Google Pixel 9 Pro review: Utterly, Shutterly, AI-lecious

Google Pixel 9 Pro

If Google’s Pixel lineup were a band, the camera would have been its lead singer — a showstopper with hits that consistently topped the charts. But with the Pixel 9 Pro, it’s like Google realized that the whole band should be in harmony and not just be a one-man show.

Pixel phones have dominated the smartphone photography game,  refining the art of computational photography. The Pixel 9 Pro, however, isn’t just about the camera. It’s evolved into an all-rounder, blending AI, software prowess, and reliability.

Yes, the cameras are still the star, producing excellent shots in daylight and low light alike. But this time, Google’s also playing backup with an improved display, compact form factor, smarter AI features. Wondering what the Pixel 9 Pro has to offer? Read on:

Google Pixel 9 Pro review: Design and display

The Pixel 9 series design has seen a bit of a makeover. The camera island at the back looks much different — and better — than the Pixel 8 series. The Pixel 9 Pro got a sleek, shiny metal frame that feels super sturdy and premium. It does give off the iPhone vibe but nothing wrong there as it is easy to use. The back and front are covered in Gorilla Glass Victus 2, so it can take a beating or two.

What works in its favour is that it’s not too heavy, weighing just under 200 grams. So it feels comfortable in your hand. We are used to big phones that the relatively compact form factor of the Pixel 9 Pro comes as a breath of fresh air. It’s also only 8.5mm thick, so it’s sleek and stylish without being too bulky. And guess what? It’s IP68 rated, so it can handle dust and water to a certain extent.

Now, I know some people might be worried about the Pixel 9 Pro being smaller than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. But trust me, it’s still big enough to be a good everyday phone. You can easily use it with one hand, and it’s got all the features you need. Plus, the minimalist design is actually pretty cool once you get used to it.

This year, Google has upgraded to an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, providing quick and reliable unlocking. It’s one of the better fingerprint scanners out there.

The Pixel 9 Pro has a vibrant display that shows colours clearly and accurately. It’s a tiny bit bigger than the Pixel 8, with a 6.3-inch screen instead of 6.2 inches. The bezels around the screen are really thin, so it feels like you’re holding a phone with almost no bezels at all. The colors are so vibrant that you’ll love watching HDR movies. It’s also super bright, even in the sun.

The Pixel 9 Pro is small and light, making it perfect for people who love watching movies and TV shows. The screen is super sharp, with 495 PPI, and it streams movies and TV shows really well. You can watch Full-HD content on Netflix and other streaming services.

Google Pixel 9 Pro review: Performance

The Pixel 9 Pro is the purest Android phone out there in terms of user interface. It’s got Android 14 — though you can upgrade to Android 15 —  and Google’s Gemini AI suite, which is a big deal (more on that later). The Pixel’s software is super smooth and clean, with no junk bloat — something which is a big deal for someone like me.

The Pixel 9 Pro is a compact phone that’s perfect for typing emails on the go. The haptic motor gives you satisfying feedback, making typing a breeze. And the audio is top-notch - the speaker is loud and clear, filling a mid-sized room with sound. It’s a great choice for watching movies and listening to music.

Connectivity is another strong point. The Pixel 9 Pro maintains network stability in challenging areas like basements, where other phones struggle. Call quality is reliable, and the device handles 5G networks seamlessly as well.

The Pixel 9 Pro isn’t a super-fast phone — compared to its competition but is nothing to scoff at either. It’s powered by the Google Tensor G4, which does a great job of handling everyday tasks like browsing, multitasking, and using Google’s AI-powered apps.

It’s not a gaming phone though as the Tensor G4 still needs a bit sprucing up before you can play heavy-duty games on it. That said, the Tensor G4 handles light photo edits and AI features without any problems. And it keeps the phone cool even when you’re using it hard, thanks to some smart thermal optimisation.

While it isn’t the most powerful device in its segment, the Pixel 9 Pro shines in software, usability, and reliability.

The battery performance is quite good and matches other flagships out there. On medium to heavy usage, you can easily get a day's battery life on the Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 9 Pro review: AI features

2024 has been the year for AI in smartphones, and Google is making sure it stays ahead of the game with the Pixel 9 series. These phones are loaded with cool AI features that are fun and somewhat useful.

Gemini Assistant

At the heart of Google’s AI ecosystem is the Gemini assistant, a next-generation AI powered by multimodal models. Unlike traditional virtual assistants, Gemini allows users to interact not only through voice or text but also via images. This opens up new possibilities, such as asking questions about a picture you just snapped or receiving contextual suggestions for tasks. Gemini also integrates seamlessly across Google apps, making it a central hub for communication and productivity.

Add Me

The Pixel 9 series has a new camera feature called Add Me that’s quite smart. It uses AI to make sure you’re always in group photos. It takes a bunch of pictures and puts you in the right one, without messing up the rest of the picture.

Pixel Studio

A standout addition is Pixel Studio, a new app that brings generative AI to the fingertips of users. It is a divisive feature but you can have a a lot of fun with it. Powered by Tensor G4 and Google’s Imagen 3 text-to-image diffusion model, Pixel Studio lets users create  artwork or modify photos using simple text prompts.

AI-Enhanced Apps for everyday use

Google is also extending AI capabilities to its suite of utility apps. The redesigned Weather app now uses AI to provide hyper-localized forecasts and suggestions based on user activity. Keep Notes integrates Gemini to help organize and summarise notes with ease. Pixel Screenshots gets smarter, allowing users to categorize and search screenshots with AI-powered tags, making retrieval a breeze.

With the Pixel 9 series, Google has taken the first step to showcase how AI can go beyond being a buzzword to deliver creative features that enhance the smartphone experience.

Google Pixel 9 Pro review: Camera

Before we get into the camera details, let’s keep with the AI theme. Google has added the Super Res Zoom feature, which is now capable of delivering high-quality zoom up to 20x. The feature leverages AI to maintain sharpness, detail, and color accuracy even at extreme magnifications. Whether you’re capturing distant landscapes or close-up details, it works quite nicely.

The Pixel 9 has the same camera setup as its bigger brother, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. There’s a50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide and 48-megapixel telephoto camera. At the from you get an impressive 42-megapixel selfie camera.

Daytime shots are super clear with vibrant colours and lots of details. It can handle tricky lighting too, making sure everything is well-exposed. Skin tones look natural in portraits, and the blur effects are smooth and realistic. The telephoto lens is great too, even in tough conditions. It takes clear and detailed 5x zoom shots.

The ultra-wide camera is equally capable, delivering high-quality shots with good detail and color accuracy during testing. For macro enthusiasts, the ultrawide lens doubles as a macro shooter, though competitors like Samsung have set a slightly higher standard in this area. When stacked against Samsung and iPhone models, Pixel cameras continue to hold their own.

Low-light photography is another area where the Pixel 9 does a fine job. Shots taken in dim conditions retain impressive detail, minimal noise, and accurate colors. The automatic night mode is a dependable tool for hassle-free low-light shots, though manual adjustments allow for even better results. While low-light portraits are good, there’s still room for refinement in this area.

The upgraded selfie camera is a highlight, delivering excellent results across varying lighting conditions. Skin tones are captured naturally, making it a significant improvement over previous iterations.

On the video front, the Pixel 9 shows marked improvement compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. While video quality has come a long way, it still falls short of the benchmark set by the iPhone, particularly for videography enthusiasts.

The Pixel 9’s camera system offers a well-rounded experience, excelling in most scenarios and reinforcing Google’s reputation for photographic excellence. Is it the best camera out there? I won’t call it that as the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra do manage to do some things better than the Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 9 Pro review: Verdict

The Pixel 9 Pro’s compact design, bright display, and seamless Android experience prove it’s a worthy everyday companion. While it’s not the most powerful performer in its price range, the Pixel 9 Pro’s focus on usability, creativity, and practicality strikes a chord. It’s no longer just about the cameras.

Having said that the Pixel 9 Pro is an expensive phone. Priced at Rs 1,09,900, it is cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro but still an expensive proposition. If you are in the market for a premium phone which isn’t an iPhone or an S-series Samsung phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a solid alternative to go for.