Is The Pixel 9 Pro XL Still A Good Device?
4 min read
I’ve always been a fan of the Google Pixel brand, but the 9 Pro XL took my loyalty to brand-new heights. From the stellar camera to the near-perfect marriage of hardware and software, the Pixel brand represents the best that Google has to offer. Last Summer, Google released the latest entry in the Pixel family, the Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL — and with them came new aspirations around hardware, software, and AI integration. The Pixel 9 family got rave reviews initially, but how has it performed down the line? Today, we’ll be looking at the Pixel 9 Pro XL 5 months after release, and exploring whether or not it’s still a good device.
Let’s start with one of a smartphone’s biggest and most important components: the battery. The Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts a fairly standard 5,000 mAh battery, which is par for the course with a 2024 smartphone. Initially, battery life was pretty stellar. I could usually go about 5 – 6 hours of screen-on time and still have roughly 35 – 45% battery left by the end of my work day. Now, with streaming podcasts, social media browsing, and taking photos, I’d be lucky to reach 3 PM before needing a recharge. Google recently introduced bypass charging as an option for Pixel 6a and newer devices, which essentially helps extend battery life by making sure the battery doesn’t charge beyond 80%. I’ve been using that feature for about a month now, and while I can tell a small difference, it’s not a substantial enough change to say it’s a necessary change to make.
Pixel phones are often lauded for their camera performance, and I will say, that has been the single most consistent part of the experience so far. Overall, the main camera is great. I didn’t find myself in too many situations where I wished I was using a different device for pics or videos. I do run into the occasional issue with both cameras where blue light seems to leak into the sensor, but that can be solved by an adjustment in position, so it’s not a total deal breaker. Video Boost helps bring out the best in any video I take, but I’m still a bit wary about the fact that for Video Boost to work, the footage has to be uploaded and processed in the cloud first.
AI is a massive part of Google’s whole strategy going forward, and that strategy is wildly evident throughout the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Gemini, Google’s ambitious AI platform is almost fully baked throughout the software on Pixel devices and the experience so far has been a mixed bag. Gemini Live is awesome and responsive, as a voice assistant it works faster and more accurately than the old Google Assistant, and over time will be an insanely powerful tool for users. I use it to schedule reminders, get suggestions for recipes, and general inquiries, and it has become a pretty integral part of my day-to-day life.
Now, on the camera side, some of the AI features were a little wonky for me and honestly, not very feasible as consistently used features. “Add Me” is one that I think I’d use the absolute least, but I do like the other generative options available.
Magic eraser has become my go-to tool for removing those small blemishes or artifacts that pop up in my pics and I don’t specifically notice at the moment. It works well, and only rarely does it NOT get the removal process right. Magic Editor is a bit of an anomaly as it takes a lot more precision, and will usually generate mixed results in terms of accuracy. Still, it’s a fun feature to have access to for those times you want to add a little extra flair to your photos.
Design-wise, this is by far the best-built Pixel device ever. When you hold the Pixel 9 Pro XL, there’s a feeling of premium materials and attention to detail. There’s a heft to it that lets you know Google wanted this to compete with some of the highest-end devices available. The camera bar adds an extra layer of quality to the build of the 9 Pro XL, and lends a modernistic look to the typical camera bar layout.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is not without its flaws. The battery life, while initially impressive, has noticeably declined over time. Some of the AI-powered camera features, while promising, still need some fine-tuning. However, the phone’s strengths – its exceptional camera, sleek design, and seamless integration of Google’s AI – far outweigh these minor shortcomings. For anyone seeking a premium Android experience with a focus on cutting-edge technology, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is still a fantastic option.
