I’ve spent the past couple of weeks using Google’s new Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL Android smartphones and am generally impressed. The two new high-end models are nearly identical, except that the XL stands for “extra-large.” It has a 6.8-inch display compared to the Pixel 9 Pro’s 6.3-inch screen and is, of course, a bit heavier. The other significant difference is that the XL has a larger battery, which means a bit more battery life, but both models are designed to work all day in most situations.
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There are some minor and barely noticeable physical improvements over previous models, such as a slightly less prominent camera bump in the back. The new devices have a nice metal frame and a well-crafted matte finish though many people put cases on their phones, so you may not actually see or feel these enhancements. The display is brighter and a bit more pleasant, though I had no complaints about the displays on last year’s model. Google added a faster and more energy efficient processor and upped the RAM to 16 megabytes. That increased RAM helps with multitasking and performance as well as helping to facilitate the AI functions built into the new phones.
Small phone is as good as larger one
Until this year, if you wanted the most advanced Google Pixel phone you had to get their larger model. The smaller ones were not only smaller in size but had less memory, less available storage, a slightly less capable camera, a smaller battery and, of course, a smaller screen compared to their larger “Pro” model. But this year there are three versions of the Pixel. The standard Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL The 9 and the 9 Pro each have a 6.3-inch screen, measure 6 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and weigh 7 ounces. But if you want a larger model, the 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch screen, measures 6.4 by 3 by 0.3 inches and weighs 7.8 ounces.
As I mentioned the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have nearly identical features and specs except for the larger and somewhat longer lasting battery, minor differences in charging time and very minor differences in screen resolution. Apple has a similar strategy when it comes to the iPhone 16 Pro and its larger nearly identical sibling the 16 Pro Max.
I’m used to larger phones and was a bit disappointed when Google sent me the smaller 9 Pro to review. But, after carrying around the smaller one on a 10-day overseas trip, I realized I preferred it to the larger model, which I confirmed once I got back and started testing the larger 9 Pro XL. Both are excellent phones and, yes, there are some advantages to the larger screen and battery, especially when viewing video or slightly larger text or more text on a single screen and slightly more battery life. But after using both models, I’ve come to appreciate that sometimes smaller and lighter can be better, at least for me right now. So, thank you Google for giving users a choice between sizes without having to sacrifice performance.
AI Software
As you may have noticed, the entire tech industry is jumping on the AI bandwagon. Practically every new product that’s coming out boasts AI features. This is certainly true with the latest phones from both Apple and Google.
You can configure Pixel phone to allow you to hold down the power button to bring up Google Assistant but now you can replace the assistant with Google’s AI Gemini Assistant which has a more intuitive interface and allows you to engage in a conversation with the AI. By default you can use your voice and it will talk in its own voice. I mostly find the talking responses annoying because it’s not only faster to read them, they won’t disturb others like a voice coming out of my phone. I’m not sure this hardware integration is all that helpful since you can always open Gemini on any device by clicking on the app.
The other feature is Gemini Give which enables you to have a back-and-forth conversation with the AI Assistant.
AI Photo Tools
One clever feature is “Add Me” that allows you to add yourself to a group photo. You take the group phone and then switch places with someone in the picture and have another photographer take the picture. You can then use the Add Me feature to stitch both images together. Kind of clever but still a bit of a hassle.
Another photo tool is auto-frame that lets you change the framing of a picture after it’s been taken. One of the coolest tools is a reimage feature that lets you change part of a photo into something else. I took a picture of my wife sitting next to a cardboard box and made it appear as if a dog was sitting in the box. That non-existent dog was created by AI.
Other good choices
Of course, there are lots of other great phones out there not only from Apple and Samsung but also lesser-known companies. What I like about both Pixel phones and iPhones is both the hardware and operating system are from the same company. Both Apple and Google keep their phones up to date with the latest security patches and software updates. And both are careful not to bloat their phones with too much unnecessary built-in software and a consistent user interface without any unnecessary and sometimes confusing enhancements.
Having said that, it still feels to me that the integrated AI is in its infancy and needs maturation. It doesn’t get in the way, and it can sometimes be helpful, The good news is that it will get better over time.
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Larry Magid is a tech journalist and internet safety activist. Contact him at larry@larrymagid.com.