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Customer reviews

Rating 4.8 out of 5 stars with 188 reviews

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  • Display Quality

    Rating 4.9 out of 5 stars

  • Camera

    Rating 4.9 out of 5 stars

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    Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars

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97%would recommend to a friend

Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars with 22 reviews

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 188 reviews
  • Pros mentioned:
    Battery, Camera

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Pixel 9 Pro XL

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

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

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Almost Google, not powerful enough to hang yet!

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    Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    ... 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

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Battery, Camera

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great upgrade from S23 Ultra

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    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.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    An Amazing phone.

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    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.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Camera

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best Pixel yet!

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    Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Best Pixel yet, coming over from an iPhone I've been pleasantly surprised. Apples eco system is certainly more stable but tried android for customization and this is top notch, would highly recommend! Cameras are great as well (see photo below).

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Camera

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Back to Android, glad I waited for the 9 Pro!

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    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Oh how I've missed android. First Google phone since the Nexus 6P. This phone feels so premium, fast, camera is on point and it just feels so good in the hand. Opted for the XL version because I didn't want to wait for the Pro. Lol. Also, the deals for this phone can't be beat. Get it while you can!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best phone I've owned

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Best phone I've owned, came from the Pixel 6. It fixed the heating issues, has faster charging, I end the day with 50% left with heavy use, and the best display I've ever owned. I recommend going into settings and enabling 'full resolution' if you want the display quality to be as advertised. Another thing I want to point out people have been saying the processor is bad and it isn't. Compared to devices that come with the latest snapdragon processor it doesn't hold well, but from my testing emulators run amazing unless you are into windows game emulators then I don't recommend the phone. Great phone for rooting too but you'll miss out on the on-device AI features and stuff like google wallet, but those things can be fixed my installing a magisk module.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best Android Experience

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: Pros: * Camera: Takes amazing photos with incredible detail and dynamic range. * Display: The vibrant, high-resolution screen is perfect for multimedia and gaming. * AI Integration: Google's AI features enhance the overall experience with smart suggestions and helpful tools. Cons: * Slow Charging: It takes a while to fully charge the device. * Battery Drain: Battery life could be better, especially with heavy use. Overall: The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a top-tier phone with a fantastic camera and display. AI integration is seamlessly woven into the experience. However, the slow charging and battery life are drawbacks to consider.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Battery, Camera, Storage
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Excellent flagship by Google with the best camera

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This is my 1st ever phone from Google but I am a long time Android user. Google's new flagship phone is quite amazing on it's own (talking bar phones here, not including the folds) but I don't think it was quite enough to tear me away from my S24 Ultra. I will share my experiences after daily driving the 9 Pro XL for a week. In the box is a super quality built phone, charging cable (no brick included) and some of the usual literature. My first thought when holding the phone was how heavy it is. Not too heavy as in it weighs too much to be uncomfortable. Feels and looks great in the hands. The obvious elephant in the room is the huge camera bump on the back. Now when placed on a flat surface it doesn't rock back and forth like it is unbalanced. I did end up getting a Spigen case for the phone to actually make the phone a lot more flat (see pics) and love it. The 6.8 inch "Super Actua" is an incredibly smooth and beautiful OLED screen with basically a VRR from 1-120 Hz display. Streaming and gaming look soo nice and excellent in all light. Google claims up to 3k peak brightness with DHR support so you can see it no matter how much the sun is beating down on you. Battery life has been top of the line, 10/10. Granted it seems to charge a little slower than my Samsung but I noticed the battery drains a lot slower. For example, on a full charge while streaming and the usual browsing the net and text/calling, my battery only drained <10% (from 4pm to when I fell asleep). I know Google also claims fast charging up to 70% in ~30 minutes using a 45W charger. Phone also supports wireless charging as well and no problems using it. I will suggest to anyone to probably skip the 128GB model and go for a larger size if you can. I say this because during setup and transferring everything from my S24 to the Pixel 9 it already filled 60% of the phones non-upgradable internal storage. I probably could free up another 20 gigs though by deleting my all memes lol. If you aren't a fan of cloud storage just know, there is no slot for a micro SD card so you are stuck with whatever choice of storage you choose. Speaking of setup, it was as simple as falling down. After moving my SIM card from my old phone to the Pixel and starting it up, you just follow the simple, easy-to-follow on screen instructions. It lets you choose what data you want to move over or just move everything like I did. Took about 40 minutes and after a restart, the Pixel 9 Pro was up and running without a hitch. Now my absolute favorite thing about the 9 Pro is the camera. It absolutely blows iPhone's and Samsung's out of the water. The triple rear cam can do up to 50MP wide and 48MP UW with zooming to 30x. Pictures look great no matter if it's a still frame or fast moving (like my little pups running around chasing each other). Video quality is excellent as well and looked super smooth. You can do 8K at 30fps, but I preferred 1080 and 4k @ 60 for super smooth playback. Sound quality from the built in speakers are fine, nothing to laugh at but also not super high quality. I just paired my earbuds and sound from there was excellent. Another problem I have while streaming video and you can see in the pic is that no matter what options I choose, I cannot get the aspect ratios to where I want them. There is no option that I noticed to watch in full widescreen to fill the phone. I know it probably has to do with the phone itself as it is rounded on the corners and they only let you watch from where the corners stop but I just can't get used to it. Mind you, this is a PERSONAL pet peeve and you might not care 1 bit which is fine. The fingerprint sensor works perfectly every time. No matter if my finger is wet and whatever position I place it, the Pixel 9 Pro has a 100% track record (so far) of always working. Pros Display is beautiful Battery life is crazy good Camera is the best of the best Super strong gorilla glass for the front screen Fingerprint sensor is great 16GB RAM is more than what most phones use Cons Aspect Ratios Feels like the phone wants to be an iPhone really bad (look and gesture navigation) Tensor G4 processor is actually slower then Snapdragon 8 for gaming 128GB storage is not enough and should stop being an option (I think all companies do this to try to get you to sign up for their cloud storage)

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best pixel yet

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Best pixel since pixel 3. Coming from the Samsung S23 ultra, cameras were a huge improvement. Same battery life. Scrolling through content on social apps was better on Samsung.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best Pixel Yet

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Super smooth display and OS. Amazing cameras with great AI features.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The best smart phone.

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The best smart phone of 2024. Me amd my friend ordered 1 each. We really love Google pixel 9 pro XL.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Battery, Camera
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Fantastic Redesign for a Great Line!

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I recently upgraded from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel 9 Pro because I was intrigued by its AI capabilities and improved camera. Fortunately, the launch date coincided with a weekend trip to New York City so I was able to put it though the paces! First impressions - Design & Build: The Pixel Pro XL’s larger screen was perfect for everything from reading some news articles I’d saved flor the flight to checking city maps. The stainless steel felt premium and the screen is beautiful. While it admittedly takes its cues from the other guys - they do it right! Battery Life: The battery life impressed me thoroughly. It supported a full day of intensive use—mapping my routes, capturing photos, and managing emails—with 60% left in the tank by the time I hit the hotel. I could have hit the down without charging but I wanted to test the fast charging capabilities and I was up to 80% within minutes. Impressive! Camera: This phone’s camera setup truly where I was most excited. It adeptly handled quick snaps of street scenes and beautifully captured the neon glow of the city at night. The Night Sight mode was particularly effective in as I was navigating the indoor shots at the August Wilson theater which had a purposely dark nightclub feel. AI Features and Cost Savings: The inclusion of a one-year Google One AI Premium plan has been a significant perk. Not only does it enhance the phone’s AI capabilities, making tasks like document editing and email management smoother, but it also includes two terabytes of storage. Previously, I was paying separately for cloud storage, so this bundled offer has saved me a couple bucks. I actually get more use out of the plan on my desktop because now I get Gemini Advanced built into my Google docs and slides. I’m going to look like a rockstar and do even less work! Multitasking Performance: Despite the Tensor 4 not having top-of-the-line specs, its performance in real-world scenarios was flawless. I could seamlessly switch between apps without any lag, proving that real-world efficiency often trumps theoretical specs. Would it be nice if it competed with the snapdragon and apple silicon? Sore, but don’t let anyone tell you that this phone is less capable because of the Tensor Screen Brightness: i’ve never had a smart phone where I turned the brightness up and it was so bright I had to turn it down to keep from burning my eyes. OK, maybe that’s a little hyperbole, but man this thing has a bright screen which made navigating maps during the middle of the day in New York a breeze I didn’t have to squint ever, which is something I can’t say about other smart phones I’ve owned. Magic Editor App: While the Magic Editor app provided some handy quick fixes, it struggled with more complex photo edits. It’s a great concept that could use a bit more refinement to truly match the phone’s other high-performing features. In other words, not quite ready for primetime, but it’s got potential. Overall Thoughts: The Pixel 9 Pro met all my expectations and then some. The camera quality blew me away. I’ve had so much fun taking pictures in a few days that I’ve had it. The savings from the Google One AI Premium plan alone make it a valuable investment, not to mention the seamless integration of its AI features that made navigating and enjoying New York easier and more enjoyable. If you’re on the fence jump in, you won’t regret it

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb, Unlocked
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Sleek design, tons of features, AI-focused.

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Out of the box, the new design is very sleek and premium-looking. The obsidian color just looks so classy. The rectangular smooth shape makes it easy to hold and feels great in the hand, albeit a bit slippery. The power/multifunction and volume rocker buttons are in a good place and are clicky and responsive. The camera bump is huge, but it does not look bad at all and works well to stabilize the phone when holding it and minimizes wobble on the table. I appreciate the IP68 rating as I hike and camp quite often, so rain and dust will not be a problem. The display is quite reflective, so I am glad that the screen has up to 3000 nits brightness and that helps greatly in sunny conditions. The 120hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth. The bezels are noticeable, but do not distract from the beautiful “Super Actua“ 6.8in. 1344 x 2992, 486 PPI screen. For security access, there’s the usual PIN, a very capable face recognition option, and lighting fast ultrasonic fingerprint sign-in. The haptic feedback feels natural and responsive. Thankfully, the battery lasts for a whole day, at least 18 hours with regular use. The phone is quick-charge compatible using a 45-watt charger, which sadly is not included. It is also Qi wireless charger compatible as any other phone nowadays. Sadly, it does not support Qi2 wireless or mag safe. This phone features the new Tensor G4 chip, which is very capable. I have not noticed any hiccups in performance on any app, or when playing demanding games. It does not get too hot during heavy use. The 16GB memory should make the experience better, especially when using AI features. It is Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3 compatible. Speaking of AI, today’s buzz tech, the Pixel 9 Pro is jam-packed full of features. Front and center, is the Gemini app. I’ve been using more and more AI and Gemini does well when asking questions, condensate and summarize text, design logos, get writing ideas, make lists, and general learning. The pixel Screenshots recalls any screenshot with just a few description words. The Call Notes app makes call transcripts, which is great when you want to remember what someone said. The Pixel Studio is quite fun when trying to make AI-generated pictures, or photoshop pictures you have taken. The circle-to-search works very well. If there is a nitpick, is that it takes some time to figure out the technology, and some features may seem gimmicky and not something I’d use every day. The Gemini Live, which is included for a year (paid Gemini Advanced subscription afterwards) is something to behold. It can keep up a conversation asking questions, making interruptions, asking for clarification, and even changing the subject. It is very fluid and a bit eerie. There are other AI related upgrades when getting Gemini Advanced, such as 2TB cloud storage. The camera has become a focus in phones, more so than call quality. In this department, the Pixel 9 Pro provides a great experience. On default settings, the 50MP pictures are crisp and bright. They are a bit on the cool side, but vibrant. The lenses do a great job in wide angle, panorama, and an amazing 30X zooming. The video is crisp at 4K 30fps, and the stabilizer does a better job than expected. The AI makes taking pictures even better and more fun. There’s the auto-framing, magic eraser, magic editor, zoom enhance (which is sci-fi movie-like), video boost (8K up-res in the cloud), and the Add Me feature, which allows for inserting someone into the frame by combining two pictures. It is great with some slight AI fragmentation and can be tricky to set up. Selfies are much better now with the 42MP front camera with autofocus. The Magic Editor helps enhance the pictures even further. There are other quality of life improvements such as a robust screen app/widget optimization, decent notifications, news, great weather app, and Satellite eSOS support when there is no cell signal for emergencies. In the end, I am quite impressed with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Typically, upgrading a phone feels simply like getting the next one, but this time around, it definitely feels like a noticeable upgrade. I will certainly recommend checking it out if you are in the market for a new phone.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb, Unlocked
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Very Big Step Forward For Google With The Pixel 9

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Google has stepped up their game with the Pixel 9 XL Pro. The phone sports a 6.8" display that is very bright (3000 nits) which makes it easy to see even in bright sunlight. It's lighter than my previous phone, but still has a solid case and strong feel to it. The battery lasts me a little over 24 hours. Fast charging helps as I do have to charge this more often than my previous phone. Google stepped it up also with the cameras on the phone. There are 3 rear facing cameras (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto) and one front facing camera (42MP). The photos from the cameras are very good and high resolution. The microphone array works very well. They pick up my voice when I hold the phone at arms length so with recorded video, I can hear my voice whether I'm holding the phone close to me or not. People I've talked to on phone calls are hearing me clearly when I'm holding the phone close to me and also when I have it on speaker phone with the phone in front of me sitting on a desk. Battery I can run a little more than a day on a charge unless I'm using the phone more than I typically would. Typical use though is about a day. I changed to this phone from a different manufacturer's phone. My previous phone would hold a charge for a few days so the shorter battery life of the Pixel 9 is something that I'm having to get used to. The Pixel 9 supports fast charging and I don't have to have it plugged in for long to get the charge back up to 70% or higher. I think it will just be a little time of getting used to plugging it in each day for around half an hour to one hour. Cameras The array of cameras on the Pixel 9 is crazy. Three cameras on the rear of the phone that range between 48MP to 50MP. I'm really liking the results from each of them. They produce high quality high resolution photos. Also the video produced from them is great. You can record video up to 60 frames per second in FHD and 4K. You also get the option for 8K30p. I did notice that when you record video in 4K or use the 8K option, the phone does heat up some, but I never had a problem where it heated up to the point that I felt it was too hot. Also with the 8K option it will require the Video Boost option. I recorded video using 8K30p option and noticed that right after the video ended, the resulting video was a little higher resolution than 4K DCI, but once it was boosted, the resolution was 8K. As far as photos go, they look amazing from each camera. Google has added many photo options to the Pixel 9. The Add Me feature is a brilliant idea. I'll be using the Auto Frame option even more in the future. The Magic Editor is fun to play with. I also like that I can blur out the background of a photo without it causing a problem with me being in the foreground. That helped me when I took some photos of myself downtown and didn't want faces of the people around me to be distracting. I was able to blur everything in the photo except me. Processors The Pixel 9 sports the Tensor G4. This processor is fast and can be seen while using the phone by just how responsive everything is. Apps launched fast for me and general use such as app switching was incredibly fast for me. It also has the Gemini Nano. It helps with local processing of language models as well as some of the processing involving video and photo features. Applying changes to photos was fast and given that I was applying changes to 50MP photos on a phone, I was impressed with the speed at which changes were applied. The Gemini Nano also helps with natural language processing. I was able to see the benefit of this when I was converting my speech to text. I have done this in the past with my Android tablet, but it is always slow and gets a lot of the conversions from speech to text wrong which causes me to have to manually edit the documents. I was able to convert my speech to text for a multi-page document and only had to make one correction compared to doing the same thing with my Android tablet which had me making so many corrections that it almost isn't worth the hassle doing it on my tablet. AI Google had AI in mind when making the Pixel 9. It has the processor, the Gemini Nano, that is needed to make altering of photos, converting speech to text, reading text to you, and much more fast and easy. A big plus is that you can use Gemini as your personal assistant. It's was able to better understand my voice and was much more accurate than the personal assistant that I used on my previous phone. It's much better for me and removes the headaches I had with my previous phone. Having the ability to use local language models is a big help to me as I hike in National Forests and I often find that I don't have cell phone service, but I can still use speech to text to take my notes and it works well. eSOS Google has added a feature called eSOS which will appeal to many that are active. It will use satellites to send information to emergency personnel if you are needing help. I like the peace of mind that I will have when out hiking in places where I don't have cell service. Google, at least at the launch of the Pixel 9, is offering 2 years of this service at no charge which will allow users to take advantage of the feature and decide later if they want to keep it or not. I think many will be like me and have some piece of mind knowing that it will get a message out to first responders if something happens. Final Thoughts I really like the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It's incredibly fast and responsive, has so many photo and video features to count, and is more than capable when it comes to AI. The only things I would say are negatives would be the battery life and the placement of the volume and power buttons. I find that I, more often than not, press the volume up when I'm intending to press the power button. I'll get used to that in time, but hopefully Google will change the placement of the volume button to the opposite side of the phone in future models. Google has done an amazing job with the Pixel 9. I hope Google continues down this path going forward.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Battery, Camera, Storage

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best Pixel Ever?

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This phone FEELS great in the hand. It's got a great weight it it and the display is fantastic. Highly recommend getting a case for this phone cause as great as it feels, it also feels delicate. Camera is one of the most impressive cameras I have ever seen on a phone before. Phone in general is super fast and responsive. The battery life is impressive. I can go almost 2 days before I need to charge it on normal use. If you like Android devices, I highly recommend you consider getting this phone.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Battery, Camera, Storage

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    The G.O.A.T.

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    Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I traded in my Pixel 6 Pro for the 9 Pro XL, which has blown me away with its performance, features, and how cool the battery runs and lasts all day. The camera is amazing with these new features and the new mechanical zoom makes a huge difference.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great performance, security, and a stellar camera

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    First impressions: Despite having XL in the name, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does not feel or handle like an overly large phone. The lightweight sleek body actually has great dimensions for pocket carry, even inside a slim case as shown in one included photo. The camera bump on the rear protrudes quite a bit, so I installed the case to keep it safe when transporting and laying the phone down. If not using a case, I at least suggest using a lens protector for the camera lenses. Power and volume buttons are nicely placed together on the right side for easy one-hand operation. The rear of the phone has a pleasant feeling matte texture. Included in the box are a SIM tool and USB-C charging cable. Setup and activation: The Pixel was easy to get setup after unboxing. I powered it on, connected it to wifi, and activated the eSIM OTA with the carrier. I then signed into my Google account and applied a system update which took about 30 minutes to complete, including a reboot. Fingerprint and PIN setup were both quick and easy to configure but the facial recognition scan feature wasn’t as forgiving as other devices. I’m currently stuck wearing a cervical collar 24x7 for the next month. I was able to easily setup face scan on a competing phone while wearing the collar by tilting the phone instead of my head. When I try doing the same with the Pixel, it keeps saying to move the phone further away. I finally gave up and will complete the setup after the collar is removed. The remaining initial phone setup was straightforward and quickly accomplished. Performance: The bottom tier 128GB internal storage is somewhat on the small size but I’ve learned to make limited space work by not hoarding old photos and useless data. If more storage capacity is required, pre-configured storage options go up to 1TB. There is no removable storage option such as microSD. The Tensor G4 and 16GB RAM combo powers the phone and interface sufficiently with no noticeable lag or latency. Swiping and navigating is clean and fluid. Apps launch quickly and run reliably. Features like AI and the camera also work fluidly with no hiccups. The Pixel includes several safety and security features. The Titan M2 security coprocessor helps keep the phone and data safely locked down. Google VPN provides extra security on untrusted networks. Point to point encryption helps keep my transmitted data safe, and crash detection, crisis alerts, and an upcoming satellite SOS (if wifi and cellular are unavailable), are additional tools to help stay safe, particularly while traveling. Despite the abundance of processing power, tools and features, battery life is actually good compared to other recent model smartphones that I’ve owned. I have no problem getting well over a full day of heavy use and two to three days of light to moderate use before recharging. I haven’t had the battery drain unexpectedly on me yet, but if it does, extreme battery saver mode is supposed to provide up to 100 hours of battery life. I haven’t tried or needed it yet but it’s good to know it’s there if needed. The Pixel fast charges via USB-C or Qi wireless. Utilizing battery share, it can also charge other devices wirelessly via Qi. Communications: Phone voice quality is good and voices sound clear on both ends. The Pixel provides built-in visual voicemail. The native message app is also good. I was worried about messaging coming from my previous phone’s proprietary messaging app, but I haven’t missed a beat with the Pixel’s messaging. I also like that all text boxes are the same color regardless of sender or phone type. Google even integrated Gemini AI in the messaging app. Bluetooth and wifi connectivity are reliable and stable. The phone stays reliably connected to my home network, smartwatch, ear buds, and headset. Screen: The OLED 120Hz screen is vivid and has great brightness, pixel density, and color saturation. It is also snappily responsive to touch, as is the screen embedded ultrasonic fingerprint reader. The fingerprint scanner reliably unlocks on the first attempt most times. In the rare instances it doesn’t, it’s usually because of something I did wrong. I don’t use a screen protector, so I don’t know whether or not installing one would affect readability. However, the scanner on a naked screen is solid and reliable. The gorilla glass is durable enough to survive daily use and has no scuffs or scratches despite me using no screen protector. Camera: The triple lens 50MP rear camera is in a word, fantastic. Features include a 10X optical zoom, ultrawide, and 30X telescopic zoom. The 42MP autofocusing front camera is also a strong performer. Photos from both have great clarity, good color balance/saturation, and reliable auto-focus/exposure. Post processing results look great in fully auto mode. Point and shoot snapshot photos are quite nice rather than a roll of the dice. Manual overrides are available if desired. The camera is easy and intuitive to use and captures stills and video reliably. AI editing features such as AI Magic Editor help make editing fun and more efficient while also expanding creativity options. Post capture tools like Pixel Studio also provide advanced AI editing and creative capabilities. I included an original pic that I took with the Pixel and the same pic with the background swapped out to a space theme which I accomplished using Magic Editor’s Reimagine. All I had to do was highlight to select the background with a few clicks, describe the background I wanted to replace it with, and let the generative AI work its magic. It took barely any time or effort on my part to complete. “Add me” is another fun Pixel AI feature that allows people to swap places mid-capture to easily take group pics and selfies with everyone included. No more outstretched arms and awkward selfie poses, nor being forced to enlist a stranger to get everyone in the photo. Video can be captured in HD (24,30,60fps), 4K(24,30,60fps), or 8K(30fps). 8K is accomplished using video boost with upscaling. Other video features include slow motion, stop motion, time lapse, and cinematic background blur. The camera is by far my favorite tool on the Pixel 9. Not only is it easy to use, but media files are backed up in easily exportable fashion. One of my main reasons for switching to Android was my frustration with backing up photos on my previous phone with a different OS. I got tired of losing irreplaceable photos due to corrupted file formats, limited export options, and lengthy aggravating export sessions due to the phone constantly disconnecting from my PC during export. No such issues with the Pixel. Google Photos has excellent organization features and both the Pixel and Google provided numerous easy ways to safely store, backup, export, and share my photos. AI: I previously touched upon some on the AI photo/video features but the Pixel 9 Pro’s AI goes farther than just photos. Gemini is the built-in helpful AI assistant that provides chatbot style assistance. Ask it a question or to create a generative image and it will typically accommodate the request immediately. I also like using Google Lens which allows me to search within a photo for information about the subject. I took a photo of my car to test and Lens correctly identified the year, make, and model. Doesn’t get much easier. I included a photo of Lens identifying foliage I photographed. Some of the AI is still being fully developed or tweaked and I’ll occasionally encounter a not quite there yet type error if the request cannot be completed. One notable example is if I request Gemini create any images containing a person, even cartoon people. For example, I’ll type in Gemini to create an anime character dancing or performing some other mundane action. Pretty tame and nonspecific request, but I always get a message that Google is working to improve Gemini’s ability to create people and I will be notified when the feature returns. I can’t help but think that in the wake of some recent high profile AI misdeeds and deep fakes, companies are pulling out all stops to prevent having the technology abused and exploited by untrustworthy individuals. I hope the feature is restored but suspect it will be heavily limited whenever or if ever that is. Conclusion: To summarize in TLDR fashion: the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a powerful and helpful smartphone companion. It has numerous useful tools, robust security, and a stellar camera. All of this is bundled into an easy to handle and carry form factor. I can search just about anything with either a simple photograph, by scanning a snippet of music, or asking Gemini AI. Operation is snappy and fluid with no lag. So far, I’ve been nothing but happy and impressed with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb, Unlocked
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    What to expect? The Best of Android and Google.

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I can remember over a decade ago when I couldn't wait until the lastest Nexus release. I couldn't wait to see what was now new next in the Android world. Since the first Pixel I've not been overly excited about a phone release and I since moved on to other brands. I was excited for the Pixel 9Pro XL 128G 16GB RAM phone release from Google. First observation, It has a slim silhouette with rounded corners. It is the largest Pixel Pro phone at 6.8 inches. However, it fits nicely in my 8-inch cross-body bag. Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a triple rear 50MP wide and ultra-wide telephoto zoom lens, and a 42MP front camera. Bright display and UltraSonic fingerprint sensor with facelock , are standard for this model. Several new features that appealed to me were the Satellite SOS and the AI features like Add Me, Magic Editor AUTO FRAME, REIMAGINE, and AUDIO MAGIC ERASER. I can't count the times I have needed this feature in the past! In my opionion the Google phones have always been the best camera phone from the Nexus line to the Google Pixel Pro XL. My pictures are always quality photos! The Google Pixel 9Pro XL is equipped with Genemi AI with 2T Goggle1 free for 1 year. The phone setup took a little time about an hour for me to transfer all apps and files, which was less time than my last phone transfer. In my opionion the Google phones have always been the best camera phone from the Nexus line to the Google Pixel Pro XL. My pictures are always quality photos.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    128gb, Battery, Camera

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Samsung S23 Ultra to Pixel 9 XL

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    |
    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Coming from an Samsung Ultra 23, phone feels much smaller and less substantial, but like the android interface better. Camera is nice, battery life excellent, overall happy with the move to Pixel.

    I would recommend this to a friend

What experts are saying

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Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars with 22 reviews

The analysis of all aggregated expert reviews shows that the reviewers are positive about sound, durability, screen and design. Editors are less positive about usability and price. Using an algorithm based on product age, reviewers ratings history, popularity, product category expertise and other factors, this product gets an alaTest Expert Rating of 99/100 = Excellent quality.
  • gsmarena.comRating, 4.4 out of 5GSMArena Team on August 21, 2024

    Google Pixel 9 Pro XL reviewAugust feels like October not because of the weather, but because Google announced the ninth Pixel generation early. It's all about AI and cameras, of

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  • TechRadarRating, 4.5 out of 5Alex Walker-Todd on August 21, 2024

    Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Google's AI gateway deviceA bigger Pixel 9 Pro, or is there more to Google's new big Pixel?

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  • TechRadarPhilip Berne on August 13, 2024

    Hands on: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review – what bigger buys you in the new Pixel famThe Pixel 9 Pro XL has only a couple advantages over the smaller Pro

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  • The VergeAllison Johnson on August 21, 2024

    Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL review: AI all over the placeGoogle finally got the hardware right.

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  • Tom's GuideJohn Velasco on August 13, 2024

    Google Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL hands-on review: Apple Intelligence is in troubleThese AI phones impress

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  • Android CentralRating, 3.8 out of 5August 21, 2024

    Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL initial review: Two sizes, one visionGoogle is making a lot of changes with the 2024 Pixel lineup, including two sizes of Pro models, but not everything new is better — especially the higher price. The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are the two best phones the company has

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  • Android AuthorityRyan Haines on August 31, 2024

    The Pixel 9 Pro XL is everything I hoped Google could achieve, and then someI've been a Pixel fan for a long time, but I was never sure that Google could make a phone like the Pixel 9 Pro XL. I was wrong.

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  • Tech AdvisorRating, 4 out of 5Jon Mundy on August 21, 2024

    Google Pixel 9 Pro XL reviewGoogle shakes up its flagship design, brightens up its screen, improves its AI and charges more for the privilege

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