This year’s Pixel Pro update had a surprise: Google revealed two different versions, the Pixel 9 Pro for $1,000 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL for $1,100, with the main difference being a larger screen and larger battery capacity on the latter.
The move reflects Google’s apparent desire to replicate the success of Apple’s iPhone Pro line, which offers customers the choice between a standard size and a larger Max configuration. Although the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL share many key features, including camera resolution, people may be willing to pay that extra $100 for minor upgrades in battery capacity and display size.
If you’d rather go for the standard Pixel 9 Pro, here’s how the phone compares to last year’s 8 Pro (which launched with the same price tag).
Smaller display on the Pixel 9 Pro
Google saves its larger 6.8-inch display for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, while the standard Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch OLED display – smaller than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch display. Both the 9 and 8 Pro have a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Unsurprisingly, the 9 Pro also has smaller overall dimensions: it measures 6 inches tall, 2.8 inches wide, and 0.3 inches deep. The 8 Pro is 6.4 inches tall, 3.0 inches wide, and 0.3 inches deep. The 9 Pro weighs 199g, while the 8 Pro weighs 213g.
Both phones have an under-display fingerprint sensor.
Matching cameras – with one crucial difference
The Pixel 9 and 8 Pro have the same 50-megapixel wide-angle, 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, and 48-megapixel 5x telephoto cameras. The main difference is that the 9 Pro has a 42-megapixel front-facing camera, while the 8 Pro has a 10.5-megapixel front-facing camera. We’ll have to see how these fare in CNET’s camera tests, as more megapixels doesn’t necessarily mean better photos.
Both can record 4K videos.
Batteries, memory and data storage
The 9 Pro has a 4,700mAh battery, while the 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery. It’s worth noting that while a higher mAh number equates to a larger battery capacity, it doesn’t always mean better performance; power efficiency is also an important factor in determining a phone’s battery life.
Both devices have a USB-C port and do not come with a charger. The 9 Pro supports 45W wired fast charging, while the 8 Pro supports 30W charging. You can also charge wirelessly; the Pixel 9 Pro supports 15W wireless charging with the 2nd generation Google Pixel Stand, as well as 12W Qi wireless charging. The 8 Pro supports 13W Qi wireless charging.
As for memory and storage, the 9 Pro has 16GB of RAM while the 8 Pro comes with 12GB of RAM. Both devices offer options for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB of internal storage. There is no expandable storage.
Processors, software and operating system updates
The Pixel 9 Pro is an evolution of last year’s Tensor G3 chip and features the latest G4 processor.
Like the 8 Pro, which launched late last year, it comes with Android 14, although 15 will be available soon. Both phones come with seven years of operating system and security updates, which should justify the price.
For further comparison of the technical specifications, see the table below.
Pixel 9 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | Google Pixel 8 Pro | |
| Display size, technology, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch LTPO OLED; 2,856 x 1,280 pixels; variable refresh rate from 1–120 Hz | 6.7-inch OLED; 3,120 x 1,440 pixels; adaptive refresh rate of 1–120 Hz |
| Pixel density | 495ppi | 489ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches | 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm | 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 199g (7oz.) | 213g (7.5oz) |
| Mobile-Software | Android14 | Android14 |
| camera | 50 megapixels (wide), 48 megapixels (ultrawide), 48 megapixels (5x telephoto) | 50 megapixels (wide angle), 48 megapixels (ultra wide angle), 48 megapixels (telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 42 megapixels | 10.5 megapixels |
| Video recording | 4K | 4K |
| processor | Google TensorG4 | Google TensorG3 |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Expandable memory | None | None |
| battery | 4,700mAh | 5,050mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under Display | Under Display |
| Connector | USB C | USB C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | Satellite SOS; 7-year warranty on OS, security and Pixel features; IP68 dust and water resistance; Video Boost with 8K upscaling; Macro focus on ultra-wide angle; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; 3,000 nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (2nd gen); 12W Qi wireless charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; Dual SIM (eSIM + Nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor | 5G (Sub 6 and mmWave); VPN by Google One; 7 years of OS, security and feature drop updates; Front camera with autofocus; 13W wireless Qi charging; 30W wired charging; USB 3.2 speeds over USB-C; IP68 dust and water resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back |
| US price starts at | 999 USD (128GB) | 999 USD (128GB) |
| The price in the UK starts at | Equivalent to £783 (128GB) | £999 (128GB) |
| Australia price starts at | Converted to AU$1,514 (128 GB) | AU$1,699 (128GB) |
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