Google thought it wasn’t sufficient to replace its Pixel telephones for 2024. Not solely did the corporate launch a brand new foldable, however the Professional mannequin additionally acquired a smaller model. We examined the Pixel 9 Professional and can inform you the way it performs in battery life, efficiency, show, and extra.
Good
- Versatile cameras
- Glorious show
- Good construct high quality
- The very best software program replace coverage
Dangerous
- Outdated efficiency
- Sluggish charging speeds
Google Pixel 9 Professional: All offers
In a Nutshell
Launched throughout the 2024 Made by Google occasion in August, the Pixel 9 Professional isn’t a successor to the Pixel 8 Professional however a very new mannequin within the Pixel vary. It options the identical compact dimension as the bottom Pixel 9 with all of the options of the big-screened Pixel 9 Professional XL Antoine Engels examined just lately.
In sensible phrases, this implies a high-resolution OLED show that refreshes as much as 120 occasions per second however can throttle again to 1 Hz (one replace per second) to save lots of energy. It additionally features a triple digicam setup with a 5x zoom lens, extra RAM, and a UWB radio.
Premium construct — iPhone-inspired design
The Pixel 9 Professional options the identical general design and construct high quality as the larger XL mannequin, with flat sides and a extra premium look in comparison with the earlier generations. The 6.3-inch OLED display screen not solely is brilliant and quick however may also be dimmed again and sluggish, relying in your wants.
Execs:
- Premium look and construct high quality.
- Brilliant show that may go darkish.
- Variable refresh fee display screen.
Cons:
Though nonetheless compact, the Pixel 9 Professional (and the common Pixel 9) continues to be barely greater than the Pixel 8, and the flat sides make it really feel heftier within the hand. And sure, the flat aspect design makes it appear like an iPhone, as my colleagues already identified whereas reviewing the opposite telephones.
The Pixel 9 Professional match and end appear extra premium than the earlier generations, as we didn’t discover the gaps between components (which occurred within the Pixel 8, for instance). The shiny end on the aspect appears good in photos however is fast to seize fingerprints, and a few may be involved about the way it will take care of scratches in the long term.
Talking of which, Google additionally despatched the non-obligatory protecting case for this evaluate, and whereas it’s well-made and surrounds the telephone properly, it additionally will get eliminated slightly too simply, most likely as a result of new flat design.
On the again, the brand new design of the digicam module doesn’t have any sensible modifications to how the telephone handles. Nonetheless, the brand new “search box” design is considerably taller, one thing to remember. The module on the Pixel 9 Professional homes the three cameras, the flash, and the quirky temperature sensor.
The OLED show was one of many Pixel 9 Professional’s highlights. Not solely colours popped up in typical OLED trend however refresh charges might fluctuate between 1 and 120 Hz because of LTPO tech, which resulted in some battery life enhancements.
One welcome improve to the display screen is that it reaches each excessive and low brightness ranges. It may well go as much as 3000 nits peak brightness for utilizing the telephone outdoor below the solar, but in addition drop actually low to when you find yourself utilizing the Pixel 9 Professional in darkish conditions (for instance studying at night time).
The show homes the fingerprint reader however Google lastly upgraded the sensor from an optical to a supersonic module. That lastly fastened long-standing points with studying delays that date again to the Pixel 6 telephones.
Biometric authentication may also be carried out with face recognition, and Google offers the characteristic its highest safety certification, similar to on the Pixel 8. That enables customers to approve funds by trying on the selfie digicam, even when the telephone doesn’t have particular depth sensors.
Android 14 with further apps
Launched with Android 14, as of publishing this evaluate, the Pixel 9 Professional nonetheless didn’t obtain the Android 15 replace, regardless of the supply code for the brand new model being launched at AOSP. Regardless of the “old” model, Google packed a few new apps for the Pixel 9 telephones.
Execs:
- Seven years of safety updates.
Cons:
- Some indicators of bloat on “stock” Android.
Google guarantees seven years of safety and options updates for the Pixel 9 household. That signifies that the Pixel 9 Professional will obtain safety patches and Pixel options drops till August 2031, which is just matched by flagship Galaxy telephones.
A clear set up with up to date apps takes round 20 GB of storage, marking a big enhance over the earlier technology (the Pixel 8 reported solely 9 GB in an identical state final yr).
That may partially be attributed to a few further apps, resembling Gemini (simply the AICore storage jumped from 30 MB to greater than 4 GB between the PIxel 8 and 9 generations), Pixel Studio, and Screenshots. Antoine did a complete take a look at the Gemini options in his Pixel 9 Professional XL evaluate, so I received’t be repeating that.
The brand new Screenshots app didn’t fairly work throughout the check due to area and language restrictions, however the Pixel Studio ran high quality. The telephone continues to be not highly effective sufficient to generate the pictures by itself, so it wants an web connection to the Google servers.
Its utility could be very questionable, however the outcomes have been at the very least enjoyable for the ten minutes we spent with it. You’ll be able to copy, save, or share the generated photos, and there are a few completely different types to pick out, together with a “Sticker” choice that we wished might be built-in into chat apps.
There’s additionally the brand new Climate app, with an AI powered abstract and plenty of information inside completely different widgets. The AI climate report may be hit and miss, exhibiting information for the remainder of the day, however that doesn’t assist a lot whether or not you like the widgets or are going out at night time and require the subsequent day’s report.
Disappointing efficiency
On its fourth technology, the in-house Tensor chip doesn’t deliver a big improve when it comes to efficiency to the Pixel 9 Professional, with solely small enhancements within the final 4 years. On the optimistic aspect, nevertheless, there may be loads of RAM, however that was most likely a end result of the present AI craze.
Execs:
- Improved thermal administration.
Cons:
- Very small efficiency enhancements.
The Tensor G4 on the Pixel 9 telephones delivers nearly half of the efficiency of present Android flagship chips just like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Dimensity 9300. In each day use, most individuals received’t be capable to discover that distinction, since most duties on telephones are brief and fast.
Google Pixel 9 Professional (Tensor G4) |
Google Pixel 9 Professional XL (Tensor G4) |
Xiaomi 14 Extremely (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) |
Galaxy S24 Extremely (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Google Pixel 8a (Tensor G3) |
Poco F6 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) |
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AnTuTu | 948,187 | 1,094,183 | 1,939,484 | 1,851,716 | 1,153,512 | 1,455,312 |
3DMark Wild Life Excessive Stress Check |
Finest loop: 2559 Worst loop: 2046 Stability: 80% |
Finest loop: 2603 Worst loop: 2071 Stability: 79.6% |
Finest loop: 4708 Worst loop: 3606 Stability: 76.6% |
Finest loop: 5160 Worst loop: 3013 Stability: 58.4% |
Finest loop: 2437 Worst loop: 1667 Stability: 68.5% |
Finest loop: 3140 Worst loop: 2584 Stability: 82.3% |
3DMark Metal Nomad Mild Stress Check |
Finest loop: 1043 Worst loop: 873 Stability: 83.7% |
Finest loop: 1685 Worst loop: 1335 Stability: 79.2% |
Finest loop: 980 Worst loop: 662 Stability: 67.6% |
Finest loop: 1066 Worst loop: 945 Stability: 88.6% |
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Geekbench 6 | Single: 1934 Multi: 4466 |
Single: 1950 Multi: 4050 |
Single: 1828 Multi: 6317 |
Single: 2252 Multi: 7107 |
Single: 1688 Multi: 4362 |
Single: 1953 Multi: 4930 |
Nonetheless, on heavier duties like enhancing a video and particularly video games, customers can discover that the Tensor chips aren’t evolving sufficient to maintain up with the competitors.
On the plus aspect, nevertheless, Google appears to have addressed a standard criticism with earlier Pixel telephones and improved the warmth dissipation system on the Pixel 9 Professional. The telephone nonetheless will get heat below heavy duties, however at the very least appears to not lose as a lot efficiency because of thermal throttling as prior to now.
Video games ought to run high quality on the Pixel 9 Professional, however extra graphical intensive video games will decrease the standard settings to run at first rate speeds on the telephone. Hardcore avid gamers will likely be higher served with different gadgets not solely due to general efficiency but in addition the truth that the Tensor G4 lacks assist for contemporary options like ray tracing (the variety of video games utilizing RT is low right now, however the telephone will likely be supported for a very long time…).
Digicam
The triple digicam setup on the Pixel 9 Professional is similar because the one on the larger XL mannequin, together with a 50-megapixel foremost digicam, 48 MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 5x optical zoom telephoto.
Execs:
- Versatile digicam.
- Good daylight photos.
- Attention-grabbing AI options.
Cons:
Google appears to be shedding its benefit in digicam high quality prior to now two years subsequent to its Chinese language companions/rivals. Not that photos taken with the Pixel 9 Professional weren’t good, however the different Android manufacturers maintain pushing the envelope with regards to digicam {hardware} and processing.
In daylight, photos are usually good, with a pleasant degree of element and sharpness. The colours have been a bit on the “contrasty” aspect, however that’s virtually a Pixel trademark attribute.
The ultra-wide lens could be very open, ideally suited for large panorama pictures, should you don’t thoughts shedding some sharpness. On the opposite finish of the digicam vary, the 5x optical zoom was surprisingly good not solely in its default mode but in addition when taking pictures 10x photos with a contact of digital zoom.
Evening pictures then again have been a bit disappointing, even with the night time mode participating robotically on mainly all pictures within the gallery above. The photographs have been a bit on the noisy aspect, with some high quality drops in each ultra-wide and 10x pictures.
On the software program aspect, moreover the Add me characteristic you possibly can examine on the hyperlink above, the Pixel 9 Professional engages a macro mode when it detects shut topics. Whereas helpful, the telephone can not focus at very brief distances, and hand shaking poses a giant drawback for close-up pictures.
Selfies labored as anticipated on the Pixel 9 Professional, with colours a bit on the punchy aspect. Nonetheless, pores and skin tone was correct, and the portrait mode had some minor points with topic separation, however was first rate general. And much like different Pixel telephones, the 0.7x ultra-wide selfie is useful with group pictures or panorama selfies.
Battery life
Powered by a 4700 mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Professional can’t compete with greater telephones and their enormous capacities. However the environment friendly LTPO show and a few software program methods handle to ship nearly two days of battery life.
Execs:
- Respectable battery life.
- Wi-fi and reverse wi-fi charging.
- Software program optimizations.
Cons:
- Sluggish wired charging.
- No Qi2 assist.
By default, the Pixel 9 Professional comes with a “High resolution” setting that doesn’t use the show’s full decision, however solely 2142×960 pixels as a substitute of the native 2856×1280 decision. Regardless of the large discount within the quantity and density of pixels, we couldn’t actually discover a distinction in each day use, however ran the battery checks with each choices, simply in case.
Charging | Google Pixel 9 Professional (4700 mAh | 300 W USB-PD) |
Pixel 9 Professional XL (5060 mAh | 140 W USB-PD) |
Pixel 8 (4492 mAh | 300 W USB-PD) |
Galaxy S24+ (4900 mAh | 45 W USB-PD) |
Poco F6 (5000 mAh | 90 W) |
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5 minutes | |||||
10 minutes | |||||
20 minutes | |||||
half-hour | |||||
1 hour | |||||
Full cost | |||||
PC Mark Battery check |
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Beneath the simulated check carried out by the PCMark app, the default choice lasted for 16h34min between 80 and 20% cost whereas the “High resolution” mode misplaced one hour of battery life. The efficiency rating was throughout the margin of error, so there have been no additional methods with processing speeds.
In apply, that ought to be greater than sufficient for a full day of utilization, and extra frugal customers might squeeze two days out of the telephone by pairing the “High resolution” mode with the battery-saving options on the Pixel 9 Professional.
In the case of charging, Google continues to be enjoying it secure. The Pixel 9 Professional tops at 27 W wired charging and can also be appropriate with wi-fi charging, with Qi reaching 12 Watts, whereas the Pixel Stand costs the telephone at 21 W. And the Pixel 9 Professional helps reverse wi-fi charging.
There is no such thing as a charger within the field, and we want it supported quicker USB-PD charging. A full cost took nearly one hour and a half, and a 30-minute cost was sufficient for 56% of battery. In case you are on the lookout for a telephone with actually quick charging, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and different Chinese language manufacturers are most likely higher choices.
Technical specs
Google Pixel 9 Professional | |
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Show |
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SoC | |
Reminiscence |
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OS |
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Digicam |
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Selfie Digicam | |
Battery |
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Connectivity |
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IP Certification | |
Dimensions and weight |
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Different factors that will curiosity the nextpit group:
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Closing veredict
The Pixel 9 Professional is a welcome arrival within the Pixel telephone lineup and doubtless an indication that Google is assured in its smartphone vary. Whereas the corporate nonetheless has an extended solution to go when it comes to market share, it has a degree of management of its fashions that’s solely rivaled by Apple.
The 9 Professional brings the identical superior options discovered within the massive Professional XL to a extra conventional and pocket-friendly type issue. These options embody not solely the highly effective telephoto digicam and flagship show, but in addition issues which might be nonetheless gimmicky just like the temperature sensor, and the just about forgotten UWB radio.
It’s a disgrace that market realities made the Pixel 9 Professional occupy the worth vary of the larger Pixel 8 Professional, and never slot below a $900 value level. At $1000/€1100, the Google telephone has to compete with a lot quicker fashions from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Samsung, and others.
The Pixel 9 Professional nonetheless has some benefits when it comes to software program updates and options, with a frequent stream of added options promised till 2031. However present costs take it out of an imaginary “instant recommendation” listing.
As standard, fastidiously weigh your priorities when contemplating the Pixel 9 Professional. It’s higher constructed than any earlier Pixel, affords extra options, and comes with an unbeatable software program replace promise. Nonetheless, past the brand new Professional dimension and all of the AI enhancements, rivals are catching up in areas the place Pixels as soon as excelled. Whereas the Pixel 9 Professional continues to be a strong selection, the competitors is now extra aggressive than ever on this value vary.
Google Pixel 9 Professional
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