Google has finally unveiled its highly anticipated Pixel 9 series, introducing four new smartphones with distinct offerings. The entry-level Pixel 9 leads the pack, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold marks Google’s second foray into foldable devices. However, for those who purchased the Pixel 8 Pro last year, the question remains: is the Pixel 9 Pro worth the upgrade? Should you opt for the smaller Pixel 9 Pro or the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL? And beyond size and the new processor, are there any significant differences between these devices? If you’re upgrading from an older phone or venturing into the Pixel ecosystem for the first time, is the Pixel 9 Pro a worthwhile investment, or does last year’s Pixel 8 Pro still hold its ground? Let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison between the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL against the Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Specs
The Pixel 9 Pro XL can be considered the successor to the Pixel 8 Pro, but this year, Google has introduced a smaller sibling for those seeking a Pro experience in a more compact form factor. Designed to offer choice without compromising core specs, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL share identical specifications except for display size and battery capacity. The Pixel 9 Pro boasts a 6.3-inch Super Actua display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a larger 6.8-inch Super Actua display. If you’re upgrading from the Pixel 8 Pro, the XL might feel more comfortable, but if you’ve hesitated about buying the 8 Pro due to its 6.7-inch display size, the Pixel 9 Pro could be a better fit. The new Super Actua displays are the brightest ever seen on a Pixel, reaching up to 2000 nits HDR and 3000 nits peak brightness, surpassing the Pixel 8 Pro’s brightness by 25% and rivaling the brightest displays on any smartphone currently available.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Design and Display
One of the hallmarks of Pixel phones is their diverse array of color options. Google excels at crafting phones in appealing colors that avoid being garish or tacky. Both the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL come in four stylish color choices: Obsidian (White), Porcelain (Black), Hazel, and Rose Quartz. While the incredible blue Pixel 8 Pro isn’t being replicated this year, the Rose Quartz color is a compelling option.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Performance and Battery
A new phone inevitably means a new processor, but this time, there’s no radical shift in architecture or supplier. The Pixel 8 Pro was powered by the Tensor G3, while the Pixel 9 Pro series runs on the Tensor G4. Recognizing the increasing demand for ample memory, especially with the AI-centric experience, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL both come equipped with 16GB of RAM, compared to 12GB in the Pixel 8 Pro. The Tensor G4 is designed to deliver enhancements in everyday tasks while ensuring that all Pixel 9 devices can efficiently execute Google’s most advanced AI models. Google touts the Tensor G4 as the first processor capable of running Gemini Nano with multimodality. This translates to top-tier AI performance—45 tokens per second, to be exact—across all Pixel 9 series phones. Notably, these devices can recognize text, image, audio, and speech inputs. Google isn’t the pioneer in AI features, nor will it be the last, but purchasing the Pixel 9 Pro grants you a year of free Gemini Advanced access (normally priced at $20 per month). Gemini also serves as the default assistant on all Pixel 9 phones, although you have the option to switch back to Google Assistant.
While the Pixel 9 Pro XL technically boasts a larger battery (5.060 mAh) than the Pixel 8 Pro (5,050 mAh), the difference of just 10mAh makes them essentially identical. The Pixel 8 Pro’s battery life raised concerns for many users, so it remains uncertain how much improvement the new battery offers. If the Pixel 9 Pro XL battery does demonstrate better performance, it will likely be attributed to the efficiency of the Tensor G4 processor. Conversely, the Pixel 9 Pro, with its smaller 4,700mAh battery, is expected to have inferior battery life compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.
This year, Google is addressing the charging limitations of the Pixel with a much-needed boost. The Pixel 8 Pro offered 30-watt charging, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes. The entire Pixel 9 Pro series now supports 45W charging. For the Pixel 9 Pro, this translates to up to 55% charge in 30 minutes, while Google claims the Pixel 9 Pro XL can achieve 70% charge in about 30 minutes. Qi wireless charging is also present, but there’s no support for MagSafe-like Qi2 magnetic wireless charging.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras
The cameras on the Pixel 9 Pro largely mirror those on the Pixel 8 Pro, with a few subtle refinements. You’ll find the same triple camera system, including the 50MP wide camera, 48MP ultrawide camera with Macro Focus, and the 48MP telephoto lens that offers 5x optical zoom. Google has a proven track record of merging AI with exceptional camera hardware to produce impressive results. The Pixel 9 Pro excels at capturing high-quality photos across various zoom lengths—0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, and 10x—all without the need for additional hardware. Super Res Zoom, which allows for up to 30x zoom, is now also available in video for the first time.
The front-facing camera receives a significant upgrade compared to last year. The Pixel 8 Pro featured a 10.5MP ultrawide selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture, but the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL boast the best selfie cameras in any Pixel to date. The new 42MP selfie camera offers four times the detail and likely utilizes pixel binning to capture significantly more light at the 10.5MP range. Expect vastly improved selfies on the Pixel 9 Pro compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Software and Updates
Google Pixel enthusiasts might have noticed that this year’s launch is earlier than usual, breaking the established trend. Previous launches occurred in October, allowing the Pixel series to be the first to run the latest Android OS. However, this year’s launch is too early for that distinction. Android 15 is still in beta, and the Pixel 9 series won’t ship with Android 15 out of the box. Instead, it will come equipped with Android 14, with a future update to Android 15 expected to arrive when it’s available. It’s unclear whether this upgrade to Android 15 will count as one of the seven guaranteed version updates. Nevertheless, Google remains committed to its 7/7/7 update schedule: seven years of updates, seven years of security updates, and seven years of Pixel feature drops. This means the Pixel 9 series is expected to be supported until August 2031, while the Pixel 8 Pro will be supported until October 2030. However, given the earlier launch timing this year, both phones should theoretically end with the same Android version.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: AI Features
As anticipated, the new Pixel 9 series introduces a plethora of AI features. Some of these might eventually become available for the Pixel 8 Pro through future Drops, but the specifics and potential limitations due to the Tensor G4 processor remain unclear. Google excels at leveraging software to create transformative experiences, and some of these AI features could be as revolutionary as Magic Eraser was three years ago.
Add Me will likely become the most frequently used of these new features, addressing a common photography dilemma: capturing a photo with a friend that isn’t a selfie. While asking a stranger for assistance is an option, relying on Google is a much more convenient solution. Add Me works by capturing two photos—one with you and one with your friend—and seamlessly stitching them together. It’s an elegant solution to a real-world problem that’s bound to delight many users.
Magic Eraser is also receiving a minor update in the form of Auto Frame. Magic Eraser now has the ability to recompose a photo to enhance its composition, and you can also type prompts to generate and add new elements to the photo.
AI-powered enhancements are also being implemented in Video Boost, which can apply HDR+ at any zoom level and even upscale footage to 8K resolution. However, the 8K upscaling feature is limited to the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL.
One particularly useful addition is the Pixel Screenshots app. We’ve all encountered scenarios where we capture screenshots of important information—apartment codes, Wi-Fi passwords—only to find ourselves unable to locate those screenshots later. Now, screenshots are stored in a dedicated app, and you can simply ask Gemini to help you find them by providing details. For instance, if you request your apartment codes from Gemini, it will forward your request to the Pixel Screenshots app. The app will then surface the codes and display the corresponding screenshots. This feature is surprisingly neat and should prove helpful for a wide range of users.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Price and Availability
The Pixel 8 Pro launched at $999 and came with 12GB of RAM alongside storage options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. The Pixel 9 Pro starts at the same price with the same storage options, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL carries a $100 premium. Both Pixel 9 series phones come equipped with 16GB of RAM. In essence, this means the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which most closely resembles the Pixel 8 Pro in size, is slightly more expensive this year. Similar to the price increase for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, this increment is challenging to fully justify, though at least the Pixel 9 Pro represents a more significant upgrade compared to Samsung’s latest foldable. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are currently available for pre-order as of August 13. The Pixel 9 Pro XL officially goes on sale on August 22, while the smaller Pixel 9 Pro will become available on September 4.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Verdict
Should you upgrade from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL, or should you opt for the Pixel 8 Pro instead of the newer models? The answer, as always, depends on your specific needs and priorities. There’s a good chance you can snag a great deal on the Pixel 8 Pro, making it an attractive purchase. Similarly, if you’re drawn to the stunning blue color option available last year, the Pixel 8 Pro is your only choice. However, if you’re new to the Pixel ecosystem, we recommend going with the new Pixel 9 Pro series. There’s no compelling reason to pay the same price for last year’s phone. We favor the Tensor G4 processor over the previous Tensor G3, so if possible, avoid the Pixel 8 Pro. If you desire a smaller version of the Pro phone without the compromises associated with non-Pro models like the regular Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro is the ideal choice. If you’re looking for the next iteration of the Pixel 8 Pro in a comparable size (albeit slightly larger by 0.1 inches), the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the better option.
For those currently using a Pixel 8 Pro, your decision might be slightly different. If your Pixel 8 Pro is still performing well without any issues, the Pixel 9 Pro (or 9 Pro XL) is unlikely to represent a revolutionary upgrade. While the upgraded specs are undoubtedly appealing, they don’t necessarily constitute life-changing improvements. If you’re satisfied with your Pixel 8 Pro, feel free to hold onto it. But if you have extra funds to spend and appreciate having the latest and greatest tech, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL won’t disappoint.
