Google - Pixel 9 Pro XL 128GB (Unlocked) - Hazel

I've been using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for a couple of months now, and I must say, it's one of the best Pixel phones Google has put out yet. Here's my detailed experience: Pros: Design and Build Quality: The Pixel 9 Pro XL feels premium in the hand with its polished metal frame and frosted glass back. It's a significant step up from previous models, offering a design that rivals the likes of Apple and Samsung. The flat edges and display give it a modern look, and it's comfortable to hold despite its size. Display: The 6.8-inch OLED screen is stunning. It gets incredibly bright, making it visible even under direct sunlight, and the colors are vibrant yet accurate. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling to gaming incredibly smooth. Camera: Google's camera software is phenomenal, and the hardware on the Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn't disappoint. The photos are sharp, with excellent dynamic range and color balance. The 5x optical zoom is particularly impressive, providing clear images even at a distance. Night mode photography continues to be one of the best in the business. Software and AI: Running on pure Android with Google's latest AI features, the phone feels intuitive and responsive. Features like Magic Eraser, Call Screen, and the enhanced Google Assistant (Gemini) are genuinely useful in daily life. The promise of seven years of updates is a massive plus for longevity. Performance: While not the fastest on synthetic benchmarks, in real-world use, the Tensor G4 chip handles everything from multitasking to gaming without any hiccups. The phone feels snappy and fluid. Cons: Battery Life: Although better than its predecessors, the battery life still doesn't quite match up to some competitors. On heavy use days, I find myself needing to charge by evening, which is a bit disappointing for a flagship device. Charging: The charging speed isn't the quickest out there. It takes about 80 minutes to fully charge, which is slower than some of the competition offering 30-minute full charges. Fingerprint Magnet: The glossy sides attract fingerprints like a magnet, which detracts from the otherwise premium look. Overall: The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL stands out for its camera prowess, clean software, and the thoughtful integration of AI in daily use. If you're deep in the Google ecosystem or value camera performance and software updates, this phone is a top pick. However, if you're looking for the absolute best in battery life or the fastest charging speeds, you might want to consider other options. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars - It loses half a star for the battery and charging speed. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you prioritize camera quality, software experience, and long-term support.

I switched from Pixel 6 pro. Compared to pixel, the 1st improvement was the build quality. it is stronger. without a case, it was able to withstand falls from normal height. The screen quality is really nice and smooth. Fingerprint is also a lot better and faster along with face ID. Battery life: I charge it for a few hours or minutes in my car and that is enough. it really lasts long even after long Instagram reel sessions. Camera: Well optimized, works on all video calls. the built-in camera enhances the quality of all video call apps which is really nice. I would go for XL over the pro model as I like bigger displays. It has nice packing as it is decomposable and there is reduced plastic.

Pixel 9 Pro XL: Stunning display, smooth performance, great camera! Like it better than Samsung phones.

I’ve been using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for about a month now, and overall, it has been a fantastic experience. Design & Display The matte finish on the back is a nice touch—it resists fingerprints better than previous models. The phone feels premium in hand, though it is slightly on the heavier side. The 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display is absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors and excellent brightness. Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight is no issue, thanks to its 3,000-nit peak brightness. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth. Performance & AI Features The Tensor G4 chip does a great job handling daily tasks and multitasking. Apps open quickly, and I haven’t noticed any lag, even with demanding apps like Lightroom and gaming on Genshin Impact. The AI features are a highlight—Circle to Search is surprisingly useful, and the AI-powered call screening is better than ever. Camera System This is where the Pixel 9 Pro XL truly shines. The 50MP main sensor takes amazing photos, even in low light. Google’s AI-powered "Best Take" feature helps tweak group photos so everyone looks good. The 5x optical zoom on the 48MP telephoto lens is super sharp, and the ultra-wide lens captures excellent landscape shots. Selfies are also noticeably better with the new 42MP front camera. Video quality has improved too, with 8K recording and better stabilization. Battery Life & Charging The 5,060 mAh battery easily lasts me a full day with heavy use, and with lighter use, I can get almost two days. The 45W fast charging is much needed—I get 70% charge in about 30 minutes. Wireless charging is a bit slower but still convenient. Software & Updates The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Android 14, and the clean, bloat-free experience is a joy. Google’s promise of 7 years of updates makes this a long-term investment. What I Didn’t Like Still gets warm when gaming or using the camera for extended periods. Battery drain with certain AI features Final Verdict The Pixel 9 Pro XL is an amazing smartphone, especially for those who love photography and a clean Android experience. If you’re into AI features, the new Pixel-exclusive tools are genuinely useful. While the phone isn’t perfect, it gets so much right that I’d highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a premium Android phone.

... where to start? *TLDR* Summary: Be sure you want this device, but by no means trade in your S24 Ultra for it! I made that mistake and it cost me an additional $300 to get my beloved S24 Ultra back (albeit a NEW one at that) - Best Buy couldn't cancel my trade-in and thus I was stuck with the Pixel, the Pixel has its own niche and I respect that, but Google needs to step up their processor/chip game up and fast, it cannot hang with the big boys just yet... Cameras are amazing though or at least to me they are Overview: I was very excited to get my hands on this, more than anything because of the redesign and the re-introduction of the "XL" model. Excitement ended about half a day of owning this device... The "offers" trade-in promo credits, coupons used and yes but gift card was very (I mean very) enticing, so as any irresponsible and impulsive buy(er) would suggest, I pulled the trigger on this - and man I was missing my S24 Ultra 4 hours in. Yes I know, that's what I get for not doing my research and due-diligence but it's a Pixel! and I was excited It's not a bad device, it's camera is superb, the smooth, fluid and snappy experience of stock Android is a treat, but the novelty dies down, and fast... it's processor does feel outdated and laggy with certain apps the Tensor G4 is an iterative update to the G3 and it's not necessarily an power user, monster chip to tackle multitasking and certain intensive demands - of course not everyone is a "power-user" and not everyone cares for a behemoth of a phone like the S24 Ultra and so this may not be of any help, or will it pertain to them but just an fyi I will give Google its flowers though, the design is nice, it smacks, it hits, it's the one for sure! The display boy! it looks vibrant, smooth, punchy, natural, and I don't know what other word to use lol, the hardware side of things seem on point for this years Pixel 9 Pro XL. I look forward to the Google's next Pixel Pro XL phone with a new, improved, and much more powerful processor at least that's what I hope for... until then I will go back to my twice bought S24 Ultra

Came to this phone from the S23 Ultra. Battery life is comparable, animations look smoother and device overall runs great. Camera takes great photos and has good zoom.

Good phone but : Pros : -IP rated -Pretty fast (though most mid range phones for non gaming purposes should be similar in speed) -Camera is quite good especially zoom range -wireless charging is a nice feature to have your port last longer -Display is pretty bright -Fingerprint scanner works well even with a cheap tempered screen protector -Thermometer is a pretty neat feature and you can now use it for body temperature -It has the find my device option -sound quality (from the speakers) is quite good. -The finishes are very nice. -I'm able to get over 1gb/s with 5g network -Audio recording is good -Add me feature does work pretty well. -Camera app can be opened very fast. cons : -battery isn't great -a bit bulky -GPS isn't always on mark same goes for direction (cheaper phone has sometimes better accuracy) -have gotten glitches in YouTube, Google and connectivity issues. -Find my device (forgot if that is what you call it) isn't that accurate -Many IA feature aren't available depending where you use the phone -The slow motion is capped at 240Fps where some lower end phones can get to 1000 or 2000 fps for a third of the price - 50mp are slow to take and will be blurry if you move while taking them -50mp will also be slow to process when wanting to view them -Even 12mp pictures need to be processed and get a loading time (though very short) -No 8k video (even if not useful in most settings it is a little expected when phones half the price offer this option) -Focus distance is a bit long, for closer shots you need to use the wide angle lens. -I don't really have a reference but quick shots or during action come out as blurry than with phones much cheaper. -The charging isn't that fast but sufficient -No photosphere -I don't really find the camera settings ergonomic nor can I find a full manual photo mode (with obturation speed for instance) -No IR blaster (not that useful anyway) -No headphone jack (it's the new "trend" so it's "standard") -No micro SD expansion and the storage is a bit low on the starting models -Gemini, at least for my use cases isn't as good as the competitor(s). Having a phone 4 times cheaper before switching to this feels like an upgrade but not on everything. In the end for 4x the price I get : - a nicer camera (better wide angle, main and zoom sensor) but the main sensor still doesn't let you make quick shots in interior without them being blurry or quick action shots. In everyday use case you don't really notice the upgrade much, except when taking the 50mp shots and being able to crop into them. -Faster 5g (but between 0.6gb/s or 1.1gb/s for my use case it doesn't make a difference) - a brighter display -a bit faster phone but you lose : - a lighter thinner phone -faster charger -included power brick -better GPS -IR blaster -more storage -double physical sim At this price point and cheaper you have phones with 1 inch sensors and nicer periscope zooms. Those cheaper phones also will get a SD 8gen3 and more storage, faster charging and some may have a longer lasting battery. But does the phone being better on paper make it better in actual daily use (and for cheaper)? This phone does what it's made for, but is it the best bang for your buck? I don't think so.

My previous Google Pixel phone was a Google Pixel 8 Pro. I am very happy my Google Pixel Pro 9 XL. Bigger screen good for my eyes. bigger battery lasts longer for me during the day. I love taking selfies with higher megapixel so I look sharper. My phone looks nicer with its new design. I love the AI and its numerous features. It was was worth upgrading.