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Operating system
Android 14
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Screen size
6.8 in
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Processor frequency
3.1 GHz
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$849.00
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Our opinion
Google has not escaped the trend of turning its flagship smartphones into more powerful and/or more imposing models. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is both, and it's big on all fronts, for a device that goes way beyond the limits!
The XL label is a bit of an exaggeration in terms of dimensions, however, as the smartphone is ultimately the same size or almost the same as the previous Pixel 8 Pro with a slightly larger screen, thanks to slightly optimized edges, and straight edges in shiny metal. The physical keys fall nicely under the fingers, and the fingerprint reader under the screen is very responsive. The matte glass rear panel goes hand in hand with a pronounced photo block, notably due to a temperature sensor. We're pleased to note that the IP68 standard guarantees waterproofing and comprehensive connectivity, but all these features come at the price of considerable weight. Weighing in at over 210 grams, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is hard to ignore.
The screen is generous, with a diagonal of 6.8 inches, but the definition of this slab goes hand in hand (1344 by 2992 pixels) for a fine display. The panel's refresh rate can range from 1 to 120 Hz, for constant fluidity and therefore added comfort. But the most interesting feature is undoubtedly the brightness, which is very high, enabling the device to be used in very bright light conditions, and the Pixel 9 remains legible, despite noticeable reflections. Finally, the natural setting delivers a color rendering that may be a little cold, but is well-balanced overall, with no noticeable drift.
Google's latest-generation processor provides maximum power for this Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. And indeed, as it is also equipped with a generous RAM, the smartphone handles the most common uses without any difficulty. But it does show some weaknesses in gaming, with a strong propensity to heat up, which tends to make it difficult to hold in the hand but also affects autonomy, and to combat this, the fluidity of games can sometimes suffer.
When it comes to photography, Google has thought big and equipped this Pixel 9 Pro XL with three lenses, a main one with two modules devoted respectively to ultra-wide-angle and zoom. The main module, with 50 million pixels, produces 12.5 million shots per pixel combination. The images are of excellent quality, with warm but realistic tones, a high level of detail and pronounced sharpness. Also noteworthy is the excellent homogeneity of the scene. There's only a slight loss in quality when light is lacking, with a truly excellent rendering. The 50 megapixel mode is especially useful for cropping in good lighting conditions. The ultra-wide-angle module also uses a combination of pixels (up to 48 megapixels), and produces images without major defects, with controlled distortion and well-managed overall processing. Unsurprisingly, the loss of light in the scene pays off in terms of photo quality. Finally, the telephoto lens is also equipped with 48 million pixels, and when the environment is bright enough, there's not much to say about the rendering. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, struggles to zoom in properly in dark surroundings.
The photo sensor for selfies doesn't skimp on quality, with plenty of detail and precision. Portrait mode, too, is top-notch, with fine, effective cropping. Video capture finally reaches 8K (at 30 fps), which will please the most demanding users.
While the Pixel 9 Pro XL's battery life is nothing to be ashamed of, as the device lasts more than a day without faltering, the competition sometimes does better, and Google's promise of 24 hours of use isn't really kept. But if you want to recharge it, even if you don't benefit from real fast charging, it's still the fastest recharge we've seen on a Pixel, and an hour and twenty minutes are enough to charge the smartphone with the right charger.
Review of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL done by Julien Hany the 2024/11/01
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Key points
Photo resolution
50 MP
Video resolution
1080 p
Photo resolution (Front camera)
42 MP
Capacity
5060 mAh
Screen size
6.8 in
PPI
482
Processor frequency
3.1 GHz
RAM (Version 256GB 16GB Ram)
16384 MB
Internal storage (Version 1TB 16GB RAM)
1024 GB
Barometer
Yes
Qi wireless charging
Yes
Rugged
Yes
Weak points
Weight
221 oz
Audio
No
Ambient light sensor
No
Removable storage
No
