Google's Pixel 9 Pro not only offers the same excellent cameras and AI tricks as the larger XL. It also has an excellent display and is similarly durable. This makes it an ideal choice for people looking for a compact top Android, but has strong standard competition.
For the first time, Google has introduced two Pixel Pro variants. In addition to an XL device, the Pixel 9 Pro is now available as a variant with the dimensions of the significantly smaller standard 9 Series. This could close a gap and attract new buyers for Google. Because compact top Androids that are not almost 7 inches tall are rare. The prerequisite is that the Pixel 9 Pro is equal to the XL not only on paper, but also in reality. ntv.de has tested whether this is the case.
If you place the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro next to each other with the display facing up, they are practically indistinguishable from each other if they have the same color. You can't tell that the Pro's 6.34-inch screen is 0.04 inches larger.
Telephoto camera on board
Only when you turn the two smartphones over does a visible difference become apparent: the Pro has an additional telephoto camera with a periscope lens in the newly designed camera unit, which allows a fivefold optical magnification.
Ultra wide angle lens…
(Photo: kwe)
The practical test showed that Google didn't cheat, but that the triple camera is just as powerful as the XL. That's quite impressive, because there's significantly less space available in the case. The professionals at DxOMark also confirm that the Pixel 9 Pro cameras are excellent, where the XL took second place overall – only the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is better.
Great display
The second important difference from the standard 9 is the quality of the screen. Like the XL, the 9 Pro's display offers a variable refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hertz (HZ). In addition, the Pro panel can shine brighter. At 495 ppi, the display is also crisp, its contrasts are excellent, and the colors are bright but realistic.
… main camera, …
(Photo: kwe)
The better screen technology and an apparently quite efficient Tensor G4 chip also save energy. For this purpose, Google has installed a battery that, at 4700 milliamp hours (mAh), has a higher capacity than the battery of the Pixel 8 (4575 mAh). Together, this results in above-average runtimes. In the practical test, it was no problem getting through the day with the device, even with intensive use.
Very good endurance
In normal operation, you can also wait until midday the following day before connecting the Pixel 9 Pro to the power supply. However, you have to allow some time for this because, like its brothers, it is not a particularly fast charger. According to Google, the battery is about half full after half an hour with a suitable 45-watt power adapter. Inductively it takes a little longer.
… telephoto camera.
(Photo: kwe)
For demanding users, it may also play a role that the Pro has 16 gigabytes (GB) of RAM, which is better equipped than the standard model, which offers 12 GB. You won't notice the difference in normal use, but with guaranteed seven years of Android updates, better storage could pay off later.
There are also variants of the 9 Pro with 512 GB and a terabyte (TB) of flash storage. The Normalo is only available with 128 or 265 GB.
When it comes to the new AI properties, there are practically no differences between all three 9s. Gemini is gradually replacing the Google Assistant, for full functionality you have to take out a subscription after a free year, and some features are only available in English for the time being.
Conclusion
The Pixel 9 Pro is perhaps currently the best compact Android smartphone, which also makes the current iPhone competition look old in some areas. The cameras and display are great and the AI properties are currently unique. The endurance is now great, and not just in comparison to the Pixel 8.
However, you have to shell out at least 1100 euros for this. The standard device does not have a telephoto camera, a slightly weaker display and slightly less RAM. Otherwise it is equivalent, but around 200 euros cheaper.
