Pixel 9 Pro XL hands-on review: I zoomed in on strangers 5,280 feet away and saw the color of their clothes

I obtained an opportunity to mess around with the Pixel 9 Professional XL, and man, it seems to be like now we have to fully overhaul our understanding of the brand new Pixel household. To begin with, Google not has a dual-phone technique. It is a triple-phone deal now — nicely, 4 should you embrace the brand new Pixel 9 Professional Fold, too.

You have obtained the Pixel 9 Professional XL on the high, the Pixel 9 as your entry-level choice, and the Pixel 9 Professional smack-dab within the center.

It is as if Google is saying, “Hey, we need to be within the large leagues now with Samsung and Apple,” which, by the best way, even have at the least three telephones of their flagship traces. The Pixel 9 sequence additionally obtained a worth hike. The beginning worth is now $799, up from $699, one other sign that Google desires to compete with the large canine.

With the last-generation Pixel 8 sequence, based mostly on optics, a typical client will see that there is only a small cellphone and an enormous cellphone — and so they’ll select accordingly.

The last-generation Pixel 8 sequence, with the Pixel 8 Professional (left) and Pixel 8 (proper)
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Now, with the brand new Pixel 9 sequence, the common Joe will possible suppose, “Hm, I see two smaller telephones and a large third choice.”

Credit score: Kimberly

Admittedly, it is a good technique from Google, as this visible lineup will goad many customers to go for most placing, salient cellphone: the Pixel 9 Professional XL. (And up to date market traits, like Apple dropping the mini variant from the iPhone line, point out that patrons gravitate towards bigger telephones.)

Now that you just perceive the brand new lay of the land for Google Pixel telephones, let’s dive into my first impressions of the Pixel 9 Professional XL, and by extension, the Pixel 9 Professional since their function set is wildly comparable (save for the show and battery measurement).

Pixel 9 Professional XL hands-on expertise

Can we speak in regards to the unimaginable new Tremendous Res Zoom? Featured on the Pixel 9 Professional XL, it will probably zero in on topics as much as 30x, up from 20x on the Pixel 8 Professional. I examined it inside a constructing in Decrease Manhattan that’s a few mile, or 5,280 ft away, from The Edge (the tallest commentary deck in your entire Western Hemisphere).

The Edge is circled in crimson within the far proper nook.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

From a window inside a constructing close to Pier 57, I might see The Edge from a distance. I used the Pixel 9 Professional XL to zoom in on The Edge, and all of the sudden, tiny figures got here into view on the viewfinder.

Here is The Edge at 5x zoom (that is the max the Pixel 9 Professional XL can attain on the telephoto’s optical zoom earlier than digital zoom kicks in):

Pixel 9 Professional XL at 5x zoom
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Edge at 10x zoom:

Pixel 9 Professional XL at 5x zoom
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

And at last, The Edge at 30x zoom:

Pixel 9 Professional XL at 30x zoom
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I zoomed in so shut, I might make out the colour of some guests’ lighter-colored shirts. Hell, I might even rely how many individuals had been standing on the deck if I had sufficient persistence.

That is the cellphone you buy should you attend plenty of live shows and also you need to see your favourite artist from the nosebleed seats. I used to be blown away.

However wait ’til you hear this. Sure, Tremendous Res Zoom has gotten an enchancment on digicam, nevertheless it’s additionally coming to video, too. Plus, you possibly can improve your movies as much as 8K with a brand new function referred to as Video Enhance. Google additionally says the Evening Sight Video function is best than ever, so you possibly can take higher captures in low-light environments.

Each the Pixel 9 Professional XL and the Pixel 9 Professional have the identical digicam system:

In comparison with the Pixel 8 Professional, the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL’s selfie digicam jumped to 42MP from 10.5MP. I took selfies with each the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL, however we weren’t in a position to safe them to indicate our readers.

Selfies with the Pixel 9 Professional XL
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However I will say, in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional Max, I do not appear like an ogre as a result of post-processing tweaks (taking a look at you, Apple.) Plus, the selfie digicam digicam now has autofocus.

New design that tweaks the digicam bar

The Google Pixel sequence is understood for its signature edge-to-edge digicam bar. (I’ve all the time joked that the Google Pixel sequence seems to be like Star Trek’s Geordi La Forge — or Roger Federer with a sweatband).

That is the Google Pixel 8 Professional, which has the edge-to-edge digicam bar
Credit score: Alex Perry / Mashable

Now, Google remodeled the funky function from a bar to an island.

Pixel 9 Professional XL in Rose Quartz
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Additionally, not like the Pixel 8 sequence, the brand new Google Pixel 9 sequence’ digicam bar is shade matched with the chassis. Though the Pixel 9 Professional XL is designed to be the most important of the trio, it did not really feel unwieldy in my hand. However it positively will not slot in your pockets in the event that they’re of the smaller, tighter selection. Plus, I used to be impressed with the cellphone’s silky matte glass end, which did not accumulate any grease nor fingerprints.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL, in addition to the Pixel 9 Professional, is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz. I most well-liked all the colours however Porcelain just because, all as a result of my very own fault, I by chance smudged a little bit of my very own make-up on it after touching my face. As such, I simply know I might desire a shade that hides stains higher. Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is very straightforward to scrub, regardless of which shade you get.

Beautiful show

Here is the place the Pixel 9 Professional XL differs from the Pixel 9 Professional. It packs a 6.8-inch, 1344 x 2992 show whereas the Pixel 9 Professional has a 6.3-inch, 1280 x 2856 panel. Curiously, the Pixel 9 Professional is smaller than the Pixel 8 Professional, which is 6.7 inches.

Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It nonetheless has that enticing hole-punch design, and regardless of standing in a brightly lit room with daylight pouring in, the display was nonetheless punchy, clear, and well-illuminated. It is because the Pixel 9 Professional XL (and Pixel 9 Professional) has a peak brightness of as much as 3,000 nits in comparison with the Pixel 8 Professional’s 2,400 nits.

Battery life

The rule of thumb is {that a} bigger battery capability ought to result in extra battery life. If the Pixel 9 Professional XL follows that rule, it ought to outpace the Pixel 9 Professional with its 5,060 mAh battery capability in comparison with its smaller Professional sibling’s 4,700 mAh battery.

Each telephones are rated for over 24 hours of battery life and as much as 100 hours of battery life with Excessive Battery Saver.

Thoughts-blowing AI

Due to the brand new Google tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9 Professional XL, in addition to the opposite Pixel 9 telephones, have arguably the most effective set of AI options I’ve ever seen on a cellphone.

For instance, with the brand new Add Me function, you possibly can take an image of a bunch of buddies, have somebody take an image of your self, and AI will merge that photograph collectively as should you had been within the authentic photograph:

Add Me function
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable / Canva

There’s additionally a brand new AI function referred to as Reimagine, which lets you choose an object in a photograph, and with a immediate, you possibly can remodel it into something you need.

With Reimagine, you possibly can remodel a street right into a raging river.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable / Canva

For extra AI options coming to the Google Pixel 9 sequence, take a look at our record on the cool new perks coming to the lineup.

Closing ideas

As I hinted on the outset, the brand new Pixel 9 Professional XL is designed to get folks to seize the priciest choice since customers are inclined to gravitate in direction of both probably the most premium choice or the entry-level mannequin. Now, the Pixel 9 Professional is the center youngster, making it much less enticing to customers.

Final 12 months, the Pixel 8 Professional, the most effective Pixel cellphone you would get, set you again $1,000. Now, the most effective Pixel cellphone you may get, the Pixel 9 Professional XL, units you again $1,100.

Once more, it is a sensible technique on Google’s half. Personally, I might gravitate towards the Pixel 9 Professional XL myself as a result of I all the time need the best-of-the-best. Plus, lengthy battery runtime is essential to me, so I might go for the system with the best capability.

Total, this 12 months’s Pixel 9 sequence proves that Google is severe about competing in opposition to the key gamers within the cell business — and this daring transfer will problem Samsung and Apple’s dominance like by no means earlier than.