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 received a smaller model. We examined the Pixel 9 Professional and can let you know the way it performs in battery life, efficiency, show, and extra.
Good
- Versatile cameras
- Wonderful show
- Good construct high quality
- The most effective software program replace coverage
Unhealthy
- Outdated efficiency
- Gradual charging speeds
Google Pixel 9 Professional: All offers
In a Nutshell
Launched in the course of 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 similar 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 avoid wasting 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 not solely is vivid and quick however can 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.
Cons:
Though nonetheless compact, the Pixel 9 Professional (and the common Pixel 9) remains to be barely larger than the Pixel 8, and the flat sides make it really feel heftier within the hand. And sure, the flat aspect design makes it seem 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 elements (which occurred within the Pixel 8, for instance). The shiny end on the aspect seems good in photos however is fast to seize fingerprints, and a few could be involved about the way it will take care of scratches in the long term.
Talking of which, Google additionally despatched the non-compulsory protecting case for this overview, and whereas it’s well-made and surrounds the telephone properly, it additionally will get eliminated moderately too simply, most likely because of the 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 field” design is considerably taller, one thing to bear in mind. 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 style however refresh charges may range between 1 and 120 Hz because of LTPO tech, which resulted in some battery life enhancements.
One welcome improve to the display is that it reaches each excessive and low brightness ranges. It could possibly go as much as 3000 nits peak brightness for utilizing the telephone outdoor beneath the solar, but additionally drop actually low to when you’re utilizing the Pixel 9 Professional in darkish conditions (for instance studying at evening).
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 can be performed with face recognition, and Google offers the function its highest safety certification, identical to on the Pixel 8. That permits customers to approve funds by wanting on the selfie digicam, even when the telephone doesn’t have particular depth sensors.
Android 14 with additional apps
Launched with Android 14, as of publishing this overview, 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 “previous” model, Google packed a few new apps for the Pixel 9 telephones.
Execs:
- Seven years of safety updates.
Cons:
- Some indicators of bloat on “inventory” 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 barely matched by flagship Galaxy telephones.
A clear set up with up to date apps takes round 20 GB of storage, marking a big improve over the earlier era (the Pixel 8 reported solely 9 GB in an identical state final yr).
That may partially be attributed to a few additional apps, comparable to 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 overview, so I received’t be repeating that.
The brand new Screenshots app didn’t fairly work in the course of the check due to area and language restrictions, however the Pixel Studio ran high-quality. The telephone remains to be not highly effective sufficient to generate the photographs by itself, so it wants an web connection to the Google servers.
Its utility could be very questionable, however the outcomes have been a minimum of enjoyable for the ten minutes we spent with it. You may copy, save, or share the generated pictures, and there are a few completely different types to pick out, together with a “Sticker” choice that we wished could possibly be built-in into chat apps.
There may be additionally the brand new Climate app, with an AI powered abstract and many information inside completely different widgets. The AI climate report could 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 evening and require the following day’s report.
Disappointing efficiency
On its fourth era, the in-house Tensor chip doesn’t deliver a big improve by way of efficiency to the Pixel 9 Professional, with solely small enhancements within the final 4 years. On the constructive aspect, nevertheless, there’s 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 of 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) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu | 948,187 | 1,094,183 | 1,939,484 | 1,851,716 | 1,153,512 | 1,455,312 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Excessive Stress Check |
Greatest loop: 2559 Worst loop: 2046 Stability: 80% |
Greatest loop: 2603 Worst loop: 2071 Stability: 79.6% |
Greatest loop: 4708 Worst loop: 3606 Stability: 76.6% |
Greatest loop: 5160 Worst loop: 3013 Stability: 58.4% |
Greatest loop: 2437 Worst loop: 1667 Stability: 68.5% |
Greatest loop: 3140 Worst loop: 2584 Stability: 82.3% |
| 3DMark Metal Nomad Gentle Stress Check |
Greatest loop: 1043 Worst loop: 873 Stability: 83.7% |
Greatest loop: 1685 Worst loop: 1335 Stability: 79.2% |
Greatest loop: 980 Worst loop: 662 Stability: 67.6% |
Greatest loop: 1066 Worst loop: 945 Stability: 88.6% |
||
| 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 modifying a video and particularly video games, customers can discover that the Tensor chips are usually not evolving sufficient to maintain up with the competitors.
On the plus aspect, nevertheless, Google appears to have addressed a typical grievance with earlier Pixel telephones and improved the warmth dissipation system on the Pixel 9 Professional. The telephone nonetheless will get heat beneath heavy duties, however a minimum of appears to not lose as a lot efficiency attributable to thermal throttling as up 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 units not solely due to general efficiency but additionally the truth that the Tensor G4 lacks help for contemporary options like ray tracing (the variety of video games utilizing RT is low at present, however the telephone will likely be supported for a very long time…).
Digicam
The triple digicam setup on the Pixel 9 Professional is identical because the one on the larger XL mannequin, together with a 50-megapixel major 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 up 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 preserve pushing the envelope with regards to digicam {hardware} and processing.
In daylight, photos are typically good, with a pleasant stage 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, excellent for large panorama photographs, 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 additionally when capturing 10x photos with a contact of digital zoom.
Evening photographs however have been a bit disappointing, even with the evening mode participating robotically on mainly all photographs within the gallery above. The images have been a bit on the noisy aspect, with some high quality drops in each ultra-wide and 10x photographs.
On the software program aspect, apart from the Add me function you possibly can test 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 an enormous downside for close-up photographs.
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 photographs or panorama selfies.
Battery life
Powered by a 4700 mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Professional can’t compete with larger telephones and their big capacities. However the environment friendly LTPO show and a few software program tips handle to ship nearly two days of battery life.
Execs:
- Respectable battery life.
- Wi-fi and reverse wi-fi charging.
- Software program optimizations.
Cons:
- Gradual wired charging.
- No Qi2 help.
By default, the Pixel 9 Professional comes with a “Excessive decision” 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 massive 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | |||||
| 10 minutes | |||||
| 20 minutes | |||||
| half-hour | |||||
| 1 hour | |||||
| Full cost | |||||
| PC Mark Battery check |
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Below the simulated check performed by the PCMark app, the default choice lasted for 16h34min between 80 and 20% cost whereas the “Excessive decision” mode misplaced one hour of battery life. The efficiency rating was throughout the margin of error, so there have been no additional tips with processing speeds.
In observe, that must be greater than sufficient for a full day of utilization, and extra frugal customers may squeeze two days out of the telephone by pairing the “Excessive decision” mode with the battery-saving options on the Pixel 9 Professional.
In terms of charging, Google remains to be taking part in it secure. The Pixel 9 Professional tops at 27 W wired charging and can be appropriate with wi-fi charging, with Qi reaching 12 Watts, whereas the Pixel Stand prices 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 sooner 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 searching for a telephone with actually quick charging, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and different Chinese language manufacturers are most likely higher choices.
Technical specs
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| Reminiscence |
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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 which will curiosity the nextpit neighborhood:
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Remaining 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 a protracted option to go by way of market share, it has a stage 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 embrace not solely the highly effective telephoto digicam and flagship show, but additionally issues which can 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 beneath a $900 value level. At $1000/€1100, the Google telephone has to compete with a lot sooner fashions from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Samsung, and others.
The Pixel 9 Professional nonetheless has some benefits by way of software program updates and options, with a frequent stream of added options promised till 2031. However present costs take it out of an imaginary “immediate advice” listing.
As standard, rigorously weigh your priorities when contemplating the Pixel 9 Professional. It’s higher constructed than any earlier Pixel, gives 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 remains to be a strong alternative, the competitors is now extra aggressive than ever on this value vary.
