Introduction
We tested the Google Pixel 9 Pro to see if adding their ‘Gemini’ AI to everything makes it the phone of the future.
Price:
£1,099 for 256GB model (discounted to £999 for launch), also available in 128GB.
Our rating:
9/10
We like:
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is one of the best smartphones we’ve tried this year and quite different from the others, being built from the ground up for AI. Its unique features include Gemini, an AI assistant which talks just like a human. You can ask it to operate everything from the camera to the calendar, interrupt it and correct it while it is talking.
Pixel 9 Pro Features
The Pixel 9 Pro is not actually the best-specced Pixel phone, because this year Google added a Pixel 9 Pro XL model to the top of the range. It costs £100 more and has a 6.8-inch screen compared to the Pro’s 6.3 inches. The XL is intended to compete with Samsung and Apple’s range-topping phones. There is also a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with an 8-inch folding screen. It costs £1,749.
Design and Hardware
Google has been making Pixel phones for almost a decade now and the hardware feels mature and looks classy. The camera visor, which has become an iconic Pixel ‘look’, has been streamlined, but still looks distinctively Pixel-y, with a jutting rounded structure at the back. The 9 Pro is smaller than last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. The design has also been tweaked, with a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner which is faster and more responsive than last year’s optical one. The 120Hz OLED screen is brighter than previous Pixel generations and looks gorgeous with video.
Camera Updates
On the main camera, Google has boosted the Panorama mode, with ‘helping hands’ that help you to structure the perfect shot. The hardware remains much the same as last year with a triple rear camera including a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens, 48-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 48-megapixel telephoto. The Pixel 9 Pro also features a serious upgrade to the selfie camera, with a jump up from 10.5 to 42 megapixels.
AI Features
Pixel phones have leaned heavily into AI for many years, and the front and back cameras deliver pepped-up shots which use machine learning to smooth out lighting issues. New AI features such as ‘Add Me’ and ‘Reimagine in Magic Editor’ make photo editing an exciting experience.
Gemini Live
The standout feature is Gemini Live, an AI chatbot that can chat with you like a human. It integrates with other apps on the phone, making it practically useful in a way previous chatbots haven’t been. Gemini Live comes with a year of free Gemini Advanced, the Google One subscription.
Pixel 9 Overview
The Pixel 9 has Gemini AI built in, enabling a new suite of photo-editing features such as Add Me. It boasts the brightest screen and best camera seen on a Google phone.
Google Pixel 9 Pro camera specs revealed via Camera FV5 ahead of ...
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a solid contender in the smartphone market, offering AI-enhanced camera performance, speedy silicon, and a lot of personality. Its innovative AI features make it stand out from the competition.
