Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review | Shines bright with a vibrant display, design and AI

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL shines bright with its new design language, improved thermal performance and AI-guided camera. The chipset performance has been among the top tier with improvements overall

After a long gap, Google has re-introduced an XL variant in its Pixel 9 series. As the name suggests, this is the ‘extra-large’ version with a larger display and form factor. This is Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. With a new design language, the phone attracts people’s attention very quickly. The Pixel 9 Pro XL aims to eat the iPhone’s Pro Max buyers who prefer a larger screen.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a larger form factor with a 162.8 mm x 76.6 mm x 8.5 mm dimension, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 159.9 mm x 76.7 mm x 8.25 mm. Both the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 15 Pro Max weigh 221 grams.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a subtle matte finish which looks and feels quite premium. The plasticky feel has gone away with the Pixel 9 series. It does not get finger imprints on the back either, but smudges can appear if pushed against rough surfaces. Otherwise, it remains clean and does not require constant cleaning.

The usage of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 makes it durable. The IP68 rating adds another layer of protection with water and dust. Inadvertently, I spilled a cup of hot tea on it but the IP rating protected me from embarrassment and the phone from being defunct.

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The protruding camera visor has become synonymous with Pixel phones. The triple rear camera, flash and temperature sensor are all housed in it. The SIM tray, speaker, and USB port are on the bottom while the power key and volume key are placed on the right frame. The punch hole display has an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner which is blazing fast and accurate. The face unlock works perfectly, even with glasses on.

The major improvement in Pixel 9 series has been in the thermal performance compared to Pixel 8 series. The Pixel 9 Pro XL does not heat while doing normal chores like photography, video call or watching content.