,700mAh battery, while the 9 Pro XL has a 5,060mAh cell.

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro charge at up to 27W and the Pixel 9 Pro XL charges at up to 37W. Google claims that the 9 and 9 Pro can achieve a 55% charge in 30 minutes, while the 9 Pro XL can charge 70% in the same amount of time. To charge that quickly, Google recommends its new 45W USB-C charger. No charger is included with the phones.

All three models support wireless charging. If you use a second-gen Google Pixel Stand, the Pixel 9 can charge at up to 15W, the Pixel 9 Pro at 21W, and the 9 Pro XL at up to 23W. If you use a compatible Qi charger, you can get up to 12W wirelessly. All three models are capable of reverse wireless charging as well.

Which Pixel 9 Is Best for You?

If you've made it this far, you know that there's a lot that's the same across Google's three new Pixel phones. But you also know what sets each model apart, so it's time to select the one that fits you best.

Pixel 9 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

• Get the Pixel 9 if you're on a budget and want access to Google's new Gemini AI tools.

• Get the Pixel 9 Pro if you want a compact phone with no compromises.

• Get the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you want the biggest display and all the latest features—no matter the cost.

We plan to publish full, in-depth reviews of all three phones soon, so make sure to check back for our findings and ratings. Until then, you can pre-order the phones now.