Review: AI-Powered Pixel 9 Pro XL Challenges Smartphone Status Quo

Pixel 9 Pro XL: A compelling blend of AI and refined hardware: Google’s latest flagship smartphone offers an impressive combination of advanced AI features and hardware improvements, positioning itself as a strong contender in the high-end smartphone market.

Design and display upgrades: The Pixel 9 Pro XL introduces a refreshed design that marks a departure from its predecessors while maintaining the distinctive Pixel aesthetic.

• The new boxy shape with flat sides and a floating backplate camera nodule replaces the iconic camera bar, offering a sleek and modern look.
• The display is nearly on par with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, featuring uniform bezels and excellent color accuracy, though it lacks Samsung’s anti-glare coating.
• Improved haptics, possibly surpassing the iPhone, enhance the overall user experience.
• An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner provides faster unlocks, especially when using a screen protector.

Performance and thermal management: The Tensor G4 chip powers the Pixel 9 Pro XL, offering a mixed bag of performance improvements and lingering concerns.

• While not as powerful as competitors’ chips, the Tensor G4 provides smooth performance for most everyday tasks.
• The lack of UFS 4.0 storage is a notable omission at this price point.
• Improved thermal management, thanks to a vapor chamber, reduces the likelihood of overheating during intensive tasks.

Software and AI capabilities: Running on Android 14, the Pixel 9 Pro XL showcases Google’s commitment to AI-driven features and functionality.

• The introduction of Gemini, Google’s advanced AI assistant, brings new capabilities but also highlights some limitations in basic functionality.
• Features like Quick Share demonstrate Google’s efforts to improve the user experience through app and service updates rather than major OS overhauls.
• Some AI features, such as Reimagine, have sparked controversy and are undergoing continuous refinement.

Camera system enhancements: The Pixel 9 Pro XL continues Google’s tradition of excellent smartphone photography, with some notable improvements and lingering issues.

• A new image signal processor enables faster and better image processing.
• The ultrawide lens sees significant improvements, while the telephoto lens maintains its quality up to 20x zoom.
• Video capabilities remain a weak point, with issues in zoom smoothness and 8K recording.
• The once-excellent portrait mode now suffers from poor edge detection in some scenarios.

Battery life and charging: The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers impressive battery performance and improved charging speeds.

• Many users report two-day battery life with moderate usage.
• Charging speeds have increased, with the ability to charge from 0 to 65% in about 30 minutes using the new official USB-C charger.

Broader implications: While the Pixel 9 Pro XL represents a significant step forward for Google’s smartphone lineup, it also highlights the company’s ongoing struggle to balance cutting-edge AI features with hardware competitiveness.

• The focus on AI capabilities may overshadow some hardware limitations, potentially alienating users seeking raw performance.
• Google’s approach to smartphone development continues to prioritize software innovation over hardware supremacy, a strategy that may shape the future of Android devices.
• As AI becomes increasingly central to smartphone functionality, Google’s lead in this area could become a key differentiator in the competitive smartphone market.